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CARDIFF - The way they were lauding each other today, it seemed for all the world this was a curtain call for All Blacks rugby coaches Graham Henry, Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith.
On an emotional "day after" for New Zealand coaches and players at their Welsh country hotel, there was a distinct feeling that an era had ended.
One of the most successful groups in the history of rugby, Henry, Smith and Hansen's shot at immortality disappeared with their team's 18-20 quarterfinal loss to France here yesterday - a result that seems likely to also cost them their jobs.
Certainly it is highly unlikely Henry, 61, will re-apply for the position he has dominated since 2004 while the futures of Hansen and Smith will depend very much on the vagaries of a campaign review announced today by the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU).
There is a widespread feeling that successful Crusaders coach Robbie Deans will take the reins next year, a most unlikely scenario had the All Blacks justified their favouritism and gone on to win the tournament.
Little surprise then that Henry made a point of praising his two henchmen to the hilt at a press conference today, along with the rest of his management team and the players that had served him such success since 2004.
Smith and Hansen returned the compliments to Henry and the hard-working, innovative approach that has marked his tenure.
"I actually told him in the lead up to the game at the weekend that I don't think I'd ever seen him coaching better," said Hansen, with welling tears just contained in eyes more used to delivering glares at journalists or forwards who step out of line.
He wasn't the only one, with several players still struggling to come to terms with the loss that few had anticipated.
Experienced fullback Mils Muliaina couldn't hold back tears as he recounted the toil put in by him and his teammates for several seasons, only to see the sweat and tears evaporate against the passionate French.
Officials from the NZRU also joined the ranks of the disbelievers, shattered that what appeared the best-prepared and best-performing All Blacks team for many years had continued the country's dire record at six tournaments.
Chairman Jock Hobbs said it was harsh but in one foul swoop, France had ruined any chance of the NZRU achieving its major target of 2007.
The coaching appointment process would begin after the independent World Cup campaign review was completed and it was anticipated the identity of the new mentor, and possibly any assistants, would be known by Christmas.
Despite a record of 42 wins from 48 tests, it seems Henry, Smith and Hansen will pay for the worst-ever World Cup finish - a result that leaves a decent-sized dent in the All Blacks' reputation.
"Performance is what is core about the All Blacks," Hobbs said.
"It is the winning history and tradition of the All Blacks that builds the All Blacks brand."
Henry said he would leave his decision about re-aplying for about six weeks, a period he intended enjoying with his family back at home in Auckland.
Likewise, Smith and Hansen wouldn't commit to anything until they had arrived home and shaken any emotion from their thought process.
Hobbs accepted the All Blacks' result may have an impact on the popularity of rugby for a period of time but believed the sport would quickly bounce back, as it had done in more recent times of crisis.
"There will be some damage, that's inevitable," he said.
"It will be our role as successors to rebuild that. I don't think it's terminal."
The fans most stung would be those who had travelled a long way at major expense to follow the All Blacks, Hobbs said.
"We feel for those people, very much so," he said.
"We understand how hurt they will be, how disappointed they will be. A lot of people spent a lot of money to come here and support the team and we do appreciate the fact that they have come to support the team."
- NZPA
