Few teams in sport can match the legacy of the All Blacks. Since their first Test in 1903, New Zealand have built a record unmatched in international rugby, winning 76 per cent of their Tests, lifting three Rugby World Cups (1987, 2011, 2015), and holding the world number-one ranking longer than all other nations combined.<\/p>\n
Join the RUCK\u2019s WhatsApp community here<\/a>\u00a0and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.<\/p>\n From trailblazers to modern icons, these are the ten greatest players to ever wear the black jersey.<\/p>\n 10 Ma\u2019a Nonu<\/p>\n Ma\u2019a Nonu began his career as a force of nature \u2014 a midfielder who ran straight through defenders rather than around them. Over time, though, he evolved. He added vision, timing, and a deft passing game that elevated him from destructive runner to complete footballer. Every season showed evidence of hard work and growth.<\/p>\n Alongside Conrad Smith, Nonu formed one of the greatest midfield partnerships the game has known. In 103 Tests for the All Blacks, he scored 51 tries, but his legacy goes beyond numbers. It\u2019s the journey from raw power to refined leader that defines him. Even more remarkable is his longevity \u2014 at 43, he is still competing at the highest level with Toulon in the Top 14.<\/p>\n 9 Ian Kirkpatrick<\/p>\n Before rugby became a game dominated by mobile forwards and ball-carrying flankers, Ian Kirkpatrick was already redefining the role. He had the speed, footwork, and finishing ability of a back, yet he played in the pack. Sixteen tries in just 39 Tests was extraordinary for a flanker in that era.<\/p>\n Kirkpatrick wasn\u2019t loud or theatrical. He led quietly, through performance rather than words. Ask those who watched him play, and they\u2019ll tell you the same thing \u2014 \u201cKirkie\u201d was simply ahead of his time.<\/p>\n 8 John Kirwan<\/p>\n Long before Sir John Kirwan became a leader and advocate off the field, he was one of the most devastating wingers the All Blacks ever produced. With his long stride and explosive pace, he could dismantle a defence in seconds. His iconic try against Italy at the 1987 World Cup remains one of rugby\u2019s most replayed moments.<\/p>\n Kirwan scored 35 tries in 63 Tests, but his greatest strength was his courage \u2014 first in the black jersey, and later in speaking openly about mental health. His impact reached far beyond the try line.<\/p>\n 7 Christian Cullen<\/p>\n Whenever Christian Cullen touched the ball, time seemed to slow \u2014 just long enough for something special to happen. A sudden sidestep, a burst of pace, a try created out of nothing. He didn\u2019t sprint so much as glide, making the extraordinary look effortless.<\/p>\n Cullen scored 46 tries in just 60 Tests, but statistics barely capture his brilliance. It was the way he scored that mattered. He reignited a love for attacking rugby, and even today, fans debate how much more he could have given. What he did give, though, was unforgettable.<\/p>\n 6 Colin Meads<\/p>\n The stories sound like folklore \u2014 playing with broken bones, charging into contact like a raging bull, refusing to back down from anyone. Yet every tale about Colin Meads is rooted in truth. His toughness belonged to another era, one defined by raw physicality and unrelenting resolve.<\/p>\n Meads played 55 Tests when the game offered little protection and demanded everything in return. On the field, he was fearsome; off it, humble and grounded. Decades on, many still regard him as the greatest All Black to ever pull on the jersey.<\/p>\n CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO<\/a><\/p>\n Like this:<\/p>\n Like Loading…<\/p>\n