Teams With The Best Records In New Zealand

The juggernaut that is New Zealand continued their test domination on home soil as they brushed aside the Lions.

Not the best opener for the Lions, but at least the match got off to a better start than in 2005 when captain Brian O'Driscoll's tour came to an abrupt and early end thanks to a controversial first minute spear tackle! 

Advantage New Zealand, but the first test still very much shows that the All Blacks are the team to beat.

It is notorious in rugby union circles for being the toughest place to go in search of a result. The proof is in the pudding they say. As a Lions fan you only have to glance at the All Blacks incredible record at home to feel a slight sense of doubt enveloping all those oh so positive thoughts that we all get every four years when the Lions set off to tour one of the southern hemisphere giants. They currently boast an overall win percentage of over 77% from 554 international matches and an astounding 83% win percentage on home soil. Australia have posed New Zealand the most problems in history yet they have recorded just 15 victories in 72 clashes at the homes of their Antipodean rivals. 

Once Upon A Time…

Waikato Stadium, Hamilton. Saturday 12th September 2009. Yes you are reading that date correctly in case you're scratching your head in doubt. To put it in context, the last time the All Blacks lost a rugby union match in their own country, a 32-29 reverse at the hands of South Africa on that date, people were experiencing Alan, Phil, Stu and Doug's unruly shenanigans for the first time in 'The Hangover' movie at worldwide cinemas. Yes, it really is that long ago. In less than three months time the three-time world champions will celebrate eight unbeaten years on home turf. It is put simply an incredible record and a formidable task faces Warren Gatland and his men.

The Lions went into the tour knowing they faced the mother of all challenges when they attempted to achieve a feat that no visiting team had accomplished at Eden Park since France in July 1994, a victory.

Rugby betting odds are stacked firmly against the Lions and the players, coaching staff and fans know it only too well. 

The Time Is Now

In the 23 intervening years since that defeat to Les Bleus, after an 18-18 draw with the Springboks in August 1994, the All Blacks have won 37 straight matches at their Auckland-based home. The Lions meanwhile won just two from four tours to New Zealand since they last won a test series against the Blacks way back in 1971 when the likes of Willie John McBride, Barry John and Gareth Edwards were inspired by the legendary Carwyn James to immortality. Furthermore, a northern hemisphere nation hasn't tasted victory against the Kiwis in New Zealand since France triumphed at Carisbrook in the south island city of Dunedin way back in June 2009.

You would have to go all the way back to June 2003 to find a home union victory over the All Blacks in Oceania. Clive Woodward's England warmed up for their glorious World cup win later in the year with a 15-13 victory in Wellington. It is one of only two home nations victories in history over the All Blacks in New Zealand, the other being another England win way back in 1973. However, under Sir Clive's stewardship, the last Lions touring party to New Zealand in 2005 were sent home with their tails firmly between their legs following a crushing 3-0 series whitewash.

History In The Making?

Since that ill-fated tour, the All Blacks under Graham Henry and since 2011 under Steve Hansen have dispatched touring parties from Ireland, France, England, Wales and Scotland with consummate ease, the reverse at the hands of the French in 2009 the solitary blemish on their record against northern hemisphere countries. Indeed, the home unions have a dismal record of 17 consecutive defeats since the Lions' 38-19 final test mauling at Eden Park in 2005. The statistics make for a concerning read for even the most optimistic Lions fans the world over.

The omens don't look good do they? And the bookmakers are in agreement, with the All Blacks overwhelming favourites to not just win the series but to pull off a 3-0 whitewash in the process, just as they did 12 years ago. But then what are records if they are not there to be broken right? 

So far Gatland has sprung a few surprises if not shocks by selecting Elliot Daly on the left wing ahead of the out of sorts George North, Liam Williams at full back in place of fellow Welshman Leigh Halfpenny and the experienced Alun Wyn Jones at lock at the expense of Maro Itoje, who will look to make a big impact from the bench.

Attack The Best Form Of Defence

Gatland set up The Lions team to take on the All Blacks both up front following the pack's dominance in a number of the warm up matches, and also in the back division with the selections of the exciting back three of Williams, Daly and Anthony Watson suggesting a willingness to run rather than kick when in possession. Hansen's team announcement on the other hand saw just one surprise, with the impressive 20-year-old Rieko Ioane displacing Julian Savea on the left wing, despite the latter's 46 tries in 53 tests. Kieran Read meanwhile made a welcome return to captain the All Blacks in his 98th test match.

Despite history standing in the Lions way, it will just be 15 men against 15 men (or 23 vs 23 if you prefer). If the Lions can somehow chalk up two wins from their remaining two tests they will join their peers from 1974 in becoming immortals forever. Fingers crossed everybody!