Sean Fitzpatrick says the All Blacks’ landmark 1996 series victory in South Africa remains the greatest achievement of his playing career.
The former New Zealand captain has ranked the historic 2-1 triumph above winning the 1987 World Cup, in which the Springboks did not participate.
The 1996 tour saw Fitzpatrick’s men become the first New Zealand team to win a Test series in South Africa after failed attempts in 1928, 1949, 1960, 1970 and 1976.
Speaking to the New Zealand Herald, Fitzpatrick explained why that achievement still stands above everything else he accomplished in rugby.
“In 1987, [All Blacks coach] Brian Lochore said, ‘It’s your chance to be the first team to win the Rugby World Cup ever’,” Fitzpatrick said.
“We played six games, won six games, and we were the world champions and then back to work on Monday. We didn’t really sort of understand [the history].”
WATCH: All Blacked Out – 1996 tour of SA
By contrast, he said, the significance of the 1996 tour was clear from the outset.
“We knew exactly what we were doing. We knew the history and then to create that history was really special.
“As much as I loved winning the World Cup, ’96 would rate right up there with anything I achieved.”
ALSO: Zinzan on how All Blacks can beat Boks
Fitzpatrick admitted he almost retired after the All Blacks’ heartbreaking defeat to the Springboks in the 1995 World Cup final before being persuaded to continue.
“[NZRU board member] Kevin Roberts said, ‘You have to come back here next year and be involved in the first All Black team to win a series in South Africa’, so that was the motivating factor.”
The post Fitzy: 1996 Bok series tops 1987 World Cup appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Sean Fitzpatrick says the All Blacks’ landmark 1996 series victory in South Africa remains the greatest achievement of his playing career.
The post Fitzy: 1996 Bok series tops 1987 World Cup appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
