The loss against France in 1999 was considered the biggest upset in RWC history at that point. Photo: Photosport
It's been a emotional rollercoaster for All Blacks fans across nine Rugby World Cups. No event draws such ecstasy nor despair for New Zealanders.
The pain of several failed campaigns is imprinted in the psyche of Kiwis.
Jonty Dine looks back at the biggest heartbreaks in All Blacks World Cup history
1- Foiled by French flair 1999
Taine Randell thanks fans at the end of the All Black's 1999 World Cup campaign. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
This one still hurts. The '99 All Blacks were overwhelming favourites in their semi-final against France having previously dispatched England, Scotland, Italy and Tonga while looking unstoppable in the process. Jonah Lomu was at the peak of his powers and the All Blacks boasted a backline including the late, great winger, Christian Cullen, Jeff Wilson and Tana Umaga. A brace of spectacular tries by Lomu had his side up 24-10 before the unthinkable happened. Jaws stayed dropped as the French went on an absolute tear, scoring three unbelievable tries as they triumphed 43-31, the biggest upset in the tournament's history at the time.
2 - The drop goal that lifted a nation 1995
South African captain Francois Pienaar lifts the William Webb Ellis Trophy after defeating the All Blacks in the 1995 final. Photo: Photosport
Lomu initially announced himself on the world stage at the '95 World Cup in South Africa. The incomparable winger bulldozed his way to the final most notably through English fullback Mike Catt. It seemed the only thing that would stop the All Black juggernaught from winning the title would be an unforeseen disaster such as food poisoning sweeping through the side. Putting the origins of the sickness aside, it was an All Blacks team that was running on empty against the Boks at Ellis Park. A brave performance by New Zealand had the scores locked at 12-all in extra time, before Joel Stranksy shattered All Black hearts with his 92nd minute drop goal. Easing the pain slightly for the New Zealand public was seeing how the win united a previously deeply divided South African nation. Nelson Mandela holding the trophy aloft with Francios Pienaar was no doubt a cathartic moment for the thousands of Kiwis who fought for the freedom of black Africans during the 1981 Sprinbok tour protests.
3 - Barnes' blunder 2007
All Black coach Graham Henry and a dejected All Blacks captain Richie McCaw attends the post match press conference following their Quarter Final loss to France in Cardiff. Photo: photosport
English referee Wayne Barnes became public enemy number one in Aotearoa in 2007. The All Blacks met their old foes France in the quarter final in Cardiff and were again heavily favoured to progress. Rodney So'oialo's try had the All Blacks looking seemingly in control at 18-13. However, with ten minutes on the clock, fullback Damien Traille threw the infamous offload to Frederic Michalak who broke out and set up Yannick Jauzion for the match winner. All Blacks could be seen protesting the pass as soon as it was thrown, with replays showing it had clearly gone forward. The try ultimately saw the All Blacks suffer their earliest exit in World Cup history. The vitriol directed at Barnes was excessive but there was no doubt the missed forward pass cost the All Blacks the game. Though the team's inability to set up a drop goal was a close second.
4 - Four more years boys 2003
Stirling Mortlock charges away from All Black defence during the 2003 World Cup semi final in Sydney. Photo: Photosport
The All Blacks found themselves taking on tournament hosts Australia in the 2003 semi final. Earlier in the year, the All Blacks won back the Bledisloe Cup and scored fifty points against the Aussies at home. The Kiwis were again in imperious form in pool play racking up a points differential of 282 before putting on a clinic against the Boks in the quarter. However, just nine minutes in, Carlos Spencer threw a wide skip pass inside the Wallabies 22 which Stirling Mortlock snatched out of the air and streaked 80 metres to score under the posts as Joe Rokocoko chased in vain. The All Blacks could not pull back the margin and went down 22-10. Rubbing salt into the wound was the infamous image of a defiant George Gregan taunting fellow halfback Byron Kelleher with his immortal sledge as time ticked away.
5 - Campese's masterclass 1991
David Campese ran riot against the All Blacks in the 1991 Rugby World Cup Semi-final at Lansdowne Road. Photo: Photosport
The man himself said he believed the All Blacks were beaten before kick off in their 1991 semi-final in Dublin. Campese set the '91 World Cup alight, scoring six tries and being named Player of the Tournament. The All Blacks had no answer for Campese's magic when he skinned half a dozen All Blacks to cross for the opening try in the semi. His pièce de résistance came in the second half after regathering a Michael Lynagh kick, dancing his way around John Timu and throwing an an outrageous no-look behind-the-head pass to Tim Horan to score the match winner and send Australia into the final. It was New Zealand's first ever World Cup loss in ten games while Australia went on to win their first title.
6 - Carter resigned to spectator 2011
A dejected looking injured All Black Dan Carter watches from the stands. Photo: Photosport
The country collectively cringed when images of All Blacks star Dan Carter lying on the grass in agony began to surface all over the media. Taking one final place kick at training before calling it a day, Carter's World Cup was over in a split second as his groin tore from the tendon. The mecurial fly-half produced one of his greatest performances against France in pool play and was set to captain the side against Canada. Carter kicked off a curse which struck replacement first fives Aaron Cruden and Colin Slade, paving the way for Stephen Donald's fairytale in the final against France.
7 - Mauled by the English 2019
Kieran Read and team mates walk from the field after defeat to England in the 2019 World Cup semi final in Yokohama, Photo: Photosport
The All Blacks build up to the play off stage of the 2019 tournament was not ideal as their final pool game against Italy was cancelled due to a typhoon raging across Japan. However, after putting on a clinic in their 46-14 destruction of Ireland in the quarter final, hopes were high heading into the semi against England in Yokohama. Another early exit soon appeared inevitable though when Manu Tuilagi scored after just two minutes and the All Blacks were outmuscled across the park. An Ardie Savea try was the sole highlight for the All Blacks who were never in the contest with most fans had conceding the 19-7 defeat well before the final whistle.
8 - Legends retire en masse 2015
All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw and Dan Carter hold the 2015 trophy aloft. Photo: Photosport
We will end things on a slightly more positive note. The All Blacks 2015 triumph in England over a game Wallabies side was bittersweet for fans. The dominant 34-17 win was followed by the retirement of several legends. Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Tony Woodcock and Keven Mealamu all bowed out on top of the rugby world, leaving a gaping hole in experience, but immense legacies behind them.
