“Tribute: Ranking the Greatest All Blacks of All Time” was the title of a book published in 2001, which undertook the arduous task of ranking the greatest ever All Blacks in order from 1 to 100.
The judging panel included the author Paul Verdon, Bob Luxford (curator of the New Zealand Rugby Museum), Bob Stuart (1953/54 All Black captain and New Zealand Rugby Union/IRB councillor) and New Zealand’s finest rugby writers/historians, Sir Terry McLean, Bob Howitt and Lindsay Knight.
Possibly only Ron Palenski is missing from a judging panel which would have to be the most knowledgeable and authoritative possible to assemble at the time and, as such, should be recognised as the definitive order of All Black greatness.
It also appears that a player’s contribution at provincial and Ranfurly Shield level was also a major contributing factor to their rankings.
More than a decade has passed since the rankings were published and with plenty of fine players having ‘kicked off’ and ‘blown no-side’ on their careers, I thought it would be time for an update.
The following rankings certainly take into account the 2001 list but will not be beholden to it. So without much further ado, the 100 greatest All Blacks of all time are…
100. George Smith (1897-1905 – 39 matches)
A brilliant three-quarter who scored 34 tries in 39 matches for New Zealand. His considerable ability in rugby was not his only claim to sporting fame – he was an outstanding track athlete, a superb sprinter and hurdler who, between 1898 and 1904, won 14 national titles, the 1902 British AAA quarter mile hurdles, and had an unofficial world record for that event at 58.5 seconds.
Smith was also one of rugby league’s pioneers in New Zealand and was vice-captain of the 1907-08 All Golds side on its tour of Britain. And if some historians can be believed, he was also the winning jockey when a horse called Impulse won the 1894 New Zealand Cup.
99. Ross Brown (1955-1962 – 25 matches)
One of the finest backs produced by Taranaki, his career came in two distinct stages.
In the first, between 1955 and 1962, playing either first five-eighth or in the midfield at either centre or second five, he was a regular All Black selection. Yet then he was frequently criticised for being too much of a runner and not possessing a good enough kicking game.
Then from 1963 until he retired he was criticised, but this time for what was seen as excessive use of the boot. This undoubtedly stemmed from the leading role he had as the captain and first five in the Taranaki side which held the Ranfurly Shield between 1963-65.
Brown was a potent weapon for Taranaki with his suddenly found talent for dropped goals. He landed 10 alone in the 1964 season, including three in a shield defence against North Auckland.
98. Ma’a Nonu (2003-2012 – 73 matches)
Explosive, some would say flamboyant, Ma’a Nonu has built a reputation as one of the toughest marks in world rugby, able to break the line, off-load the ball and set up or score scintillating tries.
Though he played mostly in the No 13 jersey earlier in his career, Nonu is equally comfortable at second five-eighth, where his distribution, defensive and kicking skills have continued to improve.
A powerful runner, he has carved himself a niche as a huge impact player for the All Blacks.
97. Ian Clarke (1953-1964 – 83 matches)
In 1951, the New Zealand Rugby Almanac, which chose him as one of its five promising players of the year, commented, “He quickly developed into a top-class forward and no one lasted a game better than he.
“Strong, rugged, an expert in lineout scrummaging, he gave his lock the best protection I have ever seen in lineout play.”
Described in the British Press as, “tireless and determined… he was often outweighed, but never outscrummed. He showed speed and flair with his low tackling a stand-out feature of his play. A splendid tourist.”
96. Jack Steel (1920-1925 – 38 matches)
The outstanding wing in New Zealand rugby in the early to mid 1920s and one of the greatest players to be produced by the tiny West Coast union, Steel was one of the All Blacks’ star performers in the drawn 1921 series against South Africa. His try in the first Test was one of the most spectacular, not only in that series but in any New Zealand match.
Steel scored 21 tries in 18 matches on the Invincibles tour. Described as, “thick set, curly haired and long striding whose knees rose and fell with the regularity of piston rods. Woe betide anyone who came into contact with those hips or knees.”
95. Charlie Saxton (1938 – seven matches)
Came to national prominence with a fine display against the 1937 Springboks, some of whom rated him the best halfback in New Zealand. National honours came in Australia in 1938, where he played in all three Test matches as part of a particularly strong All Black backline.
After distinguished service in World War II, in which he rose to the rank of Major in the 19th Armoured Regiment, Charlie Saxton captained the second NZEF ‘Kiwis’ team on their wonderfully successful 1945-46 tour of Britain and Europe.
Later a prominent coach/administrator. He wrote, in conjunction with the rugby union, The ABC of Rugby, a coaching book that stressed the three Ps – position, possession and pace.
Like many of his generation, a potentially great playing career was curtailed by military service.
94. Alan Whetton (1984-1991 – 65 matches)
A big man, whose physique and pace made him an ideal blindside flanker. Good early season form with a powerful Auckland side made him a certainty for the 1987 World Cup squad. His success in that tournament made him an automatic All Black selection for the next few seasons.
With his speed, high work rate and consistent support play, Whetton had an outstanding World Cup and his performances entitle him to be ranked among the greatest of All Black blindside flankers.
He, Michael Jones at openside flank and Wayne Shelford at No 8 formed one of the best loose forward trios to ever appear for the All Blacks.
93. Cyril Brownlie (1924-1928 – 31 matches)
Like his more talented brother Maurice, Cyril in the old 2-3-2 scrum system was seen as a loose or side-row forward, but he was probably more the equivalent of a modern lock and a toiler in what has been called the game’s engine room.
For the times, he was an extremely big man at 1.90m and 95kgs. A mainstay of the great Hawke’s Bay sides which, as Ranfurly Shield holders, dominated New Zealand rugby from 1922-27.
A core member of the Invincibles forward pack of 1924/25. Gained infamy as the first ever player ‘ordered off’ in a Test match.
92. Chris Jack (2001-2007 – 68 matches)
Few All Black forwards have had the imposing physique of Chris Jack who, at 2.02m and 115kg, was one of the All Blacks’ first choice locks for an extended period between 2001 and 2007.
A major contributor to the successes of Canterbury at provincial level and to the Crusaders in Super Rugby, he had an especially outstanding season in 2001, when he appeared in the All Blacks for the first time, scoring a try on debut and winning the Kelvin Tremain Memorial Trophy as the player of the year.
91. Des Connor (1961-1964 – 15 matches)
Toured New Zealand with the Wallabies in 1958 as the Test halfback, and played so well he was chosen by the New Zealand Rugby Almanac as one of its ‘Five players of the Year.’
He moved to Auckland in 1960 and became a key member, and vice-captain, of the formidable Auckland Ranfurly Shield holding team of that era.
He had a long fast pass, a big punt, ran strongly when breaking from the scrum, was a skilled tactician and later a shrewd coach. He was vice-captain in all his 12 Tests for New Zealand and ranks highly among All Black halfbacks.
Bruce Rankin
Guest
Abnutta, it's good to see your contribution and I look forward to the next 8 instalments. Also that you are responding to the various comments. I have a copy of Paul Verdon's book - in my view an excellent read and a great record. Debate on who constitutes the top 100 and the players ranking is naturally a subjective and endless comparison – perhaps one of the joys of reflecting on the legends of the game and its finest moments! I’m just hoping that one anomaly from “Tribute” will be fixed by your good self – the omission of Dennis Young (1956-64). He played 22 tests + 39 games for a total of 61 matches for the All Blacks. Plus I recall he was never outhooked in his first class and All Black career. I recall seeing him play in the Canterbury v Waikato Shield challenge of 1954, when the great Has Catley was hooker for Waikato. Young outhooked him. (admittedly Catley was 38 at the time.) Compare Dennis Young’s All Black record with Has Catley and Ron Hemi – who in total played only a few more test and games than Young: Has Catley 7 tests, 14 games, 21 matches total No doubt Catley was a great hooker, BUT 4 of Catley’s tests were v the Springboks in 1949 when they lost all 4 tests, and scrums bad in the first 2(?) Ron Hemi 16 tests, 30 games, 46 matches total Hemi a better all round player than Young, but in 8 seasons (53-60) played only 30 matches in all for Waikato! (Dennis Young 139 for Canterbury) Total 23 tests, 44 games, 67 matches total Of course the number of matches played for the AB’s is not justification in itself for inclusion, but you don’t play for the AB’s for 9 years without being one of the best! And Young was first choice for 5 years from 60-64, when he missed only one test: the NZ v Australia test in Dunedin in 1962 - which I saw - Creighton's only test. Unless someone can show otherwise, my contention is nobody - but nobody - outhooked Dennis Young. For Catley and Hemi to be selected in Tribute ahead of Young is unfortunate. Another anomaly was Mark Nicholls at 14 in Tribute, who was displaced by Lance Johnson (1925-30) at 1st 5/8th in the first 3 Springbok tests in 1928 in South Africa. “Given his previous record, Johnson may have been expected to fill a grafter's role on tour, but his form was a revelation. He hit top form immediately and stayed at that level throughout the arduous trip. No back appeared in more matches than his 16 (out of 23) and he played in all four tests, displacing the great Mark Nicholls at first-five in the first three. Johnson moved out one place as Nicholls returned for the final match”. (AB’s website) So how good was Johnson!? Lance Johnson was Canterbury selector in 1949-50 lifting the Ranfurly Shield from Otago, and son Warren/Kim wrote a great book about him only 2 years ago. (Sadly Warren died not long afterwards.) Lance Johnson was a quiet, shy gentleman whose deeds on the paddock spoke for themselves, compared to the reputedly outspoken and abrasive Nicholls. I'm not suggesting selection of Johnson ahead of Nicholls though. One whom I hope you cannot omit is Tiny Hill (1955-59) and #69 in Tribute. In Bob Howitt's book 'New Zealand Rugby Greats' Colin Meads stated (p199): "That was Tiny Hill - the hardest footballer I ever knew." I've lived in Sydney for 32 years, but no prizes for guessing my origins.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Nonu struggled at times in his first few years as second five, but since 2010 he's been a rock. I've never put much thought into whether he's a top 100 All Black and his career isn't over yet, but I don't think people appreciate how frucked New Zealand would have been if Nonu had switched codes after 2007. He really is one of the more underappreciated talents we have. Of the players you mention I would only consider Little above him. I don't think the other players contributed half as much.
abnutta
Roar Guru
They're two of my all time favourites too, but I didn't let that sway me when evaluating them.
Wal
Roar Guru
Because a well educated Rugby fan will be interested in all the great players from all nationalities. If you were only interested in Australian sides you miss such great players as Willie John McBride, Colin Meads, Johnny Wilkinson, or Phillipe Sella . Maybe you can take the time to compile a list of the top 100 Wallabies, as an AB's supporter I for one would love to have a read and discussion on the merits of individuals.
atlas
Guest
I don't see your point? Perhaps you could name them? Here is a start, the most recent selections from 4 PI countries - note they were all schooled in NZ so it was parents not player choice at that age. The most recent Samoan-born player to be selected to represent NZ was John Schwalger, selected in 2007, 2 tests. he went to school in Wellington. Fiji - Sitiveni Sivivatu, 2005, 45 tests, school Auckland American Samoa (the only one, ever) - Jerome Kaino, 2004, 48 tests, school Auckland Tonga Sione Lauaki, 2005, 17 tests, school Auckland The All Blacks born overseas list has been online many years http://stats.allblacks.com/asp/bornoverseas.ASP?stats_ID=8 I have yet to find another country's similar stats.
Neuen
Roar Rookie
I am looking forward on seeing the names that lure all the young Pacific Islanders to NZ schools because they want to become a All Black like Michael Jones, Umaga etc etc. Pacific Islanders are heavily influenced by role models and sticking big names in there regularly will make sure they will keep leaving the Islands and come and play for NZ.
Caremello Koala
Guest
SBW too Frank O'Keeffee.
Frank O'Keeffe
Guest
I'm a little surprised Nonu made the list. These days he's a very good player. He was a liability to New Zealand at times in 2008 and 2009. He played terribly in Sydney in the lost Test. But rebounded with a fantastic performance the next week. I recall he scored the last try of the Test. In 2009 he wasn't much help against that horribly dominant South African side. None was just a crash-ball 12 when he first played for the Blacks. Since then he's learned to offload, and he's a bit of a handful. Second five-eighth, it has been said, is the hardest position for the All Blacks to fill. Hopefully you have John Schuster above Nonu. I like what Bob Dwyer said about Schuster - that he compensated for Fox standing to far back. His hard straight running attracted the defence Grant Fox didn't attract, and hence helped straighten things up. How good was the All Black backline once Schuster and Gallagher left? But yeah, second fives possibly better than Nonu in the last three decades? Warrick Taylor John Schuster Walter Little Aaron Mauger Mauger being the most underrated All Black of the last decade. Carter played his best with him. Why Henry played McCalister, I don't know!
SandBox
Roar Guru
"its the roar and anyone can contribute articles." This also includes people posting. So why then criticise someone who questions such an article written in an Oz forum? Perfect for a forum ending in .co.nz. Let me guess the next step, someone will start crying xenophobia if anyone questions these irrelevant articles
Richard van Schelven
Guest
Ah, Tana and Jonah are my all time favorites :)
Richard van Schelven
Guest
Ritchie McCaw must surely be the greatest All Black of all time. Looking forward to rest of the list. Cheers from a Dutch All Blacks supporter!
abnutta
Roar Guru
I'll tell you that Tana Umaga and Jonah Lomu originally came in much higher than I personally would have had them especially allowing for the fact that Umaga was only halfway through his AB career in 2001.
abnutta
Roar Guru
The " tribute" rankings contained 7 of the 1987 RWC squad in the top 50 and a further 5 (if you count Andy Dalton) ranked between 50-100. So using my awesome mathematical powers I deduce that RWC winners comprise 12% of those who were ranked. I suspect that % will probably increase in the update. The 6.67% refers to the 1/15th ratio required to produce (as sheek suggested) a list of 100 players with a relatively equal representation for each position.
Arthur Fonzarelli
Guest
As a sports lover I look forward to the rest of this series as an educational experience. Be interested to see where R.McCaw, J.Lomu, C.Cullen, D.Carter, T.Umaga, and others fit in the big scheme of things.
abnutta
Roar Guru
That one by Paul Dobson seems to be a good bet. He appears to be SA's equivalent of our Ron Palenski or Lindsay Knight. Very knowledgeable when ever I've seen him interviewed on the game.
The Battered Slav
Guest
Love your work ABNutta. In the nicest possible way, you are a full on savant, the rainman of rugby. Thanks man, looking forward to the other 90.
sheek
Roar Guru
Not really, but here are a few that might along similar lines. I don't have any of them. The Springboks, by AC Parker, 1970. Legends of Springbok Rugby, by Danie Craven, date unknown. Rugby in South Africa 1861-88, A History, by Paul Dobson, 1988. I'm sure there must be more recent attempts.
abnutta
Roar Guru
fair enough SD, The main reason I have submitted mostly "history" articles is to educate. Unlike you I find the articles with an historical/educational bent to be the most fascinating (see Frank O'Keefe, JottingsOnRugby and many of David Lord's pieces as examples). I sometimes become incensed when I read comments about players like eg. Ma'a Nonu or SBW as being "probably" or "possibly" or in some cases "definitely" the greatest ever players in their positions, and I wonder if those making the claim have the necessary appreciation of the history involved when they make such assertions. As an aside, I find such articles can sometimes stir debate which is precisely the point of this site and something which is always welcome. I agree that "anyone" can produce a list like it, but whether such a list is well researched, considered and as ambitious is another story altogether. Make no mistake. The list you see here is HEAVILY plagiarised from the original and, so far, the ONLY ranking ever undertaken by a panel that had the necessary experience and overall historical wherewithal to attempt it.
abnutta
Roar Guru
sheek, A ranking list that had contributions from Palenski and the late Rod Chester, Neville MacMillan and Arthur Carman could probably be "taken to the bank." They have/had so much knowledge of not only the players but the evolution of the game itself in New Zealand. Unfortunately I don't have Jack Pollard's "tome" to which yourself and frank O'Keefe often refer. Are you aware of a South African equivalent?
abnutta
Guest
Because its the roar and anyone can contribute articles. You don't like it? Then that's tough because there's ten parts so they're gonna be around for a while!