Self-appointed New Zealand rugby historian, Stephen Jones, of Sunday Times fame out of Wapping, London, described England's Rugby World Cup semifinal triumph on Saturday as inflicting the worst defeat on the All Blacks.
Or to put it more accurately, he asked: "When did New Zealand suffer the most crushing defeat in their history? No, you don't need the record books. It was yesterday. It is not a matter of points. It may not look desperate on the scoreboard but they have surely never had so little of a big game, have never been played to a standstill and then to something approximating a rabble."
Forgetting all the journalistic hyperbole, and the never-ending desire to get a rise out of New Zealand fans, the simple fact is that it wasn't the most crushing defeat.
Disappointing yes, but more from the fact that the All Blacks were unable to impose their game, a style of rugby that the world genuinely needs at the moment for the benefit of the game. But most crushing? No.
As players are frequently saying, although many of them will now be more aware of the reality, World Cups are different and are all about winning by whatever means it takes. England were pragmatic to perfection and even in their defensive style there were attributes to admire.
That said, the most crushing New Zealand defeat must remain the third Test 17-6 loss to the Springboks in 1937.
This was a game in which New Zealand, in the series decider, were so comprehensively out-played, and out-thought, that South Africa scored five tries to nil. And if Gerry Brand had had his goal-kicking boots on it would have been even worse. Based on modern scoring the score would have been 27-6.
Under the laws of the day South Africa opted for scrums every time they had a lineout and they scrummed New Zealand into the Eden Park mud. It was relentless. And if New Zealand looked bereft in the face of England's challenge in Yokohama, they at least continued to play and to try and get some momentum throughout the 80 minutes.
But the men of 1937 were stuffed from the first time the Springboks called for a scrum. The South Africans said they knew from the looks on the faces of the All Blacks that they realised they had been completely caught out tactically and they faced a long day at the office.
It was all to do with New Zealand's complete inability to cope with changing from their 2-3-2 scrum back in 1932.
So sorry Stephen, the reality is otherwise.
There are other contenders as well: the 1999 meltdown at the hands of France in another World Cup semifinal would be one. On that occasion it was positive attack that undid them, even after they built what should have been a match-winning lead.
That's not to forget the 2007 quarterfinal against France where tactics were again awry.
Then there's the 1964 20-5 loss to Australia at Athletic Park.
Some of the contenders in non-Test matches would have included the lamentable 17-40 loss to Sydney in 1992 or the 0-12 loss to Munster in 1978.
But if there is one thing that is common among all the losses, no matter how bad, it is that recovery has followed and so long as that continues All Blacks fans will be happy.
