All Blacks: World Cup glory in distant past

The All Blacks' very first World Cup match against Italy marks the halfway point of their test history. Photo / Getty Images

DURBAN - The only rugby World Cup tournament won by New Zealand is soon to take up official residence in the distant past of All Blacks' test history.

The Tri-Nations test against South Africa here on Sunday morning (NZT) will be the 450th for the All Blacks since 1903.

The halfway point of their test list is marked by the dawn of the World Cup era, which underlines how packed the modern calendar has become.

Test No 225 is the infamous 3-16 loss to France at Nantes in 1986 while the very first World Cup game, against Italy in Auckland in 1987, is the 226th.

The professional era, since 1995, has now witnessed more than a third of the All Blacks' tests.

Assistant coach Wayne Smith, whose own 17-test career in the 1980s now falls in the first half of All Blacks test history, reflected today on how much the game has changed at the top level.

In his touring days, the All Blacks players would get out to see the sights and sounds of host countries.

The demands placed on modern players and coaches has made that difficult to achieve.

"Normally we (coaches) just see the inside of a hotel but that's our job, we've got to get our heads down and make sure we've got all the detail right," he said.

"The players are the ones who have got to play. You've got to make sure they've got a pretty well rounded itinerary so that they can be enthusiastic and keen on a Saturday."

The All Blacks have won 334 tests, drawn 17 and lost 98 for an unparalleled winning percentage of nearly 75 per cent.

- NZPA