KEY POINTS:
Amid all the clamouring during the World Cup fallout, the voice of Jake White might well haunt the All Blacks most. The Springbok coach predicted months ago that tight, defensive rugby would be the chosen style of the 2007 World Cup winners.
The All Black coaching panel rebutted
that notion after taking out the Tri-Nations. Graham Henry didn't get caught up in a verbal duel as such, but his thoughts were clear - the All Blacks were going to France while maintaining a creative bent.
From the earliest days of the Henry reign, the All Blacks have tried to offer rapier and bludgeon. Since the end of 2004, they have never favoured one particular style - they have at times succeeded with grit, others with only flair. Sometimes they have been a potent mix of both.
On their best days, the second test against the Lions and the first test hammering of France in Lyon last year, they were irresistible, taking rugby to a new level.
The forwards were brutal, clinical at the set-piece, ruthless at the breakdown. The backs were lethal, posing a threat across the field, and the whole team defended with ferocity.
Henry was convinced multi-faceted rugby would win the All Blacks the World Cup. But after 40 minutes against France, there appeared to be a change of heart.
Having looked their most dangerous in the first half when they played at speed, they suddenly lost faith in their own convictions.
As France clawed their way back, New Zealand didn't try to play their way out of trouble as they had done earlier this year in South Africa and last year in Brisbane. In Cardiff, the All Blacks clammed up.
They bashed relentlessly through the forwards. It was one runner out, bash, recycle; one runner out, bash - and the French sucked it all up, making an astonishing 331 tackles.
Under pressure, the All Blacks reverted to the football White said would win the World Cup. With France, England, Argentina and South Africa in the semifinals, it is now certain a side playing tight, defensive rugby will win.
In the aftermath of defeat, Henry said his side could never maximise their potential if they indulged exclusively in trench warfare.
"We kept the ball in hand quite a bit," he said. "If they played a stodgy style of game, a kick-chase game, I don't think they would be a very good rugby team."
But, for the most crucial half of rugby in Henry's four-year tenure, the All Blacks did play a stodgy game - and the voice of White could be heard loud and clear.