The All Black aura has been destroyed over the past 6 or so years ever since they capitulated in the Semi final against England in the Japan World Cup. England was on fire that day and they had the most fluid attacking play any England team could ever conjure up. I do feel Eddie got a raw deal, but he was also his own worst enemy by breaking the locker room spirit. Rassie builds culture, Eddie creates a dog eats dog culture.
I came across this insteresting article on planet rugby, where they highlight how many foreign players from different countries are propping up European rugby. South Africa seems to be at the short end, but they are not real reason for Europe being dominated by players from the southern hemisphere. Based on country NZ don't seem to ship that many players, 56 to be exact, but 56 Kiwi players not playing in their domestic comp.
It is the 56 odd Pacific Islanders that have made their way abroad. These were the players that would load the Kiwi super rugby teams, given them an adge over any other country in Super rugby, fast forward to late 10's and you start seeing more PI showing up in Australia, but with rugby being so week in Australia and that the PI players have families to support and it is no longer about playing for NZ or Australia but making proper money, you see the player drain.
NZ player pool has been wiped out over night with over 100+ professional players taking out complete, weakining the competition, reducing their options to select and keep PI players in their structure and providing proper testing to their local players.
The most startling is that NZ have 180 of their own players abroad whom they won't select, mostly in Japan, their peal farming field from the Pacific Islanders are also gone now. Close to 250 PI players all gone, out of the NZ club system be it their provincial cup or their super rugby teams. That is ore than 400 professional players no longer in the Super Rugby. You remove South Africas 250 players out of the mix and not to forget, 140 Australian players gone abroad, but what is even worse are the players that are not accounted for that has code switched. These include both Kiwi and Aussie players.
So in summery, New Zealand will never be able to get to top of the pile unless they break with tradition and accept that their local rugby is not lekker and that some how Rassie and SARU made the right moves. We get our best players to extend their careers in Japan. Facing the best from Australia, Pacific Islands and New Zealand, while having one foot in Europe and allowing other unions to pay their wages while having the best available.