The Football Ferns played a part in the biggest world cup New Zealand will host, the Silver Ferns flamed out at their world cup, the Tall Blacks’ world cup campaign was short and sweet, and the Black Caps will be counting their boundaries when they play at yet another world cup next month.
But at the risk of offending fans of those teams, this is the world cup that means the most.
The All Blacks tomorrow embark on their 10th Rugby World Cup campaign with designs on capturing a fourth title.
The men of 1987, 2011 and 2015 secured their legacies with glorious success.
Will the class of 2023 join them or write another chapter in the painful history of RWC failures?
There are obviously some reasons to be positive ahead of the All Blacks’ opening game against France in Paris tomorrow morning (NZ time).
A thoroughly dominant Rugby Championship campaign highlighted the improvements the All Blacks had made after an extremely poor 2022 campaign.
They have world-class players in key positions - the front and second row, Ardie Savea, Aaron Smith, Richie Mo’unga and Will Jordan - and a coaching staff rejuvenated by the introduction of forwards guru Jason Ryan and the vastly experienced Joe Schmidt.
Glass half-empty?
The ugly loss to the Springboks in the warm-up test at Twickenham sent shivers down the spines of those who worried there was still a soft underbelly to these All Blacks.
The draw has also done the All Blacks no favours, and they will likely face the most difficult final three weeks in the history of the tournament if they are to win it.
But it is not time to be thinking doom and gloom.
It is time to dream.
Southern rugby fans, in particular, might like to envision Highlanders great Aaron Smith lifting the Webb Ellis Cup before jetting off to Japan, or Southland cult hero Ethan de Groot flexing those giant biceps as he bullies some French and South African props around the park.
Almost all of the key games at this Rugby World Cup are around breakfast, New Zealand time.
So get the jug on and get the crumpets cooking. Allez les All Blacks.
Key dates
Saturday Sept 9: All Blacks v France, 7.15am
Sep 16: All Blacks v Namibia, 7am
Sep 30: All Blacks v Italy, 8am
Oct 6: All Blacks v Uruguay, 8am
Oct 15-16: Quarterfinals
Oct 21-22: Semifinals
Oct 29: FINAL
