5 of the Greatest All-Blacks in Rugby History

Rugby is known to be more than just a sport in New Zealand. Perhaps even ‘it’s a religion is not placing enough importance on the game to its people.

Without a doubt, Rugby Union is the most popular sport in New Zealand, and as such its players, who don the famous ‘All Black’ jersey, are held up as icons.

Many incredible players have worn the fabled shirt of New Zealand, but who are its best players? Not an easy call, and as such we have chosen 5 of the best, but not put them in order, as its just too hard!

Here are our 5 greatest All Black players of all time.

Richie McCaw

Caps: 148

Points: 135

Rugby legend Richie McCaw, is regarded by many as the greatest All Black of all time.

He achieved everything a New Zealand All Black can achieve.  A supreme leader and a world-class back row, he set the standard for so many players striving for greatness. His ability to win the ball on the ground was unrivalled. His work rate during a game was at the highest level.

<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/95S2ayEbmP0?wmode=opaque" height="480" width="854" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

">

He won 148 caps playing for New Zealand and scored 135 points. He led them to back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles in 2011 and 2015.

He was named International Rugby Board player of the year on three occasions and was added to World Rugby’s Hall of fame in 2019. It will be a long time before any other player achieves the success that Richie McCaw did during his illustrious career.

Dan Carter

Caps: 112

Points: 1598

The All Blacks have had some world-class number 10’s during their unrivalled history, but few can compare to arguably the greatest fly-half of all time.

Many fly-halves are labelled as a kicker, a distributor, or a defensive or attacking player.

Carter had it all.

He was the complete player and had all the necessary skills to run a team with precision. He demonstrated this in 2005 when he single-handedly demolished the British and Irish Lions during the second test.

<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/raNedsN3eOs?wmode=opaque" height="480" width="854" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

">

Even with a career plagued by injury, Carter won 112 caps for the New Zealand All Blacks. He is the current world record holder for points scored with 1598 to his name. He was unlucky to sustain a groin injury during the 2011 World Cup win in New Zealand but went on to play in the whole of the 2015 tournament in England helping his side to another Rugby World Cup title.

Perhaps the finest goal-kicker in Rugby History, Dan deserves his place in the pantheon of Rugby Union legends.

 

Jonah Lomu

Caps: 73

Points: 215

England rugby captain Will Carling described Lomu as a ‘freak’ shortly after he had destroyed the English team in the 1995 Rugby World Cup semi-final in South Africa. 

It wasn’t meant as a derogatory remark. It was alluding to the fact that Lomu was 6 foot 5 tall, weighed 275 pounds and could run the 100 metres in just under 11 seconds.

He was practically impossible to stop; Lomuscored an impressive 37 tries from 63 appearances for the All Blacks.

<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/DTme-K-FjVk?wmode=opaque" height="480" width="854" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

">

He was a highly sought-after celebrity, and was the first true rugby union superstar. During his career he played for many clubs and provinces in New Zealand, Wales and France.

Sadly, for much of his career he battled with kidney disease. Shortly after the 2015 Rugby World Cup he passed away unexpectedly in Auckland from a heart attack.

He left a huge legacy, and had single-handedly raised the profile of the sport with his incredible exploits on the field.

Wayne Shelford

Caps: 22

Points: 20

Wayne ‘Buck’ Shelford was a legendary warrior of the sport. In 1986 he played in a famous test series against France.

The second test became known as the ‘Battle of Nantes’, the All Blacks lost that match 16-3. Shelford lost four teeth, and suffered a concussion and a torn scrotum! He played for the All Blacks 22 times and went onto captain the side a number of times. 

<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/jVW39XblRwk?wmode=opaque" height="480" width="854" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

">

He was instrumental in turning the traditional ‘Haka’ performed by the All Blacks from an unorganised comedy routine into the fearsome and respected Maori pre-match challenge that we know today.

He is a well-respected man in the global rugby community and in 2021 he was knighted for services to rugby. There can be few better servants to New Zealand and world rugby.

Colin Meads

Caps: 55

Points: 21

Colin Meads also known as ‘pine tree’ was awarded 55 caps and captained New Zealand on 11 occasions.

He scored 21 points during his 14-year international career. He was a tough opponent and in 1967, became only the second All Black in history to be sent off for alleged dangerous play. His international career ended in 1971 following a car accident. 

<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/PL6xKBNi2qU?wmode=opaque" height="480" width="854" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

">

He remained in the game through coaching and administration roles. He went on to manage the All Blacks at the 1995 Rugby World Cup. He received many awards and honours during his lifetime, these included becoming a member of the World Rugby Hall of fame, player of the century in 1999 and in 2009 he was knighted.

He passed away in 2017 following a year long battle with pancreatic cancer. Regarded as the greatest All Black by many Kiwis.