New Zealand Super 14: How Are They Looking?

(Photo by Ross Land/Getty Images)

The competitions finest performed nation (with 10 titles won by New Zealand since 1996) did not have it all their way early in the tournament.

We have seen the seven time champions go four matches without a competition victory, have never had more than one team in the elusive top four, and have seen all New Zealand teams hamstrung with a huge number of injuries.  Especially with front line All Blacks.

On the back of a some surprising results by the weaker (on paper) New Zealand sides, and the increasing form of the countries marquee players has shown much for the state of the national team.

It appears despite earlier misgivings that it will be a formidable All Black team to march on a record tenth Tri Nations championship, and their fifth straight such title.  They will also be looking to record their seventh consecutive Bledisloe Cup series triumph. 

But before the Springboks, who will be match hardened by the Lions, and the Wallabies take on their oldest foes, New Zealand will host Italy and France.

With the greatest respect to Italy, it will likely be a slaughter.

But France will be the big test, who have showed their extreme Jekyll & Hyde culture is alive and well during the Six Nations.  In their first match since the World Cup quarter final, France will be looking to record just their third victory against the All Blacks in New Zealand. 

The last French away win was in 1994.  With only the English victory in 2003 withstanding, it has been a remarkable modern era of home dominance from the All Blacks, with just three losses to Northern opposition at home since losing the two test series to the French 15 years ago.

So, to follow a practical international selection modus operandi, you would base your test team around the nucleus of the most dominant province.

And at this time, one cannot deny that the outstanding team is Waikato.

Could you imagine the Chiefs team with an All Black tight five at their helm, Richie McCaw and a splattering of other top level test players? 

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