It’s the magical number that has defined sporting icons like Nicklaus, Navratilova and Phelps but eluded the great Roger Federer.
But now that the mighty All Blacks have chalked up their 18th consecutive Test triumph, New Zealand’s all-conquering rugby team is plotting to continue extending its extraordinary world-record winning streak.
No sooner had the All Blacks completed their 3-0 Bledisloe Cup whitewash of the Wallabies with Saturday night’s 37-10 victory in Auckland was coach Steve Hansen setting his sights on reeling in the all-time, all-comers’ world record winning streak of 24.
Hardly recognised as a rugby super power, Cyprus nevertheless set the record between 2008 and 2015 against lower-level opposition, with the All Blacks now credited for stringing together the most number of wins as a tier-one nation.
Hansen insists the All Blacks won’t be content until there is no debate, meaning they plan on finishing off 2016 with Test wins next month over Ireland in Chicago and Dublin, Italy in Rome and France and Paris.
That would take the world champions to 22 straight wins, presenting the All Blacks with the tantalising opportunity to set the record of 25 in a row with a 3-0 series sweep of the touring British and Irish Lions in New Zealand next June-July.
“That’s the next horizon. You have to win all the games between now and the end of the Lions series, so it’s a big challenge,” Hansen said.
“But who knows. Cyprus should be congratulated for doing it. I don’t care what tier you play – if you win 24 in a row, you’re a good team.”
Hansen admitted there was something special about the No.18, the very number of golf majors Jack Nicklaus accrued, the amount of grand slams that tennis legends Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert each won and how many Olympic gold medals swimming superstar Michael Phelps piled up before adding to his haul in Rio this year.
“Hopefully Federer gets there too – and Tiger (Woods),” Hansen told AAP on Sunday, thrilled about the All Blacks joining such illustrious company.
The All Blacks have also stretched their Bledisloe Cup ownership to 14 years and Hansen is hoping to retain the coveted trophy for another 14 too.
The current system of two or three-Test series strongly favours the holders, with the Wallabies needing to win at least two matches to return the Cup to Australia.
Hansen, though, said the All Blacks would never take their domination for granted, especially after the Wallabies’ vastly improved showing on Saturday night.
“Australia were really good last night and took the game to us and a bounce of the ball here or there and it could have been a different result,” he said.
“They’ll go into their northern hemisphere tour pretty excited about what they can build on and next year will come around next year and it’ll be all on again.”
He said it would be foolish to get carried away with the 27-point winning margin.
“For 60 minutes, that game was as tough as we’ve had have for a long, long time,” Hansen said.
“There’s not that much difference and I’m sure they’ll continue to grow. They’ll get more experience and get better for it.
“They’re a formidable opponent and always have been.”
