Richie McCaw's All Blacks are a great team, but nowhere near the greatest just yet Will we really be acclaiming them as the finest the sport has known? Comparisons across the eras are tricky, often flawed but always fun. By any criteria, Richie McCaw's side are an accomplished outfit. By one measurement alone, that of having all-time great players in their ranks, they just about stack up: McCaw himself ranks alongside previous high-grade flankers such as former All Black Michael Jones, or Ireland's Fergus Slattery or that Gallic blond warrior, Jean-Pierre Rives. Likewise fly-half Dan Carter stands tall in the company of former Wallaby Michael Lynagh or the Welsh masters Barry John and Phil Bennett. hrow into that mix Conrad Smith, a clever, hard-edged centre in the mould of a Philippe Sella. Kieran Read at No8? Ticks my box. Full-back Mils Muliaina and prop Tony Woodcock would also stand the test of time. But truly to transcend all others, a team have to be so dominant, so overwhelming that they brook no argument as to their status in history. hey have to be a side of beauty and power as well as of mere stats. They must have an aura, set trends, shape styles for future generations. They have to challenge our way of thinking. Take Wales of the Seventies. Or New Zealand of the late Eighties, captained by Buck Shelford, a side who went 23 Tests without defeat, their perfect return spoilt only by a draw against Australia in 1988. Now, they were a great side, full of great players: Jones and Shelford, the Whetton brothers and John Kirwan were the equal of any. Ditto, too, Sean Fitzpatrick's All Black side who were the kings in the mid-Nineties in every regard bar that one that mattered, that of being world champions. Nelson Mandela's jig of delight on the Ellis Park podium in 1995 told you what a special moment that was for the whole of South Africa as the hot favourite All Blacks were beaten in extra time. These New Zealanders do not strike fear into the opposition that way that those teams did. Defeat is a possibility, even this weekend in Soweto where England head coach Stuart Lancaster will be an interested observer. South Africa ought to have got across the line recently only to flunk a shedload of kicks at goal. Ireland almost lowered New Zealand's colours in the summer (then got tanked 60-0 the following week for their effrontery). Look how close France came to sending a nation over the cliff in the World Cup final, beaten by a point as well as crass refereeing. Wales will fancy their chances this autumn. And England? They are some way short of such expectations. But as Argentina have shown during the Rugby Championship, if you double-tackle, stymie the All Blacks" off-loading game, you have a chance. It may only be a sniff, though. The manner in which wings Julian Savea and Cory Jane took their tries on Saturday shows that New Zealand remain without equal in finishing chances. The Championship has shown up deep flaws in Australian rugby which need a root and branch fix by next summer or the Lions will barely have to raise a bead of perspiration to succeed, as well as the continuing one-dimensional nature of South Africa. Argentina have been a splendid addition and will grow. As for New Zealand being the greatest of all time - not yet, not by some distance. Brighton could rock as World Cup venue Organisers are in the last stages of compiling their long list of venues for Rugby World Cup 2015. There is still some wriggling to do to get the required football grounds on board. A personal recce on Saturday of one of the contenders, Brighton's Amex Stadium, came up trumps. Visually stunning, on-site practicalities without complaint. Organisers will focus too on creating Fan Zones, a great hit in New Zealand. Where should London's be? Richmond Park? Twickenham Green? Trafalgar Square? Farrell's Ryder lesson Owen Farrell proved above anything else in Sunday's win against Harlequins that he has the head as well as the heart for international rugby. He did not miss a beat in landing all six attempts at goal. As the Ryder Cup has shown, character can take you far.