The All Blacks Are Poised To Break Another Record, But Does Anyone Really Want Them To?
The All Blacks are again on the verge of breaking rugby’s record for most consecutive test wins. Deservedly so, writes Jamie Wall, but it would still be a shame to see the ’65-’69 All Blacks knocked out of the history books.
It’s that time again. For the past five years, the All Blacks have fashioned the most consistent era in professional rugby, winning 56 out of 61 games. They’ve won the World Cup, Rugby Championship, Bledisloe and any other bit of silverware going. But there’s one thing that’s eluded them, and it’s not a trophy.
The record for consecutive test wins currently stands at 17. It’s jointly held by the 1965-69 All Blacks, 1997-98 Springboks and 2013-14 All Blacks*.
In all, the All Blacks occupy six of the top 10 spots in the winning streak list. But how do the All Blacks of today stack up against the ones whose record they are on the verge of breaking? Specifically, the players who are old enough to be their grandfathers.
The late ’60s All Black side that currently shares the record has a list of names that reads like rugby royalty: Gray, Going, McCormick, Tremain, Kirkpatrick, Nathan, Lochore, and perhaps the greatest of all: Meads.
They forged their record over five big seasons. They played 18 matches in 1967 alone, and they would have played more had it not been for a Foot & Mouth Disease outbreak in the UK that meant they couldn’t travel to Ireland. Their test streak included every major rugby playing nation bar Ireland.
The current All Blacks win streak is up to 15, a run of results which has been achieved in little over a year. In that time they’ve won a World Cup and beaten all the top sides in the world (except Ireland, who have once again escaped their wrath). They’ve been stacked full of legendary players too: Carter, Nonu, Smith, Woodcock, Mealamu and, of course, McCaw.
[rugbypass-ad-banner id=”1473306980″]
2016 was supposed to be a rebuilding year after the retirement of the aforementioned legends, but it’s simply turned into a case study of how brilliantly the New Zealand rugby system has future-proofed the national side. At this point it seems less a matter of if they break the record, but how impossible they’re going to make the new record for any team that tries to beat it.
But the All Blacks have been here before – and recently. They’ve stood at the door of greatness in 2012 and 2014, only to have it slammed in their face first by England and then by Australia. Both those results came completely out of the blue, and in both cases normal transmission resumed straight away afterwards. In fact, the follow-up test against the Wallabies yielded a record scoreline.
If the All Blacks are to break the record this time it will happen at Eden Park against the Wallabies on October 22nd. Before then, the All Blacks are away to Los Pumas and the Springboks, neither of whom have given the All Blacks any trouble this year.
In the unlikely event of an upset, there will be one consolation. There’s something quite nice about having a record that harks back to a different era altogether – one with long sleeved jerseys without corporate logos on them, with proper fighting instead of grabbing collars, and mythological tales of preseason training by running up hills with a sheep under each arm.
For the current All Blacks, it might just be the only time they can lose and not get completely wrecked by the famously indignant New Zealand public.
* Though, technically, Cyprus and Lithuania both have longer win streaks…
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments