The New Zealand All Blacks are one of the iconic sports teams in the world. They have won three Rugby World Cups, are the most successful national team in the history of the sport, and are ranked first in the world for all-time test match wins.
The All Blacks are one of the most successful sports teams in the world and the greatest New Zealand rugby union team in history. They’ve won an astonishing 111 test matches and were undefeated for 111 consecutive tests between 1903 and 2013. But the All Blacks aren’t all about winning. The team is an absolute pleasure to watch, and its members are some of the most well-known and respected athletes in the world.
From Ma’a Nonu to Richie McCaw, the All Blacks have proven themselves to be the greatest side in the world—and one of the most successful sports teams in human history. Though they may not always be perfect, there’s little doubt that the All Blacks are the best rugby side ever assembled. Here are 5 of the most iconic players to play for New Zealand.
Sean Fitzpatrick
Rugby in the United States is at the forefront of the sports world in terms of growth and experience. The 2014 season was a major boost for the sport, and the amateur players in the U.S. have helped grow the game. The growth of rugby in the U.S. includes a number of players from New Zealand who have assisted the growth of the sport in America – such as Sean Fitzpatrick.
Sean Fitzpatrick’s rise to All Blacks status was a continuous rise. He starred in New Zealand’s greatest-ever team yet to win a Rugby World Cup, a team that only lost twice from the 2011-12 season to the 2013-14 season. He even made it to World Cup 2015, where he played a crucial role as the All Blacks won the World Cup. Sean’s rise to All Blacks status was a continuous rise.
Colin Meads
Colin Meads (born 17 February 1959) is a rugby union player who plays as a flanker for the All-Blacks, the New Zealand national rugby union team. He was born in New Plymouth, New Zealand. He has played eight test matches for the All-Blacks, scoring one try. He also played during the 1991, 1995, and 1999 Rugby World Cups.
Colin Meads burst onto the rugby scene with his All Blacks team in 1988, becoming one of the country’s most beloved sportsmen. Today, he’s the only New Zealander to have played in four Rugby World Cups, reaching the final of the 1987 tournament in Australia. And, in 2006, he was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Michael Jones
After winning back-to-back World Rugby Championships, the Michael Jones New Zealand All-Blacks are returning to the All Blacks fold for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. While the team itself is returning, the coaching staff is being reshuffled, with former All Blacks assistant coach Steve Hansen taking over the reign. Hansen, who has previously coached the All Blacks, will be assisted by former All Blacks’ player & assistant coach Wayne Smith, who is returning to the All Blacks after a three-year break.
Christian Cullen
It’s not often that rugby players get recognized, but that’s what happened when Christian Cullen made his debut for the All-Blacks. The maestro of the black jersey, who has led his country since 1996, comes from a rugby dynasty. His father, Tom, is currently playing for the All-Blacks, while his brother James is the current Canterbury Crusaders captain.
Jonah Lomu
Jonah Lomu is a New Zealand rugby union player who is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential rugby union players of all time. At the time of his retirement in 2001, he held the world record for most international caps, at the time over 120 caps. The New Zealand All-Blacks under Jonah Lomu was a rugby union team that played in the 1995 Rugby World Cup. They were known for their quick and strong running style, and their play was full of flair and imagination. He is a legend of international rugby and a hero to a nation, a man who endured tragedy and came back stronger.