KEY POINTS:
International rugby is in such a dark place right now, I've found it difficult to stir enough interest even to watch.
The unrelenting focus on the World Cup - to the exclusion of other meaningful test rugby - and the growth of the power of the Northern Hemisphere clubs makes me think there is only one end for the international game.
It will become like football. The power and credibility will lie with club games. The international game will be insignificant by comparison, except for once every four years at the World Cup.
Before the All Blacks' game against a third-rate French team, I found it difficult to get interested. And I am a fan. I love rugby and love watching it. I am more of a fan then ever, now I'm retired.
But I couldn't be bothered watching England play South Africa last weekend. There seemed no point. It wasn't a contest - the world champions get beaten by almost 50 points. What is that doing for world rugby?
The game is under real threat and no one seems to be doing anything about it. It is an international issue and I believe the very basis of the game is endangered by this lack of attention.
Why would Little Johnny want to play rugby if he was watching the current international game, with weakened sides, rotation and emphasis on one set of games that occur every four years?
I became an All Black because the All Blacks were successful and, like every kid, I wanted to be like them. I also wanted to play rugby because, as a kid, I saw teams like the 1971 Lions and special players like Gareth Edwards.
Well, the 2005 Lions came and went and I didn't see any Gareth Edwards in there to inspire a fresh generation of rugby stars. And we are sure not seeing them in this current crop of internationals.
The All Blacks are part of this dilution of international rugby. I saw Graham Henry's comments about the IRB needing to do something - and I agree; the IRB is not showing leadership. But there is an element of the pot calling the kettle black.
There are injuries and we are trying to build depth but I heard comments last year that suggested we would be consistently fielding our strongest All Black team this year. We may be getting closer to that but this still isn't our strongest All Black side.
I want to see Jerry Collins, Rodney So'oialo, Luke McAlister and others. I don't really feel a sense of urgency to watch the All Blacks right now - and I hate feeling that way.
Even if this is a stronger All Black team, it is playing a weak French outfit. It needs to be a contest between two real rivals striving to win - not going through the motions because of a tournament held every four years.
Then there is the rise in power of the northern clubs. The clubs are driving rugby in the Northern Hemisphere and they have the ability to affect the world game.
I know some people in New Zealand think we have always lost players to Europe and that they have always been replaced.
This is different. The clubs' money and their moves to control the northern game is now attracting All Blacks in their prime - people like Carl Hayman.
He will stay for three years, make about a million quid and then go back to New Zealand in 2010 in time to try to qualify for the 2011 World Cup team.
I am not criticising Carl. From a player's perspective, the north is the place to be now - and not just because of the money.
Look at the All Blacks being attracted; big names and big ability - Umaga, Jack, Kelleher, Mauger, Gear, McAlister and many others.
They will be playing with or against each other and others who are among the world's best. Get the point? All of a sudden, club rugby is growing the credibility and staging the real contests - while international rugby is mucking around with no real sense of contest or meaning.
Those who think replacements will come through the ranks to be All Blacks - yes, they will.
But who will they be playing against? Weakened international teams. If I was Keven Mealamu, for instance, watching Hayman heading off to Newcastle, I'd be thinking about doing the same thing, playing with Carl - and earning £300,000 a year - rather than hanging around in New Zealand to play with whoever the next prop is on the way up.
We have also seen a Super 14 without 20-odd All Blacks and it was pretty dull.
So I don't agree that we will simply keep producing All Blacks and playing tests and that it will have no effect. It's already had an effect.
And what about those three vacant years between World Cups? Who will be bothering to watch?
Half the time, I find myself thinking I'd rather watch Chelsea or Manchester United.
Ordinary people like me love the game and the All Blacks - and we are finding it hard to watch. What must everyone else be thinking?
