The seven legendary All Blacks who have won 100 Test matches

Jared Wright

27 Sep 2023 11:45 AM

New Zealand's Richie McCaw celebrates winning the Rugby World Cup Final at Twickenham, London

The All Blacks have dominated international rugby throughout the years, and that fact is highlighted by the number of players that have gone on to not only play 100 Test matches but to win 100 Test matches.

Throughout New Zealand’s rugby history, 12 players have managed to pull on the black jersey 100 times, but only seven have gone on to win 100 Tests.

All Blacks who have 100 Test matches

Former flanker and all-time great Richie McCaw was the first to achieve the feat, earning his 100th cap during the 2011 Rugby World Cup, which New Zealand would go on to win.

In 2012, the legendary flanker notched up his 100th Test victory, defeating the Springboks at Ellis Park.

McCaw broke new ground by hitting that milestone, an incredible feat that few would have guessed would be replicated again.

McCaw continued to smash the previous records as he went on to captain his country 110 times, the last of those being in the 2015 Rugby World Cup final against Australia, which New Zealand would win, making McCaw the first captain to win two World Cups and the first ever to defend the title.

In his final game, he earned his 148th Test cap, leading his side to their 97th victory with him as skipper.

That game also marked the final appearance for fellow All Blacks legends in hooker Keven Mealamu, Dan Carter and Ma’a Nonu.

While Mealamu had already notched up his 100th Test victory, Carter (99) and Nonu (91) both fell narrowly short of reaching the milestone. That 2015 vintage produced most of those illustrious 100 Test wins members.

Lock Sam Whitelock, number eight Kieran Read, prop Tony Woodcock, back Beauden Barrett and scrum-half Aaron Smith have all gone on to reach the milestone.

In Test rugby history, only All Blacks have reached the milestone, but former Wallabies scrum-half George Gregan came close. Australia’s former captain won 93 of his 139 Test caps.

Most Test victories

131 – Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
125 – Sam Whitelock (New Zealand)
114 – Keven Mealamu (New Zealand)
107 – Kieran Read (New Zealand)
102 – Tony Woodcock (New Zealand)
*108 – Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)
100 – Aaron Smith (New Zealand)
99 – Dan Carter (New Zealand)
93 – George Gregan (Australia)
92 – Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)
91 – Ma’a Nonu (New Zealand)
91 – Owen Franks (New Zealand)
*Still active.