The All Blacks' conditioning programme is identified as a major contributor to their failed 2007 rugby World Cup campaign in an independent review released today.
The 47-page review summarised that winning the World Cup was "over emphasised" by the New Zealand Rugby Union and that, because of the conditioning programme, the team lacked quality game time ahead of their quarterfinal loss to France.
The review was carried out by lawyer Mike Heron and Sparc (Sport and Recreation New Zealand) official Don Tricker, who were appointed to the task on December 4.
A number of other factors added to the All Blacks' 18-20 loss in Cardiff, the review stated.
Also contributing were the team's poor standard of opposition in test matches earlier in the season and in World Cup pool play and too many fulltime staff in All Blacks management.
The review was not required to reach a conclusion about the on-field performance in Cardiff but felt compelled to do so anyway.
It said factors outside the team's control were decisive, including the performance of English referee Wayne Barnes and his touch judges, which "had a significant adverse impact on the All Blacks".
It said an "unusual combination" of injuries impacted on the latter stages of the match but concluded that the All Blacks' players failed to handle the pressure of the French.
"The leadership model failed to deliver what was its most important objective -- decisions which give the best chance of winning the game.
"The team failed to ensure that the right decisions were taken at critical moments."
However, most critical analysis surrounds the conditioning programme, instigated by coach Graham Henry, in which 22 leading players were withdrawn from the first half of the Super 14 competition.
The review said the programme was based on a sound premise but that the implementation was "not optimal" because there was a lack of consultation with Super 14 franchises and other shareholders in the game such as broadcasters and fans.
Testing showed the programme produced better athletes but said this did not translate into success at the World Cup for an obvious reason.
"One impact of the conditioning programme that was under estimated was the effectiveness of the players returning to rugby and the dent in confidence that some experienced from not having played."
Critics of the New Zealand union will question why the report took so long to produce and what it will now achieve.
Henry was reappointed three days after the review began and the rest of his management team are in place, with other leading coach candidates such as Robbie Deans and Warren Gatland forced offshore.
The report also threatens to open painful wounds and spark negativity with the 2008 international season approaching.