2011 World Cup Final vs France

Lore & Background

The record for the most Test appearances for the All Blacks is held by Sam Whitelock — who has played 153 Test matches for the team. Richie McCaw was the first All Black to play over 100 Test matches; a record he achieved during the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

In Their Own Story

The air inside Eden Park was thick enough to choke on, a humid mix of rain-scented grass and fifty thousand held breaths. The scoreboard read 7-7 with only minutes remaining, the silence so profound it drowned out the distant roar of the Pacific Ocean. Dan Carter stepped into the slot, his eyes fixed on the posts that seemed impossibly far away in the twilight. He didn't need a try; he needed perfection. As the ball left his boot, time seemed to suspend, the oval shape spinning against the grey Auckland sky before dropping cleanly through the uprights.

Reader's Guide

The record for most Test points by an All Black is held by Dan Carter, who scored 1598 points between 2003 and 2015. The record for the number of Test tries in All Blacks history is held by Will Jordan, who has scored 53 tries since his debut in 2020.

Did You Know?

• The All Blacks have competed in Test rugby since their match against Australia in 1903.
• Richie McCaw was the first All Black to play over 100 Test matches, achieving this during the 2011 Rugby World Cup.