A Test rugby relationship that began on slow burn will scale new heights when All Blacks midfield pair Conrad Smith and Ma’a Nonu face the Springboks in Johannesburg.
The All Blacks’ most enduring partnership enters the history books on Sunday (AEST) when they start a Test together for a world record 51st time.
That will surpass the 50 starts shared by Ireland pair Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy, a notable milestone in a relationship which has an uncertain future.
The two 31-year-olds first combined for Wellington in 2003 and a year later were also Hurricanes Super Rugby teammates.
Muscular inside centre Nonu made his Test debut that year and was a fringe option at the World Cup behind captain Tana Umaga.
Smith’s Test breakthrough came in late 2004 outside Umaga, his decision-making and execution hitting a standard that hasn’t waned over a decade.
Yet the pair didn’t team up at Test level until 2008, on a freezing night at their Wellington home ground against Ireland.
Twenty-one different midfield combinations were used from 2003 to 2007 before coach Graham Henry turned to a combination which was proven in the domestic game and has gone on to start in 50 of New Zealand’s 77 Tests since.
They have surpassed the other All Blacks records for positional partnerships.
Locks Ian Jones and Robin Brooke started 45 Tests together from 1992-97 while Andrew Mehrtens and Justin Marshall reached 41 as a halves pairing from 1996-2004.
The overall world partnership record of 79 Tests, shared by Wallabies halves Stephen Larkham and George Gregan, is still some way off for Smith and Nonu despite another excellent season for the pair.
Smith has been granted a four-month break, beginning next week, to help extend his career.
Uncertainty surrounds Nonu, who looks set to play club rugby in Europe early next year unless one of New Zealand’s five Super Rugby franchises has a change of heart and signs the player who has a reputation for being difficult to manage.
Whether Nonu is then eligible to play for the All Blacks remains to be seen.
The possible return to New Zealand rugby of code-hopper Sonny Bill Williams could also block Nonu’s Test selection, even if he is deemed eligible.