(Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
New Zealand’s test defeat at the hands of South Africa in Waikato Stadium, their first international loss in Hamilton, is also the official 100th test defeat suffered by the All Blacks.
They are the last major test nation to reach this landmark, the last of the unofficial G10 of rugby nations (the Six Nations, Tri Nations, and Argentinean teams).
It came in their 452nd test match, the longest (by games played) it has taken any rugby nation.
Among other notable records they have notched throughout history, this was one that few people realised, and while those who take great delight in crowing over All Black misfortune may relish them joining the world with three figures of defeats, it puts into perspective how good they have been over the period of time in which test rugby has been played.
Some will point out that this is the beginning of the end for the All Blacks as a world power, for as well as reaching the devil's number, they have conceded the Tri Nations, and been whitewashed 0-3 by the Springboks.
The match was also the fourth test defeat of 2009, only the third time in over 100 years of test rugby that New Zealand has achieved this unwanted calendar based mark.
But while we could spurt doomsday prophetic, we shall in fact look with some form of reverence with what the All Blacks have achieved prior to what will go down as a dark day in their proud history.
It was New Zealand’s 37th test defeat at home.
While no loss, especially at home, is shall we say acceptable, not only to the supporters but no doubt to the team itself, an 80 percent plus winning record on their own shores is still preserved, the best in world rugby.
The Springboks trophy cabinet is burgeoning, but their second win on All Blacks hallowed ground in two years underlines just how good a side South Africa currently is. But if anything, this pointedly determines why nothing in world rugby is quite as prized as an All Black scalp.
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