As the quote succinctly says, "There's one thing that all events of the past have in common. They're over."

So it is with the worse-than-mediocre All Blacks' performances of the past two weeks in South Africa.

Thankfully, they're behind us and an unusually thin diet of rugby for our men in black surely means that there's time to at least improve on a sickly quality of overall performance that quite frankly, has blighted five of the six tests that the All Blacks have played so far in 2009.

So what can and should be done by the powers that be?

Here's my prescription.

Without a shred of hesitation, I would insist that most if not all of the current squad play Air New Zealand Cup rugby, starting this weekend.

Why the hell not?

What more appropriate, more corrective a course of action could there be than committing those bumbling, error-ridden athletes to rehearsing the basic skills of the game in real time?

At the time of writing this blog, it's difficult to ascertain just how many first-choice All Blacks will be expected or selected to turn out for their provinces this weekend.

Indications are that some will but more than likely, they will occupy the benches.

I would be deeply disappointed to hear any hint of a suggestion that they need a rest.

A rest from what? Over-exertion? Over-exposure? Please leave that nonsense out, I implore you.

Since the end of the Super 14 tournament towards the end of May, which only included any All Blacks' participation up to semi-final stage, those who have turned out the most in the internationals to date have hardly been put through the wringer.

And a handful including Richie McCaw, Rodney So'oialo has only been required for three games in well over two months.

Right now, there isn't another test until we meet the Wallabies in Sydney on August 22nd and then another three weeks' gap until this year's only home-based clash against the Springboks at Hamilton on September 12th.

In fact, when you look at this lean schedule and the unbelievable lack of cohesion in both Bloemfontein and Durban, I would have thought maximum Air New Zealand Cup exposure was imperative, not just recommended.

Still, I'm not holding my breath that such pure common-sense will take priority, especially when I read that Steve Hansen has described any thought of Dan Carter fronting up against the Wallabies in Sydney as "panicky."

I give up at times. What baloney! So Carter is obviously up to playing for Canterbury and could well play three games before Sydney, but Steve thinks this international appearance would be asking too much and extra cotton wool should take precedence.

Thank heavens, Hansen's boss, Mr.Henry has indicated that such nutty logic will not be tolerated and our wizard in the number 10 jersey will be selected for Sydney.

In brief, it's critical that the jockey man returns ASAP.

Apart from hoping his sublime skills are still truly intact and his Achilles rupture hasn't dulled his halo, I'm hoping that like us all, his sheer presence and conductor-like calmness and control will have a positive ripple-effect throughout the whole team.

Maybe in some mysterious way, any form of a constructive impact emanating from Dan Carter will also have a positive impact on our awful lineout.

Fingers and everything else crossed.

What are your remedies?