Editorial: Time for our champions to find the spark

All Blacks forward pack during the All Blacks captains run held at St James' Park, Newcastle. Photo / Brett Phibbs

All Blacks’ sluggish form is a Rugby World Cup worry ... and so is the sad slump in the fortunes of South Pacific teams.

The end of Rugby World Cup pool play is always a time for reflection. There is the chance to ponder what has happened over the previous three weeks and what is likely to happen in the knockout matches in the three weeks ahead.

This tournament has provided no shortage of talking points. Japan's defeat of South Africa in one of the first games gave a hint of upsets to come, none more so than the early exit of England, the host and a likely finalist in some eyes. Through it all, the All Blacks have barely got out of first gear and have looked anything but the defending champion and a commanding tournament favourite.

Playing in the weakest pool was always going to be a mixed blessing for them. The lack of pressure and reduced likelihood of serious injuries were offset by the threat of being underdone at the start of the sudden-death matches. Their coach, Steve Hansen, has suggested they have been foxing during their poor performances against minnow nations and that much of the powder in their arsenal, therefore, remains dry. Many New Zealanders are, understandably, unconvinced.

What has been most notable in these matches has been the lack of spark in some of the team's most outstanding players. Fullback Ben Smith is not beating tacklers with the ease of a year ago, and No 8 Kieran Read is not the devastating runner of old. The same is true of Jerome Kaino, and Julian Savea no longer cuts such an imposing figure on the wing. The experiment of replacing props Tony Woodcock and Owen Franks against Georgia failed, and Dan Carter and Beauden Barrett have been off target in their goalkicking.

Obviously, it is too early to write off the All Blacks. Their form may, indeed, be all part of a cunning plan. But it would have been more reassuring if handling lapses and other inaccuracies had been kept to a minimum even while much was being kept under wraps. As it is, many commentators have now installed Australia as favourites on the basis of their efficient dispatch of England.

That, too, is premature. England's unexpected weakness was exposed by an injury-ravaged Wales. By the time of their crunch match against the Wallabies, they had lost any semblance of tactical clarity and coherence.

Perhaps the most significant aspect of the pool matches has been the sad fate of the Pacific nations. Fiji, Samoa and Tonga lit up previous tournaments. On this occasion, they have barely raised a gallop. Predictably, Fiji sank in the Pool of Death, but Samoa and Tonga must have entertained considerable thought of making it out of their respective pools. Instead, they were swept aside by the far stronger showing of countries such as Georgia and Japan.

Rugby's governors will see this as vindication of the money and effort put into improving the game in these countries and other areas of the globe. But it also offers evidence of the failure to properly support the Pacific nations. The All Blacks' visit to Apia this year must not be a one-off. New Zealand and other countries have a responsibility to resurrect the fortunes of the Pacific trio through tours and other means of support. Future World Cups will not be the same if they are absent.