I thought long and hard before writing this blog, because I'm in danger of falling into the trap that I'm about to accuse the majority of New Zealand rugby fans of falling into.

And that's becoming too emotional - and less rational - about the fate of the All Blacks.

I'm at an advantage here because I'm an outsider. I know of the great All Blacks stories but I never lived through the originals - my knowledge comes second hand.

I only ever started really watching the All Blacks when the Rugby World Cup came on the scene. So I don't have that emotional baggage that goes with being an All Blacks fan.

But I've been here in New Zealand for well over four years now and I suffer the same highs and lows of any Kiwi when the team loses - but I think my emotional detachment gives me a different perspective on the whole thing.

And I've needed it this week after reading some absolutely outrageous comments about the state of New Zealand Rugby and the All Blacks coaches and players.

Judging by the fall-out from the two losses in South Africa anyone who didn't know the Springboks are the World Champions and the best team in the world at the moment would have been forgiven for thinking those titles belonged to the All Blacks.

But they don't. And it's absolutely clear the All Blacks aren't the best in the world at the moment for a number of reasons.

And here's where my different perspective comes in.

To many Kiwis, and the majority of the media, New Zealand got taught a lesson by a South African team in two games we, as a country, expected the All Blacks to win. The coaches had no ideas, the players were dreadful and we got shocked in both games.

But while there is some truth in there, the fall-out has been irrational and marked by over-reaction rather than decent analysis.

The All Blacks were always the underdogs going into a two-match series against the battle-hardened Springboks. The fact the All Blacks were still in the game heading into the last quarter and could - and I would argue probably should - have won both games should be taken as a positive sign.

Yes, the players made too many individual errors. Yes, at times the indiscipline cost the team. But those are things that can be fixed.

The biggest reason for the failings in South Africa, in my opinion, was the inability of some players to adapt the game-plan in the face of a changing environment on the paddock.

The coaches can only do so much once the game has started - it relies on the players to have some nouse and make those hard calls.

It's the same reason the All Blacks lost the quarter-final against France at the last World Cup.

Now you can - fairly - say that the coaches have to assume some responsibility for that, but they were abused for not picking the best players and now they are to a greater degree.

It just so happens that some of them, great players they may be, may not be the right fit for the All Blacks.

And those poor decisions are why I think someone like Joe Rokocoko may have played his last Test for the All Blacks. And it's also why Sitiveni Sivivatu, despite easily being the best attacking winger in New Zealand, has to improve his defensive game significantly if he wants to retain his spot.

Some of those familiar names will need to make way if New Zealand wants to win the 2011 World Cup - and I think Henry, Hansen and Smith are starting to form those plans now and will be looking for players in the season's Air New Zealand Cup to stand up and say "you must pick me".

That's the conundrum for any All Blacks coach. You can develop new players, but not at once because if you lose a Test you're bagged. And if you don't have depth because you haven't brought through young players you're bagged.

Yep, at times being the All Blacks coach, with the weight of expectation on your shoulder, can be the hardest job in the world.

Oh, and the referee in the second Test cleary had an influence on the final result. You can call it an excuse if you like, but here are the facts. Nigel Owens alone didn't cost the All Blacks the game.

If the passes had stuck and some of the players had been more smart then the All Blacks would have won irregardless of the man in the middle's performance.

But his ridiculous decision to bin Isaac Ross when the ball was clearly out of the ruck handed the advantage to South Africa and they took it with the controversial try just before half-time.

And I think Bakkies Botha could also count himself a little unlucky. He might have been called for an early tackle, but Owens clearly stated he was yellow-carded for offside and I didn't see that during the game.

But try debating the merits of the refereeing and you're accused of trying to make excuses.

And here's the thing. You, as a fan, aren't always getting the full story.

Many of you are influenced by what you read and hear in the media and that's fair enough. Everyone is to some degree.

But if you honestly believe you're getting any kind of unbiased view of the All Blacks from newspapers and radio stations then you're being deceived.

I've been in the All Blacks camp a couple of times now in the run up to Test matches and being a newbie I'm unencumbered by the history. And I've been baffled by the not-so-hidden agendas from both sides during those occassions, although it seems more media members have their own agenda to push.

And, as I suspected as soon as the final whistle went on Sunday, many of the most vociferous Henry critics have been out in full force this week, calling for the man to be sacked and for new coaches to come in.

I'm not saying Ted can't be criticised - of course he can, and he should when he makes mistakes.

But the flak coming his way tends to be from those who pushed for Robbie Deans and still seem bitter that the NZRU broke the normal pattern of World Cup failure/sack coach by reappointing Henry.

And it's backed by emotion, not analysis.

Those type of people make for better talk-back callers as well. They're passionate, they're angry and they shout. But guess what? They don't reflect any consensus in this country.

The majority of you are probably still behind Henry - and my talking to ordinary fans tends to back that up. You just won't hear about that very often because it's not good for the news.

So by all means criticise Henry and the players for the things they have done wrong. But don't forget you don't become one of the most successful international coaches of all time by being bad and losing two games in the republic isn't the end of the world!

You just wouldn't know that from what you've heard and read this week.

What do you think? Do you believe the mass hysterial following the losses to South Africa reflects the feeling of the nation?  Do you still support Henry, Hansen and Smith?  And which players do you feel are most at risk?

I appreciate all your comments.