The 36-Test run began with a win over Australia in the final game of the 2009 Tri Nations, played at Westpac Stadium. The All Blacks cruised to victory 33-6.

Names in the All Blacks side that day included Isaia Toeava, Joe Rokocoko, Jimmy Cowan, Aled de Malmanche, Jason Eaton and Tom Donnelly – on debut. Ma’a Nonu, Richie McCaw and Kieran Read are the only players from Saturday’s match who also appeared in that Test.

NZ Herald

On that day, Wallaby coach Robbie Deans publicly questioned the heart of his players, but the reality was that the All Blacks, inspired by a brilliant aerial display by Cory Jane on the right wing, had righted the ship in emphatic fashion after suffering three disappointing defeats to South Africa.

And though their attacking fluency did not fully return until the unbeaten 2010 season, they had the blueprint for their Rugby World Cup plans.

This was seen at first in the 39-12 hiding of France in Marseille, and then with the crushing 32-12 win over the Springboks at Eden Park in July 2010.

Sir Colin Meads called it “the best All Blacks display in 30 years”.

Of special satisfaction to coaches was that the night’s best performers were not Dan Carter and Richie McCaw, who both played. Instead the likes of Mils Muliaina and Kieran Read were the best on show.

While many later pointed to the 51-20 win over Australia last month as the best display of the home streak, that Wallabies side were not as good as rhetoric would have you believe.

The 2010 Springboks were a formidable foe that were humbled by a physically dominant and tactically superior home team.

Inside the winning streak

When the Boks ruled

The All Blacks’ last defeat on home soil was against South Africa in Hamilton 2009 when the Springboks won 32-29. Back then I Gotta Feeling by Black Eyed Peas was the No1 song and The Hangover was a hit at the box office.

A few close calls

Of the 36 straight victories, the closest wins were the 8-7 nail-biter over France in the 2011 Rugby World Cup final and the 28-27 victory over England in Dunedin in June. Only
four other teams have got within single figures of the All Blacks during the streak, with South Africa’s four-point defeat on Saturday the third closest.

Southern rivals dominated

The 36 Tests include eight against Australia and six against South Africa. The only top 10 nations that don’t feature are Scotland and Samoa.

Fortress Eden Park

Thirteen of the victories were played at Eden Park, where the All Blacks haven’t lost since July 3, 1994 – a 34-match unbeaten streak.

Points don’t mean prizes

The most points conceded by the All Blacks during the streak is the 33 scored by Australia last season (New Zealand scored 41). The next best is Ireland who lost 66-28 in New Plymouth in 2010.

Not too shabby on the road

During the same period, the All Blacks have played 31 Tests away or on neutral soil and have lost just four.

Not so sweet home

In that time frame, South Africa have lost five times on home soil, England nine defeats and Australia 10.

Record to be proud of

Going further back, the All Blacks have lost just three Tests on home soil in 61 Tests played over the past decade. Those include the Ricky Januarie-inspired Springboks’ win at Carisbrook in 2008; the 27-22 victory by France on the same ground in 2009; and the Springboks’ 32-29 triumph in Hamilton later that year to seal the Tri-Nations in a match highlighted by one of the great exhibitions of goalkicking by the Steyns – Morné and Frans – and Dan Carter. Furthermore, since John Eales’ 2000 Bledisloe Cup heroics for the Wallabies in Wellington, the All Blacks have lost just five times at home in the last 14 years.

Black gold

Majority rules

Steve Hansen’s All Blacks now have a 21-test unbeaten run dating back to their last defeat against England at the end of the 2012 season – two Tests shy of equalling the record shared by the All Blacks (1987-1990) and Cyprus (2008-current).

Century up

Keven Mealamu played in his 100th Test win for the All Blacks.

400th Victory looms

The All Blacks are four wins short of 400. The past 100 victories took eight seasons to accomplish. They needed 66 years to reach their first 100 wins (1903-1968).

Hard to beat

Under Hansen the All Blacks have a 94.28% win-loss record with 32 wins in 35 matches, one defeat and two draws.

Riding crest of a wave

Conrad Smith has played in 30 of the 36 Tests, McCaw, 29, and Read, 28.

Unbeaten Barrett

Beauden Barrett has played in 23 Tests (20 from the bench) and has yet to taste defeat.