All Blacks history at the Rugby World Cup

Well, hello hello, with Japan set to host the next Rugby World Cup in 2019, here is some of the history of the All Blacks Rugby World Cup campaigns over the years:

1987 - The 1st World Cup

Captain: David Kirk (Originally Jock Hobbs (Concussion) then Andy Dalton (Hamstring)
Coach: Sir Brian 'BJ' Lochore
Standout players: John 'JK' Kirwan (Backs) & Michael 'Iceman' Jones (Forwards)
Main challenger: France (Final)

1991 - The downfall

Captain: Gary Whetton
Coaches: John Hart & Alex 'Grizz' Wyllie
Standout players: Graeme Bachop (Backs) & Ian 'Kamo' Jones (Forwards)
Main challenger: Australia (Semifinal)

1995 - The heartbreak

Captain: Sean 'Fitzy' Fitzpatrick
Coach: Laurie Mains
Standout players: Jonah Lomu (Backs) & Zinzan 'Zinny' Brooke (Forwards)
Main challengers: England (Semifinal) & South Africa (Final)

1999 - The professional era

Captain: Taine Randell
Coach: John Hart
Standout players: Andrew 'Mehrts' Mehrtens (Backs) & Josh Kronfeld (Forwards)
Main challengers: France (Semifinal) & South Africa (3rd/4th place playoff)

2003 - The disappointment

Captain: Reuben Thorne
Coach: John Mitchell
Standout players: Doug 'Dougie' Howlett (Backs) & Ali Williams (Forwards)
Main challengers: South Africa (Quarterfinal) & Australia (Semifinal)

2007 - The low point

Captain: Richie McCaw
Coach: Sir Graham 'Ted' Henry
Standout players: Dan 'DC' Carter (Backs) & Jerry 'JC' Collins (Forwards)
Main challenger: France (Quarterfinal)

2011 - All Blacks forever

Captain: Richie McCaw
Coach: Sir Graham 'Ted' Henry
Standout players: Cory 'CJ' Jane (Backs), Richie McCaw & Jerome Kaino (Forwards)
Main challengers: Australia (Semifinal) & France (Final)

2015 - Back to black

Captain: Richie McCaw
Coach: Steve 'Shag' Hansen
Standout players: Dan 'DC' Carter (Backs) & Brodie 'Guzzler' Retallick (Forwards)
Main challengers: South Africa (Semifinal) & Australia (Final)

2019 - Seeking history

Coach: Steve 'Shag' Hansen
Main challengers: Australia, Ireland & South Africa

So that is my 254th blog of the year 2018 (MMXVIII) & my 74th this year (And it is still 20 days remaining until Christmas).