All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw gives Keven Mealamu his 100th test cap. Photo / Getty
All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw gives Keven Mealamu his 100th test cap. Photo / Getty
When Ma'a Nonu runs out for the All Blacks at St James Park tomorrow morning he will join an elusive club, becoming the sixth New Zealander to reach 100 tests in black.
Frenchman Philippe Sella became the first player to reach the 100-test milestone in 1994 against the All Blacks, a shocking 22-8 victory at Lancaster Park. Since then 36 players have played 100 or more tests.
Richie McCaw became the first All Black to reach the achievement, playing his 100th against France in a pool match at the last World Cup. At the time he was the 19th player in world rugby to reach the milestone, Mils Muliaina did it two weeks later against Argentina.
In the four years since, 16 more players have done it, with four more expected in the next week. Nonu will become the 37th player to crack the hundred and the sixth New Zealander, as the All Blacks match Italy and Australia for most century-makers in world rugby.
It's quickly becoming a common occurrence. Scotland's Sean Lamont, could play his 100th test a day after Nonu, if he gets off the bench against Samoa, while Welshman Alun Wyn Jones and Australian duo Stephen Moore and Matt Giteau are all set to reach the century mark in the quarter-finals.
The next All Black on the list? Conrad Smith will make his 91st appearance this weekend and since he retires from international rugby at the end of the World Cup, the most he can each is 95, if the All Blacks reach the semifinals.
Stand-in skipper Kieran Read will make his 81st test on Saturday and could break 100 in 2017. Owen Franks (75th against Tonga) and Sam Whitelock (70th against Tonga) are close behind.
The six All Blacks century-makers
Richie McCaw
Played: 145 tests Started: 138 Tests off the bench: 7 Won: 128 Lost: 15 Drawn: 2
100th test: Sep 24, 2011 - All Blacks 37 France 17, Eden Park (RWC pool game) Since debut: All Blacks have played 181 tests Percentage of All Blacks tests he's played in since debut: 80% Days between debut and 100th: 3598
Richie McCaw after he received his 100th test cap in 2011. Photo / Sarah Ivey
Mils Muliaina
Played: 100 Started: 95 Tests off the bench: 5 Won: 84 Lost: 16
100th test: Oct 9, 2011 - All Blacks 33 Argentina 10, Eden Park (RWC quarter-final) Since debut: All Blacks played 115 tests Percentage of All Blacks tests since debut: 87% Days between debut and 100th: 3040
Mils Muliaina, with the late Jock Hobbs, after playing his 100th test. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Keven Mealamu
Played: 128 Started: 77 Tests off the bench: 51 Won: 110 Lost:16 Drawn: 2
100th test: Oct 20, 2012 - All Blacks 18 Australia 18, Brisbane Since debut: All Blacks have played 168 tests Percentage of All Blacks tests since debut: 76% Days between debut and 100th: 3619
Keven Mealamu receives his 100th test cap from captain Richie McCaw. Photo / Getty
Tony Woodcock
Played:117 Started: 104 Tests off the bench: 13 Won: 101 Lost: 15 Drawn: 1
100th test: Aug 24, 2013 - All Blacks 27 Australia 16, Wellington Since debut: All Blacks have played 168 Percentage of All Blacks tests since debut: 69.6% Days between debut and 100th: 3928
Tony Woodcock, wearing his silver cap, with his daughter Ella, after playing his 100th test. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Dan Carter
Played: 108 Started: 102 Tests off the bench: 6 Won: 95 Lost: 12 Drawn: 1
100th test: Nov 16, 2013 - All Blacks 30 England 22, Twickenham Since debut:All Blacks have played: 166 Percentage of All Blacks tests since debut: 65% Days between debut and 100th: 3802
Dan Carter celebrates with his father Neville after playing his 100th test. Photo /Getty
Ma'a Nonu
Played: 99 Started: 83 Tests off the bench: 16 Won: 87 Lost: 10 Drawn: 2
