Just as the events of Black Sunday, 2007, were fading from memory, along comes two items of news today to send All Black fans back into a state of despair.
First up, our rugby writer Gregor Paul reveals New Zealand's best-ever number 10, Daniel Carter, is set toquit the All Blacks at the end of the year to chase the big bucks in Europe. He may only be away for 18 months - under a very sensible and groundbreaking sabbatical arrangement - but for now he's apparently had enough of the weight of expectation from local fans.
Carter will be a huge loss and if that news wasn't bad enough, we also have the audacity of an Englishman, now studying in New Zealand, who based part of his thesis on why the All Blacks can't win that damned William Webb Ellis cup.
For someone who comes from a country that hasn't won football's World Cup in more than 40 years, we find his thesis a little ironic - but we're prepared to listen. You'll find what he has to say on page 18.
As for Carter, if his move to Europe is confirmed, we recommend a stint in France.
Last year, it produced a number 10 of such mastery he was able to rocket a forward pass to a team-mate, who scored the try that sent the All Blacks packing.
That's the kind of thing we'd want Carter to get away with in 2011.
