Sean Fitzpatrick: Two years out and we look to be nicely on track

The autumn internationals are done and dusted - so how are the All Blacks developing compared to other nations, two years out from the World Cup?

Let's start with the facts - four wins out of four on tour.

Eight tries scored, none conceded. On that basis alone, it has been a good tour and I think we are in good shape, although we need to navigate the next couple of years very carefully, because we don't have the depth of talent we have had in previous years.

That lack of depth in key positions has been highlighted on this tour and the importance of McCaw and Carter to drive the team and set the standard has been underlined.

Looking around the other nations, though - I don't think we've seen anything to be overly worried about.

South Africa looked tired and Australia will be going home with the knowledge that they are now a competitive team that will only get better.

The Irish are the pick of the bunch up here but they still have a little way to go before they can be considered serious contenders. Wales have work to do and were exposed by Australia and England need to move along considerably.

There were some one-eyed pundits before the tour calling this an under-par All Black team that would struggle but they delivered - both in their results and perhaps more importantly in how they played.

We got solid, powerful grinding results in the earlier games against England and Wales, and the physical imposition of the All Blacks on their opponents was a joy to watch - nothing I like more than a bit of grunt and thunder in the forwards.

The front eight are building a momentum and self-belief that they can boss both set piece and breakdown. Throw Ali Williams into the mix and it makes for a strong pack.

Against France, we saw some lightning, incisive rugby, with sublime handling and great execution.

Full marks to France for having a go and trading good rugby with us (and we all know that on the odd occasion that France beat us, they do so by playing us at our own game) but top marks must go to the All Blacks for the fluidity and flexibility of game plan that they showed in Marseille.

Inevitably, the manner of the win has led some folk to suggest that we're falling into the trap of peaking too early. I disagree. That wasn't a peak but it was, without a doubt, a sustained period of proper All Black rugby.

It was great to see, much needed, and I believe that there is more of that to come. Readers of my column will remember that in the months after the last World Cup, I really worried about the All Black team - its ability to grind out results, the ability of players to play it as they see it, to create, to make calls and take decisions.

What I have seen on this tour makes me think that Henry and his shuffled team of coaches have begun to address those concerns. I saw a degree of decision-making capability back in the team, individually and collectively.

There is clarity about the game plan, there seem to be options and alternatives. McCaw's on-field leadership is nothing short of excellent.

However, it is also true that in recent months, we have lost three times against the Boks. Our Tri Nations campaign was perhaps still sowing the seeds rather than reaping the harvest ... but that is all in the past now, as is this tour.

I genuinely believe that we seem to be developing impetus and belief at the right time. We are showing consistent improvement and I like the way it is building.

One game doesn't make everything right and we have a lot of work still to do but players are taking on responsibility; growing into their jerseys.

I worry about the lack of depth in particular and two years is a long time in rugby today.

But I just have a feeling, an inkling, that we are on the up. Go the All Blacks.