New Zealand v Australia, Bledisloe Cup
All Blacks striving for perfection
October 16, 2013
New Zealand's All Blacks set the benchmark for their rivals © Getty Images
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Best Home Winning Streaks In Test Rugby

  • 30: New Zealand (2003-2008)
  • 29: New Zealand (2009-present)
  • 22: England (1999-2003)
  • 16: New Zealand (1987-1990)
  • 15: New Zealand (1995-1998)

Other Nations

  • 13: Australia (1985-1987)
  • 13: South Africa (1994-1996)
  • 13: Scotland (1989-1991)
  • 13: Wales (1907-1912)
  • 11: France (1975-1977)
  • 9: Ireland (2002-2003, 2003-2005)

Another Test rugby record looms into view for the All Blacks this weekend but, as usual, their motivation lies elsewhere.

Victory over Australia in the third Bledisloe Cup Test at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Saturday will be New Zealand's 30th in succession on home soil, equalling their own world record, set from 2003 to 2008.

That record underlines the world champions' dominance on the Test scene over the past decade, dominance that All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says results because the team is driven internally by performance goals. Hansen said his players want to ensure standards don't drop two weeks after the 38-27 triumph against South Africa in Johannesburg that secured the Rugby Championship title attracted widespread praise.

"We've come off a great win and everyone has given us a pat on the back," Hansen said. "We've got two choices. We can either be like pigs in mud and roll in it and say how good we are, or get back to work and show we can still improve. You're never going to be perfect but you've got to strive to be perfect."

The All Blacks' home streak stretches back to the 30-27 loss to South Africa in 2009.

Offering some hope to the Wallabies is Saturday's venue. New Zealand have suffered three of their past five home losses, dating back to 2001, in Dunedin. They did, however, win their only Test to date under the roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium, defeating South Africa 21-11 in September 2012.


Follow live text commentary of the Bledisloe Cup Test between New Zealand and Australia on Saturday, October 19 from 7pm (NZDT), 5pm (AEDT) and 6am (GMT)

Do we actually want a third Bledisloe Cup Test, and if so should it be staged earlier in the year?
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