The greatest team ever? Ten other contenders
(in no particular order)
New Zealand 2005:
New Zealand bounced back strongly from their failure at the 2003 World Cup and an exceptional generation all hit their straps simultaneously against the 2005 Lions whom they dismantled bit by bit during their 3-0 series win. Dan Carter was touched by the gods that year and a phalanx of All Blacks legends produced career highs – Justin Marshall, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Richie McCaw, Jerry Collins, Mils Muliaina, Tana Umaga, Carl Hayman, Sitiveni Sivivatu. Later that year they embarked on a 15-match winning tear.
England 2000-2003:
It took a while for England under Clive Woodward and Martin Johnson to get their act together, but when they did they were an unstoppable winning machine, capable of beating the best without going too deep. The result was unprecedented consistency and included a run of 14 straight wins against Southern Hemisphere opposition at Test level, a record that will never be repeated, and in 2003 a crushing Grand Slam, away wins over Australia and New Zealand and, of course, the 2003 World Cup.
Lions 1971-74:
Their achievement of winning consecutive series in New Zealand and South Africa grows ever more impressive. Not unlike the modern day New Zealand team in that they didn’t miss a beat when the time came to change some personnel from one tour to another. Very much helped, though, by the continuity provided by Willie-John McBride, Gordon Brown, Mervyn Davies, Ian McLauchlan, Gareth Edwards and JPR. Also infinitely versatile. In 1971 their backs dictated their playing style, three years later it was the forwards.
Wales 1971-78:
Much loved and admired because of the flamboyant nature of much of their rugby and a torrent of spectacular tries although a rugged pack always did the needful up front first. Mesmerising array of talent – Edwards, JPR, Gerald Davies, Barry John, Phil Bennett, Mervyn Davies, Bobby Windsor and the Pontypool front row – their one ‘failing’ was to never beat the All Blacks at a period of time when New Zealand were not quite as dominant as usual.
New Zealand 1924:
The inaugural 1905 All Blacks had set a high benchmark by losing just one Test, controversially against Wales at the Arms Park, but the second touring All Blacks went one better winning all 32 matches on tour in 1924-25, including four Tests although they didn’t play the Scots owing to a dispute harking back to the 1905 tour. Unsurprisingly, Cliff Porter’s team were hailed as the Invincibles.
England 1991-95:
Three Grand Slams in five years during an era when Scotland and France were particularly strong and Ireland distinctly useful speaks for itself. Formidable, rugged, no-nonsense pack supported by incisive backs and the world-class goal-kicking of Simon Hodgkinson, Jonathan Webb and Rob Andrew. The 1992 season was probably their highpoint when forwards and backs combined best. Missed out at 1991 World Cup and had just passed their best by RWC1995.
New Zealand 1987:
New Zealand Rugby was at a low ebb ahead of the 1987 World Cup after the controversial 1986 Cavaliers tour of South Africa, where they lost the series 3-1. A new wave of young players were introduced in a hurry – Dave Kirk, John Gallagher, John Kirwan, Michael Jones, Sean Fitzpatrick and, with that illustrious quintet to the fore, an exceptional New Zealand team swept to victory.
France 1997-98:
Their back-to-back Grand Slams often gets overlooked but for a couple of seasons they were a mighty force culminating in a Thomas Castaignede inspired 51-0 annihilation of Wales at Wembley. Others in their pomp were Christophe Lamaison, Abdelatif Benazzi, Raphael Ibanez, Christian Califano, Frank Tournaire, Philippe Bernat-Sales and Olivier Magne. Hit the wall in the 1999 Five Nations but the old band got back together one more time – the 1999 World Cup semi-final win against New Zealand.
Springboks 1937:
Another team to be dubbed the Invincibles. After narrowly losing the first Test, Philip Nel’s side became the first team to win a series in New Zealand by hitting back with a 13-6 win in the second Test at Christchurch and then a comprehensive 17-6 victory in the decider at Eden Park when they outscored the All Blacks five tries to none. A side packed full of Springbok legends, not least Danie Craven and Boy Louw.
Australia 1999-2001:
Career highs for both coach Rod McQueen and skipper John Eales when they became the first team to win the World Cup twice, claimed the nation’s first Tri-Nations title, retained it the following year and then took a 2-1 series win over one of the strongest Lions squads in history after being thrashed in the first Test. Strong forwards, dangerous backs, brilliantly led and coached.