After crowning their 2015 season with World Cup glory, it's beyond impressive to think they managed to raise the bar, break a world record and win 13 from 14 games this year.
Particularly when you consider the loss of almost 1000 caps.
But out of the class of 2016, who really took the bull by the horns, who slipped and who are the rising stars?
Who's hot
Dane Coles - filling the void left by 133-cap Keven Mealamu would have been a task nigh impossible for anyone but Coles.
The 29-year-old has had the best year in recent times from any hooker in the world and is one of the best players - in any position - in the game.
Brodie Retallick - forming by far and away the best locking partnership in the world with Sam Whitelock, Retallick has gotten better and better in 2016.
The 25-year-old is the best lock in the world and should he continue on the same trajectory he's on, he will be remembered as an All Black great.
Brodie Retallick is a key part of the All Blacks set-up (Getty source)
TJ Perenara - was battling to hold his spot as the second-choice halfback early on, but got a glimmer of an opportunity and has taken it by the scruff of the neck.
After a very good end of year tour, Perenara climbed above Aaron Smith into top spot.
Who's not
Steven Luatua - keeps getting opportunities and really had a chance to get back to 2012/13 type form. But his lack of physicality and blockbusting running skills is worrying and will leave him will down the pecking order for the Lions tour.
While the All Blacks would never select an unfit player, you can't help but think his fitness is a big weakness.
Aaron Smith - was by far and away the best halfback in the world halfway through the year but has showed just how close a star All Black is to falling out of favour. Needs to reignite the spark and display the desire that saw him to the top of the world.
Aaron Smith has found himself fighting for his spot in the team (Getty source)
Lima Sopoaga - somehow has become the forgotten man of New Zealand rugby. Opportunities for the Southland first five have been limited but when he's received them, he hasn't managed to blow anyone away.
Looks a little unsure of the game the coaches want him to play and needs a lot more time in the jersey on the field to adjust.
Malakai Fekitoa - tipped to walk straight into the shoes of Ma'a Nonu but his distribution, work rate and defence lets him down. Will be selected for Lions series but he is by no means a guaranteed starter and seems to have fallen behind the mercurial Anton Lienert-Brown.
Who's rising
Scott Barrett - at the beginning of 2016, if you told Barrett that he'd be a second choice All Black lock by the end of the season, he'd probably have thought you needed your head checked.
Such was his fine season for Canterbury and the locking crisis for the All Blacks, he got a chance and grabbed it by the cajones.
Matt Todd - if this man was a start-up company, I'd put a lot of money into him because his stocks are going to rise in 2017.
Sam Cane is the All Blacks long-term number seven but has suffered his fair share of injury problems lately and the All Blacks coaching staff clearly see Ardie Savea as a bench impact player.
Todd has been close to best on ground when he's on the park and if he gets more time on the paddock, he could put some serious heat on Cane and Savea.
It was expected that Matt Todd would struggle to crack the All Black side after Savea's rise, but his pilfering skills are world class (Getty source)
Anton Lienert Brown - Rewind back to February, most rugby fans would have said 'Anton who'? These days, it's first choice All Black centre Anton Lienert-Brown.
While he's just 21 years-old, Lienert-Brown looks to be the complete player. His defence, work rate, offloading skills and ability to hit gaps have made him a must have in the midfield.
Reiko Ioane - the All Blacks coaching team isn't afraid to put their faith in young talent and with the likes of Ioane coming up through the ranks, you wouldn't either. There's not much this kid can't do - whether it's offloading, running into gaps or tackling.
A ticket on the end of year tour showed that he's all but a guaranteed squad member for the Lions series and while he's unlikely to get any serious game time, he's an irresistible talent on the rise.