The All Blacks have one of the strongest Rugby World Cup records of any nation, yet it is often misremembered. New Zealand’s men’s rugby union team has won the tournament three times, lost two finals and finished in the top four at almost every edition since the competition began in 1987. This page sets out the full All Blacks Rugby World Cup record — the titles, the finals, a year-by-year results table and the stand-out matches. It is factual information, not a prediction or a betting tip.
Key Points
- Titles: 3 — 1987, 2011 and 2015.
- Lost finals: 2 — 1995 (15–12 to South Africa, extra time) and 2023 (12–11 to South Africa).
- Overall record: 64 matches, 54 wins, 1 draw, 9 losses, 2,888 points for and 842 against across 1987–2023.
- Best run: reached at least the semi-finals at every tournament except 2007 (quarter-final loss to France).
- Next up: Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia, chasing a fourth title.
How many Rugby World Cups have the All Blacks won?
The All Blacks have won the Rugby World Cup three times: in 1987, 2011 and 2015. That is second only to South Africa, who moved clear with a record fourth title in 2023; New Zealand’s three titles are the second-most in the men’s game, ahead of Australia’s two and England’s one.
New Zealand also reached the final twice without winning it — in 1995 and in 2023 — so the team has appeared in five of the ten finals played so far. At every tournament except 2007 they have reached at least the semi-finals, which is a large part of why the record reads so consistently.
The three World Cup titles
1987 — champions on home soil
New Zealand co-hosted the inaugural tournament with Australia and won all six of their matches, beating France 29–9 in the final at Eden Park, Auckland on 20 June 1987. Fly-half Grant Fox kicked the bulk of the points, and David Kirk lifted the first William Webb Ellis Cup. The All Blacks scored 298 points and conceded just 52 across the tournament — still their most dominant World Cup campaign.
2011 — ending the long wait
After 24 years of near-misses, New Zealand won again as sole hosts in 2011. The final against France, also at Eden Park, was far tighter than 1987: the All Blacks held on for an 8–7 win, with a Tony Woodcock try and a single penalty from fourth-choice fly-half Stephen Donald. They won all seven matches on the way to the title.
2015 — the first successful defence
In 2015 the All Blacks became the first team to successfully defend the Rugby World Cup, beating Australia 34–17 in the final at Twickenham, London. It was their first title won away from New Zealand and completed a seven-from-seven run. The 2015 final was the last time the trans-Tasman rivalry of All Blacks vs Australia was settled on the World Cup’s biggest stage.
The two finals they lost
1995 — extra time in Johannesburg
New Zealand reached the 1995 final in South Africa, where a young Jonah Lomu had torn through England with four tries in the semi-final (a 45–29 win). The final at Ellis Park went to extra time at 12–12 before Joel Stransky’s drop goal gave the host nation a 15–12 victory, the moment Nelson Mandela handed the trophy to Francois Pienaar. Several All Blacks were unwell before the match, and the alleged cause — a story that became known as the “Suzie” food-poisoning saga — is still debated in New Zealand today.
2023 — a one-point final in Paris
The most recent final came in 2023, when New Zealand lost 12–11 to South Africa at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. The All Blacks played most of the match with 14 men after captain Sam Cane became the first player sent off in a men’s World Cup final. Beauden Barrett scored the only try and Richie Mo’unga kicked two penalties, but Handre Pollard’s four penalties were enough to hand the Springboks a record fourth title. It was an agonising near-miss after New Zealand had also lost their opening pool match to France.
All Blacks Rugby World Cup record year by year
The table below shows New Zealand’s result at every tournament from 1987 to 2023, with matches played (P), won (W), drawn (D) and lost (L), plus points for (PF) and against (PA). The single draw is the 2019 pool match against Italy, which was cancelled because of Typhoon Hagibis and recorded as 0–0.
| Year | Result | P | W | D | L | PF | PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Champions | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 298 | 52 |
| 1991 | Third place | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 143 | 74 |
| 1995 | Runners-up | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 327 | 119 |
| 1999 | Fourth place | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 255 | 111 |
| 2003 | Third place | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 361 | 101 |
| 2007 | Quarter-finals | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 327 | 55 |
| 2011 | Champions | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 301 | 72 |
| 2015 | Champions | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 290 | 97 |
| 2019 | Third place | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 250 | 72 |
| 2023 | Runners-up | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 336 | 89 |
| Total | 10 editions | 64 | 54 | 1 | 9 | 2,888 | 842 |
Across all ten tournaments that gives 64 matches played, 54 won, one drawn and nine lost — a winning percentage of about 84%. The 2007 campaign, when France won 20–18 in the Cardiff quarter-final, remains the only time New Zealand have failed to reach the semi-finals and is widely regarded as their worst World Cup result.
Who the All Blacks have lost to at the World Cup
Three nations have beaten New Zealand more than once at a World Cup: South Africa, France and Australia. South Africa have won three of their six World Cup meetings (the 1995 and 2023 finals and the 1999 third-place play-off), France three of their eight (the 1999 semi-final, the 2007 quarter-final and the 2023 pool opener), and Australia twice (the 1991 and 2003 semi-finals). The ninth and most recent defeat came against England — the long-running clash is covered in our All Blacks vs England guide — who won 19–7 in the 2019 semi-final to end a World Cup winning run that stretched back to the 2007 quarter-final loss.
Record-setting World Cup matches
Some of the tournament’s biggest numbers belong to the All Blacks:
- Biggest win: New Zealand 145–17 Japan at the 1995 tournament in Bloemfontein — one of the highest scores in World Cup history.
- Most tries in a single match: centre Marc Ellis scored six tries in that Japan game, a men’s World Cup record that still stands, recognised by Guinness World Records.
- Semi-final statement: Jonah Lomu’s four tries against England in 1995, including the run over Mike Catt, became one of the sport’s most famous performances.
- Clean sweeps: the All Blacks won every match they played in 1987, 2011 and 2015.
Looking ahead to Rugby World Cup 2027
The next men’s Rugby World Cup is in Australia, running from 1 October to 13 November 2027, with the final in Sydney and a new 24-team format. New Zealand will be aiming to add a fourth title and draw level with South Africa again.
Because the tournament runs over several weeks, the “World Cup winner” market is an example of outright and futures betting, where you back a result decided at the end rather than a single match. Historic record alone does not decide a tournament, and prices move constantly with form and injuries, so any figure quoted today should be checked against a licensed operator at the time. For background on how these and other rugby markets are framed for New Zealand readers, see our general rugby betting guide.
Responsible gambling
This article is factual sports information about the All Blacks’ Rugby World Cup history. It is not betting advice and does not encourage you to gamble. Betting carries a risk of financial harm, and past results are no guide to future outcomes. If gambling is affecting you or someone you know in New Zealand, free and confidential support is available 24/7 from the Gambling Helpline Aotearoa on 0800 654 655. Any betting should be done only with operators that hold the appropriate licence, and you must be 18 or over.
Sources
- All Blacks — The history of the All Blacks at the Rugby World Cup
- Wikipedia — New Zealand at the Rugby World Cup (year-by-year record and head-to-head tables)
- World Rugby — Rugby World Cup tournament history
- Guinness World Records — Most tries in a Rugby Union World Cup match (individual)
- Guinness World Records — First red card in a Rugby World Cup final
- 1News — All Blacks v Italy match called off due to Typhoon Hagibis
- The Irish Times — New Zealand blame 1995 food poisoning on waitress ‘Suzie’
- Wikipedia — Jonah Lomu (1995 World Cup semi-final)
- All Blacks — Valiant All Blacks fall short in Rugby World Cup final (2023)
- Rugby World Cup 2027 — official tournament site (dates, 24-team format, host cities)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Rugby World Cups have the All Blacks won?
Three. New Zealand’s men’s team won the Rugby World Cup in 1987, 2011 and 2015. They also reached, but lost, the 1995 and 2023 finals.
Who has won the most Rugby World Cup titles?
South Africa, with four titles (1995, 2007, 2019 and 2023). New Zealand’s three are the second-most, behind only South Africa.
Did the All Blacks win the 2015 Rugby World Cup?
Yes. New Zealand beat Australia 34–17 in the 2015 final at Twickenham in London, becoming the first team to successfully defend the trophy after also winning in 2011.
When did the All Blacks last reach a World Cup final?
In 2023, when they lost 12–11 to South Africa in Paris after captain Sam Cane was red-carded, the first sending-off in a men’s World Cup final.
When and where is the next Rugby World Cup?
The next men’s Rugby World Cup is in Australia from 1 October to 13 November 2027, with the final to be held in Sydney.
