The New Zealand All Blacks have a long and illustrious history, their pre-match Haka war dance invariably doing the job it is designed for, namely to strike fear and trepidation in opponents.

Not always, though. Anyone who saw France, and Sebastien Chabal most notably, face up to the Haka prior to the teams' clash in the quarter-final of the 2007 Rugby World Cup is unlikely to forget it. France then went on to pull off one of the biggest shocks in the tournament by knocking the favourites out.

New Zealand do not lose very often, though, which makes it all the more remarkable that they have not won the World Cup since the inaugural tournament back in 1987.

In the annual Tri-Nations tournament, which also involves South Africa and Australia, they tend to reign supreme, having claimed the title on nine occasions up to 2009.

They also hold the record for the biggest-ever win at a Rugby World Cup, thumping Japan 145-17 at the 1995 tournament.

The British and Irish Lions secured their only Test series victory over the All Blacks way back in 1971, but the tourists found themselves on the receiving end in 2005 when Sir Clive Woodward's men were comprehensively dismantled by a New Zealand team generally considered to be the best of all time.

It is also worth noting that New Zealand's worst-ever defeat in the professional era was a 28-7 reverse to Australia in 1999.

Teams occasionally beat the All Blacks, but they always have to do it the hard way - that is the way it has been since they played their first Test match way back in 1903.