The results we have seen this year are a form of savage redemption for the All Black faithful. 

It is insulting to world rugby and to New Zealand to state they are “best between World Cups” – for that would indicate that no other rugby except the William Webb Ellis trophy is significant. 

Since 2003 the All Blacks have been unchallenged as the form team of world rugby – being only bettered by England in 2003 and South Africa in 2007. Regrettably, we did not have the pleasure of seeing New Zealand cross the Cup winners in those tournaments (oh, what games they would have been!).

In this time, the All Blacks have recorded at least ten wins a season; and this year they recorded a magical 13 victories, the best in a non-World Cup calendar year (for the log, England hold the record with 17 wins in 2003, and South Africa are second with 14 wins in 2007). 

In this six-year period, New Zealand have only tasted defeat ten times – have never lost the Bledisloe, held the Tri-Nations five times, recorded two Grand Slams, and only twice lost to Northern Hemisphere teams.

 However, in the same epoch, a World Cup has twice been up for grabs and New Zealand have fallen, for a myriad of reasons, on the grandest of rugby stages. 

 The All Blacks have now effectively lost – or choked – in their last three World Cups. Cynics of New Zealand rugby say it has been every World Cup, but this is wrong. 

In 1991 the All Blacks were doomed to failure with joint coaches (Canterbury’s Alex Wyllie and Auckland’s John Hart) and an aging team; and then they came up against a Wallabies team finally announcing themselves as a genuine world power. 

In 1995 the All Blacks relied too heavily on Jonah Lomu, and lost not only to a team, but a nation and the Madiba.

This leads us back to the present day – with a coaching staff comprising the unholy trinity of Graham Henry, Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen, who were reappointed despite the last World Cup debacle.

Of course, despite my personal criticisms of the decision to reappoint the trio, it is a choice that has proved to be sound. The only problem was that the coaching team moved heaven and earth to win the World Cup, and despite it being their “job description” which they failed, they were re-allotted their roles.

As we saw in both 2005 and 2006 – if the World Cup were to be held this year, there is little doubt that the All Blacks would triumph. But this is a hollow statement.  Or is it?

The paramount achievement of both the coaching staff and the All Blacks in 2008 is that for the first time in years, we are seeing a systematic ironing out of weak points in the on-field character, mindset and positional roles of the team.

Rotation, long a bane of their supporters, has undoubtedly reaped substantial benefits to New Zealand rugby with the team not missing a single player who left the game last year. 

But in the same breath, Henry has been willing to roll out his elite players, the heavy artillery, when required. Ironic, though, that the loss of so many players last year has allowed him to be definitive on whom his top players are.

In the game against France in the World Cup, Luke McAlister played inside centre, but should Aaron Mauger have been there? Keith Robinson played lock, but should Chris Jack have been there? Lest we mention Mils Muliaina - now possibly the best fullback in the world - playing outside centre?

There has been no such consternation this year.  Every single position has a No.1 ranked player – and although second XV depth is not as strong as recent years, there are options behind the incumbents. Despite the ocular appearance of the top team, Henry has still ensured that the fringe players have been exposed. This will make such men far stronger in next year’s Super 14.

We have also seen the ultimate problem position of New Zealand rugby fixed – with Conrad Smith and Richard Kahui both world-class outside centres. It is now the one position that the All Blacks are unsure of the preference.

But it is the mentality and plan of the All Blacks that has matured unlike ever before. I can never recall seeing a New Zealand team with a plan A, B, C and D – and able to adapt it through 80 minutes to suit opposition. 

We no longer see the All Blacks endeavour to strike a killer punch early, but see them absorb all punishment before counter striking with menacing efficiency.

Emancipation of sins a year past has been achieved; the sole challenge for this young team now (only Brad Thorn is over 30) is to stay at the zenith.  The best team in the world they may be, but greatness will elude the All Blacks until they take back the only trophy not claimed since 1991.