OP lists Shaun Edwards as an A grader. Gave up reading after that point.
Yes they do have a chance to contend next year, but IMO they're no further ahead at the moment than they were in, say, 2012. There are still too many average and soft players in the best 22 who can't handle the step up to finals intensity, and I don't see much hope to believe that won't be the case again this year. If they win a final this year, then I'll start to rate them a little bit differently, but I don't see that happening at this point.
"Shaun Edwards"
Didn't read after that.