Editorial: Grand end to season of promise

Opinion

So ends a stellar year for rugby. The defeat of Scotland has confirmed a Grand Slam tour of the British Isles, the perfect complement to a clean sweep of the Lions, victory in the Tri-Nations and the retention of the Bledisloe Cup.

One loss, to South Africa in Cape Town, was the only blemish during a stern 12-test examination of the 2005 All Blacks. Add in the unexpected capture of hosting rights to the 2011 World Cup and the ongoing success of the national sevens and women's teams and this has been a remarkable season.

The All Blacks' record bears comparison with that of the great New Zealand sides. But any examination of those credentials also uncovers a warning for those who assume that winning the 2007 World Cup is now a formality. Casting back less than a decade reveals the dangers of the assumption.

John Hart's 1996 All Blacks claimed not only the inaugural Tri-Nations but were the first team to win a test series against the Springboks on South African soil. They lost only one test, against South Africa, when the series had already been decided.

The following year, the All Blacks were even more dominant, going undefeated in 12 tests. The only hiccup was a draw against England in their final international.

That great team was undone by the retirement of leading players, a situation compounded subsequently by quirky, and unsuccessful, selections during the 1999 World Cup. The task for Graham Henry and his coaching panel is to ensure a similar fate, for whatever reason, does not befall this year's outstanding performers.

The signs are encouraging. In the first instance, this is a relatively youthful squad which, subject to injury, should remain intact for the World Cup. The only doubt surrounds the captain, Tana Umaga. The Grand Slam tour also helped to remedy a shortage of positional cover, a weakness that has hindered the All Blacks at successive World Cups. Depth is being built in all positions, albeit in daunting circumstances for those required to make their international debuts in testing arenas.

While the loose forward mix, in particular, needs fine-tuning, impressive strength is now apparent in most positions.

The Grand Slam tour also put the All Blacks under pressure of a sort that will have to be withstood if the World Cup is to be claimed. In Cape Town, they wilted before the Springboks' rushing defence. Against England, they found the composure to withstand not only stifling tactics but the loss of players to the sin-bin. In recent seasons, such setbacks would not, as a rule, have been overcome.

Even so, it was a close-run thing at Twickenham. Leading players made uncharacteristic mistakes, and, when the pressure was most intense, important back-to-back lineouts were lost. But the ultimate response combined fortitude and maturity. It spoke of a team growing in stature.

The All Blacks, having established themselves as the best team in world rugby, must now maintain their edge. New Zealand, according to a stock joke, plays its best in the years between World Cups. It is in that situation again, thanks to a game plan that embodies traditional forward virtues and expansive back play, with a particular emphasis on offloading in the tackle and explosiveness at the breakdown.

Over the next two years, other countries will seek either to mimic or counter this approach. The All Blacks, in response, must develop and refine their tactical options, and the understanding of when and how to employ these. If they are able to keep one step ahead, we can look forward confidently to the World Cup.