All Blacks on the verge of rewriting history books

By: Elliott Smith | Rugby News | Sunday October 7 2012 14:06

The All Blacks are on the verge of completely rewriting rugby's history books.

Their emphatic 32-16 Rugby Championship win over the Springboks in Soweto lifts them to 16 consecutive wins, a record in the professional era for the side and just two wins away from equalling the world best tally of 18.

Number eight Kieran Read says breaking the current All Blacks record of 17 wins in the 1960s would also be special.

"We pride ourselves on the way we can back up test matches and we want to be great - this side wants to be one of the greats that's played this game so we focus on each game as it comes. I guess it puts that motivation for Brisbane right up there."

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer says while they're ranked second in the world, clearly there's a gulf between the nations.

"There's a huge difference I believe between second and first. They are the world champions and they've won a lot of games in a row. I think the one thing why they're such a great side, I've said it before - even if they play badly, there's one or two brilliant players that can pull it through and suddenly they're off the hook."

Photo: Photosport

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