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The New Zealand Rugby Football Union is the governing body of rugby union in New Zealand. It was founded in 1892 and is affiliated to the International Rugby Board the sport's governing body.
The All Blacks is the national rugby union representative team of New Zealand. (In Wales, the name can refer to Neath Rugby Club.)
The first usage apparently dates from the first tour of Britain by a New Zealand national rugby team, given the title The Originals, in 1905/1906. (According to Greg Ryan there was also a tour of Britain in 1888/1889 by The New Zealand Native Football Representatives).
According to Billy Wallace , one of the members of the Originals, the name originated in a London newspaper's description of the New Zealand representatives playing as if they were all backs. Other sources suggest that it is more likely that the name originated in the black uniform worn by the players, with earlier reference to "the Blacks" as a common type of nickname at the time (New Zealand Rugby Museum on this topic).
Later (in 1925 when the Invincibles toured the Home Countries) the entirely black playing uniform was emblazoned with the Silver fern symbol.
The All Blacks perform a Maori war dance, the haka, before each international match.
For much of the 20th century, rugby union appeared to be New Zealand's national religion, with selection to the All Blacks perhaps more highly regarded than a knighthood. The All Blacks have always been recognised as a formidable power in world rugby. They have experienced many highs, such as winning the World Cup, but also a unique low when they lost two test matches on the same day, September 3, 19491949 is the common year starting on Saturday. see link for calendar) Events January-February January 4 RMS Caronia of the Cunard Line departs Southampton for New York on her maiden voyage January 4 February 22 Series of winter storms in Nebraska, Wyoming,. On that day they lost 6-11 to the WallabiesThe Wallabies are the Australian rugby union national team. They won the Rugby World Cup in 1991 and 1999, and lost in the final match in extra time to England in 2003. The Australian Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in Australia. It was f in Wellington, and 3-9 to the SpringboksThe Springboks or Bokke are the South African national rugby team. Until the 1990s, they had a positive win record against every nation they played, with New Zealand's All Blacks being their greatest rivals. Due to the governments policy of apartheid, and in South AfricaSouth Africa is a republic at the southern tip of Africa. It is bordered to the north by Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, to the north-east by Mozambique and Swaziland. Lesotho is contained entirely inside the borders of South Africa. South Africa is one o.