All Blacks Eye Grand Slam Glory Two Decades After 2005 Triumph

The All Blacks are set to embark on their first Grand Slam tour since 2010, facing off against Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales in November 2023. This tour marks the 20th anniversary of their remarkable 2005 Grand Slam achievement, a feat only accomplished four times in rugby history. Completing a Grand Slam requires defeating all four Home Nations, a challenge the All Blacks last met successfully in 2010.

The All Blacks’ 2005 campaign holds a significant place in rugby history. It was the first Grand Slam attempt in the professional era, following a dominant 3-0 series win over the British and Irish Lions. Before this, the last Grand Slam was achieved by Australia in 1984. Historically, Southern Hemisphere teams have had limited success in Grand Slam attempts, securing victories in only nine of 28.

In April 2005, the All Blacks confirmed their Grand Slam tour, with the fixture against Six Nations champions Wales being the most challenging to arrange due to scheduling conflicts. Ultimately, they dedicated the match to the centenary of their first meeting with Wales, where they faced The Originals—a team that lost 3-0. This tour was the first Grand Slam attempt by the All Blacks since 1978.

Leading up to the tour, an internal trial match saw the Possibles narrowly defeat the Probables 37-32. Coach Sir Graham Henry selected a 35-man touring squad, including six potential debutants: Jason Eaton, Chris Masoe, Angus Macdonald, Neemia Tialata, and Isaia Toeava. Masoe vividly recalls the moment he learned of his selection while out fishing, where he was caught off guard by a friend’s premonition and the news of his selection.

Reflecting on the tour, second five-eighths Aaron Mauger emphasized the team’s dedication to honouring their history. “We tapped back into a bit of that history and used it as motivation,” he said. This focus on heritage was exemplified by the commemorative bowler hats made for the squad, celebrating The Originals.

The tour commenced on November 5, 2005, against Wales at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. The All Blacks secured a commanding 41-3 victory, highlighted by winger Rico Gear scoring a hat-trick and Dan Carter contributing 26 points. This match marked the debut for Tialata and Masoe, with Masoe describing the overwhelming emotions of donning the famous No. 7 jersey.

“Trying to cover Richie McCaw, a legend of the game, and to wear his jersey was a lot of pressure,” Masoe recalled. The occasion was further amplified by the closed roof at the stadium, hosting over 70,000 spectators.

The All Blacks continued their successful run with a 45-7 victory against Ireland on November 12 at Lansdowne Road, Dublin. This match featured two more debutants, Lauaki and Afoa, with the absence of captain Tana Umaga due to a strategic decision. The tension in the build-up was palpable, particularly following a fire at the venue that affected attendance.

On November 19, the All Blacks faced off against England at Twickenham, a match that had significant hype surrounding it. Despite playing without McCaw due to injury, the All Blacks secured a narrow 23-19 win, showcasing their resilience as they played with only 13 men at one point. Mauger noted the intensity of the match, with the team digging deep to achieve victory.

The tour culminated on November 26 at Murrayfield, Edinburgh, where the All Blacks completed their Grand Slam with a comfortable 29-10 win over Scotland. This match was particularly memorable, as it marked the final test for captain Umaga, who informed his teammates of his retirement after the match.

Reflecting on the tour, Gear described 2005 as the best year of his rugby career, finishing as the top try-scorer in Super Rugby and scoring five tries during the Grand Slam tour. Howlett echoed this sentiment, highlighting the shared experiences that bonded the team.

Masoe noted the significance of the tour in launching his international career, while Afoa expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play alongside legends of the game. Mauger concluded that the 2005 tour was pivotal in shaping the team’s legacy, setting the stage for future successes.

As the All Blacks prepare for their upcoming Grand Slam attempt, the memories and lessons from the historic 2005 campaign will undoubtedly serve as motivation for the current squad.