Part five of our ten part series looking at the greatest All Blacks of all time, ranked in order from 100 to 1. This instalment is counting down from 60 to 51.
60. Joe Rokocoko (2003-2010 – 69 matches)
He made such a sensational start to his All Black career that after just two seasons of international rugby he had amassed 27 tries in just 23 tests, a phenomenal strike rate placing him above even Christian Cullen statistically, who scored 21 tries in 21 tests in his debut seasons of 1996-97. Scored a world record 17 tries in a calendar year in 2003.
He played in an era of intense competition among New Zealand wingers, for also in their prime were the experienced Doug Howlett, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Rico Gear. A powerful wing at 1.89m and 104kg, he had astonishing pace, especially in his early days, and a flair for the unorthodox.
59. Frank Bunce (1992-1997 – 69 matches)
Forged a fine reputation as the near-perfect midfield back. his partnership with Walter Little, on defence and attack, became a formidable one. Could read the game well and run his outsides into scoring positions with fine distribution. Renowned for his crushing tackling technique and ability to offload.
Was probably at his best in the 1995-97 seasons when as the oldest back in All Black history he was instrumental in a rare All Black victory against the Springboks at Ellis Park.
58. Ian MacRae (1963-1970 – 45 matches)
Labelled a “barger” by some critics, his contribution to one of the finest periods in the All Blacks’s long history, in which he seldom tasted the bitterness of defeat, has been subsequently underestimated. At 1.87m and nearly 90kg he was much bigger than most backs of the era, even in the midfield.
His size and strength made him an outstanding player and his power in going in to the tackle to create rucks and second phase became an invaluable All Black tactic. He was a star of what was a golden period for Hawkes Bay and among many notable feats was scoring four tries in a 1967 shield defence against Waikato.
57. Chris Laidlaw (1963-1970 – 57 matches)
Sir Terry McLean once described a Chris Laidlaw game as the greatest passing exhibition he’d ever witnessed from a halfback since Danie Craven in 1937. Laidlaw’s powerful build allowed him to throw long, accurate passes that gave his first five-eighths the proverbial armchair ride.
He also possessed a clever reverse pass and a fine tactical kick behind the scrum or lineout, was a courageous defender and an excellent captain at provincial level.
56. Has Catley (1946-1949 – 21 matches)
Played provincial rugby for Waikato for an astonishing 20 years. On the 1947 tour to Australia, Catley established himself as first choice hooker and retained that ranking during the 1949 tour of South Africa. In Africa he was part of perhaps the best front row New Zealand had then fielded under the 3-4-1 scrum formation.
He himself was one of the best All Black hookers, using a technique which allowed him to annihilate almost every hooker he opposed. A pure hooker who saw the game through a hooker’s eyes – describing match outcomes by tightheads, not by trivial things such as points scored.
55. Ian Jones (1989-1999 – 105 matches)
Long and lanky, Ian Jones overcame constant carping, especially in his early years, about his perceived lack of bulk to become one of New Zealand rugby’s greatest ever locks. From 1990 through to 1997, other than the odd glitch, Jones was an automatic selection.
From 1992 and into the latter years of the decade he and Robin Brooke formed one of the most enduring locking partnerships in international rugby. They were an ideal complement with one commanding the front of lineouts and the other the middle. And whereas Brooke was a hardnosed grinder, Jones had the ball skills in the open.
54. Jerome Kaino (2004-2011 – 49 matches)
Kaino was supposed to be the next All Black superstar after his stunning debut game against the Barbarians at Twickenham in 2004. Yet just two years later he looked set for the scrap heap. When he returned to the All Black fold in 2008 his defensive weakness had become a strength. Many opposition attacks floundered on a thundering Kaino tackle in the years to come.
Kaino’s game has developed past that of just a physically imposing presence. He also became a useful lineout option, showed good ability to time a pass and coupled that with a low mistake rate. Nominated for the 2011 IRB player of the year award and won the Kelvin Tremain memorial trophy for the New Zealand player of 2011.
53. Johnny Simpson (1947-1950 – 30 matches)
Known throughout his career and for some time afterwards as “the Iron Man.” It was highly appropriate for few props have been as durable and as rugged as this Auckland and All Black of the mid to late 1940s. Immensely strong with a definite physical presence around the field.
Broadcaster and author Winston McCarthy said “everything about him betokened strength – and he was strong.” Bob Scott later said of him: “I came to respect JG Simpson as the finest forward I ever played with.” Simpson suffered a serious knee injury against the touring Lions in 1950 that brought a sudden end to his career. He was only 28 and clearly still had plenty left to offer at the highest level.
52. Keven Mealamu (2002-2012 – 102 matches)
An accurate lineout thrower and strong scrummager, Mealamu is equally comfortable in the running game, where his skill and speed make him almost a fourth loose forward. A durable and consistent performer. Few hookers in All Black history have shown his all round ability in both tight and loose exchanges.
51. Fred Roberts (1905-1910 – 52 matches)
As New Zealand’s first halfback of note, Wellington’s Fred Roberts was one of the key players and tactical lynchpins of the wonderfully successful “Original” All Blacks team which swept through Europe and North America, amassing 976 points and conceding just 59.
Described as having “a rugged physique and a tremendous capacity for taking punishment” Roberts’ performance of playing, in a demanding position, in 29 of the 32 matches in Britain in 1905/6 remains one of the great feats of early New Zealand rugby.
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