KEY POINTS:
It's been a week of curious headlines.
First off, recycled Australian Rugby Union boss John O'Neill gave Springbok coach Jake White both barrels over his selection of a B team for the overseas leg of the Tri-Nations.
Then there's growing concern over Daniel Carter's form, which while far
from poor, is not of the sustained excellence of the last couple of years.
And All Black Aaron Mauger has spoken his mind again on his dislike of the reconditioning programme, after being omitted from the 22 for perhaps his final test at his home ground, Jade Stadium, tomorrow night.
And not to forget mutterings over the future of Sanzar, and oh to have been a fly on the wall at yesterday's meeting in Christchurch. And then there's the curious case of What's Eating Bob?
Bob, as in Dwyer - who forever can have "the coach of the 1991 World Cup-winning Wallabies" written after his name - popped up twice in the last few days claiming that the All Blacks' game is slipping from a heady night in Paris 2 1/2 years ago.
So is there any substance to his claims?
Is he doing his bit for the mind games department aimed at sowing seeds of doubt in All Black heads?
Or is he bang on and the good ship All Blacks is showing signs of listing?
Dwyer was coy on what exactly he had in mind with his observations. He didn't talk in specifics, but referred to a "dropping off in accuracy".
So what did Dwyer have in mind? Might these have been exercising his mind ...
* The error rate. In the five tests this year, the All Blacks have dropped the pill 74 times, compared to 35 by their collective opponents, France, Canada, South Africa and Australia. That's partly attributable to having more than 50 per cent of the possession in four of the five tests, the exception being the loss to Australia, when they had 45 per cent. Therefore they had more chances to drop it.
* The reconditioning window. Has the fact 22 players knew - barring injury or bad slipping off in form - last year they were in the front row for tickets on a plane to France dulled their mental edge?
* Goalkicking percentages. Dan Carter, in his four tests this season, has kicked at 68 per cent success rate. Last year he racked up 186 points, a record by anyone in a non-World Cup year and a New Zealand record for points in a calendar year.
* The sight of forwards kicking. Might Dwyer have been bemused at the sight of Troy Flavell - 1.95m and 118kg of prime beef - among others, kicking generally to little effect?
* The midfield combination. Since Tana Umaga retired at the end of 2005, there's been a rotation policy in place. Sure, Conrad Smith's injury was tough luck, but injuries happen to all teams.
In 17 tests post-Umaga, the All Black selectors have used six players at centre and 11 different second five-eighth/centre combinations.
* Tailing off in form of key players. Not so much that players are playing badly, just that they're not performing at the level to which fans have become accustomed.
Former Wallaby coach Eddie Jones is aware of Dwyer's remarks. He knows where he's coming from but does not go as far as his compatriot.
"I do think they've changed the way they play a little bit and there's a number of their players who are significantly off form. With that combination, they're definitely not playing as well as they did in patches round 2005 and 2006," Jones said yesterday.
He acknowledged the sublime display against France in 2004, a 45-6 belting on a memorable November night and the difficulty in maintaining such a high level of performance over a long period.
"That's not easy to do, but Bob's talking about the way they went about their business then, and the way they're doing it now. In that game their support play was outstanding and they had people coming from depth, hitting the ball at pace.
"Since then, it looks a little more structured, and a lot more lateral, and they're playing further from the line than they have been for a while."
Dwyer said the All Blacks remain outstanding, and favourites for the World Cup. Jones concurred.
"Most definitely. They're clearly the best in the world and clearly have the best talent.
"The big thing now is that the New Zealand management don't get swayed by the pressure that's created and make changes to their plan. I'm sure Graham (Henry) will have a plan in place and he'll stay focused on the task."
So maybe there's nothing to worry about. The All Blacks might be a bit off the boil, but they're still winning, and generally comfortably, just about every time they run out. Are fans getting twitchy for no good reason?
Perhaps it's all about timing. Remember ancient England in 2003. They peaked mid-year, then hung on for glory. Henry's reconditioning period was designed to have the players at their optimum at the World Cup, not in mid-year.
As the rugby nation dissects every pass, tackle and kick, the heat is intensifying in the All Black kitchen. Does all this sound vaguely familiar?
