Part seven of our ten part series looking at the greatest All Blacks of all time, ranked in order from 100 to 1…
40. Graham Mourie (1976-1982 – 61 matches)
A fast and constructive flanker and an intelligent, inspiring captain, Mourie was a creator as well as a destroyer as a flanker. His anticipation was often uncanny, he could tackle with the best but was the ideal link between backs and forwards in scoring movements.
As a captain he could analyse the opposition to find their weaknesses and was a master tactician and organiser on the field.
In 1980, after a fine display in the Welsh Centenary match at Cardiff Arms, Cliff Morgan said, “I do not mind going to my maker because today I saw, from Graham Mourie, the greatest loose forward display the world could ever wish to see.”
39. Josh Kronfeld (1995-2000 – 56 matches)
One of three virtual newcomers to the All Blacks who, despite their youth and inexperience, played dominant roles in the 1995 World Cup in South Africa. In the absence of Michael Jones, Kronfeld excelled as a tearaway openside flanker, bringing a dimension to the position the All Blacks had not had since Jones heyday in 1987-89.
Invaluable with his speed to the breakdowns, mastering much to the dismay of opposing coaches the law requirement to remain on or regain his feet. Other than briefly losing his starting place in 1997 to Andrew Blowers and occasional absence through injuries, to which his explosive style made him prone, Kronfeld was a first choice All Black through until 2000.
38. Tana Umaga (1997-2005)
Tana Umaga established himself as a true folk hero and widely acclaimed as one of the best All Black three-quarters, either as a wing or centre, of any age. Made his All Black debut as a wing in 1997 and after splendid form in the 1999 Super Rugby campaign he was an automatic first choice Test selection, continuing as a wing but moving into the midfield.
In 2004 Umaga’s career reached a pinnacle, being named captain, a role in which he thrived. In 2005 he was an inspiring leader against the Lions in a 3-0 sweep. He was captain in 21 tests, of which 18 were victories.
37. Jonah Lomu (1994-2002 – 73 matches)
Jonah Lomu has suffered some harsh assessments of his ability. Lomu was at his playing best in only two seasons, the World Cup years of 1995 and 1999, when he emerged as the dominating personality of each tournament. In his two glory seasons of 1995 and 1999, Lomu was sensational, with a physical presence no one has ever quite managed before or since.
At his best, which was when he first burst onto the New Zealand rugby scene as an 18-year old, Lomu was virtually unstoppable. At 1.96m and up to 120kgs, given space and room he was a nightmare for often much smaller defenders. In 185 first-class matches he scored 122 tries.
36. Bryan Williams (1970-1978 – 113 matches)
As a player, Williams – an automatic Test selection for the All Blacks through the 1970s – rates as one of the greatest wings produced by New Zealand. He had pace, power and a prodigious sidestep which, in 1970, catapulted him into the All Blacks for the tour of South Africa, where he was a sensation, scoring 14 tries in his 13 matches.
Through the 1970s, Williams was always a much respected international and all opposing sides feared his strength of running from his well-muscled physique. His 66 All Black tries was the record until beaten by Sir John Kirwan. At provincial level he played 132 matches for Auckland and was involved in four Ranfurly Shield winning teams.
35. Waka Nathan (1962-1967 – 37 matches)
In his 14 Internationals for the All Blacks Nathan, sometimes referred to as ‘the Black Panther’ never played in a losing side. He was described by Colin Meads as, “that most virile runner with the ball in hand, great at exerting pressure close to the forwards.”
Nathan suffered broken jaws in both of his tours to the UK in 1963-4 and 1967 yet still managed to score 23 tries in 37 matches, a remarkable strike rate for a forward of his era. Another Nathan hallmark was his blistering speed to the five-eighth and his ability to worry the inside backs with punishing tackles.
34. Gary Whetton (1981-1991 – 101 matches)
A regular Test selection for the best part of a decade, Whetton played 58 Tests, becoming only the second man after Sir Colin Meads to reach the half century. He was a superb all round lock, amazingly athletic for such a big man and with a startling turn of pace.
He formed an especially pairing in the early part of his career with Auckland and the All Blacks with Andy Haden. Together they provided a comprehensive package of locking skills. They were a strong lineout duo, providing jumping options at the front and in the middle, and were formidable scrummagers.
33. Charlie Seeling (1904-1908 – 39 matches)
Charlie Seeling was the outstanding forward of the 1905-06 ‘Originals’, a backrow or breakaway forward in the old 2-3-2 scrum. Until the arrival of Maurice Brownlie in the 1920s, critics were unanimous that New Zealand rugby had never produced a better or more complete forward.
In the context in which he played, Seeling was a giant and to his robust physique Seeling added considerable pace, natural athleticism and, as a tackler, absolute fearlessness.
As a noted British critic EHD Sewell observed, his contribution was colossal, “This splendid specimen of manhood has everything necessary to the composition of a good forward. Search where one may, a better forward than Seeling does not exist.”
32. Andrew Mehrtens (1995-2004 – 72 matches)
Some, headed by Sir Colin Meads, believed that Mehrtens was the best in his position ever produced by New Zealand. Others believed that, despite his immense skills, vision, kicking and ability to throw long cut out passes to his outsides, he had limitations.
He had much of the steadiness and almost the same kicking ability as Grant Fox, but with a little more dash to his attacking play. He left behind a formidable record at all levels: 281 first-class matches for 3178 points, including 994 points in 72 matches for the All Blacks.
31. Jeff Wilson (1993-2001 – 71 matches)
Few in any generation have been as gifted and so diversely accomplished, especially lethal in the 1996-97 seasons, Wilson won accolades as the finest all round rugby player in the world.
Wilson was pretty well a complete player. He could run, kick and defend and did everything with a precise, polished skill. He also had an acute appetite and instinct for scoring tries. Though subsequently beaten by Christian Cullen he was a for a time the country’s record test try scorer.
As a lively medium pace bowler and hard hitting batsman in the late middle order, Wilson earlier excelled in One Day International cricket, hitting a match winning innings in the New Zealand win against Australia in Hamilton.
deanB
Guest
Would have Mourie a lot higher on list, possible best ever capt. But Loveridge? Our greatest halfback. Picking donaldson ahead of Trapper was a travesty. Would not happen these days.David 'Sachin' Loveridge!
atlas
Guest
I have other memories of Leo Walsh, apart from accounting teacher he was the school discipline man - misbehave and the other teachers gave you a note to take to him for 4 or 6 with the strap. He was also in charge of school army cadets, a hard man! I recall doing laps of a rugby field in khakis holding a .303 over my head. Character building! Ross Fraser - I got to know him a later in life through surf lifesaving. Had to check on the date - it was 1979, he suffered a broken leg playing for Taranaki, the AB team was announced 3hrs later and he was named - they were not aware of the injury. he returned to play rugby but never made it into the ABs.
Ra
Guest
Yes I remember Leo Walsh, great coach. Sadly hardly got to watch the Naki team play, unless it was a game played in Hawera or Whanganui. I have Mourie and Loveridge in my top 10 All Blacks, and Ross Fraser as one of the best players never to have worn the black jersey. Yes I know his chance was dashed by injury, a rugged man
atlas
Guest
enjoying this list, less interested in the rankings, many are well before my time and I like reading the history aspects. I grew up in New Plymouth, one of my high school teachers Leo Walsh was the Taranaki coach/selector in the Mourie/Loveridge years, we got to see all the home games as we got half days from school to sell programmes before kick-off, then sit on the cycle track that in those days surrounded Rugby Park (now Yarrow Stadium, and minus the cycle track). Way before pro era, the coach/teacher and Mourie was a dairy farmer in Opunake, Loveridge a pig farmer in Inglewood. Simpler times! For dairy farmers being selected for ABs meant their club would run a roster to look after the farm and twice daily milkings while team toured often for over a month.
harryonthecoast
Guest
Seven loosies there, Frank. Sort of sums up the All Blacks, aye?
peterlala
Guest
Kiwi, you thought this up while drinking at a beer festival in Germany...I'm with you to this point.
peterlala
Guest
Chris, thanks. Had a quick peep. Will enjoy watching those over time. Also, thumbs up to ABnutta. I'm not a fan of lists, but he has got me interested.
peterlala
Guest
Big Bruce Robertson fan. Can't think of a better back, given his brain, his skills and his pace.
abnutta
Roar Guru
Although Nepia played in an era where fullbacks were the last line of defence and often not much more, he gave an interview in 1984 where he described wanting to come into the Invincibles backline on many occasions only to be rebuffed by Mark Nicholls. Apparently he was eyeing up the gap between Nicholls and Bert Cooke. Nicholls told him "you may come into the backline and score try after try but the one time you drop the ball they score off it." So Nepia said to himself "OK Hori, you stay put." Nepia made his debut on the wing as a16-year old in 1921, so there's little doubt he would have had the speed to play an attacking fullbacks role in the modern sense.
Kiwi in Europe
Guest
I was at oktoberfest in Munich, Germany drinking the finest Bavarian Brew and I started talking to some people from Finland and they started telling me how much they Love the All Blacks and how awesome Jonah Lomu was at the 95 World Cup. He single handledly gave New Zealand, The All Blacks and Rugby in general global recognition. History will say that Jonah was the most important rugby player and without him professionlism would not have survived.
Misha
Guest
Tough call on Lomu - at his best he was unparalleled - watch his Youtube reels - awe inspiring
Neuen
Roar Rookie
I do not see how Brayan Williams and Tana Umaga can be so high. With Michael Jones, Williams and Umaga is responsible for thousands of Samoan kids wanted to wear a All Black jersey.
deanB
Guest
Old family story, Grafter. My Uncle Ken , a man who had a lifetime involvement with refereeing, went on a supporters tour to the republic in '76. Now the uncle had no tolerance for ref bagging and was a staunch bloke. His critique of the test reffing? They were cheats. He wasnt angry or bitter, just disappointed. Ok, he was a bit angry. Test rugby was linked with nationalism in an almost sociopathic way during the apartheid years. That is why I got such a buzz seeing so many africans wearing ab gear at the recent Soweto test.
The Grafter
Guest
Hewie sure loved Eden Park in the early 80's Dean. Your right about beating the Boks. Still our No1 opponent (no disrepect to the Bledisloe encounters). The earlier failings in the Republic may of been assisted by the 31st bloke on the field (or should I say the 16th person in green:)), neutral refs have been a Godsend although the Super season has lost sight of this.
Johnno
Guest
abnutta no one loves the AB'S more on this website than you lol. When everyone is tired, your not even at the pre game show stage just having breakfast stage, and putting the kettle on stage lol. You just say, as you have said along the lines of , just sit back and settle in and you'll be here for a while. As if time could go forever. You said something like you found history fascinating or were a history buff. I love these articles, keep em coming let's all count down every second the AB'S are a trilogy and can't be explained in 5 minutes this special team. This is some seriously good AB'S players from this great and special team and players i've never heard of, and good stories about there playing style. Loveing this, this is good quality abnutta. So sit back everyone put the kettle on, and let abnutta do his stuff. A good lot of articles I am really enjoying this segment can't wait till we reach the top 10, but the build up i'm just sitting back absorbing it all. Keep the articles on the segment coming abnutta i'm enjoying it mate. So is jeznez I think and others.
deanB
Guest
Yeah Grafter. Me too. The test rugby was pure. McKechnie's bravery in the first, super stu slicing thru, boks squaring it up and then Hewies defensive disappearances in the third followed by winning penalty redemption. Got to see ken stewart in black and pokere debut. But i wasnt an old timer looking for revenge after the failures of '70 and '76. The tide went out on nz rugby for a few years. The series defeat at the hands of the wallabies in '86 was the low watermark. It took the world cup to bring it back again. I think that mourie, like ken gray before him, saw the bad karma that lay ahead. Still, nuthin better than beating the bokkie!
Chris Hardiman
Roar Rookie
I think you should change your name to Sand in your undies mate. I'm a sports buff and history buff. I'm finding ABNuttas articles refreshing especially with all the negative news around at the moment. Although I'm not an All Blacks fan I've always admired the Kiwis style of Rugby and have come across heaps of great documentaries on YouTube that you just don't find with the Wobbalies. I've put them in a playlist here if anyone is interested: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL542AE41C19BBF65F
katzilla
Roar Guru
Find a fijian or Samoan passionate, knowledgeable and willing to do so, I would love to see how another rugby fan rates his own rugby players. People come here to discuss what they are knowledgeable about in rugby terms, a man with the name ABnutta isn't going to talk about peanut butter is he? It's an Australian based website, not an Australian only website. Did I happen to see you on a bus in Melbourne recently? Pushing a pram?
ohtani's jacket
Guest
It always amuses me how people assume Frank is some middle aged Australian who's watched a lot of rugby.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
The thing people overlook about Jonah (and it's a bit of an intangible) is that his World Cup performance and the subsequent Bledisloe series revitalised interest in the All Blacks at a time when the public were sick of Mains and the inconsistent performances under his watch (sounds familiar, huh?) The will he or won't he saga over whether he would stay in rugby was a major deal and when he signed with the NZRU it was greeted with elation. It was a crying shame that he wasn't able to play in the '96 series against South Africa, but his star shone again in Kuala Lumpur in '98. For impact he was undoubtedly the Meads or the McCaw of his era.