The greatest team to wear the black jersey
WHO WERE THE GREATEST TO WEAR THE JERSEY?
Those that have gone before motivate as much, if not more, than the records they seek to break. In this case, the esteemed company of the late Fred Allen and Brian Lochore’s 1967 All Blacks provide Steve Hansen’s modern glory hunters with inspiration this week.
So much of the fabric of the All Blacks – what makes them tick; their whole mantra – is based around leaving the jersey in a better place.
Each player, no matter how big their profile, has it drummed into them they are mere custodians; there to better the on-field legacy.
The 1967 team did more than most to enhance New Zealand’s vaunted rugby reputation, and rich history, by going unbeaten in 17 matches including four tests on their tour of Britain, France and Canada.
Guided by Allen, captained by Lochore, that team featured legendary figures: Kel Tremain, Waka Nathan, the Meads brothers, Colin and Stan, Ian Kirkpatrick, Ken Gray, Sid Going, Chris Laidlaw, Fergie McCormick and Earle Kirton among them. Together they played royal rugby, sweeping all before them. Only an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in England robbed them of the chance for a maiden Gram Slam, with the Irish test being abandoned.
Hansen was just eight at the time but the All Blacks coach is well aware of the standing the 1967 outfit continue to be held in. The chance to surpass their achievements, and do what no team has done by notching a world record 18 test wins over tier-one opposition against the Wallabies at Eden Park tomorrow, is therefore something he appreciates the magnitude of.
‘‘I always thought that ’67 team was probably the greatest to play for the All Blacks, and there have been some great ones,’’ Hansen said.
‘‘I don’t think you can compare eras because the game is different but we’ve had some great history and some great successes and that’s one of the things that drives us - our history - so it’s important to acknowledge that.
‘‘The one thing we understand in this group is you don’t own the jersey.’’
One of the main reasons Hansen anoints the 1967 side the greatest is the way they played the game, and the ability of their forwards to interplay with backs.
‘‘If you think back to some of those players I think they’d suit playing Super Rugby today. You think about some of the loose forwards; the big locks. That team had forwards who could carry the ball right up into the front-row. They’re probably the team that said to New Zealand rugby ‘hey, this is not a bad way to play’.
‘‘Whenever teams have forwards who carry the ball constructively and pass and catch they’re a very good team. When we’ve had periods where we haven’t been so successful our skill level in the forward pack probably hasn’t been as high as some of the others. That team particularly had some very good ball players and they were great athletes. And they were well coached by probably our best ever coach.’’
Sound familiar? From Brodie Retallick to Kieran Read and Dane Coles, Hansen’s forward pack can play with the ball. It’s given them a point of difference, and allowed the team to gel irrespective of the numbers on their backs. The confidence they embrace and their offloading skills is second to none.
Hansen is humbled he and his team are compared to such towering predecessors. But if they knock off this record, on the back of successive World Cup triumphs, and make good on their desire to walk towards the challenge rather than shy away from it as they’ve done previously, few would deny they deserve to walk among those giants of the game.
To get to where you’re going you must first appreciate where you came from. This team clearly grasps that notion, and is determined to etch their own place in history.
‘‘That team particularly had some very good ball players and they were great athletes. And they were well coached by probably our best ever coach.’’ Steve Hansen on the 1967 All Blacks
Aaron Cruden is renowned for his fancy footwork at the line and the All Blacks playmaker did his best to implement those evasive skills when asked about his future in New Zealand rugby.
Cruden replaces Lima Sopoaga and makes his return to the All Blacks via the bench at Eden Park against the Wallabies tomorrow, after sitting out the past three tests with a groin strain, a period which included the away leg of the Rugby Championship.
While on the sideline, reports emerged out of France linking the talented 27-year-old to a multimillion dollar move to French club Montpellier, which will be coached by Kiwi Vern Cotter next year.
Asked about the speculation yesterday, Cruden initially played coy.
‘‘No, I’m not aware of it. Do you want to fill me in?’’ he asked.
Informed of the reports, Cruden attempted to downplay a possible shift abroad.
‘‘I suppose you can’t believe everything you read in the media. I am off contract with New Zealand next year and obviously working through that at the moment. I’ve got a few decisions to make but the time is probably not right now to be making those decisions.
‘‘Coming back in after an injury layoff my focus is on the game this weekend and trying to make sure I nail my role when I get out on the field.
‘‘I haven’t put too much thought into that at the moment. I’m back in this environment and focusing on what I have to do to contribute to an All Blacks performance.’’
Usurped by Beauden Barrett in the first five-eighth pecking order in rapid fashion this season, Cruden remains an integral figure in the All Blacks. His ball-playing ability offers a point of difference and he also boasts a valuable partnership with injured midfielder Sonny Bill Williams.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen made it clear just how keen NZ Rugby is to retain the Chiefs cocaptain.
‘‘We haven’t sat down and had a big discussion,’’ Hansen said. ‘‘He knows we want him to stay and that discussion will probably happen while we’re away. He’s not going to make that decision overnight so there’s no point in us having our discussion with him overnight.
‘‘He is a big part of who we are and what we do. He is in our leadership group, and definitely good enough to be a starting test player. We don’t want to lose him but that’s going to be a decision he’ll make, he’ll make it on what’s right for him and his family. We can only lay down our case and let him make that decision.’’
Cruden has started 25 of his 42 tests. After being forced to serve behind Dan Carter for a number of seasons, this was supposed to be his time.
Instead a neck injury gave Barrett the opening, and he hasn’t looked back. Ultimately, it now comes down to how patient Cruden is willing to be, and whether he has a burning desire to wrestle back the starting jersey.
His return this week comes on the back of 40 minutes for Manawatu.
‘‘It would be nice to get a start at some stage but regardless of my role if I’m in the starting line-up, playing 23 or not involved in the group I just have to make sure I’m enthusiastic.
‘‘As a footy player you never like to be injured and sometimes it can dent your confidence but I suppose we’ll find out on Saturday night when I get out on the field. I’m confident I can get out there and do what’s needed for the team whenever I’m called upon.’’