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One of the hardest records for the All Blacks is getting past 17 wins in a row – a record they share with the great Springbok side of 1997-98 and their legendary predecessors in the black jersey from 1965-69.
The current crop have come close in the last decade. In 2005 they notched 15 wins before being stopped by South Africa. In 2009 again they reached 15 before Australia beat them.
In 2011 they made it to 16 wins before a loss to South Africa. Then 2013 they made it to 17 wins before a meeting with England.
After their unbeaten World Cup run, three Test wins over Wales, and their Rugby Championship opener against Australia they currently sit on 12 wins. Their next three games see Australia, Argentina and South Africa make the trip to New Zealand, and given their impressive home form, it is probable the All Blacks will be sitting on 15 after that.
Then they play Argentina away, a side they have never lost to, and South Africa in Durban, where they could well be seeking win number 17.
That match looks their major hurdle of the season, particularly as it could be a dead rubber by then, so the motivation may not be as intense.
Should they manage to maintain their unbeaten run, then they could smash the record.
Games 18 to 22 are Australia at Eden Park, Ireland in Chicago, Italy, Ireland in Dublin, and France. Given their dominance at Eden Park, unbeaten record against Ireland and Italy, and their recent dominance over France, they could well end the year with 22 straight wins – a streak they could extend to as high as 30 in 2017.
As great as the All Black sides of the last 12 years have been, this one could set a ridiculous new benchmark for consecutive wins; a record that will give them their own piece of immortality.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.