This is something i have been thinking about for some time with the All Blacks playing solidly but not having a secret weapon or possibly as many superstars as they have previously had going into the world cup year.  Of course there are a few months left until 2011 but realistically in the professional game if a player is not being prepped now, will they be in the team. 
 
Maybe a better way for me to put that is! Every excellent or possible superstar newbie is probably in a program, playing under 21 rugby or something similar. So the recruiting drive should have identified them. These people are hopefully on the way to making the team. BUT they are a known quantity and this will impact their effectiveness on the pitch, other teams will be ready for their superpower what ever that might be.
 
The NZ herald had a good article that outlines this shared concern (not on rugby super powers unfortunately).
 
Quite possibly it is a lack of individual superstars (lets face most of them are superstars) that will win us the world cup and the focus on an all round team effort that will bring the rewards (Superstars or not I am keen on the NZ on top come the final whistle).
 
I am sure there will be many exceptional individual efforts through the tri-nations, Steinlarger, and tour this year, I think we need to add an element of surprise to win next years world cup.
I get the feeling I might be coming back to this one.