The Rugby Championship 1996-2013

Winners first.*indicates bonus points win
1996 NZ 4-0, Aus 1-3, SA 1-3
1997 NZ 4-0, Aus  1-3,SA 1-3
1998 SA 4-0, Aus  2-2 ,NZ 0-4
1999 NZ 3-1 Aus   1-3, SA 1-3
2000 Aus 3-1,NZ   2-2, SA 1-2
2001 Aus 2-1-1 NZ 2-2 SA 2-1-1
2002 NZ  3-1 Aus   2-2 SA  1-3
2003 NZ 4-0,Aus 1-3,  SA  1-3
2004 SA*2-0,Aus 2-2 NZ 2-2
2005 NZ* 3-1,Aus 0-4,SA 1-3
2006 NZ 5-1 ,Aus 1-5 ,SA 4-2
2007 NZ 3-1,Aus  2-2,SA-1-3
2008 NZ*3-2-1,Aus3-2-1,SA 2-4
2009 SA  5-1,Aus 1-5,NZ 3-3
2010 NZ 6-0,Aus 4-2 ,SA 1-5
2011 Aus 3-1,NZ 2-2,SA1-3
2012 NZ 6-0,Aus 3-3,SA 2-1-3,Arg 0-1-5
2013 NZ 6-0,Aus 2-4,SA 4-2,Arg 6-0
Total wins NZ 12,Aus 3,SA 3

Certainly reflects the gap is widening since 2010- 20 wins from 22 with one of the two losses a partial giveaway is bordering on miraculous in that company though the 95 side showed it was a truly graet side continuing in 96-97 (oddly dropping with the demise of the Blues from 98...)

Am I reading your stats correctly? In 1998 you are indicating SA won all their games but how could Australia and NZ lose all their games?

corrected thank you

Dang, look at those stats. They read as if NZ wins a lot.

Cheating buggers.

Gaw Alan, you didnt have too, now it looks even worse...though still smacks of the Blues downfall...quite remakably...

It smacks of weak forwards. They were dark times. But it makes the light now that much brighter. Only miss the trophies when you let them go. Loss reminds us of what we once had. When you have something good the temptation is to take it for granted and not appreciate what you have. 1998, 2009 RWC losses are atoning for our avarice and selfish needs!

Good man Alan - question - which team was better this AB (2010-present) lot or the 96-99 lot?

Before you can compare sides you can only measure them in there era and weigh them
against the opposition.So the ABs in 1996-7 won 3Ns 4-0,2012-13 won the 4Ns 6-0 so that
is a rough guide.
1996 Dowd,Fitzpatrick,Brown,Jones,Brook[Robin],Kronfeld,Jones,[6],Brooke[Zinzan]
        Marshall,Merthens,Lomu,Bunce,Little,Wilson,Cullen.
2013 Woodcock,Hore,Franks[Owen],Whitelock,Romano,Aron Smith,Carter,Ben Smith,
Conrad Smith,Nonu,Savea,Dagg.
As a team just on experience 1996 they were definitely the best side in the World at the time.
Also most of them would be 1or 2 best in world arguably then.
As individuals Zinzan and Read about equal,McCaw arguably better than Kronfeld,Messam
v Michael Jones no contest Jones.1996 tight 5 as a unit again arguably best pack of its day.
Aron Smith versus Marshall,Smith has a quick accurate pass,Marshalls passing wasn't his
strong point.BUT had a better all round game Carter over Merthens because of superior defence.Merthens drop kicking ability would be a plus tho.
Back three Wilson the Worlds best kicked goals too,Lomu one of the brief periods[due to his
illness]unstoppable,Cullen just THE best try scoring 15.
Sam Whitelock and Dagg are equals,as are Conrad Smith/Nonu and Little/Bunce 1996 WAS
better all round.BUT a lot of the current team are young.

I'd agree with that. Lot of our best of the bests in that side, funnily most coming through mostly amateur ranks...Brooke, Jones, fitzy etc ABs for 10 years before turning pro. This sides strengths is in its depth and ability to fill gaps seamlessly in terms of continuity. Less stars outside the big cantab 3 or 4 but many not far from anyone else in their positions. We're less experienced than at wcup time yet the gap vs the rest us widening. Two losses in 2011, one last year and none this, yet we also spent the last two years refilling the stocks.

This japan game sees only two players from world cup year...DC and McCaw.