All Blacks http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d2/Kit_left_arm.png http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bb/Kit_body.png http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/52/Kit_right_arm.png http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/6f/Kit_shorts.png http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2b/Kit_socks.png The New Zealand Rugby Football Union is the governing body of rugby union in New Zealand. It was founded in 1892 and is affiliated to the International Rugby Board the sport's governing body. The All Blacks is the national rugby union representative team of New Zealand. (In Wales, the name can refer to Neath Rugby Club.) The first usage apparently dates from the first tour of Britain by a New Zealand national rugby team, given the title The Originals, in 1905/1906. (According to Greg Ryan there was also a tour of Britain in 1888/1889 by The New Zealand Native Football Representatives). According to Billy Wallace, one of the members of the Originals, the name originated in a London newspaper's description of the New Zealand representatives playing as if they were all backs. Other sources suggest that it is more likely that the name originated in the black uniform worn by the players, with earlier reference to "the Blacks" as a common type of nickname at the time (New Zealand Rugby Museum on this topic). Later (in 1925 when the Invincibles toured the Home Countries) the entirely black playing uniform was emblazoned with the Silver fern symbol. The All Blacks perform a Maori war dance, the haka, before each international match. For much of the 20th century, rugby union appeared to be New Zealand's national religion, with selection to the All Blacks perhaps more highly regarded than a knighthood. The All Blacks have always been recognised as a formidable power in world rugby. They have experienced many highs, such as winning the World Cup, but also a unique low when they lost two test matches on the same day, September 3, 1949. On that day they lost 6-11 to the Wallabies in Wellington, and 3-9 to the Springboks in South Africa. History The All Blacks have had considerable success in international competition, with particular traditions of defeating the South African Springboks and the Australian Wallabies. Since the introduction of professional sport, however, New Zealand's small size and lack of financial sporting resource have seen strong challenges to New Zealand's former dominant position in international rugby. However, still no international rugby team has more wins than losses against the All Blacks. A number of rugby playing nations have never beaten the All Blacks at all, despite in some cases over a hundred years of trying. These include Argentina, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Italy, Samoa, Scotland, and Tonga (although Scotland have drawn twice and Ireland once), to name but a few. Therefore the All Blacks are still the most successful international rugby team in history. Their record in rugby world cups is 1st, 2nd, twice 3rd, & 4th. Their test match record against leading nations (listed in order of total matches; updated to 21 November 2004) is as follows: Won Lost Drawn Against: Australia 79 37 5 Against: South Africa 35 27 3 Against: France 29 10 1 Against: England 20 6 1 Against: British & Irish Lions 20 5 2 Against: Scotland 22 0 2 Against: Wales 18 3 0 Against: Ireland 16 0 1 Against: Argentina 11 0 1 Against: Italy 8 0 0 Against: Samoa 4 0 0 Other representative rugby union teams Black Ferns : Women's national representative Rugby team New Zealand Maori : National representatives of Maori ethnic origin or ancestry. Historically this also included any players of non-European ethnic origin--those unable to play the Springboks in South Africa. New Zealand A : National representative team occasionally fielded in New Zealand when All Blacks are on tour. Made up from top players not selected as All Blacks. Branding In New Zealand sporting circles, the branding of the All Blacks and the honour of "wearing the Silver Fern" has encouraged other sporting codes to adopt derivational nicknames: All Whites: soccer Silver Ferns: netball Tall Blacks: basketball Black Sticks: hockey Black Caps: cricket The first New Zealand national rugby league team was nicknamed the All Golds by the New Zealand press, a derogatory pun based on the fact that rugby league players were professional. The team are now known as The Kiwis. Some famous All Blacks Fred Allen Todd Blackadder Zinzan Brooke Don Clarke Christian Cullen Sean Fitzpatrick Grant Fox Andy Haden Jock Hobbs Doug Howlett Ian Jones Michael Jones David Kirk John Kirwan Andy Leslie Brian Lochore Chris Laidlaw Jonah Lomu Richie McCaw Justin Marshall Colin "Pine-Tree" Meads Andrew Mehrtens Graham Mourie Malili "Mils" Muliaina George Nepia Taine Randell Joe Rokocoko Wayne "Buck" Shelford Reuben Thorne Tana Umaga Wilson Whineray Jeff Wilson Stu Wilson Alex Wylie See also 1981 Springbok Tour Bledisloe Cup Tri Nations Series Rugby Union World Cup Super 12 National Provincial Championship Ranfurly Shield New Zealand national rugby league team - The Kiwis External link All Blacks All Blacks Merchandise Most Popular Articles: Music    Musical Instruments    Guitar    Classical Music    History    Music Definition    Country Music    Rock Music    Pop Music    Hip Hop    Rap    DJ    Video Games    Casino Games    Poker    Blackjack    Casinos    Real Estate    Loan    Auction    eBay    Marketing    Search Engine Optimization    File Sharing    MP3    Music Industry    Kazaa    Internet    Supermodel    Fashion    Fashion Designers    Erotica    Modeling    Clothing    Boots    Shoes    Diamond Engagement Rings    Diamond    Rugs    Gospel Music    Affiliate    E-Commerce    Radio This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License at http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html You may copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license. You must provide a link to http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html To view or edit this article at Wikipedia go to http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Blacks