As they look to close out a third European Grand Slam against England on Saturday, the All Blacks form at the moment is unrivalled, and once again, they have made the Northern Hemisphere look ordinary, bar forty minutes against Wales last week.
New Zealand’s performance against Wales at Millennium Stadium shows that the flavour of victory, flair and consistency still reigns on Graham Henry’s team more than any other.
They have been the powerbrokers that generally make sides in form look very ordinary. And last Saturday’s match against Wales proved just how far ahead they are from, not just the European nations, but fellow Southern giants, Australia and South Africa.
Although the current Welsh team has the potential to get considerably better (they took the Grand Slam in fine style earlier this year and should have beaten world champions South Africa earlier this month), New Zealand still beat them by 20 points away in front of 70,000 roaring Welsh supporters baying for their blood.
Most teams would have cracked under the Welsh pressure in the first half, but the All Blacks never flinched for one minute.
This shows that New Zealand are still much fitter than their European counterparts.
Admittedly they always look pretty lean in those famous black shirts!
What other nation could lose the best part of a World Cup squad which transfers to the Northern Hemisphere in the last twelve months and bounce back like this?
It’s their greatest strength. There is always somebody waiting in the wings.
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