Chris Rattue: Aussie streak hits hardest for Kiwis

Let's start with an oldie but a goodie: not one of the current Kiwi league players was alive the last time our national side won a series against Australia.

Not even Ruben Wiki. Not even close.

This tale of woe goes deeper - most of their parents probably weren't alive either.

The last series victory against Australia was in 1953. And the Australians have been invincible against all-comers since the early 1970s, barring one major hiccup.

The great Australian nation has endured many appalling tragedies since then - losing the 2003 rugby World Cup final at home to England, the Whitlam political crisis, cricket humiliations, police corruption, gangland killings and the music of 1970s pop band Sherbert.

It even had to hang on for dear life while Wally Lewis read the sports news on telly.

Yet through the dark times, their league side has been a port in the storm.

It is not only the Kiwis who have suffered against Australian league excellence. This has been the league way since 1978, the last time the Australians lost a series or tournament.

Somewhat surprisingly, the last loss was against France, by 2-0.

Australian writers are prone to describe this as a controversial loss, without further explanation.

In this, we can outscore Australia, with loads of controversial series losses against them since 1953.

Great Britain have often been close to triumph against the Kangaroos, only to be pipped at the post.

Australia's favourite ploy is to get the Brits all excited, and then score a length-of-the-field try to win the final test with the hooter sounding.

This is a trick that will hold special significance for the current Kiwi assistant coach and Northcote legend Graeme "Natty" Norton.

He headed to Carlaw Park all chipper on a June Sunday in 1985, pledging to name his child-to-be after the test matchwinner.

With the Kiwis full of greats - and having only just lost in Brisbane - Norton undoubtedly had a name like Kurt, Clayton or Olsen on his mind.

The Kiwis, roared on by a huge crowd, were seconds away from a famous series-levelling victory when Aussie wing John Ribot snatched the game-clinching try.

Norton held true, almost, naming his son Ribeau.

That may have been New Zealand's best chance of a series win over the Ockers in many years. They crushed Australia 18-0 in the final test at Carlaw Park, which doesn't rate as too little, but makes the grade as too late.

This year's Tri-Nations kicks off with the Kangaroos and Kiwis clashing in Sydney on Saturday.

My tip is that new Kiwis coach Brian McClennan will look to institute a plan built around explosive and ball-releasing bursts from his big pack and do everything to avoid an endurance battle.

Players such as David Solomona and Paul Rauhihi are made for smashathons, not long-running marathons.

So could this be the year when Australian colours are lowered for the first time in yonks; that the Kiwis can somehow physically dent their confidence?

Now where have you heard that before, and how many times will it be asked again?

Here's a potpourri of other amazing (good and bad) sporting streaks:

Joe DiMaggio

The American baseball legend had hits in 56 straight games in 1941. Wags have suggested that this record pales against his feat of being married to sex symbol Marilyn Monroe for 274 consecutive days.

Sean Fitzpatrick

His All Black record includes 63 straight tests, a sequence broken only when he was rested against Japan in 1995. Meanies. Surely Fitzy could have been rested by actually playing Japan. Anyway, a more remarkable fact: the Auckland legend caused unbroken and extreme anger round the rest of the country in 150-plus provincial matches.

Allan Border

Played in 153 consecutive test matches. It's tiring just thinking about that. It's also an awful lot of unbroken sledging.

Ian Rush

During the Welshman's first illustrious spell with Liverpool, the soccer giants never lost when he scored - until the final defeat. Lacked this endurance at Juventus, but this year strongly denied blaming homesickness or uttering the remark that Italy was "like living in a foreign country" - a comment that has stuck as firmly as memories of his relentless goal-scoring.

Cal Ripken

The Employers' Federation love this Baltimore baseball bloke. Great attitude - 2632 straight games over 17 seasons. Even played with a broken nose and herniated disc. Don't try this at home.

Otago

Haven't held the Ranfurly Shield since 1957. Little ol' Marlborough have won it since then. And North Auckland. And Manawatu. And Taranaki. And Bay of Plenty. Dunedin holds street parades now for the Salvation Army's Red Shield appeal.

Brett Favre

Oft-mentioned American mark. Started 225 consecutive matches for the Green Bay Packers at quarterback, an occupation akin to jumping in front of buses. Even more remarkable: anyone else with his money would have packed for a warmer place - like the Antarctic.

England

Their cricket team haven't beaten Australia at Lord's - the home of cricket - since the 1930s. Lord's has the Long Room and they are having a long wait between drinks, apart from the odd gin and tonic. But who cares when you've just won the Ashes.

Ed Moses

American who won 122 consecutive 400m hurdle races, finally losing in 1987. Weird fact: he set nine records and his winning run lasted nine years, nine months, nine days.

Phil Neal

Liverpool soccer ironman - 417 straight league and cup games to 1983. Infamous long-service leave: wanted to be Reds manager, ended up at Bolton. Wouldn't get one game for Liverpool now with names like Phil and Neal.