All Blacks Have History on Their Side

(Photo by Ross Land/Getty Images)

Coach Graham Henry has named his first squad of the year, notable more for the omissions rather than the squad itself.

Well over 200 test caps are absent, and a swathe of players considered—on their best form—among World XV class players. All Blacks Captain Richie McCaw, his stand in captaincy last year Rodney So’oialo, Sitiveni Sivivatu, probably the Super 14’s form winger, and Dan Carter, who finished last year as the best first five eighth in world rugby.

So, despite a standout 2008 test season, the All Blacks still continue to rebuild after losing a massive number of first choice and fringe test players between the end of the most recent World Cup and the middle of last year.

Carl Hayman, Anton Oliver, Chris Jack, Keith Robinson, Marty Holah, Jerry Collins, Chris Masoe, Moses Tuiali’i, Byron Kelleher, Nick Evans, Aaron Mauger, Luke McAlister and Doug Howlett.

At least three or four of those men who would be considered genuine world class rugby players. 

So would the All Blacks be prepared to effectively concede the home series, Bledisloe and Tri Nations, as they wait out the absence of key players—to break their trend of their traditional period of “mid-World Cup” dominance, in view of the 2011 tournament?

What about when you compare the strength of Springbok rugby, and the apparent rising force of Robbie Deans Wallabies?

Not at all.

This is against the ethos of New Zealand rugby, a code that demands consistent success.

But think of the following players, who injury permitting, will most likely back in black by the end of the year.

Richie McCaw (70 tests), Dan Carter (59 tests), Sitiveni Sivivatu (34 tests), Luke McAlister (22 tests), Rodney So’oialo (55 tests) and Chris Jack (67 tests).

That is 307 test caps. Add that to the current named team, give or take a few matches, and that is a squad of over 850 test match appearances, for the average age of 28-29 years.

Far beyond any other side in the world.

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