The All Blacks' departing Bledisloe Cup greats

Name: All Blacks: Keeping the Bledisloe Cup
Uploaded: 2015-08-16T02:39:55+12:00
Duration: 74 s
Description: Simple rugby - played at speed and with awareness was what blew the Wallabies away. That's all it took - shoulders square to the touchline, lower body positions and greater speed and urgency at the breakdown and hunger.

NZ Herald

17 Aug, 2015 04:40 AM3 mins to read

Simple rugby - played at speed and with awareness was what blew the Wallabies away. That's all it took - shoulders square to the touchline, lower body positions and greater speed and urgency at the breakdown and hunger.

The All Blacks are set to say goodbye to six of their greats at the conclusion of the Rugby World Cup.

Dan Carter, Richie McCaw, Tony Woodcock, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith and Keven Mealamu are all set to end their long stints in the black jersey, with last weekend's clash at Eden Park the last Bledisloe Cup encounter they will take part in.

Nonu, Smith and Woodcock will end their All Blacks careers having never lost possession of the Bledisloe, being core members of the All Blacks' big run of dominance.

The Herald looks at the six departing All Blacks and their superb Bledisloe Cup records.

Dan Carter

One game without Bledisloe
Games played: 26
Wins: 20
Losses: 6
Draws: 1

The only game Carter played when All Blacks didn't have the Bledisloe Cup was his first in 2003. He came off bench as All Blacks won 50-21, and the AB's got the Bledisloe back three weeks later (Carter didn't play). Since then, Carter has never seen it leave.

Richie McCaw

Four game without Bledisloe
Games played: 34
Wins: 27
Losses: 5
Draws: 2

McCaw's first Bledisloe Cup test was a 12-6 win at Lancaster Park but the All Blacks lost the following test in Sydney as the Cup remained in Australia. 12 months later and McCaw was able to touch the trophy for the first time. He then lifted it for the first time in 2006, and Saturday was the 10th time he has raised it aloft.

Tony Woodcock

Tony Woodcock has had some big games against Australia. Photo / Dean Purcell

0 games without Bledisloe
Games played: 27
Wins: 21
Losses: 4
Draws: 1

The long-term starting loosehead prop, Woodcock made his Bledisloe Cup debut against Bill Young and has seen all number of opponents come and go in his 10 year Bledisloe stint. He also chipped in with some crucial tries, scoring five tries in a span of five games from June 2007 to September 2008.

Ma'a Nonu

0 games without Bledisloe
Games played: 22
Wins: 17
Losses: 3
Draws: 2

Despite making his test debut in 2003, Nonu didn't play his first Bledisloe encounter until 2008 due to the Mauger- Muliaina centre pairing. His first clash was a defeat before 10 straight wins, while his two-try effort on the weekend matched his performance in his first Bledisloe test on home soil.

Conrad Smith

Conrad Smith crosses for a try at Eden Park. Photo / Brett Phibbs

0 games without Bledisloe
Games played: 20
Wins: 15
Losses: 4
Draws: 1

Smith had a similar path to Nonu, making his debut in 2004 but not making his Bledisloe debut until 2008, coming off the bench behind Richard Kahui in a 34-19 loss. Much like Nonu, he then reeled off a string of wins in what became a world-class centres combination.

Keven Mealamu

Two games without Bledisloe
Games played: 31
Wins: 24
Losses: 5
Draws: 2

Mealamu's first taste of Bledisloe Cup action was the same test as Carter, a 31-point thrashing in Sydney. He was the starting hooker when the All Blacks last took the Bledisloe back.