KEY POINTS:
It was seven years ago, and Grant Dalton was annoyed. His sailing commitments had coincided with the All Blacks' visit to Marseille, and he was digging for answers about the World Cup failure the year before.
He was still disgruntled as he asked how it all came unravelled. He wondered about the leadership, the unity, the self-help ability of the All Blacks. It was a fervent discussion, though it was a struggle to offer many answers before Dalton launched into another theory.
Our chat reinforced his passion for all things New Zealand and his fulltime interest with the national sport alongside his occupation. Goodness knows what Dalton was like after the All Blacks lost 42-33 to France that evening, in their third defeat since the World Cup.
These days Dalton and his team are shooting for the America's Cup, and the All Blacks and their new coach Graham Henry are favoured to win the Rugby World Cup.
Late last year the sporting bosses' paths crossed when Dalton invited Henry into the Team New Zealand compound and aboard one of the challenger's boats for a whirl around the Waitemata.
Henry spoke to the syndicate about the coaching methods he used and strategies which were successful in his organisation.
For much of the day the All Blacks' staff and Team New Zealand shared ideas and experiences before a sail together and an evening barbecue.
The All Black coach was asked to be 18th man on Dalton's boat and has been a regular watcher of the racing in Valencia.
He has been very impressed with the composure they showed on board, the poise they maintained under pressure - elements he wants his All Blacks to reproduce. The chance for top sportsmen from different codes to compare ideas was invaluable.
When Henry went out on the water under Dalton's command, he was asked to stow his voice and keep his head down. On the rival boat, Ali Williams got the same orders in what must have been a challenge for the coach and the ebullient lock.
Dalton came second in what was a pick-up jaunt but he was as peeved as he was that day seven years ago in Marseille. His competitive edge had been scarred.
It is Henry's time tonight in Wellington, a day into his 62nd year as he ticks off another international in the checklist countdown to the All Blacks' start to the World Cup in Marseille.
Whatever the outcome of Team New Zealand's final campaign in Valencia, it would seem rational that Dalton would be invited into the All Black camp on his return. His familiarity with the stress of a campaign and coping with the anxiety and expectation would be another little piece of the preparatory jigsaw Henry is assembling before September.
