Eden Park said a sincere goodbye to Richie McCaw on Saturday. There were a few dignified speeches, a handover of a special jersey, and probably the most heartfelt ovation the venue has ever known. And, before all that, there was a 125th victory, out of 142 Test matches.
To say that McCaw has been part of one of the great dynasties of world sport would be an understatement. If he crowns a mind-boggling career with a second Rugby World Cup in a few months, he will only add to his standing as one of modern sport’s great leaders.
But, a look around McCaw on Saturday confirmed that it has been far from a one-man show. On his shoulder were his lieutenants, Dan Carter and Kieran Read, his enforcer Keven Mealamu and even his water-boy on the night, Liam Messam, all could easily deputise as leader in his absence.
It is a mark of the culture of continuity that Steve Hansen has built up over the last few years. The New Zealand rugby bosses always knew that McCaw would not play beyond 2015. Having scaled the emotional Everest that was a home World Cup triumph four years ago, they sought to not only do it again this year, but also to kick on next year.
That will be without McCaw, Carter, Mealamu and Tony Woodcock. But, will the All Blacks suddenly crumble and fall back into the pack? Of course not. Because, over the last few seasons, the foundations have been laid for those players’ long-term replacements to get comfortable in the black jersey.
They will never be McCaw, or Carter, or Mealamu, but the likes of Victor Vito, Beauden Barrett and Dan Coles can slip in seamlessly to the starting side, once their illustrious predecessors perform their last haka.
There is a structure there, a meticulous plan that ensures that the production line never stops. Always, there is a new star emerging, even as the incumbents are in and around the squad, injured or rested. The relentless march of the collective trumps any individual insecurities. No black jersey is earmarked for just one person.
There are plenty of lessons there for South African rugby. There are always lessons from the All Blacks, because they have always been the benchmark. Top of those tips is the control that the New Zealand administration have over their players and their schedules. That means central contracts, which stops players popping in and out of the country.
There has been so much confusion around players who are overseas, with obligations to their clubs, but still have one eye on a Bok spot. It is unfair on those who forfeit the lure of immense riches from Japan or Europe, and stay loyal to the local game.
But what is the point of that if the unwritten rules around overseas players can be bent to suit certain situations? Springbok rugby is in a fine mess right now due to injury, poor form, an uncertain game plan, but also due to a lack of continuity.
Indeed, the only continuity to come out of Saru of late is the leak that Heyneke Meyer already has another four-year tenure in the bag. For that decision to have been made, prior to his final exam in the World Cup, is mind-boggling.
In the cold, uncomfortable light of day, there are few rugby reasons (i.e trophies, progress) for Meyer to point to as grounds to be afforded yet more time in the most important job in South African rugby. But, for all intents and purposes, it is a done deal.
Before South African rugby can return to being New Zealand’s sternest challenge, it needs to get its house in order again. Explaining how handing a coach who has divided opinion, lost aura and won precious little, four more years of security is a step in the right direction would be a good place to start.
Men who have won World Cups have not been indulged like this. In a year of peculiar selections and decisions in SA rugby, this latest gem is quite extraordinary.