The gap

Israel Dagg lamented the lack of participation at grass roots level. It was a very informative read. New Zealand rugby will never have the place that it once did. Arrogance and a passive attitude the changes in culture and threat from other sporting codes. As for dominance? The Boks have resources, but it's being very poorly managed. We are not dominant in the game. As the SH dies, SA rugby will pass on too. The regression I've seen over the past 20 years has been very sad to say the least. Once the fans were eager for better, but since the Erasputin era, there's a casual acceptance of mediocrity. That's the core of the rot that'll end the legacy of the Springbok. 

"In Saffa and Mordor"

large parts of Saffa looks like Mordor...while NZ looks like the Shire, despite some Orcs  

looks like the French are catching up a bit. 

NH rugby is strengthening. Boks rugby is getting better and we add backline flair to our forward power. NZ are suffering a bit as they don't have the SA sides to face in a Super Rugby comp. That said its not all doom and gloom if they would heed the advice of Beeno. 

They should have a super rugby type comp featuring NZ. OZ. Argies, Japan, Samoa, Tonga and Fiji.

Samoa and Fiji did very well this RWC and Tonga have the personnel to do well. Oz will recover. That would make a very attractive comp. There is a lot to work with. Also NZ should try to get some tours going. 

Beeno having to do the thinking for the kbbs! I live to give!

Beanbag, what backline flair? We haven't had quality back play since Meyer. That's it. The last we ever saw of quality modern rugby from our backs. However, attacking rugby is not merely the backs. It's how the forwards and backs dovetail. Traditional backline structure has been obsolete for a very, very long time! Erasputin has the most clunky, frenetic disorganised, least prepared Bok side I've seen since 2002 in Dunedin. Garbage. The Boks haven't played quality rugby for nearly ten years. Erasputin is the final nail. A shift. A change that will never be undone. 

I think the best example of what you are saying is the Bargies. They have terrific athletes and at times have had the best scrum in the world. Ayerza might be the most potent loosehead of the last 20 years, Carreras is a superb young flyhalf, Bofelli is a hell of a player and their number 8, Fisa, broke 6 tackles yesterday.

But yet, they still make such disastrous decisions.  A few points up with 5 minutes to play they try a complicated back move resulting in Sanchez passing to a man who wasn’t expecting the ball. 

The whole Welsh defense was on the gain line. Ideal time for a 50/22. Take the lineout, play a few more phases…probably get a penalty. Game over. The Boks would have done that without thinking.

The Bargies got lucky….Wales were so close to turning that around before the interception. Lack of ingrained rugby common sense.