All Blacks: History hangs over Muliaina

It's best that All Black captain Mils Muliaina doesn't delve too deeply into this country's rugby record books before the second test against France.

Muliaina stands on the verge of emulating a record that has stood for 60 years - the last time a New Zealand player lost his first two games as captain.

He will be anxious to reverse last week's 27-22 defeat in Dunedin to avoid the feat of centre Ron Elvidge, whose first taste of the captaincy was twin losses to South Africa on the failed tour there of 1949.

Elvidge relieved Fred Allen of the leadership after the All Blacks lost the first two tests in Cape Town and Johannesburg but could do no better in Durban and Port Elizabeth as the tourists were smashed 4-0.

Muliaina, standing in for the injured Richie McCaw, was conscious of his first result at the helm but hasn't let it affect him this week.

"Obviously the record so far isn't too pleasing but we're ready to make it right tomorrow night," he said yesterday. "The boys don't need too much motivation. It took a couple of days earlier in the week to get up again after a disappointing loss."

It had been 17 years since any All Black captain lost his first game. That dubious honour went to prop Steve McDowell, whose midweek All Black team crashed to an embarrassing 40-17 loss to Sydney in Penrith.

Earlier that year, Sean Fitzpatrick lost his first test in charge, against a World XV in Christchurch. The New Zealanders recovered to win the series.

- NZPA