All Blacks: Woodcock logs entry in record book

Tony Woodcock is the most capped All Black prop. Photo / Getty Images

It's all getting a bit common - the All Blacks or someone in the side seems to be breaking a record each week. There is nothing common, however, about this New Zealand side.

Last night, they won their ninth consecutive game against Australia, equalling the record set by the All Blacks between 1936-47 and condemning Wallaby coach Robbie Deans to an uncomfortable homecoming in Christchurch.

As well, Tony Woodcock became the highest capped test prop when he earned his 67th cap, eclipsing the mark of 66 set by Greg Somerville.

It didn't quite come with the fanfare of Joe Rokocoko's record-breaking the previous weekend - he became the most-capped All Blacks wing - but it was just as significant.

Woodcock is as integral to this All Blacks side as a Mils Muliaina, Keven Mealamu or Brad Thorn. We often don't really realise he is there, such is the lot of a prop, but how we would miss him if he wasn't.

The Kaukapakapa sheep and dairy farmer is a gifted all-rounder and needs to be in the modern game.

Last night there were just 16 scrums; last weekend 12. Scrums are not as prevalent as they were because of new rule interpretations but they are still an important platform to attack. It's hard to launch an effective set move if a scrum is going backwards.

Woodcock is also a good lifter, good runner (he made one good break late in the first half when he might have had visions of claiming his seventh test try) and can do it all for 80 minutes.

It's why his place has rarely been challenged since his debut against Wales in 2002. He's also widely regarded as the best loosehead prop in the world - he wasn't bad as a tighthead, either, when needed - and gave Australian tighthead Salesi Ma'afu a torrid time.

Woodcock took to four the number of current All Blacks who have played the most tests in their positions, joining Rokocoko, Mils Muliaina (74 at fullback and 13 at centre and wing) and Richie McCaw (87), and it won't be long before others join them or set other milestones.

Rokocoko could soon break Doug Howlett's record for tries (49), Dan Carter is closing in quickly on Jonny Wilkinson's all-time points-scoring record, McCaw and Muliaina are just five short of equalling Sean Fitzpatrick's all-time record for All Blacks caps.

Graham Henry's starting side for the next test could become the most experienced of all time (last night's side had a combined 717 test caps, three short of the world record set by Ireland in 2007).

It was only three weeks ago that New Zealand became the highest points scorers in test history, surpassing the number set by France - even though the All Blacks have played 200 fewer tests than the European nation.

There is one record, of course, the All Blacks want to redress in 13 months' time. For now, however, they will chip away at a few others.