KEY POINTS:
The shrewd, wily former Irish rugby legend Willie John McBride has joined the camp of those convinced next year's World Cup is already in New Zealand's hands. He pinpoints the specific reason why 2007 will present a different outcome for the All Blacks, compared to previous World Cups,
bar 1987.
"They look very strong and the difference this time compared to recent World Cups is that they have developed a huge depth. I cannot see them being beaten."
Nevertheless, McBride took a swipe at some of the All Blacks antics on the field again throughout 2006, carefully choosing the word cheat.
"They can certainly cheat well. I just can't understand why referees and touch judges cannot see it. On this recent tour of Britain and France, they were holding opponents back by the shirt, running across opponents, taking out players off the ball - all those little things that have a tremendous end result."
Does a New Zealand team as good as this one need to indulge in such low tricks?
"No is the answer. But they do it because they always have done. That is the way it is. But it's up to referees and touch judges to be far more aware of it and stop it."
None of that deflects from McBride's acknowledgement of a supreme All Blacks side. He says that a clear focus on traditional elements of the game's forward play is another major reason for their dominance.
"They are the one team in the world that has really put a tremendous emphasis on scrummaging. They will never admit that, but they have.
"They out-scrummage every team they play against. And the game they play is a continuity game; they don't go in for this nonsense of slowing the game down. They keep the ball alive and they're good at it."
Perhaps only Ireland of the other major rugby playing nations have moved forward anywhere near to New Zealand's current position of eminence.
McBride is delighted to see that but he warns his fellow countrymen: "Enjoy your position in the rugby sunshine; it won't last forever."
The big Ulsterman doffs his cap in acknowledgement to Eddie O'Sullivan's side and marvels at their successes. But he fears long term Irish rugby is going to face some tough times.
"I have been pleased to watch this Irish squad come together and produce such good rugby. We can play a very balanced game now. We have the backs to make inroads. I liked Andrew Trimble from the first day I saw him, he's a real talent. I'm delighted to watch an Ireland team that knows what it is trying to do and understands that pace is needed in the modern game. It is very encouraging. England at the moment are dying with the ball, mucking about with it and their scrummaging is rubbish."
But the dark clouds on the horizon? For a start, McBride warns his fellow Irishmen that no one should get carried away by the outcome of the autumn series.
"There wasn't much competition, it wasn't a great South African or Australian team. Both countries used this tour for re-building purposes and the Aussies, in particular, looked very tired, played out.
"They will be back for the World Cup next year, I'm sure of that. Nor can we expect England to go on like this for much longer. I feel sorry for Andy Robinson, I think he is a genuine guy. England just aren't picking the right players at the moment. But they've not got anyone to build a team around.
"Yet England do still have the players. We have to remember that."
And, says McBride, casting his eye towards the Six Nations Championship, Wales are a better side than people have given them credit for in the light of their 45-10 hammering by New Zealand.
But other aspects threaten Ireland's long term prosperity, in McBride's view.
"We are on the crest of the wave at the moment. We may well keep going on it to the World Cup next year. But I forecast it will break at some point in the next two years because we haven't got the necessary number of players.
"You can go over a crest and then sink. England have far more players than we have in Ireland but look at the depths they have sunk to.
"I ask, where are we going to get the players in 10 years time because the grassroots of the game in this country is dying? All those players in the present squad came through our clubs. Guys like Andrew Trimble and Paddy Wallace emerged from my own club Ballymena.
"But I don't believe my club will continue to produce players of that quality in the future.
"In fact, I don't know where Irish rugby will get the players from in the years to come. The club scene is struggling all over Ireland and if the grassroots is in trouble, then you can be sure that at some point further down the road, that will be felt at the top level of the game.
"Another problem is that several schools no longer play rugby. So whether we like it or not, the clubs will never be fit to encourage and coach rugby like the schools used to. The clubs do a certain amount but the good players, the best ones for the future were always grounded in the skills of the game at school. Then the clubs picked them up and developed them further."
So Ireland might be advised to enjoy the good times now.
They won't last forever.
* Peter Bills is a rugby writer for Independent News & Media in London
