In the realm of rugby, the New Zealand national team, famously known as the All Blacks, has become a real force to be reckoned with – one of the most feared teams in the world.
What makes this really remarkable is that they have achieved this despite having limited resources and a comparatively small population size compared to their rivals. Their journey is a testament to unwavering determination, discipline, well-structured systems, continuous innovation, and an unyielding commitment to being the best – and staying the best.
As such a legendary team, not just in rugby, but in sports, they are famous all around the world – attracting fans and followers from all corners of the globe. Here, we look at some of the most interesting facts about the All Blacks…
The Most Successful Team in the World
The most celebrated team, the All Blacks (and New Zealanders in general), take immense pride in their Rugby World Cup victories. Remarkably, they hold the distinction of being the first country to lift the Rugby World Cup an astonishing six times and achieve the even more remarkable feat of retaining the title. With an extraordinary 76% winning record in test match rugby, they have triumphed over every test opponent more times than they have lost.
Since 2003 – and the inception of the World Rugby Rankings, the All Blacks have been in the number-one spot longer than any other team. Moreover, they share the record for the most consecutive test match wins among tier-one ranked nations, tied with England.
They Hold the Record for Tri-Nation Wins
The All Blacks have established their dominance in another way as well… by managing a record-breaking ten victories in the Tri-Nations Series. The secret of their success? According to them, it is because they have a team culture rooted in humility, unity – and profound respect for that iconic black jersey.
With this strong ethos, they continue to thrive… and will always be considered a force to be reckoned with in the world of rugby.
They Are the Subject of Their Own Online Slot Game
Amongst the thousands of online pokies out there, there are very few that have been inspired by sports teams – but there is one featuring the beloved All Blacks team, popular with rugby players, slot fans – and New Zealand players in general.
Developed with excellent graphics and engaging gameplay, it pays tribute to the All Blacks’ legacy and success on the rugby field.
They Have Only Ever Been Beaten By Seven Test Nations
The All Blacks hold an unrivalled position among all the test nations. In fact, they have been defeated by seven test nations (and drawn with Scotland) and by two combined teams (the British & Irish Lions and a World XV). They are also the only team that has a winning record against every single nation they have ever faced. Their remarkable stats boast 480 wins out of 625 test matches (76.80%), and they have experienced home defeats only 42 times.
They Have a Winning Streak of 23 Test Victories
The team’s longest winning streak stands at 23 test victories, achieved between 2015 and 2016. In 2013, they also achieved incredible results by – winning every test they played during that year. Furthermore, they hold the record for the most consecutive home ground test wins – an impressive 47-match winning streak between 2009 and 2017.
King of the Comebacks
Interestingly, out of the 172 games where the All Blacks have been trailing at half-time, they managed to secure victory in 81 of those matches and drew 10. This goes to show that they may be down, but never out… and you can never take anything for granted. They have a remarkable ability to stage comebacks and turn the game around in their favour.
They Start Every International Game with the Haka
The Haka is a traditional Maori dance performed by the New Zealand rugby team, the All Blacks, before all their international matches. It is a powerful and intense display of strength, unity, and pride – ultimately designed to intimidate their opponents and honour their cultural heritage.
An All Blacks Player was the Most Capped Player in the World
Former All Black star, Ritchie McCaw, held the title of the most-capped player in rugby union history for a significant period. The retired captain played 148 test matches, surpassing Brian O’Driscoll’s record in 2015. However, he lost his record to Alun Wyn Jones in 2020. McCaw also shares the record for most Rugby World Cup appearances along with Jason Leonard.
He was captain of the All Blacks in 110 of his test matches and led them to victory in two Rugby World Cups. McCaw also earned the World Rugby Player of the Year title three times, a joint record, and he held the record for most capped test rugby player from August 2015 to October 2020. Because of these achievements, he was honoured with the New Zealand Sportsman of the Decade award, the highest accolade for any athlete in the country.