All Blacks captains are amongst a number of the finest gamers to ever play the sport.
New Zealand males’s first official rugby match befell in 1870 and it’s secure to say there have been quite a few captains since then.
Associated: All-time All Blacks jerseys
For instance, David Gallaher was captain for the group’s first tour exterior of their continent in 1905 and Wilson Whineray skippered the group 30 instances between 1958 and 1965.
However who has captained the group within the trendy period? Listed here are the record of the All Blacks captains from 1987 till now.
All Blacks captains: Scott Barrett (2024)
Scott Barrett runs out onto the pitch (Getty Photographs)
Scott Robertson took over as head coach following the 2023 Rugby World Cup. His first matches in cost was a two-game collection towards England in 2024. He named Scott Barrett captain for these video games – which the group received.
Barrett mentioned on his appointment: “While you consider the leaders who’ve gone earlier than you, it’s fairly humbling to be requested to captain the All Blacks, so it’s not one thing I took calmly.
“It’s a giant accountability, however I’ve two nice leaders beside me in [vice captains] Ardie [Savea] and Jordie [Barrett].”
Sam Cane (2020-2023)
Cane waves on the crowd (Getty Photographs)
Sam Cane made his debut for the group in 2012 and received the Rugby World Cup in 2015. He took over from Kieren Learn as skipper and was captain for 27 matches.
The All Blacks received 4 Rugby Championships beneath his management.
He was additionally captain for the 2023 Rugby World Cup the place New Zealand knocked out one of many favourites, Eire, within the quarter-finals. They reached the ultimate – the place Cane was handed a purple card – and misplaced by a singular level.
Cane determined after the 2024 season he would retire from worldwide rugby.
Kieren Learn (2016-2019)
Learn on the pitch (Getty Photographs)
Kieren Learn had fairly huge footwear to fill as he took over from Richie McCaw. He had skippered the group throughout McCaw’s period however was made the official captain after his teammate retired.
New Zealand received the Rugby Championship in 2016, 2017 and 2018. They misplaced in 2019 with South Africa choosing up the trophy.
He was skipper for the 2017 British and Irish Lions tour the place the groups drew. They every received a Take a look at and drew the deciding match.
Learn was captain within the 2019 Rugby World Cup and the group headed into it as back-to-back champions. Nonetheless, they had been upset within the semi-final towards England and went on to complete third.
Richie McCaw (2006 – 2015)
McCaw collects his winner medal (Getty Photographs)
Richie McCaw is just not solely arguably essentially the most iconic All Blacks captain of all-time however is on the record for probably the greatest All Blacks gamers of all-time.
He captained the group to back-to-back Rugby World Cup wins, together with his remaining match earlier than retirement being the 2015 Rugby World Cup win.
Throughout his time as official captain New Zealand additionally received eight Rugby Championships and Tri Nations (the title was modified to the Rugby Championship in 2012).
McCaw has additionally captained the All Blacks in essentially the most quantity of video games with 110 fixtures. Out of the 110 Assessments as captain, 97 of them had been victories.
Tana Umaga (2004-2005)
Umaga runs with the ball (Getty Photographs)
Tana Umaga took on the captaincy in 2004 and have become the primary All Blacks with Pacific Island heritage to skipper the group. Umaga’s first six video games as captains had been wins, together with two victories towards England.
The group received the Bledisloe Cup in 2004 and Umaga additionally led New Zealand to an undefeated collection towards the British and Irish Lions in 2005. In January 2006 he introduced his retirement from worldwide rugby and so his captaincy got here to an finish.
Reuben Thorne (2002-2003)
Thorne scores a strive (Getty Photographs)
Reuben Thorne was the official captain of the All Blacks for 22 video games however he additionally skippered the aspect as soon as extra throughout McCaw’s reign.
Thorne was chosen as captain an Anton Oliver was injured. Within the 22 matches he was official captain New Zealand solely misplaced three video games and received two Tri Nations trophies.
Nonetheless, his remaining recreation as captain got here within the 2003 Rugby World Cup when Australia beat New Zealand within the semi-finals.
Anton Oliver (2001)
Oliver, center, lining up in a scrum (Getty Photographs)
Anton Oliver was not the primary particular person in his household to be named captain of the All Blacks. His father, Frank Oliver, skippered the aspect in 1978, turning into the primary father and son to have captained the group.
Oliver was the official captain for 10 video games however it didn’t include trophy success with Australia profitable the Tri-Nations collection that 12 months. He then ruptured his Achilles in early 2002 which ended his season and his tenure as All Blacks captain.
Todd Blackadder (2000)
Blackadder ready for the anthems (Getty Photographs)
Todd Blackadder was captain for 10 matches in 2000, together with his remaining worldwide match towards Italy.
All Blacks captains: Taine Randell (1998-1999)
Taine Randall fending (Getty Photographs)
Taine Randell was appointed All Blacks captain in 1998 and went on to guide the group 21 instances throughout that interval. He additionally captained the group in yet one more recreation after that in Reuben Thorne’s period.
Randell himself was not 100% assured and there was a combined response to his appointment as he was solely 23-years-old on the time. Randell himself has mentioned since he didn’t wish to be skipper in 1999 however coach John Hart persuaded him to remain on.
New Zealand received the Tri-Nations collection in 1999 however crashed out of the 1999 Rugby World Cup. Their semi-final loss to France was the final of Randell’s official captaincy.
Sean Fitzpatrick (1992-1997)
Fitzpatrick together with his fingers on his hips (Getty Photographs)
Sean Fitzpatrick is without doubt one of the most iconic All Blacks to play the sport. Earlier than being appointed captain, he received the Rugby World Cup in 1987 – the primary ever Rugby World Cup.
He was named captain in 1992 and went on to win the 1993 British and Irish Lions tour and two Tri-Nations collection. Fitzpatrick additionally lead the group to the 1995 Rugby World Cup remaining however they misplaced to South Africa.
His report was not good elsewhere both with France profitable a collection in New Zealand for the primary time in 1994 and England beating New Zealand at Twickenham in 1993.
Gary Whetton (1990-1991)
Whetton crouches (Getty Photographs)
Gary Whetton captained the All Blacks within the 1991 Rugby World Cup. The group had been having a very good match and headed into it as defending champions.
Nonetheless, within the semi-finals they misplaced to Australia and went onto end third.
Buck Shelford (1988-1990)
All Black captain Wayne ‘Buck’ Shelford after the rugby union check between Australia and New Zealand at Harmony Oval, 30 July 1988 (Getty Photographs)
Buck Shelford might solely have been captain for 14 Assessments however he has the very best win fee of any All Blacks captain ever. He didn’t lose a single recreation as skipper.
He was already a legend of New Zealand rugby after profitable the 1987 Rugby World Cup however cemented the standing together with his flawless captaincy.
All Blacks captains: David Kirk (1987)
David Kirk kisses the Rugby World Cup (Getty Photographs)
David Kirk had captained the group on earlier events however was not the official captain till the eve of the 1987 Rugby World Cup.
Andy Dalton was on account of be the skipper however sustained an damage simply earlier than the match began. Kirk was then chosen and he steered New Zealand to the Rugby World Cup win. Any Rugby World Cup trophy is particular however this one is without doubt one of the standouts because it was the primary time it was contested.
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