New Zealand sport really has had a wake-up call in the last two weeks with our top two Super 14 teams knocked out by the Sharks and the Bulls in South Africa, the Silver Ferns netball girls hammered by the Poms and Aussies, and Black Magic being beaten by the Spanish now twice in the America's Cup Challenger series.

That’s just in the last fortnight. And as we look forward to the next two major sporting events this country is involved in, I'm wondering where the silver lining is for the Ferns and the All Blacks going into this year’s World Championships and World Cup?

While people squabble over where these events are held and who can market what and where and when, I look at the squads and wonder where the real development is being made for the next generation.  Where is the next Irene Van Dyke, the next Richie McCaw, even the next Graham Henry?

I've been taking a long hard look at how Waikato develops its basketball players and have to wonder...is it really being done with a vision for this area? Take one age-group girls basketball squad like the Under 17's.All but maybe three players on that roster come from one school in Hamilton, while the others come from minor towns around. It’s not representative of the players able to compete at that level.  I'm also wondering if this is indicative of how selections are done in most Age Group representative squads in most sporting codes, including our netball, rugby and other major codes in New Zealand.

I'm wondering if it’s time for Van Dyke, as good as she is, to shoot her last and become mentor to new shooters in the Ferns camp. Maria Tutaia is seemingly coming along as a shooter and there is also Jodi Te Huna, who is listed as a Goal Shoot or Goal Attack.

But on the current roster, that’s it  - other than Van Dyke. Who is coming through? I think this is a timely wake-up call for the Ferns. The hosts of TV 1’s coverage were left with some mud on their faces after effectively predicting prior to the England game: "This is one that we will easily win". And it was almost said as a side note.

As for the All Blacks, I'm picking that they will make the semi-finals and it will all end there. While I believe in Graham Henry’s reconditioning programme, I think it was a mistake for most of those Held Blacksto rejoin the Super 14 teams as and when they did. You spend that much time forming a cohesive playing unit, then suddenly the egos return, then you have to ease them back into the side.

They spent weeks training, working as they did for an All Black method of playing. National pride over franchise pride. It’s a different mentality walking out there with a Hurricanes, Chiefs or Crusaders logo than it is the Silver Fern or the Black Jersey.

So after spending as much time as they did training for national representation, their team-mates in the Super 14 had been playing, focused on their game - then suddenly, bang, others arrived with broader grander visions like the World Cup, and not the Super 14 title.

I'm concerned that the All Blacks are not going to have the fortitude. The Rugby World Cup or the Netball World Champswill not be ours this year. As for the America’s Cup...the jury is still out.

Sorry to say...cross my loyal Silver Fern heart.