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The All Blacks are a machine that just keeps rolling and their record effort against South Africa showed just how effective they have been this year.They respect the opposition enough to go out there and do what they need to do but their defence is head and shoulders above anyone else on the planet. Theyre a machine and they now have a world record attempt coming up against Australia.What is impressive is that this has all been done with different players coming in and out. Its not the same players who have played all 18 Test matches but the machine just keeps rolling on. People are comparing 2016 with 2015 and that does my head in.Richie McCaw was part of this world record, Dan Carter, Maa Nonu, Conrad Smith, Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock were all part of this world record. Its not comparing two different teams, it is the same team with players coming in and players going out. Thats just life, thats the way it works but its the results that keep staying the same and the performance level that keeps on improving.The important thing is the All Blacks have been around for a hell of a long time and they have got a fantastic record; every young kid in New Zealand aspires to one day be an All Black and it just makes the value of the jersey stronger.The likes of an Anton Lienert-Brown comes into the team, and he must be absolutely star struck among the players he is playing with, but hes slotted in there and now been embraced by those guys as one of them. And were also watching players like Brodie Retallick and Kieran Read just mature into world-class players, not that they havent been in the past but theyre just getting better and better and better.Is it a fact that weve got better or is that everyone else in the world has got worse?I think it is a little bit of both. But everyone now looks at the Rugby World Cup as the pinnacle. The year after the World Cup is traditionally a rebuilding year and between World Cups the All Blacks are always the best in the world because we set such high standards and we maintain them at the highest level.So when everyone elses standards drop we look like world-beaters and in the three years between World Cups we win things hands down. And we know that come 2019 it is not an absolute given that there is going to be a three-peat. Sure, it is what we want but we were all nervous going into 2015, and in 2011 we could easily have lost the final.We have just got to enjoy the moments that are unfolding in front of us and to savour what is happening. With that in mind, it is quite timely in talking about this to look at the way the system keeps bringing young players through from schoolboys through the Mitre 10 Cup. These players are getting thrown up all the time and we have seen again that we have an exciting bunch of talent.And All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has said the door is open for some of those players to be considered for the end of year tour. I have no doubt the likes of Aucklands Rieko Ioane will probably go on that tour.Several other players in the Mitre 10 Cup have caught my eye. The fullback for Northland, Alaimalo Solomona, is a loan player from Canterbury and has been fantastic in a team that is starved of getting much ball; but when he gets it he is a talent.I think North Harbour first five-eighth Bryn Gatland is one for the future. Hes really turned North Harbour around.Two front-rowers from Wellington have been impressive. Hooker Aumua Asafo, who scored a hat-trick of tries against Northland, and the prop, straight out of school Alex Fidow. Hes obviously being introduced slowly by Wellington. He comes on and does cameos. Hes one to watch, technically Ive been impressed with him.I like both the Barrett brothers, Scott and Jordy, playing for Canterbury. And I notice Johnny McNicholl is leaving New Zealand and hes going in his best form. He has had an injury-plagued career for someone with so much talent, but now thats hes stayed fit hes been in the form of his life.And I like the look of Canterbury centre Jack Goodhue.Among the loose forwards Matt Matich has played well for the struggling Northland team while Jordan Taufua has continued on from his good Super Rugby season with the Crusaders to shine for Counties Manukau. Pete Samu has also impressed me from Tasman; hes gone well and has had a bolter of a season.Otago centre Matt Faddes is someone you would have to keep an eye on. He stepped up for the Highlanders this year and has performed well for Otago. Another who has done well is Matt Duffie on the wing for North Harbour. He has got better and better too.Ngani Laumape has been in impressive touch for Manawatu after his earlier stint with the Hurricanes, but just what chances these guys have of pushing for higher honours is dependent on how the All Blacks mid-field is going, and there are few issues there at the moment.The one area of concern the All Blacks selectors probably have is in the propping stakes and with that in mind I would think if you are looking at a prop then loosehead Fraser Armstrong from Manawatu could be someone they secretly have their eye on.If you were looking for a bolter, even if he hasnt player Super Rugby, then Armstrong might be a good bet. He would go well in the All Blacks and he wouldnt look out of place at all. It is definitely too early for Fidow, he is two years away.Air Force 1 Low Nz . "I was fortunate to play many years at this level with a great organization and unbelievable teammates," said Hejduk in a statement. Air Force 1 Low Womens Sale . -- Claudio Bieler hadnt scored since early September, and not from the run of play since mid-July. http://www.airforce1salenz.com/air-force-270-nz.html . Roman Josi had a goal and an assist to lead the Predators to a 4-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Monday night. Nike Air Force 1 Mens Nz . Clarkson had been dealing with an elbow injury in early January and will be out of action for at least one week. He has three goals and five assists through 36 games with the Leafs this season. Air Force 1 Low Mens Sale .J. -- Pitcher Carl Pavano is retiring after 14 major league seasons.LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Kansas lost one of the leading scorers and rebounders in school history, a slashing guard capable of scoring in bunches, a one-and-done prospect with freakish talent and a dazzling 3-point shooter.And theres a good chance theyll be even better this season.Hard to believe after the Jayhawks went 33-5, won their 12th straight Big 12 regular-season title and earned the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. But with the return of three starters and the addition of Josh Jackson, the nations top overall recruit, the Jayhawks believe they have the chops to win their first national title since 2008.Were going to miss two key starters and of course some depth behind that, but I do think the pieces have potential to fit, Kansas coach Bill Self said. If the pieces fit as well, then I think you may have a little bit more talented group that may give you a chance maybe to play better when it counts the most. But certainly it remains to be seen if the pieces can get there yet.Self acknowledged losing Perry Ellis to graduation creates a significant void, not only in scoring and rebounding but also leadership, and that Wayne Selden Jr. was often the best player on the floor. When you throw in Cheick Diallo, who left after one underwhelming season for the NBA, and Brannen Greenes decision to leave a year early, you have roster turnover that could cripple most programs.The Jayhawks merely had to plug the holes and press on.Jackson should move right into the starting lineup, a 6-foot-8 swingman who some believe could have more impact on the Jayhawks than Andrew Wiggins. Udoka Azubuike also arrived on campus with the kind of expectations that match the freshman centers 7-foot, 270-pound frame.The Jayhawks will also add Ole Miss transfer Dwight Coleby to the mix. He tore his ACL last year but was already sitting out under NCAA transfer rules, and could provide some depth in the front court.But the key to the Jayhawks success will be the returnees: Frank Mason III and Devonte Graham will combine with Jackson in arguably the nations best backcourt, Carlton Bragg is poised to become a scoring machine after an uneven freshman season and Landen Lucas provides experience in the post.ddddddddddddEveryone just has to give themselves up and do exactly what coach wants, Mason said. Hes been there and he knows what it takes. Doing that, we have a chance to be the best we can be.Here are the story lines that could define the Jayhawks season:JACKSONS HYPESeveral analysts have already listed him No. 1 in next years draft, but so far he has said all the right things. And he wants to win, even floating the idea of going 40-0. We know its going to be really hard and kind of unlikely, he said, but thats what were shooting for.PLAYING SMALLSelf loves his big men, but the majority of his talent is in the backcourt, so expect the Jayhawks to play four guards quite often. Mason, Graham and Jackson could be joined by Svi Mykhailiuk and Lagerald Vick, who played sparingly a year ago but has taken big strides in the offseason.BIG 12 DROPOFFWest Virginia lost Devin Williams, Iowa State lost Georges Niang and Oklahoma lost Buddy Hield and, well, just about everybody. So the Jayhawks are the heavy favorites to win the league for the 13th straight time, which would match the record streak of UCLA for a major conference.SITTING OUTMississippi State transfer Malik Newman will have to sit out under NCAA transfer rules, but he should still prove valuable. Newman was one of the nations top recruits out of high school and should help to make practices a bit more spirited.TOUGH ROADThe Jayhawks open with Indiana in Hawaii and play Duke four days later in New York, an unusual and brutal combination of travel and talented opponents. Stanford, UNLV and Nebraska ae also on the non-conference schedule. Thats why you come to a school like this -- to start off with Indiana and Duke, Lucas said. Were going to learn a lot in those first couple of weeks. ' ' '