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There's good and bad news for world rugby's shattered teams as they survey the mountain fortress of New Zealand rugby on the verge of World Cup year.
Every major playing nation can do no more than peer upwards, enviously and with considerable concern, at the seemingly impregnable stronghold
occupied by Graham Henry's squad. No one else is even near. The views on New Zealand and their pre-eminence vary, but only to a certain extent. The good news, say our experts, is that on any given day any team could get up and provide a shock. After all, isn't that what happened to the All Blacks in 1995, 1999 and 2003 at World Cups when, says former England coach Dick Best, New Zealand teams choked? So is there hope for the likes of South Africa, France, Australia, Ireland and England? Now comes the bad news.
Fijian flyer Rupeni Caucaunibuca
Caucaunibuca is a man of few words. And few words are needed to summarise his views. Can anyone stop New Zealand winning next year's World Cup? A strange sort of bemused expression spreads across his face.
"Do you think so? I do not. I suppose we don't know if any side is going to change and be much better by the World Cup. But New Zealand are looking very, very good. I don't think anybody can beat them."
Former Australian coach Bob Dwyer
Dwyer says he believes that world rugby is in such a mess that it's doubtful whether anyone could live with Henry's men.
"The problem is, no one is doing the simple things, which is where the All Blacks are excelling. They run very good lines in attack and they maintain their depth off the ball carrier, their support play is exemplary and the speed of their support is fantastic.
"Their scrum, which has never been that good in my memory, is much improved and they seem to have overcome their lineout frailties.
"They're not doing anything technically we've never seen before, but they're doing everything so well others are nowhere near their level. If there is a glimmer of hope it is from the Tri-Nations, where at times they didn't play that well and the opposition went close - and in South Africa's case in Rustenburg, beat them.
"You have to stop them up front, that's the first requirement. South Africa do have some possibility against them because they have individual talent which is physical and athletic. Their trouble is, collectively they don't come to anything.
"Any side wanting to beat New Zealand will need its team performance to be more than the sum total of the individuals. You need individuals who threaten defences. Australia has a few of those behind the scrum. But we can't put anything together collectively. Talent alone won't be enough.
"Mind you, the All Blacks get away with a lot. You're not supposed to dive over the ball, but they do it. Diving on to the ground is outlawed but they do it all the time. They launch themselves like missiles to crash the bloke out of the way. They land on the ball and/or player, but get away with it. But that's being churlish. They do the basics so well no one else is anywhere near them."
Former South African captain Morne du Plessis
Du Plessis, who was manager of the Springboks when they beat New Zealand at the 1995 World Cup, believes his country is perhaps the only team that could beat them again.
"You have to go back to basics and put their forwards under pressure so that their backs don't have the opportunity to roam. Once they get going they are absolutely lethal and if there is any movement in the game, it will start opening up. But South Africa also has the explosive speed in its backs to match them and score tries.
"Maybe though, only a South African team at full strength with no injuries would have a chance to beat them. Certainly our tight five would have to be at their best.
"You have to close them down completely and that starts up front by putting their front five under pressure. But you're still going to have to attack yourself because I don't think it's possible to restrict them to not scoring any points. They have such talent, they are bound to score. So you must as well; you cannot go and just defend. That is impossible.
"We won the 1995 [tournament] on a great defensive display and taking our scoring chances from there. But the difference now is, you're going to have to create your own scoring chances against New Zealand, because they're going to score against you, no doubt.
"And you can't rely just on penalty kicks and drop goals."
So does any team really have a chance?
Du Plessis doubts it. "It's going to be a massive task for anyone. New Zealand have taken the game to another level. That is good because they will inspire the rest to catch up, hopefully by playing the same way. It is great for any rugby lover in the world to watch them."
Former All Black prop Kees Meeuws
There is even worse news for world rugby's poor relations, if you listen to Meeuws. "They are really humming at the moment but I think they can add another 10 per cent. We haven't seen the best of this squad yet. Graham Henry will go for perfection next year and, remember, he still hasn't played his first choice side.
"To make 10 changes from the England game and then spank France like that, well, that's a big call. But there is such harmony in the squad, they are all in it together."
What could opponents do to have a chance against them?
"Prepare, prepare," says Meeuws. "That's what New Zealand does. They study every match their opponents play, they know exactly where to attack teams and it's very methodical.
"Every New Zealand player knows his role exactly within the team structure and opponents have to match them for that before they can think about beating them.
"South Africa are certainly one of the most physical sides out there, but their problem is, they still don't know their own game plan as well as they should. They go missing at times and too many of their scores are down to individual brilliance. That won't be enough to beat the All Blacks.
"The opposition has to try and find some weakness in the All Blacks. But they are already almost the perfect all-round team, no matter who is involved."
Former England coach Dick Best
Best could find similarly few crumbs of comfort for those who want a competitive World Cup next year.
"You would hope that someone like France on one of their special days might stand up and shock them.
"But those special days are getting fewer and fewer and besides, I'm not sure the French will recover psychologically from those two recent hammerings.
"South Africa are not afraid of the All Blacks and they have the physicality to take them on and do some damage.
"But they'd need everyone fit and even so, whether they could do it for 80 minutes, I doubt. South Africa's powers of concentration are not New Zealand's.
"To beat New Zealand, a side would have to stop them scoring and take every scoring opportunity themselves.
"The problem is, this All Black side, whoever plays in it, has 15 players better than anyone else in the world and they're looking like they can get better. I am sure there is more to come from them and on the big stage they will excel.
"These guys are so focused on the World Cup, they remind me of England before the 2003 tournament. They're almost 10 points ahead before they start because of their self belief. They have set standards and they will retain them, maybe improve them further. Who is going to live with that? I don't see anyone."
