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New Zealand

Area: 268,021 km2

Capital: Wellington

Population: 4.4 million

World Cups played (13): 1954, 1957, 1960, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1975, 1977, 1985-88, 1989-92, 1995, 2000, 2008.

Profile

The sport of Rugby League sprung to life in New Zealand through the years of 1906 and 1907.

After breaking away from the control of New Zealand Rugby Union, one of the most famous names in Rugby League history, the great Albert Baskerville, organised the very first Rugby League tour in history, where his New Zealand side travelled to Great Britain to play against the Northern Union in 1907.

That New Zealand side, which also included Australian legend Dally Messenger, played their first ever International Test match against Wales while on tour. Wales proved victorious in a nail biting 9-8 victory against the Kiwi side of the time, who have gone down in history as the ‘All Golds’.

After their defeat to Wales, New Zealand went on to play a three-test series against a Northern Union representative side and won the series 2-1, with Messenger scoring vital points in their two victorious tests. The ‘All Golds’ also played a Test series in Australia on their return home, again winning 2-1 despite the fact that Messenger elected to play for the Australian side in all three games.

The ‘All Golds’ tour is regarded by many as being one of the key factors in helping aid the growth and popularity of Rugby League during those fledgling years both in Britain and Australia and played a large role in the sport being as strong as it is today.

Despite their early success in the game and their playing pedigree, New Zealand’s history within the World Cup has flattered to deceive, with the Kiwi’s only managing to win the World Cup once, in the most recent tournament in 2008, which is disappointing for them as they have appeared in all 13 World Cups and three finals.

As they go into the 2013 World Cup as defending champions with top-class players such as Benji Marshall and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves at their disposal, the Kiwis will be determined to retain the title it has taken them so long to earn.