As Ardie Savea counts the cost of missing his annual autumn rampage around western Europe, a thought may have crossed his mind about the potential absurdity of New Zealand’s fate.

On the dubious assumption that even the darkest cloud has a silver lining, the world’s supreme No.8 might have wondered whether it is to be found as a consequence of his having been smashed out of the climax to the Nations Championship.
Its rules of engagement expose the All Blacks to a farce conclusion, of winning every match only to be knocked out of the final for their trouble.
Warriors like Savea (and none of hi...