All Blacks Have History on Their Side

(Photo by Ross Land/Getty Images)

Since 1996 the All Blacks have won nine titles and lost only four, and currently sit on a four year title streak, the longest in its short history.  They have won 39 matches, and lost only 17.  Their two opponents have lost nearly twice that number, and between them have won only 44 games.

There is popular conjecture that the All Blacks have arguably the weakest team of all the Tri Nations teams this year, but isn’t that what was said in 2008?

First All Blacks squad for 2009

Blues

John Afoa, Auckland (13 tests)

Jerome Kaino, Auckland (15 tests)

Keven Mealamu, Auckland (65 tests)

Josevata Rokocoko, Auckland (52 tests)

Isaia Toeava – Auckland (20 tests)

Ali Williams, Auckland (61 tests)

Tony Woodcock, North Harbour(49 tests)

Rudi Wulf, North Harbour (Four tests)

Hurricanes

Cory Jane, Wellington (Two tests)

Ma’a Nonu, Wellington (33 tests)

Piri Weepu, Wellington (28 tests)

Conrad Smith, Wellington (23 tests)

Neemia Tialata, Wellington (32 tests)

Andrew Hore, Taranaki (36 tests)

Chiefs

Stephen Donald – Waikato (8 tests), Richard Kahui – Waikato (8 tests), Liam Messam – Waikato (1 test), Mils Muliaina – Waikato (68 tests), Brendon Leonard – Waikato (9 tests), Tanerau Latimer * - Bay of Plenty (uncapped)

Crusaders

*Wyatt Crockett, Canterbury (uncapped)

Kieran Read, Canterbury (Three tests)

*Isaac Ross, Canterbury (uncapped)

Brad Thorn, Canterbury (24 tests)

Highlanders

Adam Thomson, Otago (Nine tests)

Jimmy Cowan, Southland (20 tests)

Total caps: 583 tests

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