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Team Guide: New Zealand

Background information

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New Zealand has participated in all seven tournaments.

The mighty All Blacks have won and hosted the World Cup twice.

Jonah Lomu and Bryan Habana shared the record, for the most tries at one tournament, which were eight.

New Zealand and England are  the only two countries to have the same coach and captain at two consecutive World Cups.

Graham Henry, Eddie O Sullivan and John Kirwan had all coached at Three World Cups- with two different countries.

The All Blacks had six different captains and six different coaches at World Cups.

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Out of the seven World Cups, the All Blacks collected over 300 points in four of them.

New Zealand performs the Haka before they play.

New Zealand and Argentina had been involved in the most World Cup opening matches- with both playing three.

1987

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In 1987 New Zealand and Australia co-hosted the first World Cup for the first time.

Captain, David Kirk led New Zealand to their first World Cup title- with Brian Lochore coaching the side.

The All Blacks collected 298 points- with only 52 conceded in the competition.

Grant Fox contributed 126 points out of the All Blacks 298 points. His 30 conversions were the most in one tournament.

New Zealand scored 40 tries in the tournament.

The All Blacks biggest winning margin was 64 points, when they beat Italy 70-6, in the first came of the tournament.

1991

The All Blacks participated in their second World Cup.

They received automatic qualification because they won the 1991 World Cup.

John Hart/Alex Wyllie coached the team, while Gary Whetton was captain.

New Zealand came third after Australia beat them 16-6 in the semifinals.

New Zealand scored 19 tries in the tournament.

The All Blacks collected 133 points- with only 74 conceded in the competition.

The All Blacks biggest winning margin was 40 points when they toppled the United States 46-6in the pool stages.

1995

The All Blacks participated in their third World Cup.

They received automatic qualification because they ended third in the previous tournament.

Laurie Mains coached the team, while Sean Fitzpatrick was captain.

New Zealand came second after South Africa beat them 15-12 in the final.

The All Blacks collected 327 points- with only 112 conceded in the competition.

The All Blacks biggest winning margin was 128 points when they crushed Japan 145-17 in the pool stages.

Jonah Lomu and Marc Ellis scored eight tries in the tournament.

Simon Culhane 20 conversions were the most in one match out of all seven World Cups.

Andrew Mehrtens contributed 84 of New Zealand's 327 points.

1999

The All Blacks participated in their fourth World Cup.

They received automatic qualification because they ended second in the previous tournament.

John Hart coached the team, while Tain Randell was captain.

New Zealand ended fourth after the French beat them 43-31 in the semifinals.

Jonah Lomu eight tries was the most in the tournament.

The All Blacks collected 241 points- with only 125 conceded in the competition.

The All Blacks biggest winning margin was 98 points when they crushed Italy 101-3 in the pool stages.

Tony Brown 11 conversions were the most in one match.

Andrew Mehrtens contributed 79 of New Zealand's 241 points.

2003

The All Blacks participated in their fifth World Cup.

They received automatic qualification because they ended fourth in the previous tournament.

John Mitchell coached the team, while Reuben Thorne  was captain.

New Zealand scored 51 tries in the tournament.

The All Blacks collected 361 points- with only 91 conceded in the competition.

The All Blacks biggest winning margin was 84 points when they toppled Tonga 91-7 in the pool stage.

New Zealand came third after Australia beat them 22-10 in the semifinals.

2007

New Zealand appeared in their sixth World Cup.

They received automatic qualification because they ended third in the previous tournament.

Graham Henry coached the team, while Richie McCaw was captain.

The All Blacks lost 20-18 to France in the quarterfinals.

New Zealand collected 327 points- with only 55 conceded in the competition.

The All Blacks biggest winning margin was 95 points when they won Portugal 108-13 in the pool stage.

Joe Rokocoko's five tries was the most in the tournament.

Nick Evans slotted 14 conversions.

2011

New Zealand hosted the World Cup for a second time.

This was their seventh appearance at the World Cup.

Captain, Richie McCaw led New Zealand to their first World Cup title- with Graham Henry coaching the side.

The All Blacks scored 34 tries.

New Zealand collected 301 points- with only 72 conceded in the competition.

The All Blacks biggest winning margin was 76 points when they crushed Japan 83-7, in the pool stage.

Brad Thorn was the oldest player to win a World Cup. He was 36 years and 262 days old.

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