Who has been the best import in Super Rugby?
Roar Pro
By True Tah, 11 Mar 2010 The Crowd is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- Rugby Union, Super Rugby, Todd Clever, Tri Nations
One of the main talking points about the Melbourne Rebels is where they will source their players from. Over the years a number of players from outside the Tri-Nations have had cracks in various Super rugby franchises, with varying degrees of success.
This poses the question: who are the best “imports” to have played Super rugby.
In order to answer this question, I defined an import as someone who meets two criteria. Firstly, that they are the “product” of a rugby system outside the Tri-Nations, and secondly, they have represented their respective nation at either full or underage levels.
From this definition, two significant groups of players are excluded as being imports. The first group of players are those NZ-based or born players who have represented Samoa, Fiji and Tonga, as generally these players are products of NZ rugby, contrary to what the likes of Stephen Jones believe. Thus guys like Joe Rokococo and Isaia Toeva are not imports.
The second group, albeit smaller, are players from Zimbabwe who are products of the Zimbabwe rugby system, but have not represented their home country, and this excludes the Beast, Brian Mujati and Tonderai Chavhanga.
Despite the exclusions, there is still a sizable list. Starting with Australian Super rugby teams, we have had players from Argentina (Patricio Noriega, Omar Hasan), Fiji (Radike Samo) and Ireland (Peter Clohessy). Of these, Noriega would have to have been the best import, given he ended up playing for the Wallabies and being an integral part of the Brumbies from the start.
Looking at the South African sides, the most notable imports are Freddie Michalak (France), Sireli Naquevuki (Fiji), Andy Goods (England) and Todd Clever (USA). On his form so far this year, Todd Clever would have to have been the best of this bunch. While Juan Martin Hernandez was contracted to play for the Sharks, he did not play any Super rugby.
It is NZ that has the most imports, and they have all largely come from Fiji. I’m talking about guys like Joeli Virdiri, Rupeni Caucau, Sireli Bobo, Vilimoni Delasau and Marika Vunibaka. Apart from these guys, Kevin Yates from England and Christian Califano from France propped for the Hurricanes and Blues respectively. Caucau, despite his perceived laziness, would be the best NZ Super rugby import, and in my opinion, the best of all the imports, due to his ability to glide through tackles, pick up balls off his bootlaces without breaking stride and ability to make you get out of your seat.
Little wonder that the New Zealand Rugby Union tried to get him in the All Black jersey.
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sharminator said | March 11th 2010 @ 6:53am | Report comment
Why do you exclude Zimbabweans that play in South Africa from your survey?
You dont exclude Fijian, Tongan or Samoan bred players.
So why exlude Zimbabwe developed players?
Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira played Zimbabwe under 19 before moving to South Africa.
So, he was a “product” of a rugby system outside the Tri-Nations, and secondly, represented his nation at underage level.
He would have to be one of the best imports in the history of Super 12 .. as he made the Springboks and after the Lions series last year many people rated him as one of the best props in the world.
True Tah said | March 13th 2010 @ 10:47am | Report comment
I wasnt aware that the Beast had played in the Zimbabwe U19s, I thought he came to Sharks Academy straight out of school.
sharminator said | March 13th 2010 @ 2:28pm | Report comment
Beast, Mujati, Chavhanga all developed in Zimbabwe, before moving to SA
Chris said | March 11th 2010 @ 7:02am | Report comment
Clyde Rathbone could have been bloody good if injury didn’t shut his career down.
True Tah said | March 13th 2010 @ 10:50am | Report comment
Chris, I havent included South Africans who played in Australia or NZ like Rathbone, Rawlinson, Andre Vos, Tiaan Strauss, Vickermann, as my definition of exports doesnt include them.
However whilst we are on it, when is Henrik Roodt going to get a game for the Tahs?
sharminator said | March 13th 2010 @ 1:57pm | Report comment
looks like roodt is a bit rooted really dosnt it … a bit of a dud really so far … hasnt even got a look in on the bench …
formeropenside said | March 11th 2010 @ 10:39am | Report comment
Andre Vos did OK for the Reds back in about 1996. And one of the Raulini brothers was a long-standing halfback for Qld.
True Tah said | March 13th 2010 @ 10:52am | Report comment
Raulini was a product of Australian rugby, even though he played for the Bula Boys.
Hoy said | March 11th 2010 @ 10:55am | Report comment
Sharminator, maybe because we don’t hear who is specifically a Zim born and bred player so much. I am sure it wasn’t a deliberate slight, jeez.
Tiaan Strauss? Played for two countries, and the Tahs.
Gotta love Cau Cau. I was thinking the Reds should have bought him if Braid was going to leave this year. Man he can still go, even if he looks a little larger. One of my all time favourite players. It is a shame he left the super 14 so early, and then blew himself up. Crying shame for rugby.
mattamkII said | March 11th 2010 @ 11:47am | Report comment
“He would have to be one of the best imports in the history of Super 12″
one of the funniest comments I have heard.
sharminator said | March 11th 2010 @ 1:44pm | Report comment
I dont know why you would think it was funny.
Considering that many people regarded the beast as the outstanding international prop last year, with his demolition of the lions scrum, man of the match performances in Super 14 and test rugby (which is unusual from prop), and his now cult status with allcomers calling out “Beast” whenever he touches the ball or tackles, his recruitment from Zimbabwe to South Africa does seem to be one of the better “imports” into super rugby over the years.
There is actually still controversey over Beast regarding the fact that he is a Zimbabwean citizen playing for South Africa. He has said that he considers himself South African, but before the Boks end of year tour last year, a member of the ANC tried to have Beast ejected from the team, because he is not South African …
Hoy said | March 11th 2010 @ 4:31pm | Report comment
Obviously you are a fan Sharminator, however I don’t see how Beast is any better than any other player who has been brought into Super rugby? Plus there was a few questions over his “demolition” of the Lion’s scrum wasn’t there? A view was he was binding illegally, and boring in as well.
Again, I don’t see how his recruitment is any better than any other really. What is funny about him, is he started as a backrower didn’t he? From memory, Richard Harry was a loosie as well, and he converted too. Can anyone confirm that? If not him, some Wallaby front rower did.
There are heaps of similiar stories to Beast. I can’t say he would have to be one of the best ever, just a good one. But aren’t they all? Except maybe Hernandez. He was a bit of a fail unfortunatley, but it wasn’t his fault I guess. I was looking forward to seeing him strut his stuff as well.
Rin said | March 11th 2010 @ 7:36pm | Report comment
Hoy and matakll what are you guys on that you rate Beast as nothing special, always has a big impact on the game and one of the most mobile props in the game today. Is better than any current Australian prop bar maybe Robinson, whose 2010 hasnt been spectacular so far.
sharminator said | March 13th 2010 @ 1:21pm | Report comment
my thoughts exactly
Wavell Wakefield said | March 11th 2010 @ 11:05pm | Report comment
Sharminator, Mtawarira isn’t even the best loosehead in Natal, and whilst a few Springbok fans may have got caught up in a herd of media hype I can’t recall any serious commentator who labelled Mtawarira a good prop. If anything he is one of the worst props in world rugby, and by a good stretch.
van der Merwe said | March 12th 2010 @ 9:36am | Report comment
Um… Actually, he is the best LH in Natal. Unless, for some inexplicable reason, you rate the spineless Deon Carstens?
Wavell Wakefield said | March 13th 2010 @ 2:19am | Report comment
I think Carstens is better at doing what props should do.
van der Merwe said | March 13th 2010 @ 10:17am | Report comment
Since his work ethic is so poor, his work in the tight-loose so weak, and his ‘ball carrying’ so ineffective, I can only assume you are referring to actual scrummaging ability. In which case, I’m afraid Deon falls very short. I certainly can’t recall Mr. Mtawarira ever being ordered to fake an injury.
Wavell Wakefield said | March 17th 2010 @ 3:38am | Report comment
Obviously you have a different opinion. I think Mtawarira is a poor scrummager and somebody who doesn’t have the instincts of a tight five player. I think Carstens is limited but generally solid. It’s not like he’s that much worse than any props that SA has produced over the past decade.
The only reason he was asked to fake an injury was to get Smit on, and not him off. There is a difference.
Dave said | March 11th 2010 @ 12:12pm | Report comment
Caucau, Lima, Voss, Rathbone, Bobo
katzilla said | March 11th 2010 @ 5:37pm | Report comment
‘Little wonder that the New Zealand Rugby Union tried to get him in the All Black jersey.’
Is that entirely acurate TT? Or are you going by hunch?
My recollection of the issue was that he made himself available and that the NZRU turned him down due to the fact he didn’t meet any of their criteria. Im sure they considered it, he was a fine player, but in the end did the right thing.
And yes i agree he was the best import.
JK said | March 11th 2010 @ 8:04pm | Report comment
My take is he wasn’t allowed as he has already played 7′s for Fiji
sharminator said | March 13th 2010 @ 1:53pm | Report comment
Im not so much sure if it was a push from the NZRU or from Caucau himself about playing for the All Blicks.
I remember a post match interview after a Blues game that Caucau had in about 2003 when he announced he wanted to play for the All Blicks. I dont think Caucau is the brightest of sparks, and a journalist pointed out that under IRB rules, as he had already played 7´s for Fiji, he wasnt eligble.
After this he then ´chose´ to play for Fiji in the 2003 world cup.
There was a push from NZ and Australia at the time to allow players who had played for the All Blicks or Wobbolies to then play for Island sides, if eligble, but I dont think they were arguing for the reverse.
By the way, Caucau was an amazing player, it´s a pity he was is indisciplined, with all the off field dramas he has had, but I think some of his comments on the fiji rugby website show a bit about the man.
“Hobbies: Watching movies
Best moment in rugby: Winning the Benson and Hedges cup from Naitasiri at Naluwai in 2000
Worst moment in rugby: Ripping my shorts at a club game in Nausori in 2000
Best thing about rugby: Travelling places and the money factor.
Worst thing about rugby: Getting punched in the face from indisciplined players ”
Nice ….
Rin said | March 11th 2010 @ 7:38pm | Report comment
My vote so far for 2010 is Todd Clever. Playing great this year.
Ben J said | March 12th 2010 @ 6:27pm | Report comment
Yes, Clever just does not have a bad game, very committed, hard player.
ricardo said | March 12th 2010 @ 4:26am | Report comment
Afato Sooalo..scored winning tries for 2 of crusaders super 12 victories..Marika Vunibaka – very deceptive pace..Too Vaega – was a workhorse for Highlanders..
brad said | March 12th 2010 @ 6:25pm | Report comment
no question. Patricio Noreiaga(ACT) followed closely by Federico Mendez(natal/sharks). most of the fijians et al are not imports but rather were exported to the islands as they could not make all blacks.