If there were any doubts about the best team in international rugby heading into the start of the 2013, they’ve all been dispelled by the end of the calendar year.
The New Zealand All Blacks’ most recent victory against Ireland – in the most dramatic of circumstances – saw them etch up their 14th win of 2013 and in doing so, keep their unbeaten record for the year intact.
It’s the first time any team has won all 14 games in a calendar year since the professional era of international rugby was introduced, and for an All Blacks team simply laden with talent, that’s an honor that befits them perfectly.
Regardless of what circumstance they might have found themselves in, they always managed to pull through with sheer brilliance in attack and tenacity in defence, and they thoroughly deserve the accolades that have fallen their way this year.
Let’s look back on the memorable 14-game streak and relive some of the greatest moments and thrilling matches in the All Blacks’ undefeated season.
2013 New Zealand All Blacks’ schedule
June 8: beat France 23-13 at Eden Park, Auckland.
June 15: beat France 30-0 at Christchurch Stadium, Christchurch.
June 22: beat France 24-9 at Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth.
August 17: beat Australia 47-29 at ANZ Stadium, Sydney.
August 24: beat Australia 27-16 at Westpac Stadium, Wellington.
September 7: beat Argentina 28-13 at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton.
September 14: beat South Africa 29-15 at Eden Park, Auckland.
September 28: beat Argentina 33-15 at Estadio Ciudad de La Plata, Buenos Aires.
October 5: beat South Africa 38-27 at Ellis Park, Johannesburg.
October 19: beat Australia 41-33 at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin.
November 2: beat Japan 54-6 at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo.
November 9: beat France 26-19 at Stade de France, Paris.
November 16: beat England 30-22 at Twickenham, London.
November 24: beat Ireland 24-22 at Aviva Stadium, Dublin.
Highest scoring match: August 17 versus Australia
New Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie was given a baptism by fire as the visitors showed off their attacking might in Sydney.
The 47 points conceded were the third most ever allowed in a Bledisloe match and showed the attacking might of the away team, who were simply lethal every time they spread the ball wide.
Ben Smith bagged himself a hat-trick to blow the score out for the visitors, while a late consolation try to James O’Connor (off a lovely ball from Quade Cooper) kept the scoreline respectable and pushed the points total even higher for the home side.
Lowest scoring match: June 19 versus France
It was the first time France had been kept scoreless against the All Blacks in over 50 matches between the two nations, but given the defensive resilience of the home team, it was hardly a surprising result.
Slippery conditions made it difficult to play running rugby for both teams, and that’s where New Zealand stepped up – dominating in the kicking game and in the forwards – to simply overpower their opponents with a barrage of field position and time in possession.
Biggest margin of victory: November 2 versus Japan
Just in case it wasn’t bad enough facing an All Blacks’ team fresh off a high-scoring win against Australia, Japan were forced to deal with the threats of both Dan Carter and Richie McCaw coming back into the line-up for New Zealand.
The result was as expected: the All Blacks simply dominated every time they shifted the ball out to their wide men and, given the number of sloppy passes and tries that went begging, the 48-point victory could very easily have been well over 50 or 60 in the end.
Best team performance: October 5 versus South Africa
No doubt one of the greatest Test matches of all time.
The lead changed eight times throughout this back-and-forth contest as the All Blacks scored several late tries to overcome an Ellis Park hoodoo – defending their Rugby Championship title and keeping their unbeaten season alive.
McCaw said after the match, “I haven’t seen the Springboks play a game like that for a long time”, while Jean de Villiers commented what “was dished up was a great advertisement for rugby”.
Best individual performance: October 19 versus Australia
Aaron Cruden was a star all year for the All Blacks but never more so than against Australia.
The five-eighth scored a try, landed three conversions and two penalties to finish with a personal points tally of 23 points en route to victory – a figure which could have been even more, with two missed penalties and a missed conversion to his name as well.
Cruden was the All Blacks’ top points scorer this year, with 107.
Most memorable victory: November 24 versus Ireland
Ireland are by no means the best team they’ve played in the incredible run, and this victory isn’t even the most important or iconic of them all.
Yet to come from behind (trailing 15-0 at one point), away from home, to finish off the season in perfect fashion makes this one the most memorable victory of them all.
The fact it took a try after the siren to replacement Ryan Crotty and then a conversion from the sideline (taken twice!) by Cruden to win the match simply added even more allure to this match.
Hilly
Guest
Got one of these to put on my keys and make sure the Aussie boys see it every day! http://www.gumtree.com.au/m-my-ad.html?adId=1035649172
icky47
Guest
Thanks for that KA, but wouldn't the NZRU have a say in who's broadcasting their games? I resisted for a few years watching the rugby, driving the 8ks to a local pub to view and picking up what I could off the computer. Eventually having to fold, and on the assurance of "viewing all the Rugby", I bought Fox. I always feel as if I've been "Scammed"
KiwiAssassin
Guest
It's not the NZRU, ICKY47, it's Foxtel. The UK has broadcasting rights to the AB's matches. Pisses me off that I have to pay extra for a channel on Foxtel, but isn't owned by Foxtel for 2 games. But, the AB's are worth it. LOL.
Gerry Duffy
Guest
Well done New Zealand on your 14 wins in 2013! I was at the match in Dublin and your team is a credit to you Kiwis, most teams would have folded up long before the final whistle. Ireland tore up the form book and gave me an 83 minute roller coaster ride of passion tension and pride! I knew that 19-0 up against the All Blacks at 18 minutes in was not enough and so it transpired, but I am a proud Irishman and look forward now to the World Cup, when we may meet in the quarter finals and who is to say we might, yes, finally after 111 years beat the All Blacks! Erin go Braugh!
Gerry Duffy
Guest
Well done New Zealand on your 14 wins in 2013! I was at the match in Dublin and your team is a credit to you Kiwis, most teams would have folded up long before the final whistle. Ireland tore up the form book and gave me an 83 minute roller coaster ride of passion tension and pride! I knew that 19-0 up against the All Blacks at 18 minutes in was not enough and so it transpired, but I am a proud Irishman and look forward now to the World Cup, when we may meet in the quarter finals and who is to say we might, yes, finally after 111 years beat the All Blacks! Erin go Braugh!
icky47
Guest
I didn't get to see it in the first place because it was on "sentana" ?? --- Not free to air or Fox!
AWCMONREF
Guest
Well done ABs trying to decipher if it's sheer skill, sheer determination, physicalilty, belief in each other or the mentality of never giving up that makes this fantastic team, maybe it's all of the mentioned but whatever it is it just out and out works, Congrats to Hansen his management team and Richie, Keiran and co. WELL PLAYED GENTLEMEN :)
Misha
Guest
Think you are missing the point - sounds like the whole team were affected again but for whatever reason the AB management kept it under wraps
Clyde Monk
Roar Rookie
And you keep buying into it RP... Classic. Well done Blacks. A fine effort indeed.
ben
Guest
Totally different! Booing and verbal abuse encouraged by the media. Yeah your right .....the media didnt jump on in nz. The thing is broad didnt do anything ....so your right...totally different.
s.t.rine
Guest
In rugby there is All Blacks, then all the rest. Certainly so in 2013. A great feat so give credit where credit's due S T
all7days
Roar Guru
Wow. the tit for tat here is so childish. I'm a fan of NZ and I never boo'd Quade. Just as not all Aussies would boo Broad. Not that I think there is anything wrong with it at all. If they find it fun to do so, let them. Let everyone enjoy the game in their own way. As long as it's by the rules that is. You could point to all sorts of behavior from all nations fans if you need to make yourself feel better about your own. But those arguments make people look petty and silly. Just be responsible for your own actions.
The discipline and execution to keep the ball in hand without making the one error that means the game is over, is absolutely incredible. No other team can do that.
Magic Sponge
Guest
Get real Shame 11, the ab fans are fine. we are hypocrites when it comes to perceived bad and good sportsmanship, just look at Clarke and Warner Nd Lehman. The Abs vs Bok games were fantastic up there in my top 5 games. I think the abs are beatable but I believe only by the Boks or French , maybe AUS if we get a forward pack.
Bobbo7
Guest
The whole Broad thing is the biggest joke going. No one walks and Broad actually did walk off in a later Test but no one remembers that. One win and the Aussies are back bring a bunch of loud mouth idiots. England will win the Ashes. Anyway great year by ABs. Thought fatigue was setting in the last few games but they got the job done.
Rp
Guest
Courier Mail is an embarrassment to brisbane not only for treatment of Broad but for the rubbish it serves up every single day.
dc-nz
Guest
There were 23 passes by the New Zealand All Blacks in the last move. That is not luck - real discipline and patience, and desire to cross the line. You could see every player was determined to catch and pass - catch and pass...error free.....the simple elements of rugby union. http://thescore.thejournal.ie/analysis-ireland-all-blacks-1191120-Nov2013/?utm_source=twitter_self
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Holy cow! Savea having a virus caused Ireland to play extremely well. Thats amazing.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
The treatment of Pietersen and Broad is far worse. The Courier mail had articles calling him fraud instead of Broad, a cheat and refusing to post pictures or use his name. All this because he didnt walk? Are you f---ing kidding me? Hypocrites. Calling a player a cheat for not walking is disgraceful. Its not cheating and Australians dont walk themselves.
Well there isn't much more to say. The AB's had a great season, they will be the envy of every Springbok supporters south of the north pole. Well done.