Rugby: Wallabies' captain ready for 23rd test against NZ

Top Wallaby George Smith. Photo / Getty Images

One man whose reputation as a rugby ironman has been built around the regular Bledisloe Cup tests is Australian captain George Smith.

Tomorrow he will play his 23rd consecutive test against New Zealand, comfortably the most by any international player.

Last year he moved past the 19 straight tests against the All Blacks played by Wallabies greats David Campese and Nick Farr-Jones.

Smith is the only member of the current Australian squad to have tasted victory on New Zealand soil, the dreadlocks of his youth on show as part of the side who last achieved it with a 23-15 win at Carisbrook in 2001.

"History is meant to be broken, the boys haven't spoken about that [losing record] at all," said Smith this week.

"Winning that game in 2001 against the All Blacks in Dunedin, it was a great win. Matt Burke scored a fantastic try and we retained the Bledisloe Cup and won that match.

"But my focus is definitely on this game rather than what's happened in the past."

Smith's endurance is legendary. He has missed just six of a possible 110 tests since his debut in 2000.

His 104 tests make him comfortably the most prolific player of the decade, heading off prop John Hayes, who has played 96 tests for Ireland and the Lions.

ON A ROLL

Most consecutive tests against All Blacks (Australian unless stated):

22: George Smith (2001-09*)
19: David Campese (1986-94), Nick Farr-Jones (1985-93)
18: George Gregan (1996-2003)
17: Nathan Sharpe (2004-09), Joe Roff (1995-2003)
16: Mark Andrews (South Africa, 1994-99)
(* still playing)

Most tests by players this decade

104: George Smith (Australia)
96: John Hayes (Ireland/Lions)
94: Ronan O'Gara (Ireland/Lions), Colin Paterson (Scotland)
92: Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland/Lions)
91: Peter Stringer (Ireland)

- NZPA