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New Zealand's top rugby talent suffered the Ali Williams treatment yesterday - sent packing from South Africa - after the Sharks and Bulls bounced them out of the Super 14 series.
The Blues and Crusaders were the last casualties in a dismal year when the might of New
Zealand rugby eked out one win in the Republic.
For the first time in Super rugby history, a South African side will claim the title as the warnings grow about the World Cup threat from the Springboks. All Black coach Graham Henry has spoken about that menace for some time and yesterday's Super 14 playoffs reinforced his view.
"If there was any sort of complacency, and I don't think there was, felt by All Black coaches and players, that should be dispelled right now.
"There is very strong evidence that the South Africans have got better throughout the competition, that they have improved in many areas of the game," Henry said. "The obvious developments in the South African game have shown through vividly.
"The All Blacks were a couple of metres ahead of everyone last year and that was great. But every year is different and everybody is trying to get better and if you stand still and stay at the same level you are going to get passed. That is our challenge for the All Blacks.
"South Africa have got some new players, at times they are being more expansive while using that base of a big lineout driving game, a kicking game, a territorial game, applying a lot of pressure and then being a little more expansive in the attacking end of the ground.
"They have shown that particularly with the two teams which won the semifinals."
The Blues and Crusaders had been outgunned. The Blues were in with a chance until Isaia Toeava was injured and they lost some of their attacking potency while the other game became a muscular kickfest.
It was always a difficult task to win in South Africa. The Blues and Crusaders were both good sides but did not quite have the ability to compete.
As South Africa geared up for their largest rugby celebrations since the 1995 World Cup triumph, the defending champion Crusaders and Blues scrambled to get the best seats on the first plane home. They were the last New Zealand victims in a dismal season for all teams in South Africa.
Durban will be at the hub of festivities this weekend where the Sharks will host the Super 14 final against the Bulls.
Meanwhile losses for the Blues and Crusaders have meant alterations to New Zealand team announcements. The Maori squad for the Churchill Cup will be revealed today while the All Blacks and Junior All Blacks will be announced in Auckland on Friday. Selection of several Crusaders players in sides is apparently under review after their alleged involvement in a public fracas last week.
Henry and his national panel will reconvene this week to confirm their choices. The plan was to name an All Black side of 16 forwards and 14 backs with their World Cup formula of three halfbacks and three hookers. There will be 26 players in the Junior All Blacks.
"We are pretty settled on who we want. It has all come together in the last month," Henry said.
The coach did not deliver any selection hints but he did say that conditioned All Blacks like Byron Kelleher, Mils Muliaina, Ali Williams and Joe Rokocoko who had not played much of the Super 14 would be encouraged to get in tune through club rugby.
"Those sort of guys know if they need to play, they know where they are at," said Henry.
The All Blacks gather next week for outfitting and promotional work mixed in with some instruction about the domestic test programme which starts against France at Eden Park on June 2.
"There will be a little bit of rugby but not too much, which is frustrating for us, but we have to give these guys some breathing space," said Henry. "And then we will get together for the week of the French test."
