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.
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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
South Africa rarely play Ireland and France on these tours. Mostly, England, Scotland and Wales. I wonder why
1 Go to commentsIt was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
2 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
2 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to comments