Gregor Paul: A World apart?

It was a crass statement that smacked of sour grapes but Sir Clive Woodward was right to say we should postpone judgment on the All Blacks until the 2007 World Cup.

Woodward's point was valid for one key reason - the World Cup is the only time that teams from opposite hemispheres meet at the same stage of their preparation cycle. Every team has prepared to peak at the World Cup.

This is not the case in the three years between World Cups. In the test windows of June and November set aside for inter-hemisphere clashes, fatigue, injuries and mental staleness always blight touring sides.

The Lions came down here at the end of a brutal 11-month season. The All Blacks, on the other hand, were three months into their programme.

If this all seems a bit lame, a veiled excuse even, it should be remembered how much emphasis the All Black coaches have put on physical preparation.

The biggest lesson they learned last year was that players need to be carefully managed as first-class rugby takes a massive toll.

Look at results over the past five years and you will see proof of the imbalance.

In November 2002 Australia lost 9-18 to Ireland in Dublin. In June 2003, after the Australians had their off-season and the Irish ran another seven months of rugby into their legs, the Wallabies hammered Ireland 45-16 in Perth. England beat Australia 20-17 in the World Cup final in 2003 only to be hammered 13-54 seven months later in Brisbane. Sure it was a lesser England team, as neither Martin Johnson nor Jonny Wilkinson played, but can we really discount the fact most of the English players had gone two years without a meaningful break?

The World Cup is the ultimate test and the only true judge of a modern side's ability. Who can name the last five Tri Nations winners or even the last five Six Nations winners? Then ask who can name the winners of each World Cup?

It is important that the All Blacks continue to win. The Bledisloe Cup, Lions series and Grand Slam tour are not insignificant. The thing is, though, how would we judge this current All Blacks side if they go unbeaten between now and the next World Cup only to lose in the semifinal?

We would think that they were a wonderful side that ultimately lacked bottle or the ability to deliver when it really mattered.

If you want comparisons, think Colin Montgomerie in golf. A seven-time money-list winner but never a major winner. Or Colin Jackson, a winner at the European, Commonwealth and World Championships in the 110m hurdles. But a perennial underperformer at the Olympics.

We love the biggest events because they are the ultimate test. No excuses.