10 Greatest All Blacks of All Time

There hasn't been a period in history that the All Blacks have not been at the absolute pinnacle of the sport. They may not win every trophy, but they are always in and around the latter stages of the major competitions.

As a result, many of the greatest players in the sport's history have donned the black jersey, and here is our ten greatest to have done so. The list is in no particular order, but Dan Carter would be our number one.

There was something almost unfair about how good Dan Carter was. Every time he stepped onto the field, the fly-half looked like he had all the time in the world. Calm, sharp, and always in control, he made the hardest things look simple. When the pressure was at its highest, you could count on him.

That performance in the 2015 World Cup final was pure class and the perfect end to an unbelievable international career. It wasn't just the 1,598 points or the trophies, it was the way he played with grace, confidence, and always for the team. Widely considered the best All Black of all time and for good reason.

Richie wasn’t flashy. He didn’t chase the spotlight. But somehow, he always ended up at the heart of everything. He could play at the highest level with ball in hand, over the ruck and even just at talking to the ref. McCaw led by example, always. He played 148 Tests, captained the side 110 times, and lifted the World Cup twice from number seven.

But if you asked him what he was proud of, he’d probably talk about the jersey and about doing the job right. He never made it about himself, and maybe that’s why he meant so much and was such a key part to the All Blacks' success during his time.

There was a moment in that 1995 semi-final against England, where the world paused. Jonah had the ball, and defenders were in front of him, and then suddenly… they weren’t. He wasn’t just big. He wasn’t just fast. He was something else entirely.

For a while, it felt like he was changing the sport in real time. Kids everywhere wanted to be Jonah. Fans came just to see what he’d do next. He finished with 37 tries in 63 Tests, but the numbers don’t tell the story. You had to see him run. It was breathtaking.

Fitz was a leader’s leader. The kind of guy you followed because you knew he’d never ask more of you than he’d give himself. Tough, relentless, and proud as a hooker, he carried the All Blacks through some hard years and into a new era. He captained the team 51 times and played 92 Tests, often with half his body held together by tape.

But it wasn’t just about staying on the field, it was how he held the team together. He gave everything to the black jersey, and it gave everything back to him.

You hear the stories and they sound like legend. Playing with broken bones. Running like a wild bull. Taking no nonsense from anyone. But the thing is, they’re true. Colin Meads was tough in a way that hardly exists anymore. He had an immense presence. He walked into a room and people listened.

On the field, he was a warrior. Off it, he was humble. He played 55 Tests at a time when rugby was brutally physical, and he kept going when others wouldn’t. Still today, for many, he’s the greatest to ever wear the jersey.

Michael Jones played like a dream, all timing, grace, and precision. He made the hardest jobs look effortless. And he did it all with a kind of quiet dignity that made people stop and watch. He scored the first try of the 1987 World Cup and set the tone for a new kind of rugby.

What made Jones special wasn’t just his talent. He never compromised on his faith or his values, even if it meant missing games. He played 55 Tests, and every one of them mattered.

He is perhaps underrated due to Richie McCaw subsequent impact in the back row, but was voted as the third best All Black of the 20th century, behind Meads and Fitzpatrick.

Before Sir John Kirwan became an advocate and leader off the field, he was one of the most electric wingers the All Blacks had ever seen. Long legs eating up the turf, defenders left clutching at air, he could turn a match in seconds. That try against Italy in 1987 still gets replayed, and rightly so.

He scored 35 tries in 63 Tests, but his real strength was his heart. He fought hard for his team, and later, for mental health. He showed courage in more ways than one.

You always had to hold your breath when Cullen got the ball. Just for a second. Because you never knew what was coming when the fullback got it. A sidestep, a burst of speed, a try from nowhere. He had this way of gliding across the pitch. He scored 46 tries in 60 matches, but it wasn’t about quantity.

It was about how he scored them. He made people fall in love with rugby all over again. Even now, fans argue he should’ve played more. Maybe. But what he gave us was unforgettable.

Before the game sped up and everyone became a ball runner, Ian Kirkpatrick was already doing it. A forward who could sprint, sidestep, and score like a back. He crossed the line 16 times in 39 games, a record for a flanker back then.

Kirkpatrick was the kind of player who didn’t need to shout to be heard. He led with actions, not words. Ask the older generation and they'll tell you, Kirkie was ahead of his time.

Ma’a Nonu started out as pure power, the kind of player who ran through people, not around them. But as the years went on, he added layers. Vision. Timing. The kind of pass you don’t even see until the ball’s already in the air. He worked hard on his game, and it showed.

Alongside Conrad Smith, he built one of the best midfield combos rugby has ever seen. He played 103 All Blacks games and scored 51 tries, but what mattered most was his transformation. From a raw talent to a complete player, and a respected leader. His longevity has been unbelievable too, with the 43-year-old still playing for Toulon in the Top 14.