All Blacks Well on Course to Continue Rugby Championship Streak in 2015

It's a good year for rugby when a collision between the southern hemisphere's top four teams isn't even considered the biggest spectacle on hand, but New Zealand nevertheless have attention fixed on another Rugby Championship.

After claiming top spot in the last three successive tournaments, the All Blacks are in a prime position to add a fourth in 2015, and what better way to warm up for a World Cup than with silverware already in hand?

The Rugby Championship schedule has been reduced to just one round of fixtures this year—so as to not clash with the World Cup in England—and New Zealand have been handed the misfortune of two away games.

However, following Steven Hansen's squad announcement on Sunday, we're once again bearing witness to the rare strength in depth the All Blacks boast, the kind of resources that win major tournaments. ESPN Scrum's Brett McKay seemed inclined to agree:

And that pool of resources is of course founded upon the success of New Zealand's Super Rugby representatives, who have in kind enjoyed a year of imperious form throughout 2015.

The Hurricanes were runaway champions of the regular campaign, while the Highlanders would have claimed second place were it not for the conference system.

Date	Fixture
July 17	New Zealand vs. Argentina
July 25	South Africa vs. New Zealand
August 8	Australia vs. New Zealand

Were we to also examine the table on points accumulated, the Crusaders would have beaten the Stormers into the playoffs, meaning four of the top six most successful teams technically hail from New Zealand.

The Daily Telegraph's Jamie Pandaram touched on the role "culture" plays in their evolution, and one would be inclined to agree given the rotation cycle of success enjoyed among New Zealand's franchises:

Many of those present in this latest All Blacks incarnation were a part of last year's title-winning team, who clinched the 2014 Rugby Championship before losing at Ellis Park in Week 6.

However, another year brings about another new batch of toys for Hansen to play with; the class of 2015 has seen superstars Nehe Milner-Skudder (Hurricanes) and Waisake Naholo (Highlanders) named as potential debutants, with Rugby World's Paul Williams among those excited for the former in particular:

The idea of opening against Argentina in Christchurch is an appealing one for Hansen and his side. The July 17 date is a superb opportunity for the team to get settled into the competition, both old faces and new alike.

From there, matters are abundantly tougher as the All Blacks make trips to Johannesburg and Sydney in Weeks 2 and 3, respectively, but triumphing in foreign territory is nothing new to this setup.

The Springboks' 27-25 victory at Ellis Park last year was undoubtedly influenced by the fact New Zealand had already sealed the 2014 trophy, while the Wallabies haven't beaten the All Blacks in their past 10 meetings, although two of those have been draws.

Veteran fly-half Dan Carter has been present for a raft of those victories and will take part in what's likely to be his last Rugby Championship this year. He's seemingly as excited now as he was upon claiming his first cap 12 years ago:

It's that kind of effervescent approach to the All Blacks institution that helps fund their ongoing candidacy as the world's greatest team.

This year's Rugby Championship may be seen by some as little more than a warm-up for the more serious business of the World Cup to come, but for New Zealand, it's another opportunity to make their mark on the world stage.

Australia coach Michael Cheika and South Africa counterpart Heyneke Meyer have been playing catch-up in the southern hemisphere for some years now, while Argentina remain a way off the Rugby Championship pace.

The foundation has been put in place for the All Blacks to enjoy another calendar of dominance in 2015, and the Rugby Championship could mark the beginning of their most glittering year yet.