KEY POINTS:
A decision on the All Black coach by Christmas, an independent review into the World Cup plans, no resignations (though hints from New Zealand Rugby Union chairman Jock Hobbs he might step down) are all part of the fallout from the early exit from the tournament.
As the All Blacks stumbled through their first day as World Cup casualties and made plans to return home, the coaches and NZRU were grilled again yesterday about reasons for the failure and their future.
Nothing conclusive emerged other than a need for a review with the NZRU board to meet this week to sort out the details of the new coaching ideas.
The board stood by all their decisions made in the run-up to the World Cup.
"We think we have made the right decisions. We may not have, someone independent of us may decide we made some mistakes on the way. We don't think we did," Hobbs said.
An independent verdict had to be sought, otherwise the NZRU would all sit around the table convincing themselves they had done a wonderful job.
"We think we were very deliberate, very careful, very committed in what we did throughout this entire campaign but we want it reviewed. Through these losses you need learnings, you need to improve," Hobbs said.
Outgoing chief executive Chris Moller said the 20-18 quarter-final defeat to France was a lost opportunity, it would have financial implications for plans to secure further sponsorship and to play extra matches overseas.
He thought the exhibition matches - with gate shares - would still occur but the returns would not be as lucrative as they would have been if the All Blacks also carried the World Cup champions tag.
Moller dodged offering a full answer about whether the NZRU had an unhealthy obsession about World Cup victory, though he did not resile from having that target as thepriority.
He did not believe the NZRU had sacrificed too much in its cup fixation.
It was that sort of a day, the difficult time after a campaign crash when the All Blacks defended their cause or stalled for time as the inquiring media tried to find any reasons for the collapse.
The call for a review was a delaying tactic, a method to give everyone some time to reflect on the worst result in the All Blacks' World Cup history. Nothing substantial was said, some territory was covered but the message was: it was not appropriate for any kneejerk reactions. Hobbs mentioned that as he spoke of his accountability and said that if he felt, in a few weeks, it was fitting he resign as chairman, he would.
Incoming chief executive Steve Tew, who was involved in the sub-hosting breakdown for the 2003 event, the untidy interaction with coaches John Mitchell and Robbie Deans and this abortive campaign, did not make any similar offers.
Nor did any of the coaching staff, Graham Henry, Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith, who, naturally, stood by the decisions they had made this season.
"Like the All Blacks team and management and All Blacks fans at home, here in Europe and around the world we are hugely disappointed with yesterday's result," Hobbs said.
"We believe as an organisation we gave this campaign our very best shot with the aim of winning the rugby World Cup.
"Clearly we came up short. We are working with the team on all of the matters which now need to be dealt with following this result.
"Included in that will be a comprehensive review of the rugby World Cup campaign."
The NZRU board decided this year there would be no discussions held or decisions made on coaching appointments until after the All Blacks' World Cup campaign was concluded.
"That having now happened, the first priority is to meet the coaches and subsequently the NZRU board will meet to consider the appropriate appointment process."
NZRU officials were involved in Sanzar and IRB meetings in Europe but when they returned home, they would start the appointment process. The aim was to complete that by Christmas.
"Once again we are hugely disappointed and devastated by yesterday's result," Hobbs said.
* All but six of the All Black group will travel home via Japan and arrive in Auckland tomorrow.
Byron Kelleher, Andrew Ellis, Neemia Tialata, Jerry Collins, Mils Muliaina and Doug Howlett have been excused the trip with their teammates because of family obligations in Europe.
