Black wave dominates 2010

By year's end, the rumble had grown to a roar.

Fingers were pointing, all in the direction of All Blacks rugby coach Graham Henry.

The accusation? That Henry had his team peaking at the wrong time. Again.

And the evidence is damning as next year's World Cup in New Zealand looms into sight.

Henry's men won 13 of 14 tests, falling over in 2010's most meaningless fixture against Australia at that celebrated rugby stronghold of Hong Kong.

Otherwise, new rule interpretations suited the All Blacks like a glove, playing with high-speed and precision that banished the mental scars of 2009 when they crumpled against the kick-and-chase of South Africa.

Reverse-sweeping the Springboks was hugely satisfying the last-minute triumph at Soweto when one-booted Ma'a Nonu sent Israel Dagg clear the symbolic moment of an unbeaten Tri-Nations campaign.

June tests against Ireland and Wales were the usual romps, while Australia never got close to lifting the Bledisloe Cup before they bit back in Hong Kong, a result that halted New Zealand's march towards a world record for consecutive wins.

Winning a Grand Slam lacks the lustre of yesteryear and the All Blacks were barely stretched in the United Kingdom and Ireland, where personal milestones earned as much attention as the results.

Captain Richie McCaw's place in the pantheon of all-time greats firmed further with another imposing year in which he passed Sean Fitzpatrick on two fronts. The tireless flanker became New Zealand's most capped player with 94 tests alongside veteran fullback Mils Muliaina and most capped test skipper, with 57 tests.

And first five-eighth Daniel Carter has now amassed a world record 1188 points.

While McCaw and Carter remain the country's most indispensable players, Henry has nurtured a world class core alongside them. Muliaina, Nonu, centre Conrad Smith, No 8 Kieran Read, lock Brad Thorn, prop Tony Woodcock and Keven Mealamu were all in tip-top form, and other positions are well served by rising talent.

Perhaps the most fascinating figure of 2010 was former rugby league star Sonny Bill Williams, who left a trail of defenders and headlines wherever he went. On the field, he redefined the art of the offload, while off it his fast-tracking into the All Blacks and his dabbles with boxing and skiing caused angst to some.

Henry reckons his side is capable of better next year, encouraging words for those convinced the All Blacks are cursed to fall over at world cups.

The omens are good, if this year is any guide, with New Zealand winning the women's World Cup in England and junior world championships in Argentina.

It was a fourth-straight crown for the Black Ferns, who beat the hosts in an arm wrestle final, with evergreen 45-year-old Anna Richards running the show from first five-eighth.

A brilliant under-20 side scored 262 points to 52 in six games, including a 62-17 thumping of Australia in the final.

By their standards, second place in the world series was disappointing for the New Zealand sevens side but they regrouped to achieve the year's stated goal of a fourth Commonwealth Games gold medal, pipping Australia in a pulsating final.

The New Zealand Maori team celebrated their centenary in style, narrowly winning home internationals against England and Ireland.

Those results came in the wake of long-awaited apologies from the South African and New Zealand Rugby Unions for wrongs committed against the Maori side during South Africa's apartheid years.

Controversy was in unusually short supply for the national sport, although two high-profile former All Blacks locks had reason to regret their actions.

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