The Rugby Championship is over for another year. The next mission for the All Blacks for 2013 is to finish the season unbeaten for the first time since 1997.
There have been many great All Blacks seasons in recent times but many of them have ended in at least one loss - like last season, when England beat a tired ABs side in the ABs' final game of the season.
Steve Hansen's men find themselves yet again with advantage to the All Blacks when it comes to finishing 2013 with a 100% record.
They face the Wallabies at home in Dunedin - with the Bledisloe Cup already safely locked away on Molesworth Street in Wellington, and then Japan in Tokyo, France in Paris, England at Twickenham and Ireland in Dublin.
Given the Wallabies' form against the All Blacks this season and the ABs' historic home form, it would be a massive upset if Ewen McKenzie's men beat the ABs at what will be sold-out Forsyth Barr Stadium for this dead-rubber. I dare say it, but the Wallabies might very well be glad to see the back of this test - their confidence on taking on the world champions has somewhat been sapped this season.
The ABs may very well play a second-string team in Dunedin and Tokyo. Mind you, judging from this season, that second-string team could very well be the first choice team.
After all, can you really call Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett, Steven Luatua, Charlie Faumuina, Francis Sai'ili, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Sam Cane second-stringers after their performances this season?
That has been the key thing that has set the ABs apart from the rest - and why this season has been so different from previous seasons. New Zealand rugby has always had the depth but coaches never really figured out how to utilize that depth - 2007 comes to mind - until a few seasons ago.
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| Beauden Barrett - would you call him a second-string player? |
Since last season, the coaches have looked to slowly filter through the new generation to support the experienced likes of Dan Carter, Richie McCaw, Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, Piri Weepu, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, etc.
It's the reason why Dane Coles has clearly been picked out as first choice hooker for the future - and his progress in the Rugby Championship has been evident, his lineout throwing and decision making has improved tremendously and he is very well the player to watch out for at the end of this long rugby season - especially if Andrew Hore's farewell test is in Dunedin later this month.
Rookie of the season clearly has been Steven Luatua who has hardly put a foot wrong in his first few tests as an All Black. He was put in to bat far earlier than expected when Liam Messam was injured but played so well to the point that questions were raised as to whether Messam could get back in to the side.
I can only think of Sam Whitelock, Kieran Read and the great Richie McCaw who have made such a flawless introduction to international rugby.
With Jerome Kaino coming back to New Zealand rugby next season and also the likes of Victor Vito and Brad Shields in the reckoning too, the coaches will be spoilt for choice in the loosies next season should they all be fit.
The other interesting battle will be between Cory Jane and Ben Smith. Jane made his return to rugby against Auckland and if he can stay injury-free, will likely make the end of year tour squad. Whether he can force himself into the first XV will be another issue - at this stage, it is quite hard to see given Ben Smith's exhilarating form right now.
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| Scoring tries - Ben Smith's favourite hobby right now |
Any weak points? The front row could be stronger and was found out by the Boks and Pumas a bit but I don't think changing the personnel at this time will do the trick - the current crop of players is the best we have at this point and game time is the only way they can improve. Furthermore, all things considered, they're not being thrashed by opposition front rows and when you have such a good second and third row, it's something you can get away with especially when your props and hookers are as athletic as your wingers.
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| The ABs will be fired up to shut the Poms up following last year's shock defeat - and the reaction after |
So returning to the final question, can the ABs remain unbeaten in 2013? Wallabies - well they should really beat in the dead-rubber in Dunners, Japan - that's a given even if they play a complete 2nd string team, France and England could very well be the matches to watch at the end of the year given the ABs history with those sides, even if France's form isn't flash right now, and Ireland - they've never lost to them ever and on this form, I can't history been made here.
Anyway bring on October 19! Who said All Black domination is boring?
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