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Opinion
What a time it was for New Zealanders across the world.
Turning back five long years, the All Blacks had just won the World Cup in dominating fashion and etched their names into history as the only back-to-back winners of the Rugby World Cup.
Coach Steve Hansen, who had taken over after the 2011 Rugby World Cup victory, had somehow increased their skills and made them into an attacking juggernaut.
Between the world cups of 2011 and 2015 the All Blacks had lost only three times – once in 2012, once in 2014 and once prior to the World Cup in 2015 – along with two draws. If you’re quick with numbers, that is a whopping 89 per cent win rate – or, in easier terms, 41 wins from 46 Test matches, all coming before the 2015 World Cup.
That is a hugely successful strike rate in any sport.
No team has ever faced as much pressure as the All Blacks did leading into the 2015 World Cup. They were heavy favourites and had the biggest X marked on them for all sides to bring their best against.
Their competition didn’t start off too well, with a close win against the hardened Argentinian side. It was just the start of a journey that would lead to a convincing win against Tasman rivals Australia in an entertaining final.
Including those games in the World Cup, that tallied their wins to 48 from 53 attempts. Immensely satisfying, that 2015 team just seemed to have it all. Experience, skill, youth and one of the best benches ever, with great impact.
Now that the statistics are out of the way, let’s get into the argument part of things.
Just recently current scrumhalf Aaron Smith earnt his spot in the top ten of most-capped All Blacks. In the top ten list alone nine players have come from that dominant 2015 side. That shows the experience that was in that side.
Skill
Since 2009 eight of the players awarded World Rugby player of the year have come from that 2015 side.
Captain Richie McCaw, who won back to back awards in 2009 and 2010; flyhalf Dan Carter in 2012 and 2015; captain in the making Kieran Read in 2013; tall lock Brodie Retallick in 2014; and another back-to-back effort by flyhalf (in 2015 a bench impact player) Beauden Barrett in 2016 and 2017.
How is that for skill? Eight player of the year awards in an 11-year span.
Youth
With a side boasting such experience and skill, it is hard to think that a lot of their strike players were still under the age of 26. This included both wingers: Julian Saveam, who was stable on the left wing, and Nehe Milner-Skudder, who was a newcomer and played his first season of rugby in 2015, playing so well he made his way into the starting side of the best-ever All Black team.
Brodie Retallick, arguably the All Blacks greatest lock and at the time, the reigning player of the year, was only a primed 24 years old at the time, although he played so much senior to his age.
Moving to the bench, captain-in-waiting Sam Cane, halfback replacement Tawera Kerr-Barlow and replacement gun Beauden Barrett were all under the age of 26.
The perfect balance, you might say, with so many players with experience and the caps to match, along with skilful players who are able to win the player of the year awards. Add on to that all this youth and exuberance – what a team!
Sam Cane. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)
Depth
Lastly, the greatest strength of this side was the way the reserves came onto the park. Coach Steve Hansen primed himself on picking players on the bench who could bring immediate impact onto the field and create the spark needed at the right time of the game.
On the bench alone was the second most capped player in All Black history, Keven Mealamu; two props who both played over 45 Tests each, Ben Franks and Charlie Faumuina; the loose duo of Victor Vito and Sam Cane, both of whom are very versatile, fast and talented players.
The only surprise for this side is in the halfback position. Leading up to the World Cup, even into 2014, the replacement halfback had always been TJ Perenara. During play at the World Cup the owner of the replacement halfback spot became Tawera Kerr-Barlow, who had really played his way into a deserving spot.
The remaining two bench players were the current best player in World Rugby, Beauden Barrett, and possibly the biggest star of rugby in general, Sonny Bill Williams. If that is not a bench in your eyes, then I don’t know what is.
Experience? Tick.
Skill? Tick.
Youth? Tick.
A strong bench? Tick.
Beauden Barrett. (Phil Walter/Getty Images)
This side oozed it all. They really did. But I will take the argument a little further.
A fair few of the 23 players in the side that won the 2015 World Cup have a strong case at being the ‘greatest’ All Black in their given position. Let’s take a look.
Although outcapped by Keven Mealamu at the hooker position, starting hooker Dane Coles has a very strong argument at being a chance of the best hooker to wear black (although Sean Fitzpatrick will disagree).
As stated before, tall lock Brodie Retallick is arguably one of the two greatest locks in All Black history. Sam Whitelock, his underparreciated and more capped counterpart, also comes into the discussion here. However, skill for skill, you won’t find many lists that do not include Retallick as a lock for the all-time All Blacks side.
All three on the back row have strong arguments. Jerome Kaino at blindside flanker, Richie McCaw is a sure thing as the greatest No. 7 in All Blacks history and Kieran Read also has a case for the No. 8 position.
Let’s be reasonable and say there are at least two or three in that pack of eight.
Onto the backs.
Aaron Smith is the best halfback in All Black history. I question his toughness at times, as he seems hesitant to get into the ruck, but his delivery and speed are second to none. He is as competitive as anyone and is always on the spot when needed. Add one more!
Dan Carter? No need to discuss this. Add another!
Both players comprising the best midfield combination in World Rugby have arguments for their given positions. Ma’a Nonu is the greatest No. 12 in All Blacks history and Conrad Smith has a tough line to get ahead of but is in the conversation for sure. Add another!
Both wingers very young and come up against some really legendary players in Jonah Lomu, John Kirwan, Stu Wilson et cetera.
The last chance would be fullback Ben Smith. For a long, long time Christian Cullen has been everyone’s ‘top’ All Blacks fullback, but Smith has a case as strong as Cullen. If you don’t take Smith, you take Cullen or vice versa. Potentially another added on.
Down the track Beauden Barrett could be in the discussion for sure, but for now we will settle on five or six of the 15.
To have five or six players as the all-time best in their positions – and another three or four into the argument – it is hard to deny this 2015 side even among the rich history of the All Blacks.
They had it all. Find me another side in world sport more dominant than this side and I will pay you my attention. What a team!
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.