By Daniel Gilhooly
December 21st 2009 @ 7:36am
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A hundred rugby wins, and thousands of frustrated fans
One hundred Tests won in a decade of rugby, yet still the long faces from All Blacks supporters. The past 10 years has seen one team dominate the international landscape more than any team in the game’s history.
An 82 percent win ratio since 2000 is a triumphant feat in a professional age which was supposed [...]
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Wolves is popular on other...
siva samoa said | December 21st 2009 @ 10:58am | Report comment
Who has the other lock position ?
ohtani's jacket said | December 21st 2009 @ 11:12am | Report comment
Matfield and Johnson.
ohtani's jacket said | December 21st 2009 @ 11:11am | Report comment
Eh, if you had told me at the tail end of the Hart era and into the Smith years that we’d be this successful in the decade to come, I’d have gladly taken it. Those last minute losses to the Wallabies hurt more than a World Cup ever has.
IF New Zealand win the World Cup in 2011, then some other “everest” will emerge for New Zealand rugby — more than likely winning a World Cup away from home. That’s simply the way sport goes. If you’ve conquered every last frontier, as the Australian cricket team did this year, as soon as you lose a series then the challenges begin to reappear.
I don’t buy that the NZ public will enjoy the rest of next decade if the All Blacks seal a home victory at the RWC. They’ll merely turn their attention to the lastest string of losses. The bar has been set too high — 80% winning record and three World Cups next decade? I doubt it. At some point, Australia will reclaim the Bledisloe and NZ will go through a scratchy period once Carter and McCaw retire. Only then will people recall this period more fondly.
Sam Taulelei said | December 21st 2009 @ 2:54pm | Report comment
Yep I agree OJ, the NZ rugby public will always be harder markers and harsher critics of the All Blacks than anyone else. We can’t seem to appreciate what we have or what we’ve achieved until we can’t do it any longer and then we begin to pine for the “good old days” forgetting that we were just as critical of the team back then.
An 80% winning ratio for a decade is a tremendous achievement and one that may take some time to repeat. If it was any other team it would be trumpeted from the rooftops. NZ fans will expect the All Blacks to sustain that winning percentage for another decade but realistically there is only one direction we can move in and that’s down. We may bounce back during the decade but I can’t see us dominating to the same extent.
MM said | December 28th 2009 @ 6:43am | Report comment
I’ve experienced the same.
The New Zealanders may attend rugby – and having been there several times, truly wonder if we can criticise the public as much as the media?
Admittedly, I’ve witnessed a percentage of the public to be supportive, yet harsh ~ where is the majority of negativity really? Certainly media does play a huge role.
An extremely ardent fan of McCaw – I agree as player of the decade – however, insufficient tribute has been given to South Africa’s John Smit. His captaincy is briefly mentioned, yet the achievements notched up for the year were incredible – he was backed by a great team – certainly significant players – do not see Jean de Villiers in the article – neither Morne or Frans Steyn who ousted Dan Carter in a test. One doesn’t have to buy the South African: John Smit’s book to witness that brilliant players will do little for a captain who hasn’t got what it takes.
stash said | December 21st 2009 @ 7:00pm | Report comment
Sure it would be great to win another World Cup (it’s certainly been a long time between drinks on that one).
I recall the difficulty NZ had getting back the Bledsloie Cup – that was an annual nightmare. We’ve had it a few years now – but boy us Kiwis really appreciate keeping that one. To be honest, I’m more satisfied that the ABs carry on with their winning culture year after year. 82% is really quite a feat!!
Australia is going through a slump after a golden period – I thought the same may occur for the ABs after the exodus of 2007. 2008 and 2009 were tough for the ABs, yet we managed to come out on top again. And there really does seem to be some considerable talent emerging as well.
Rugby is embedded in NZ culture – until that changes I believe NZ will carry on being over achievers in this sport (and we might even snatch another Webb Ellis to boot)
pothale said | December 22nd 2009 @ 3:44am | Report comment
This may sound perverse but if NZ continue to be as good as they have been in the last decade, I hope they never win the RWC.
MM said | December 28th 2009 @ 6:44am | Report comment
P H – you know j-u-s-t how to say it!
Nick said | December 28th 2009 @ 1:36pm | Report comment
Hey mate, good article. The All Blacks are never far from the top of the rugby tree. I enjoyed your team of the decade however cant gives Mils the 15 jersey. Great player but he is no Jason Robinson, Chris Latham, Matt Burke or Percy Montgomery. I would agree with you on Bryan Habana but did you consider Joe Roff at all instead of Doug Howlett. Doug is a hell of a good player but you may recall Roff was sensational for the Australians from 1999 to 2002 as was Kefu and remeber John Eales? I would have Wilkinson at 10 and Carter at 12. However could not agree with Juan Smith at all. Kefu at 8, and Laurence at 6 for mind. Anyhow as I said enjoyed your article.