Another long season of rugby has ended - and this season seemed longer than ever.
But at least it was thoroughly enjoyable for New Zealand rugby fans and particularly those in Chiefs territory as they saw their team win Super Rugby title number 2 - in a row - in a thrilling Final in Hamilton against the travel wary but brave Brumbies from Canberra.
Indeed, the Chiefs showed their very best, coming from behind to win the title thanks to a Robbie Robinson try.
It was one of the high points for New Zealand rugby which saw itself continue to be number one on and off the field - a performance worthy of current world champions and unofficially the best rugby nation in the world.
The Crusaders also made the Super Rugby playoffs with the Blues and Hurricanes also in the running and just missing out.
The New Zealand Sevens team also won yet another World Series as they continued their development towards Rio 2016.
And of course, that was no better shown than by the All Blacks who of course completed their first perfect season since 1989 and their first in the professional era. Moreover, it was their first unbeaten season since 1997 - and naturally along the way, they retained the Bledisloe Cup, Rugby Championship and Dave Gallaher Trophy as well as won back the Hillary Shield from England who they exacted revenge for the shock defeat at Twickenham a year ago. That perfect record was close to being destroyed by the unlucky Irish in the final game, but the ABs showed their guts to claw back and win the game at the death and ensure they finished 100%.
The All Blacks are also naturally the number 1 team in the world and the rest of the teams have a lot of work to do to close the gap particularly given that the All Blacks are number 1 because they have managed to blend the experienced legends with the rising stars of New Zealand rugby. The fearless nature of the youth has meant that even when the likes of Dan Carter and Richie McCaw get injured, All Blacks fans are still pretty confident about their team's chances.
Why wouldn't you when the likes of Aaron Cruden, Sam Cane, Steven Luatua, Beauden Barrett and Charles Piutau as worthy backups ready to fire on the night?
Indeed, the All Blacks' best players weren't McCaw or Carter but rather Kieran Read or Ben Smith, with Kieran Read clearly the outstanding player of 2013. Read was captain when McCaw was still on sabbatical and was a more than capable leader and he backed up his amazing form for the rest of the year to finish deservedly as IRB World Player of the Year.
Ben Smith was definitely the back of the year for the ABs and pushed Leigh Halfpenny for best back in world rugby this year. Wing or centre, Ben Smith was absolutely world class and had a season for the try scoring charts that he will never forget.
But there is more to rugby than the All Blacks and New Zealand rugby. So what about the rest?
One thing's for certain, French and Australian rugby fans definitely were glad to see the back of a tumultous 2013. Indeed, Australian rugby fans will be glad when the fireworks light up Sydney's sky on New Year's Eve after seeing their Wallabies walloped by the British & Irish Lions for the first time since 1989 which resulted in a sudden change in coach from Robbie Deans to Ewen McKenzie, and still saw their Wallabies second-rate against the All Blacks, Springboks and English away from home.
The Wallabies will have a lot of work to do to become contenders at the next World Cup particularly with England and South Africa building very nicely - both sides have the talent and power in the forwards to challenge the ABs in a one-off game.
England will probably be fired up by their shock loss to Wales in the Six Nations Championship - a blessing in disguise according to captain Chris Robshaw perhaps who said that a Grand Slam victory this season might be indicative of a team that has peaked too early.
And that's a good sign if you're English perhaps - especially if you consider the English performance against the ABs in the autumn.
Indeed, English and Welsh rugby are going great guns, firing the resurgence of the British & Irish Lions in the middle of the year as they totally outclassed and pummeled a disorganized Wallabies side. It gives Lions fans plenty to look forward to when they take on the ABs in 2017.
What a year of rugby it has been! Bring on 2014 - a year which we might very well see more records broken (fingers crossed for ABs fans)!
Most memorable moment
Israel Folau being piggy-backed by George North
Best game
South Africa 27-38 New Zealand, Johannesburg
Best try
Jade Te Rure, Manawatu v Tasman
Best player
Kieran Read
Team of the season
All Blacks
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