![]() ![]() ![]() Dave Loveridge achieved legend status for his heroics during the 1983 Lions tour, while Chris Laidlaw deserves an honourable mention but did not have the flair or unpredictability of Sid Going, a one-time missionary in Canada and a true livewire for the All Blacks. Other than Richie McCaw, David Kirk is the only other New Zealander to lift the World Cup but he retired aged 26. Mehrtens was some player, if perhaps not built for the beasts that the professional era produced, while also-rans include Grant Fox, the mentromic goal-kicker in 1987 but the fly-half with only one try to his name from 46 Tests, and even Carlos Spencer, Fox’s polar opposite who was either mesmeric or miserable, never anything in between.Īll-time All Blacks No10 Dan Carter Scrum-halfĪaron Smith is the leading No9 in the world at present and victory while Justin Marshall remains a popular All Black with 81 caps between 19, having taken on the mantle from another candidate in Graeme Bachop. Emerging from the shadows of Andrew Mehrtens for both the Crusaders and the All Blacks in 2003, Carter has pretty much broken every record going. Has there ever been a more complete fly-half performance than that of Dan Carter in the second 2005 Lions Test? Whether there has ever been a more complete fly-half may take more debating but if there has been they did not wear black. But the closest challenge to Nonu and Smith comes from Bruce Robertson, a swashbuckling centre in the 70s.Īll time All Blacks Nos 12 and 13 Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith Fly-half Joe Stanley, centre during the 1987 World Cup earns a cursory nod, as does the partnership of Bill Davis and Ian MacRae, the NZRU president, during the 60s. His long-standing partner, Walter Little, may feel aggrieved too. Tana Umaga’s versatility does not work in his favour while some will want to see Frank Bunce make the cut. As a partnership they dovetail perfectly, Nonu’s progression from crash-baller to rounded second five-eighth owing no small debt to having Smith outside him for club and country. In their 61 starts for the All Blacks they have lost just five times. Perhaps we will not truly be able to gauge the importance of Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith until the All Blacks begin life without them after Saturday’s final. And then there is John Kirwan, a flyer with express pace and scorer of an iconic length-of-the-field try against Italy in 1987.Īll time All Blacks Nos 11 and 15 Jonah Lomu and John Kirwan Centres Before that there was Ron Jarden, whose star shone brightest in the 50s before retirement aged just 26 Malcolm Dick, a powerful wing in 60s, and Bryan Williams, rampant in 1970 against South Africa after almost refusing to get off the plane. Doug Howlett and Joe Rokocoko ran tries in for fun and before them Jeff Wilson was a wonderfully talented rugby player (not to mention cricketer) but of those to feature in the professional era, Lomu stands head and shoulders above. Julian Savea’s try-scoring record – 38 in 40 Tests – is quite remarkable and Nehe Milner-Skudder has started his international career at a similar lick but Jonah Lomu’s impact on rugby union is unparalleled the rest are playing for second place. In terms of longevity, it’s hard to look past Mils Muliaina, bearing in mind his 100 caps, but few can argue that Christian Cullen - with 46 tries in 58 Tests - remains the benchmark to which Smith still aspires.Īll-time All Blacks No15 Christian Cullen Wings Those seduced by the 1987 World Cup success will fondly remember John Gallagher while Bob Scott, during the late 40s and early 50s, was the premier full-back of his time and then there’s his successor Don ‘The Boot’ Clarke. May well be the best ever full-back in time but the All Blacks do not want for great No15s. Probably the most talented member of the current side but the majority of his caps have come on the wing. ![]()
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