1
The All Blacks do have a lesser record on neutral soil outside of World Cups
When the All Blacks play South Africa at Twickenham this weekend it will be New Zealand’s 50th Test match at a neutral venue, most of which have come during Rugby World Cup tournaments (38).
ADVERTISEMENT
In the other 11 non-World Cup clashes on neutral soil, the All Blacks have won seven and lost four which is below their historical winning rate. The All Blacks first defeat to Ireland in 2016 was suffered at Soldier Field in Chicago.
This will be only the second time the All Blacks and the Springboks have clashed in London, with the first occasion was the brutal 2015 World Cup semi-final won 20-18 by the All Blacks.
A late lineout steal by Sam Whitelock denied Victor Matfield the chance to set up a last drive. The Springboks had kicked six penalties and Beauden Barrett and Jerome Kaino scored tries for the All Blacks.
Due to Covid-19 pandemic, the All Blacks 100th Test against South Africa in 2021 was shifted to Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville.
The All Blacks won an error-ridden tussle 19-17 with Jordie Barrett kicking a 45m penalty in the 77th minute. Bruising defense and cautious kicking were the order of the day.
Tries by wings Sibusiso Nkosi and Will Jordan were scored in the opening ten minutes.
ADVERTISEMENT
South Africa exacted revenge a week later with a 31-29 victory on the Gold Coast. Elton Jantjies landed a penalty goal with the last kick of the game.
The other clash on a neutral field between the All Blacks and the Springboks was the forgettable playoff for third at the 1999 Rugby World Cup in Cardiff.
South Africa won 22-18. There was a solitary try scored by Breyton Paulse, converted by Henry Honiball who also added three penalties. Percy Montgomery slotted two drop goals. Andrew Mehrtens kicked six penalties for the All Blacks.
The first ‘neutral’ test was the 1987 World Cup semi-final against Wales in Ballymore, Brisbane. The All Blacks won 49-6 with Welsh lock Huw Richards receiving the first red card in World Cup history.
ADVERTISEMENT
Emerging from a loose scrum, Gary Whetton elbowed Richards face. Richards punched Whetton and was in turn punched furiously by New Zealand No.8 Buck Shelford.
Richards fell to the floor following the right hook and when revived, was sent off by referee Kerry Fitzgerald. Shelford escaped punishment and scored two of the All Blacks seven tries.
The All Blacks first Test on neutral soil that wasn’t a World Cup fixture was a Bledisloe Cup Test in Hong Kong in 2008. The All Blacks beat the Wallabies 19-14 after being down by five at halftime.
Isaia Toeava was awarded the player of the day, Daniel Carter kicked three penalties, and Richie McCaw and Sitiveni Sivivatu scored tries.
The Bledisloe Cup would move to Japan in 2009 with the All Blacks winning 32-19 but back in Hong Kong a year later a last-play penalty goal from James O’Connor saw a 24-26 defeat suffered.
All Blacks first-five Stephen Donald took muck flak by failing to find touch with a late clearance but a year later he would kick the winning penalty goal in the 2011 Rugby World Cup final.
Head-to-Head
Last 5 Meetings
Wins
2
Draws
0
Wins
3
Average Points scored
20
23
First try wins
60%
Home team wins
40%
All Blacks Test Record on Neutral Soil
Played: 49
Won: 40
Lost: 9
Points For: 2178 (294 tries)
Points Against: 757 (68 tries)
World Cup: 33-5
Other: 7-4
World Cup Matches on Neutral Soil
Most Famous Win: 34-17 v Australia, 2015 Rugby World Cup Final, Twickenham, London.
Most Famous Individual Performance: Jonah Lomu 4 tries v England, 1995 Rugby World Cup semi-final, Cape Town.
Most Infamous Defeat: 18-20, France, 2007 Rugby World Cup quarter-final, Cardiff.
Biggest Win: 145-17 v Japan, 1995 Rugby World Cup, Bloemfontein. Marc Ellis scored a record six tires. Simon Culhane scored 45 points on debut.
Semi-Final Exists: Australia (6-16, 1991, Dublin), France (31-43, 1999, London), England (6-19, 2019, Tokyo)
Comments on RugbyPass
Tamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
1 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to comments