Teflon John Key could have flown home without the plane after the game yesterday. He was on a high as he left Twickers for Heathrow just as the crowd was spilling on to the streets to celebrate an end to The Cup.

Key was on a high before taking his seat for the match though. An audience with his favourite pensioner, even though he wants to do away with her flag in the corner of ours, put him on cloud nine.

There was some talk of rugger and perhaps even a mention of the knight in waiting, Sir Richie, which is part of the Mother Country he wants to preserve.

And of course there was the dinner at Number 10 with his fellow prankster David Cameron who brought a whole new meaning to snouts in the public trough.

The Pig's Ear pub's not far from Downing Street but David was happy for an at home with Key on this occasion.

They did talk rugby, which not surprisingly gave Key a great deal of confidence in the presence of his English counterpart given the dismal performance of the home team. Our PM has fully embraced the game, a change from when he was a young university student, dreaming of becoming our leader, even though he couldn't remember what position he took on the 1981 Springbok rugby tour.

And anyway, the Rugby World Cup hadn't even been invented way back then and Nelson Mandela was in jail and the then leader of the National Party Rob Muldoon wouldn't have given him the time of the day anyway.

So it's been a heady week for Key and he could be forgiven for feeling a bit flat as he heads into the drudgery of his caucus meeting tomorrow.

But he'll already be planning for the All Blacks homecoming and anticipating the political spin off from the euphoric mood of the country.

If only he could call a snap election. Angry Andy Little would be caught napping but then again Luigi Peters would be snapping at his heels, ready with his never-ending demands, which Key would have to seriously consider if he wants to swan off to the next Rugby World Cup in Japan.

No he'll bide his time, there are plenty of balls to be kicked between now and 2017 when tax cuts will be on the agenda. The man who held the job he hankered after as a university student, Muldoon, said put money in their hip pockets and they'll put the right vote in the ballot box.

Not that Key would remember that though!