Statistics don't lie - ABs first, daylight second

By GRANT FOX - Sunday Star Times
Last updated 05:00 05/09/2010

OPINION: They say you can twist statistics to paint whatever picture you want.
When it comes to the Tri Nations, I'm not so sure Pieter de Villiers and Robbie Deans will agree.
Since the All Blacks secured this year's Tri Nations title a fortnight ago with that memorable victory in Soweto, I've been quietly analysing some stats around the annual triangular tournament.
What I've found should impress even the hardest marker among All Blacks' fans.
The graphic within the Ruck and Maul column on this page makes the point pretty starkly.
In a nutshell – when it comes to Tri Nations' stats – it is the All Blacks and then daylight. And by some way too.
We have now won the Tri Nations championship 10 of the 15 times it has now been played. Or, to put it another way, we win it, on average, two out of every three seasons.
Of the 67 Tri Nations' matches the All Blacks have played, they've won 47. That's a 70% winning record. With all due respect to our Springbok (40%) and Wallaby (38%) opposition, their records don't look too flash alongside the men in black.
Maybe some knowledgeable reader can correct me, but I don't know of any other annual high-level international triangular tournament where one country has been so dominant.
Maybe the Australian cricketers could lay claim to a similar winning record in the now defunct three-team, limited overs series they would host each summer. But those matches were all played in Australia, not on a home-and-away basis.
What's even more remarkable about New Zealand's Tri Nations record is that, for most of those 15 years, Australia and South Africa have been among the top three teams in world rugby.
That makes the All Blacks' feats even more meritorious.
The away record is even more mind-boggling. We like to think it's almost impossible to win a Tri Nations match away from home. Certainly the Wallabies and Boks have traditionally had plenty of trouble in that area. Both have away-winning records of less than 20%. The All Blacks sit at 57%, having won 19 out of 33 away matches.
What's my point?
Simply that we need to celebrate that level of achievement. We often get caught up in the moment within New Zealand rugby. That's actually one of our strengths and contributes to what making the All Blacks what they are. But it doesn't hurt to occasionally pause and reflect. And then smile about a job well done.
On that point, and given the current All Blacks coaching group have been there for seven of those 15 Tri Nations' years, we should be tipping our hats to them too.

The three wise men have had plenty of flak (and praise) in recent times but with a winning record of about 85%, there's a strong argument we're in safe hands.
The doomsayers will tell us it all means nothing if we fall over next year in the world cup. And maybe they've got a point.
But who would you rather be right now – us or the Aussies?
The Wallabies are going through enormous pain and, yes, it may all be forgotten if they win the world cup. But what if they don't? That makes it a pretty lean time for a long time if you're a Wallaby fan. It will be painful if we don't take the Webb Ellis trophy next year. But I have to say it's been a pretty good time to be an All Blacks fan in the lead-up!
And, who knows, if we knock over the Wallabies in Sydney next weekend, we'll have within our sights the world record – 18 – for the most number of successive test victories. The All Blacks will never admit it publicly, but I believe the chance to set that record will be on their minds in Sydney and should ensure another focused and strong performance. I know if I was still playing, it would motivate me.
I suspect we will see Piri Weepu start at halfback and assume the goal-kicking duties. That would help first five-eighths Aaron Cruden, who will also be assisted by knowing he has Weepu inside him and two other Hurricanes – Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith – outside him.
We need to find out more about Cruden at test level.
Dan Carter's injury provides the perfect opportunity.