Suggestions that the All Blacks' latest World Cup crash had its roots in a decision about where to perform the haka in Wales last year, or Henry's failure to finesse the politicking with a hostile UK press or some equally vapid theory may be therapeutic for those of us in mourning, but we need to be a little more hard-nosed as we sweep away the wreckage.

Lost in our navel-gazing is the fact that the All Blacks were by far the best performing team in the world in the years from the last World Cup until this one. Henry, Hansen and Smith put together a formidable squad that swept all before them from late 2004 to late 2006.  Squabbling about this one particular game has already misted our memories of those wonderful victories against France in Paris, 2004, against the Lions in Wellington 2005 and against France in Lyons in 2006.

That New Zealand lost the game they really needed to win was a tragedy, the latest in a now depressing series of tragedies for All Black rugby at World Cups and one I have written about elsewhere as almost a self-fulfilling prophecy. By that, I mean a a pre-determined narrative in which the names and faces change each time, but the script stays the same.

And now we begin the cycle again.

That cycle starts with expressions of shock and disbelief, then denial, then anger, then endless theorising about went wrong (which expands to the frontiers of irrationality) and then ritual apportionment of blame. We're currently in that third phase. Next we clear the decks and start again by sacking the COACH, appointing a new captain (that can't be too far away) and setting off on a new direction with the hope that springs eternal.

While the internal players in this recycled drama play their respective parts, the external forces line up in their now familiar roles. Revelling in their schadenfreude are the English, who dispatch sage advice, derision and condescension in equal measure. The admirable performance of a plucky, if limited, English squad at this World Cup just gives an edge to their superciliousness.  Thankfully this time the Australians are not in a position to join the other ghouls at the car crash as they are catering to their own wounds. Typically, the South Africans (deserved winners after a dream run) are humanely looking away from the wreckage and offering the odd word of consolation.

Meanwhile, back in the operating theatre, some hold out hope that the carcase of the bloodied Henry cartel can be resuscitated. However, having been asked to be judged on this final circuit in a four-year cycle and failing, it almost certainly will be taken off life support. Now a shiny new driver (Deans, surely) will be put behind the wheel of the sleek All Black machine, which, if the script is followed, will lead the pack for four years before crashing and burning in the home straight. (Oh, the humanity.)

But while we're rotating the wheels on the ABs, giving them a grease and oil change and swapping drivers, we would do well to turn our attention outwards and see what might be changed elsewhere. The appointment of a demonstrably inexperienced ref to a WC quarter final (a subject which has inflamed tempers on the Fern's discussion boards) suggests the NZRU should be breaking down a few doors at the IRB seeking an overhaul of procedures. The scourge of top sides sending under-strength teams for meaningless tests needs to be addressed. And we must confront the reactionary forces who might oppose a change to laws which currently work against attacking, attractive rugby that fills stadiums between world cups.

Finally, whoever gets the keys to the car next time might want to consider spending less time looking in the rear view mirror, tinkering with the fuel mix and stopping for detailing at the final turn.

This car may be built for speed, but unless it's kept on the road, it won't perform.