KEY POINTS:
Once in short supply, a slowly advancing optimism is spreading through the rugby world that 2008 will be a breakthrough year.
After an interminably long period of being held in contempt by international coaches who palmed off mediocrity as vital development ahead of the World Cup, test football
is threatening a revival.
Last month the major rugby nations remembered all that stuff that filled in time between World Cups was actually quite important.
Maybe it was the empty seats, the declining TV audiences or the first-hand account from many of the best players that they really want their test jerseys to be a symbol of excellence. Whatever it was, the suits seem to have finally got it that 2008 has to restore integrity to test football.
The Bledisloe Cup, the Tri Nations, the June tests, the end-of-year tour - the whole kit and kaboodle has to emanate a sense of occasion and put national pride on the line.
A return to blood-and-snotters values is what we have been promised and woe betide the administrators if they fail to deliver.
Spectator numbers have already dropped but that is probably only the tip of the iceberg. The real danger is that thousands of life-long rugby fans are on the cusp of walking away in search of something more deserving of their disposable income.
Another year of being palmed off with a product masquerading as something it is not will spark an exodus from which the sport might never recover.
It feels, though, that the waverers will see enough in 2008 to stick with rugby. Already the word coming out of the five New Zealand Super 14 franchises is that they are having trouble keeping a lid on the excitement. The disruption of last year has set a few fires roaring and a lot of big names are determined to preserve their big reputations.
Players are also aware there are a few gaping holes that All Black coach Graham Henry needs to fill. He's looking for a new Carl Hayman, some back-up locks, a second five-eighth, a centre (still) and he wouldn't mind if a halfback made a compelling case for inclusion.
There is motivation aplenty and 2008 could produce one of the more engaging Super Rugby competitions as long as the farewell to Robbie Deans doesn't become a prolonged excuse for Cantabrians to bemoan their impending loss.
But ironically it is the loss of Deans to Australia that has given the New Zealand Rugby Union their biggest opportunity to breathe life into the international game.
How could anyone not be interested in next year's three clashes against Australia? Deans versus Henry - who isn't excited by that? Throw in the fact the Boks are newly crowned world champions and the Tri Nations can't fail but be dramatic.
An end of year tour to Britain with a test in Hong Kong on the way and possible mid-week games against Munster and Stade Francais will finish the season off for the All Blacks.
Mid-week games are rugby's forgotten treasure and the sight of aspiring test players having their bottle tested by the local thug in front of a hostile crowd ... that's unbeatable.
It's easy to see why optimism is brewing, why there is excitment that 2008 might be the year rugby remembered its roots, returned to traditional values and didn't once mention the blasted World Cup.
Sceptics might remind us that promises have been made and easily broken in the past. The difference this time, though, is that the men running rugby seem to realise they can't afford to be looking back at broken dreams in 12 months.
