WELLINGTON, New Zealand — When David Kirk held aloft the Webb Ellis Cup after his team won the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987, he could not have imagined that nearly a quarter-century later he would still be the only New Zealand captain to have done so.

The All Blacks, as the New Zealand team is known, have dominated international rugby in the years since, except when it matters most. In the other World Cups — in 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003 and 2007 — New Zealand came up short despite usually entering as a favorite. They are a favorite again this year as the 20-team tournament returns to New Zealand, with play beginning Friday and concluding on Oct. 23.

Four years ago, New Zealand had its worst World Cup, being knocked out in the quarterfinals by France. A lack of leadership on the field in crucial games contributed to the semifinal failures in 2003 against Australia and in 1999 against France.

“I honestly thought at that time that New Zealand would win every second one, maybe — possibly even more regularly,” Kirk said. “They are pretty much the No. 1 team in the world every year, so there was no reason to suspect they wouldn’t win the World Cup.”