The corpse of anguish was exhumed in the form of a $130,000 review prepared by Auckland lawyer Mike Heron and Sparc (Sport and Recreation New Zealand) official Don Tricker.

It focused most critically on the "over emphasis" placed on the four-yearly tournament by the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU), which had, in turn, erred by agreeing to coach Graham Henry's controversial conditioning programme.

That programme was found to have impacted negatively on all levels of the game and on the very players it was designed to improve when they were removed from the first half of the Super 14.

In its most damning assessment, the review found that the players were left lacking in "quality game time" before they played France. "The All Blacks were effectively in pre-season mode playing in a world-class competition with and against match-hardened players," the report said.

"Their match fitness and skill levels were not at the required level ... the contact component of the conditioning programme was too little too late -- there was too much training completed against static opponents."

NZRU chairman Jock Hobbs and Henry today agreed mistakes had been beed made but nobody will pay the price for the All Blacks' failure.

Henry was voted unanimously back into his job by the board in December, followed by most of his same support staff.

Hobbs said the review had shown nothing to suggest Henry's reappointment was premature.

"Graham was subject to a detailed performance review and then a contestable appointment process.

"He had to prove he was the best person for the job. He did," Hobbs said.

"But I'm sure Graham has learned through this process. It's not business as usual, there will be some changes.

"He and the All Blacks management will be better for it."

Hobbs said "collectively we all are" accountable, with his board having approved the conditioning programme -- deemed by the report a brave decision at the time but in hindsight the wrong one.

Hobbs had said in the aftermath of the All Blacks' exit that he would resign if necessary but had seen nothing that would force his hand.

The report summarised that the NZRU had largely planned for the tournament in a thorough and professional manner.

Likewise chief executive Steve Tew was not in that role through 2006 and 2007 so held no degree of accountability.

Hobbs defended the timing of the review, saying it needed 4-1/2 months to leave no stone unturned.

Forty-one players, coaches, officials and stakeholders were interviewed.

"In an ideal world, it would have been completed earlier. But if the review was going to be meaningful, substantive and thorough, it was always going to take time," Hobbs said.

"It's not about finding fault or a royal commission or a witch hunt.

"It is a review for learnings and improvement, clearly we made mistakes and we acknowledge that.

"We are very sorry we failed at Cardiff and the disappointment and frustration this has caused our supporters."

Logistically it wasn't possible to leave the All Blacks' coach position open until the review was completed, he added.

Henry accepted the report's criticism of the conditioning programme, particularly its impact on the whole of New Zealand rugby in 2007.

"I underestimated that impact, quite frankly," Henry said.

"Obviously that's a mistake -- how it was implemented and when it was implemented.

"We've got to find ways that that doesn't happen in the future.

"(But) This report says conditioning is imperative. It's just fitting it in, making sure that we implement it correctly."

Tricker and Heron were unavailable to answer questions today, with Hobbs saying their position was that the report stood alone and on its merits.

Other contributing factors to the Cardiff collapse were the All Blacks' poor standard of opposition in test matches earlier in the season and in World Cup pool play.

The review also found there were too many fulltime staff in All Blacks management, something the players had voiced strong concern about in the coaching review. While Tricker and Heron weren't required to reach a conclusion about the on-field performance in Cardiff they felt compelled to do so anyway.

They summised factors outside the team's control were important, including the performance of English referee Wayne Barnes and his touch judges, which "had a significant adverse impact on the All Blacks".

The review said an "unusual combination" of injuries also impacted on the latter stages of the match but concluded that the All Blacks' players failed to handle the pressure of the French.