World champions they may not be - but the world no doubt believes they are in fact the true champions.

The All Blacks achieved a prize befitting a grand finale, holding aloft for the very first time the Sir Edmund Hillary Shield after disposing of England 32-6 in front of an intimidating 80,000-plus Twickenham coliseum.

The iconic New Zealander shares the same pedigree as the All Blacks in terms of reputation and recognition – and is probably the only suitable candidate in having his name honoured in this way.

For the third time in more than a century of legendary battles, the Grand Slam has proved to be Mission Possible for the men in black - following the previous success of Graham Mourie’s Incredibles of ’78 and Tana Umaga’s incomparables of 2005.

 Now Richie McCaw’s unconquerables have stamped their own legacy – one that will take some  beating in years to come. However, Umaga’s boys currently hold a special place in that they also destroyed the British Lions at home and emphatically ran them ragged earlier that same year.

From the opening whistle, the English were determined to restore the pride of the Rose and pull of a miracle after their embarrassing loss to South Africa the week before.

But it was all in vain as they deployed some ridiculous tactics, culminating in not one, but FOUR yellow cards which is almost unheard of, and captain Steve Borthwick’s instructions to his troops constantly falling on deaf ears. It’s a shame he couldn’t use a megaphone.

Nevertheless, the All Blacks stepped up to the plate late in the match and confirmed their dominance and supremacy with a convincing three tries to nil victory. It was all the sweeter given the fact not a single try was conceded on this European tour - a just reward for New Zealand’s much-improved mental fortitude of scrambling in defence and doing it tough for their teammates.

Mils Muliaina, the world’s best fullback, had a whale of a game, leading from the front and demonstrating his valuable experience with two tries. Another gamebreaker in Ma’a Nonu virtually stole the show with some typical powerful hit-ups and crowned his well-deserved man-of-the-match award with a fabulous try.

Nonu proved the perfect link or decoy , opening up a lot of space when set-plays were produced around him. Jimmy Cowan made some dashing breaks, as did Sitiveni Sivivatu - but not so his cousin Joe Rokocoko, who had a quiet game by his own standards and tried to entertain himself with some Michael Jordan-like no-look passes.

On one occasion, had he stayed out on his wing when Isaia Toeava cleverly drew in the defence to provide enough space for ‘Roks’ to outsprint the cover, Joe curiously came back in. Going sideways does not make the defensive line run out of puff.

The New Zealand forwards laid the platform as only they could with another massive points victory over their scrum foes and that told a sorry story of England’s improvement – if there is any.

You know the All Blacks are at full strength whenever the names Richie McCaw and Dan Carter are read out and this game was no different.

It was a travesty that McCaw amazingly missed out on the IRB Player of the Year award. Welshman Shane Williams is a very good player, but how many times has he gotten his team out of the doldrums like McCaw does far more often?

McCaw is a rare gem, a phenomenon so admired and revered that the ongoing ‘cheat’ accusations only make him look even more superior because the critics simply cannot handle his marvellous skills and calculating rugby brain.

Carter is a helluva genius, too, but of late his goal-kicking has dropped a few rungs and you’d have to wonder whether he is actually putting in the extra effort at training instead of worrying about his posture when he’s looking at himself on the big screen.

It may have looked like a team that’s rebuilding but there was still a wealth of experience with quite a few club/provincial captains on the field at the same time, namely  Keven Mealamu (Blues), Rodney So’oialo (Hurricanes), McCaw (Crusaders), Muliaina (Chiefs) and Piri Weepu (Lions). Even Nonu himself has had a captaincy role in the past.

Along with seniors Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Tony Woodcock and Conrad Smith, it was that leadership that carried the list of ‘what-to-dos’ and it certainly rubbed off on the stars of the future led by Isaia Toeava, Richard Kahui, Jerome Kaino, Liam Messam, Anthony Boric, Neemia Tialata, John Afoa  and Kieren Read.

Grand-master coach Graham Henry thoroughly deserves the accolades for his demeanour and dignity in surviving untold criticism amidst the furore of the unappreciative and frustrated public following the World Cup disaster.

That is now history and there is an air of excitement and confidence among New Zealanders thanks to the All Blacks’ superb consistency and brilliant performances throughout the year, not to mention the Kiwis’ sensational rugby league achievement.

The All Blacks have had a fine 2008 all round in which I believe they have exceeded all expectations. Tri-Nations champions, Bledisloe Cup winners, Freedom Cup victors, a rare Grand Slam triumph and now the sentimental Sir Edmund Hillary Shield.

It’s a fantastic accomplishment which will only make our Christmas barbeques that little more upbeat with an added flavour of Kiwi essence and magical pride.