Yet, to some extent, the All Blacks are already well equipped to move on. This is unusual. It is not often, if ever, that a successful sports team are able to build their succession plan while retaining their place at the top of the tree.
It is usually one or the other. The most successful periods in history tend to end when a team finally have to say goodbye to their core and, in a short space of time, the magic has gone. Teams that dominate the way the All Blacks have tend to disintegrate quickly when the time comes and then have to spend an age rebuilding, clawing their way back to where they were.
Not this group. The All Blacks already have their captain in place. Kieran Read will take over from McCaw and he has had the luxury of already experiencing what the job is all about.
It would be silly to believe Read could pick up from where McCaw left off, given the latter's incredible experience and skill as a captain, but he can at least enjoy a head start. And most importantly, Read has the attributes to be a good All Black captain in time.
In Sam Cane there is a ready-made replacement openside. The youngster has almost 30 caps and he's only 23. More than that, though, he has already shown himself to be an exceptional prospect.
There were a few around New Zealand who were surprised by Cane's selection in 2012. Everyone gets what he's all about now. He's a talent and New Zealand will lack for nothing when he slips into the jersey next year.
It's the same at first-five. For almost 10 years, New Zealand was terrified about playing a test without Daniel Carter at No 10. For a period this year, there were plenty of people wondering whether the time had already come for the All Blacks to think about starting with one of the many alternatives.
Carter has fought his way back to his best form and the All Blacks are a more penetrative and better balanced team for it. But they will survive when Carter heads to Paris and joins Racing Metro.
They have two players at least in Aaron Cruden and Beauden Barrett who look ready to stake a long-term claim, and Liam Sopoaga is a thrilling prospect. Youngster Damian McKenzie could also force his way into the mix next year and the All Blacks may not notice that Carter has gone.
They already have their head coach locked in and that has given them certainty about styles, attitudes and cultures that will be in play next year.
Hopefully it will be at least another week before anyone really has to think about next year - but it could at least provide some kind of solace today that the game is not broken by any means.
Captain
Kieran Read will take over the captaincy from Richie McCaw and the expectation is that he will fit into the role quickly and seamlessly. He's done it nine times since 2012 and played his best rugby when he has been captain. Sam Cane, Aaron Cruden, Brodie Retallick and Ben Smith will form the core of the wider leadership group. Other players such as Jerome Kaino, Aaron Smith and Beauden Barrett may also be elevated to the leadership group.
Coaches
Steve Hansen is contracted through to the end of 2017. It is almost certain he will remain in the job until then, with a strong prospect he will win a further two years to take him through to the 2019 World Cup. The remainder of his existing coaching team have not yet declared what they will be doing after the World Cup and none are so far contracted to stay on.
It is likely assistant coach Ian Foster will sign for another two years. He has proven himself an outstanding assistant who has learned quickly. He is strong enough to make his voice heard but not to the point where he is pushy. He has had a major influence on the style of rugby the team has played.
Forwards coach Mike Cron is likely to step down after 12 years with the team. Mick Byrne continues to drive the skill levels of the All Blacks to world-leading levels and it is thought that if he wants to stay with the team, he will be able to.
Fitness coach Nic Gill has been with the All Blacks for eight years and, with a young family and academic interests, he'll have offers to do other things after the World Cup.
Manager Darren Shand is believed to be in contract talks with New Zealand Rugby to sign a contract extension and independent selector Grant Fox has already committed to stay in his role for another two years.
Sevens
Only Sonny Bill Williams and Liam Messam from the current World Cup squad are likely to be involved with the Olympic Sevens programme. If they make the final cut, neither will be available for the All Blacks until mid-way through the Rugby Championship.
What's coming up?
The All Blacks will play three tests against Wales in June, followed by the Rugby Championship. Their end-of-year plans have not been finalised but it is understood they will play a test against Ireland in Chicago in early November. That will be followed by tests against France, Italy and possibly Ireland again in Dublin.
The following year they will take on the British and Irish Lions before heading into the Rugby Championship and an end-of-year tour to Europe.
Keep an eye out for...
A number of players could emerge strongly in next year's Super Rugby championship and come into All Blacks reckoning. Depending how much he plays - he is likely to be used by New Zealand sevens - Akira Ioane at the Blues is a huge, bruising, skilled loose forward with incredible pace and ball skills.
Damian McKenzie at the Chiefs has the total range of skills needed to play test football. Other players, such as Highlanders first-five Lima Sopoaga, are likely to solidify their presence with the All Blacks after being involved in the first half of this year.
Highlanders loose forward Elliot Dixon was a whisker away from being picked this year, as was Ardie Savea at the Hurricanes. Scott Barrett at the Crusaders is a talented lock, and Chiefs halfback Brad Weber is an exciting prospect.
2016 team
15. Ben Smith
Has the sort of game that could allow him to keep his starting place all the way through to the next World Cup.
14. Nehe Milner-Skudder
Has the best footwork in world rugby and will only get better with experience.
13. Malakai Fekitoa
Is learning his trade still. Regular game time should see him improve his overall reading and understanding of his role.
12. Charlie Ngatai
Strong, fast, clever and composed, Ngatai has been one of Super Rugby's most consistent performers for several years.
11. Julian Savea
Still in is prime. Keeps getting better and his performances are linked to his confidence, which is in turn linked to his experience.
10. Aaron Cruden
The forgotten man of 2015 but he'll be back in 2016 to remind everyone he is a world-class No 10 with everything he needs.
9. Aaron Smith
Should have a near-indisputable claim by next year to be considered one of the best, if not the best, All Blacks halfbacks ever.
8. Kieran Read
Captaincy sits well with Read and it should be the catalyst to nudge out the last pieces of his game that we haven't seen as much of in 2015.
7. Sam Cane
Will become a permanent selection with 30-plus test caps to his credit and enough confidence to believe he can quickly become world-class.
6. Jerome Kaino
There's plenty of life left in Kaino and he showed with his performance against France that he's still an absolute beast who can hurt opponents.
5. Sam Whitelock
Been around for a long time and still only in his 20s. Best attacking lineout forward in the game and contributes strongly in all aspects.
4. Brodie Retallick
Already the world's best player and keeps getting better. Loves a physical challenge and seems to have an enormous engine.
3. Owen Franks
Like Whitelock, has been around for years but is still pretty much a baby. Rock-solid scrummager whose tackling has vastly improved.
2. Dane Coles
Mobile to a ridiculous degree and accurate to an astonishing level in his core skills. Coles is the near perfect hooker for the modern game.
1. Wyatt Crockett
His groin injury came at the wrong time as he was just beginning to show he has both the scrummaging pedigree and all-round skills to be a major contributor.
