With no other rugby team coming close to unsettling New Zealand, the drama and distraction of scrumhalf Aaron Smith's suspension appears to be the biggest obstacle between the All Blacks and another supremely dominant season. Meyer described how the stars of the All Blacks, rugby's most famous team, weren't above cleaning the dressing room. It's such a big deal that Prime Minister John Key weighed in, saying Smith had let himself and the team down. The Smith controversy broke as New Zealand's squad arrived in South Africa after a member of the public complained belatedly about the airport incident, and Smith asked to be allowed to go home. With that background, South Africa was seen as the team playing for pride.

Source: New Zealand Herald October 06, 2016 12:11 UTC