Steve Hansen, Ian Foster, Wayne Smith, Grant Fox and support staff have done a magnificent job, but the fizz of 2016 is in danger of going flat. France had the fresh appeal in Paris, with the All Blacks cast as dour and afraid on attack. With all the athletic talent at their disposal, repeatedly kicking the ball away should not be the All Blacks' way. But the All Blacks seem to have run up the white allowing other teams to dominate the ball. Overall, test rugby is in a magnificent state in marked contrast to the dross which lies beneath it in the southern hemisphere.

Source: New Zealand Herald November 27, 2016 04:10 UTC