All Blacks

The All Blacks are the national rugby union representative team of New Zealand. (In Wales, the name can refer to Neath Rugby Club.)

The first usage apparently dates from the first tour of Britain by a New Zealand national rugby team, given the title The Originals, in 1905/1906. (According to Greg Ryan there was also a tour of Britain in 1888/1889 by The New Zealand Native Football Representatives).

According to Billy Wallace, one of the members of the Originals, the name originated in a London newspaper's description of the New Zealand representatives playing as if they were all backs. Other sources suggest that it is more likely that the name originated in the black uniform worn by
the players, with earlier reference to "the Blacks" as a common type of nickname at the time (New Zealand Rugby Museum on this topic).

Later (in 1925 when the Invincibles toured the Home Countries) the entirely black playing uniform was emblazoned with the Silver fern symbol.

The All Blacks perform the haka, a war dance, before each international match.

For much of the 20th century, rugby union appeared to be New Zealand's national religion, with selection to the All Blacks perhaps more highly regarded than a knighthood. The All Blacks have always been recognised as a formidable power in world rugby. They have experienced many highs, such as winning the World Cup, but also a unique low when they lost two test matches on the same day, September 3, 1949. On that day they lost 6-11 to the Wallabies in Wellington, and 3-9 to the Springboks in South Africa.

History

However, still no international rugby team has more wins than losses against the All Blacks.
A number of rugby playing nations have never beaten the All Blacks at all, despite in some cases over a hundred years of trying. These include Argentina, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Italy, Samoa, Scotland, and Tonga (although Scotland have drawn twice and Ireland once), to name but a few.
Therefore the All Blacks are still the most successful international rugby team in history.

Their record in rugby world cups is 1st, 2nd, twice 3rd, & 4th.

Their test match record against leading nations (listed in order of total matches; updated to 21 November 2004) is as follows:

	Won	Lost	Drawn
Against: Australia	79	37	5
Against: South Africa	35	27	3
Against: France	29	10	1
Against: England	20	6	1
Against: British & Irish Lions	20	5	2
Against: Scotland	22	0	2
Against: Wales	18	3	0
Against: Ireland	16	0	1
Against: Argentina	11	0	1
Against: Italy	8	0	0
Against: Samoa	4	0	0

Other representative rugby union teams

• Black Ferns : Women's national representative Rugby team
• New Zealand Maori : National representatives of Maori ethnic origin or ancestry. Historically this also included any players of non-European ethnic origin--those unable to play the Springbokss in South Africa.
• New Zealand A : National representative team occasionally fielded in New Zealand when All Blacks are on tour. Made up from top players not selected as All Blacks.
  

  Branding

• All Whites: soccer
• Silver Ferns: netball
• Tall Blacks: basketball
• Black Sticks: hockey
• Black Caps: cricket

Some famous All Blacks

Fred Allen Grant Batty Todd Blackadder Zinzan Brooke Don Clarke Christian Cullen Andy Dalton Sean Fitzpatrick Grant Fox Andy Haden Jock Hobbs Doug Howlett Ian Jones Michael Jones David Kirk John Kirwan Josh Kronfeld Andy Leslie Brian Lochore Chris Laidlaw

Jonah Lomu Richie McCaw Justin Marshall Colin "Pine-Tree" Meads Stan Meads Andrew Mehrtens Graham Mourie Malili "Mils" Muliaina George Nepia Taine Randell Hika Reid Joe Rokocoko Wayne "Buck" Shelford Carlos Spencer Reuben Thorne Tana Umaga Wilson Whineray Jeff Wilson Stu Wilson Alex Wylie

See also

• 1981 Springbok Tour
• Bledisloe Cup
• Tri Nations Series
• Rugby Union World Cup
• Super 12
• National Provincial Championship
• Ranfurly Shield
• New Zealand national rugby league team - The Kiwis
• New Zealand Maori

  External links

• All Blacks official website