Invincible, impregnable and impossible! These three superlatives probably personify the most successful team, arguably, in the history of sports. Underlining their awe-inspiring supremacy, the All Blacks have won yet another rugby championship title with their pulverizing 35-17 win over Los Pumas at Estadio Jose Amalfitani in Buenos Aires.
The race to their 6th title overall since the erstwhile Tri-Nations, also comprising of Australia and South Africa, added Argentina to the pack to make it the Rugby Championship in 2012, wasn't a cakewalk after their down-to-the-wire defeat against the Springboks in their previous game in Wellington, but the All Blacks have overcome that unlikely and unusual jolt to make it three in a row.
"Parts of it were messy, but there were other parts that were really good and at times we played some good footy and other times we didn't play that great," said the All Blacks coach Hansen after the hard-earned victory with a relatively younger squad, led by Sam Whitelock.
New Zealand's All Blacks rugby players perform the haka before the start of the Rugby Championship match against Argentina's Los Pumas at Jose Amalfitani stadium in Buenos Aires. /VCG Photo
New Zealand's All Blacks rugby players perform the haka before the start of the Rugby Championship match against Argentina's Los Pumas at Jose Amalfitani stadium in Buenos Aires. /VCG Photo
But what makes the unstoppable juggernaut roll all over the big, bold and boisterous world of rugby union?
Renowned author, historian, academic and a self-confessed ardent All Blacks supporter, Professor Brian Stoddart tells CGTN Sports Scene, "In recent years the ABs have dominated world rugby for some key reasons. NZ has created an extremely efficient production system right from school level through to the elite one."
Professor Stoddart elucidates, "The school's competition now has a formidable array of talent on hand as demonstrated by national junior teams in recent years. That leads to a very efficient 'graduation' system: schools to local provincial to elite provincial to Super to AB level. All through their rugby academies hone skills."
"That creates enormous player strength and depth to be available to the ABs as demonstrated by the elevation of players like Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi."
Quite interestingly, several other young bloods like Ardie Savea, Angus Ta'avao, Ofa Tuungafasi, Shannon Frizell, Richie Mo'unga and Karl Tu'inukuafe have been infused to the aging squad by Hansen as he is building another invincible side in order to shoot for a third consecutive Web Ellis Trophy in Japan next year.
All Blacks lock Samuel Whitelock poses with the trophy after winning the Rugby Championship 2018. /VCG Photo
All Blacks lock Samuel Whitelock poses with the trophy after winning the Rugby Championship 2018. /VCG Photo
The invincibility of the All Blacks is predominantly a process-driven player-grooming program. "All that is matched by enormous improvements in coach training. Some coaches like Scott Robertson would be a national coach anywhere else, and it is notable that NZ coaches have taken Wales, Ireland and Scotland to high levels over recent years, while some of those have been former elite players many have not. So the emphasis on coach development is a major part of the success," said Professor Stoddart.
"All of this has allowed for talent across the board to be recognized and promoted that includes women with the Black Ferns displaying the same patterns of success."
"It also allows the full development of skills among Maori and Pasifika communities, as demonstrated by the range of players now in the broader ABs group," he mentions.
But what makes the all-winning All Blacks one of the most successful sides of all time?
"In short, the success comes from a well-developed delivery and competition system That is underpinned strongly by a 'team culture' and 'respect for the jersey' probably unmatched anywhere – it means a lot to be an AB, and to be an AB requires a lot of respect in return. And it helps to have a whole nation behind you," Professor Stoddart concluded.