All Blacks Have History on Their Side

(Photo by Ross Land/Getty Images)

That would allow the New Zealand test team to approach the next World Cup with the same foundation that Australia, England, and South Africa had in their most recent William Webb Ellis triumphs.

Overwhelming experience, which is the one trait that all of the last three World Cup winners have had.

But for now, the All Blacks look set to welcome Les Bleus and the Azzuri.

The French were the last team to defeat New Zealand twice in consecutive matches at home.

To put this into perspective, since that series held in 1994, the All Blacks have lost only six times in New Zealand. That almost averages to just one loss every three years in their backyard.

The tricolours will mount a formidable challenge though, with only players from Clermont and Perpignan being absent from the first test in Dunedin on June 13^th (those teams will be contesting the Top 14 final).

Equally Italy, while they are essentially no chance of downing the All Blacks at home, will provide a welcome challenge to the home team’s forward structures.

But it will be the Tri Nations that will serve the most intrigue.

Numerous “experts” are already talking up the Springboks to a huge degree, basing a large amount of this conjecture on the Bulls Super 14 win over the Chiefs.

But only once has a non-New Zealand team taken their Super rugby form to Tri Nation’s success; the Brumbies did it back in 2001. Whereas the Blues three Super rugby wins led to New Zealand Tri Nations titles, and five of the Crusaders wins led to the same. 

Ominously for South Africa, despite the Bulls winning the 2007 title, could not prevent an All Blacks romp through the Tri Nations, with only a five point loss to the Wallabies preventing a clean sweep.

Form aside, the Springboks or Wallabies will have to conquer history to wrest the Tri Nations title of the All Blacks hands. 

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?