some FACTS worth reading >>>> Allblacks looks at the top 20 after The Investec Rugby Championship holders won their fifth match this season, and second in the tournament, to RETAIN the Bledisloe Cup after beating the Wallabies 27-16 at Westpac Stadium. 1. The All Blacks are tough to beat at home – it has only happened 37 times. Ever. 2. For the ninth straight Test the All Blacks scored at least two tries. The last time they scored none was against Australia in that 18-18 2012 draw. 3. Head coach Steve Hansen notched his 17th Test win in his 19th match in charge, nudging his winning record towards ninety percent. 4. Tony Woodcock has conquered convention to become the first All Blacks prop to reach a century. How can a man last that long up front? 5. Ben Smith brings another dimension to the All Blacks attack. And to think Cory Jane is on the comeback trail… 6. Steven Luatua looks comfortable wearing the number six jersey. Liam Messam will rise to the challenge one suspects. 7. Aaron Smith is pushing his claims for world XV status, with many suggesting he outpointed Will Genia. 8. Richie McCaw looks like he has had a complete refit, charging round the field like a young man possessed. Extended break mission achieved? 9. The All Blacks are becoming quite the aerial team, with a sound back three and some educated kickers among their ranks. 10. No team in world rugby can score so quickly to come back in a Test as the All Blacks, an ability that could be growing. 11. Depth at first five-eighth is booming. 12. Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith again underlined their class. Who will selectors nominate as next man in queue? 13. A week’s rest for most of the squad will do wonders for the remainder of the campaign. 14. Their win against the Wallabies was the All Blacks 171st in the professional era – from 208 Tests. 15. The All Blacks 381st win nudges their historical winning ratio to 75.7 percent. 16. Tom Taylor was All Black number 1125. 17. The All Blacks will strive for a new tournament record of win sequences in Hamilton. 18. Three of their five Tests this season the All Blacks have conceded major statistics to their rivals. 19. The All Blacks win against the Wallabies maintained their 26-13 aggregate over 503 Tests. 20. The current World Champions are equal with their 1987 counterparts, 19 Tests after winning the Webb Ellis, having won 17, lost 1 and drawn 1.
Posted on: Mon, 26 Aug 2013 08:58:57 +0000
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