For the better portion of a decade, and most of the last century, New Zealand has dominated world rugby. With a winning record that sits just a tick under 80% across the last 100 years, the All Blacks are a world-recognized brand and a team that is synonymous with skill, intensity as well as success. Only 23 men can wear the famous silver fern on their chests at any one time however they carry with them the weight of expectation of more than four and a half million people, who hang off every pass, tackle and try.
The History Of The All Blacks
Rugby only came to New Zealand in 1870 thanks to Charles Monro who had discovered the sport when studying in England and then brought it home to his native country with no idea about what he would b.
New Zealand really took to this game and the very first rugby board was formed just a couple of years later. Eventually, in 1903, the country took part in its first-ever test match, playing against home-grown rivals Australia in Sydney. Only one year later, the team started on a remarkable 34-game tour of North America and Europe where they lost just one game, the first of the tour against Wales.
This early success was an ominous sign for the rest of the rugby world. Here was this small nation coming from the other side of the world, coming to beat them at their own game on their hometown soil. It was an extraordinary story and one that filled the nation with pride every single time the team returned home.
Quickly the game of rugby spread to become a phenomenon around the country. Every young boy started to fantasize about playing for the All Blacks. In New Zealand, there was not a lot else to cheer about when it came down to sports. They struggled to field sufficiently strong teams in most sports owing to the sheer numerical disadvantage that the country needed to deal with.
Who Are The Greatest All-Blacks Of All Time?
George Nepia
The full-back was the star player of the ‘Invincibles’ Tour of 1924/25. Nepia was also the first Maori player to pen down his mark in his black jersey. In 1990, Nepia was introduced into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame, was featured on a set of postage stamps during the very same year, and in 2004 was chosen as number 65 on the record of New Zealand’s Top 100 History Makers.
Michael Jones
This openside flanker was the shining star of the first Rugby World Cup in 1987. Here are the All Blacks securing the title. Jones had outstanding athletic ability and altered the role of the modern openside. Former coach John Hart, who first chose him for Auckland, labeled him “nearly the perfect rugby player”.
Sean Fitzpatrick
Considered to be one of the greatest, Fitzpatrick was a bastion of the All Blacks at hooker for a decade from 1987, leading them from 1992 as a record-breaking captain. He led the All Blacks as captain on their amazing run to the 1995 World Cup final only for the team to lose to the Springboks, the team that hails from the home of the top online casino South Africa sites to this day, and who claimed the cup again in 2019.
