The achievements of the All Blacks' only unbeaten coach Fred Allen were recognised by the New Zealand government with a knighthood on Monday.

Allen, 90, who was known as "The Needle" for the strict discipline he insisted on, coached the All Blacks to 14 wins from 1966 to 1968.

"I was wounded twice in (World War II) but I came home, so I've always considered myself a lucky man," he said from his home north of Auckland.

"It's a pretty emotional time for me at the moment but I look forward to sitting back and enjoying this fortunate position in the weeks to come."

Allen captained the All Blacks for six Tests and 15 other matches from 1946 to 1949 before moving into coaching.

"I used to work them (players) pretty hard but that was my way of doing things, and it worked out all right, didn't it?" Allen said.

"I'm the only coach in the history of All Blacks rugby that was never defeated."

New Zealand Rugby Union acting chairman Mike Eagle congratulated Allen on being knighted for services to rugby.

"We are delighted for Fred. This is a wonderful and appropriate recognition of Fred's enormous contribution to New Zealand and All Blacks rugby and we celebrate this wonderful news with him," Eagle said.

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