No Freedom Cup, and no Rugby Championship.
But the Bledisloe Cup has been secured, and there’s an enticing carrot dangling in front of the All Blacks ahead of their looming northern tour.
All Blacks skipper Scott Barrett was quick to mention the prospect of securing a Grand Slam tour during his post match press conference in Perth on Saturday night, shortly after he’d led his troops to an 11th straight win over the Wallabies.
A Grand Slam - victory over home nations England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales - would certainly make head coach Scott Robertson’s second year in charge a success, even taking into account their record defeat to South Africa in Wellington last month.
It’s been 15 years since the All Blacks last completed a Grand Slam, a tour spearheaded by captain Richie McCaw in 2010.
The All Blacks also secured Grand Slams in 1978, 2005 and 2008.
With a 7-2 record under their belts this year, the All Blacks begin their tilt against Ireland in Chicago on November 2, before facing Scotland, England and Wales to conclude the season.
Barrett says it is pleasing to finish the Rugby Championship with a win like that, it wasn't pretty.
Asked about the prospect of the Grand Slam, Robertson says it’s pretty cool, isn't it?
The All Blacks have dispersed and will take a break before departing for America later this month.
Robertson says pivot Beauden Barrett, who missed Bledisloe II with a shoulder injury, would be fit for the northern tour however, winger Emoni Narawa, who sustained a nasty rib injury against South Africa last month, “won’t recover in time”.
Tupou Vaa’i will also miss the tour with a knee injury, while prop Tyrel Lomax’s season is also over after sustaining another thumb injury, which requires surgery.
Halfback Noah Hotham also won’t be back in 2025 after breaking his leg in the second test against the Springboks.
Utility Timoci Tavatavanawai is expected to be available for selection after recovering from a broken arm, while Robertson says wing Caleb Clarke would be back from the ankle injury that kept him out of the Perth test.
On November 2nd the All Blacks meet Ireland at Soldier Field, Chicago.
They then play Scotland, England and Wales in the following weeks.
