New Zealand's Factfile
Posted: Thursday October 28, 1999 07:08 PM
| Milestones in History |
| Year |
Notes |
1870
1875
1884
1888-9
1892
1893
1903
1905
1924-5
1981
1985
1987
|
Nickname: All Blacks
First match played in Nelson.
Auckland clubs toured south island.
First tour to New South Wales.
'Native' tour of Britain and Australia -- still longest on record with 74 games.
New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRFU) formed.
First recognized tour of Australia.
First full international vs. Australia in Sydney.
First full 'Originals' tour, of Britain, where team won name All Blacks.
'Invincibles' win every game on tour of Britain, France and Canada.
Tour by South Africa caused civil disturbance.
Tour of South Africa cancelled and Cavaliers, including 28 of original 30 picked, tour
independently in 1986.
New Zealand win inaugural World Cup.
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| World Cup Record |
| Year |
Notes |
1987
1991
1995
|
The All Blacks notched up 190 points in their three group matches and it soon became
obvious that they were the team to beat. In the quarterfinals, Scotland battled hard but
could make no impression against the All Blacks (30-3) who then demolished Wales
49-6 in the semifinals. The final proved to be an anti-climax, more a tribute to the
New Zealanders than any French failings. New Zealand built an early lead through the
boot of Grant Fox and a try from Michael Jones. They then weathered the French charge
in the second quarter and finished off with tries from David Kirk and John Kirwan in
the second half.
New Zealand overcame England 18-12 in the group stage after a Michael Jones try and
then brought an end to Canada's run in the quarterfinals. They then faced eventual
winners Australia in the semifinals. Most of the money was on the All Blacks but
Australian winger David Campese had other ideas. He came off the right wing to slice
through the Kiwi defense for the first try and made the second for Tim Horan. The
All Blacks gave everything as they tried to come back from a 13-0 halftime deficit
but the Wallabies never looked like cracking.
New Zealand notched up a record 145 points in their defeat of Japan in the group stage.
This was the tournament that saw the emergence of giant winger Jonah Lomu who
destroyed England in the semifinals with four tries in a 45-29 rout. Few neutrals
gave the All Blacks a chance of victory in the final against South Africa but the Kiwis
were not at their best and lost 15-12. A video of the game will provide motivation
to the All Blacks if they reach the 1999 final.
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Reuters contributed to this report.
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