First, the Wallabies beat the All Blacks for the first time since 2004, with a 20-15 victory in Melbourne (after 70 minutes of New Zealand dominance before a unlucky Carl Hayman sin-binning).  After years of saying, "We're good enough, we're close enough", the repeated subliminal messaging finally seemed to pay off.

Secondly, everyone jumped on the bandwagon, Bob Dwyer, Eddie Jones, Bernard Laporte, Rob Andrew and John Connelly.  This All Blacks team is on the decline, past their time, not so fine - they all say. Already peaked, while most Kiwis will agree the best is still to come.

Then Phil Kearns, the hooker who surely taught George Gregan his verbal arts, looks to drive another nail in the proverbial verbal coffin.  His prediction  - that the All Blacks are heading for an early exit to Argentina, Ireland or France.

'The New Zealand side's last four years have been statistically the most successful of any team in history'


What?

The first two teams have never beaten the All Blacks.  Despite admitted closer results against these improving outfits, throughout history the New Zealanders have inflicted fearsome defeats on them.

And France.  France, the tournament hosts.  France, the Six Nations champions.  They are currently on a nine-game losing streak against the All Blacks, with their last victory coming seven years ago.  The combined scorelines of the last nine games reads NZ 346 FR 109.  Ouch.  In fact, since the millennium the French have suffered the three heaviest defeats in their proud history.  Twice at home. 

All of these defeats were inflicted by the All Blacks.

Chokers?  I don't believe so.  How does a team reach the semi-finals, lose to arguably the finest performances Les Bleus and the Wallabies have ever produced, and be labelled chokers (after being champions and runners-up in the three tournaments preceding these)?

Any Rugby purist will also agree that selecting first-choice fullbacks (Christian Cullen and Leon MacDonald) in the crucial defensive 13 position was Rugby World Cup disaster. Oh,

Will the All Blacks win this World Cup.? Yes. And I'll prove why:

The New Zealand side's last four years have been statistically the most successful of any team in history. 

The All Blacks started the millennium poorly, in the face of the Wallabies golden age of 1999-2002.  Yet since the turn of the century they have compiled 74 wins and 14 losses - a 84% winning record.

They have only ever lost to five of the current world playing nations. South Africa have the best winning percentage against them - 40.28%.  Australia are second-best winning a whopping 29.69%. Host nation France, the All Blacks' other 'nemisis', have a 22.22% winning record.

Statistically, the All Blacks boast a +12.28 points differential over the last century.  Next best are South Africa, with just over half that.

Of their first choice XV, Richie McCaw, Jerry Collins, Hayman and Daniel Carter would be guaranteed selections in anybody's current world team.  Keven Mealamu, Chris Jack, Mils Muliaina, Rodney So'oialo and Tony Woodcock would all be close.

For the first time in a many many years, the All Blacks have assembled a truly great team, with the only real question marks still over unlucky 13. But they still have class players in Isiah Toeava and Conrad Smith.  Look at any other All Black team in history and there have always been weaknesses (albeit covered up by abundent strength in other positions).  Yet the records have still come.

Yes, New Zealand have won only one of these commercial World Cups.  But I shudder to think how many titles would be on the Black fortress's mantelpiece if the tournament had been running for 100 years.

Please continue to doubt, say choke, say decline.  Because this will only serve ultimately to create complacency, while the Black storm clouds roll into France to unleash a storm no one will resist.

Doubt at your own risk....