Part eight of our ten part series looking at the greatest All Blacks of all time, ranked in order from 100 to 1…
30. Sir Wilson Whineray (1957-1965 – 77 matches)
Sir Terry McLean wrote of Whineray: “I would unhesitatingly acclaim him as New Zealand’s greatest captain.” Most would agree with this assessment even allowing for the fact that he has been followed by a number of other fine leaders.
A fine player and remarkably mobile and athletic in the open, Whineray almost always played at prop but he was also effective as a loose forward occasionally at No 8. In 1965 he won the Supreme Halberg Award, one of only three individual All Blacks to be so honoured.
29. Don Clarke (1956-1964 – 89 matches)
Don Clarke drove terror into the hearts of the opposition with his prodigious kicking. Having once kicked a 77m penalty against King Country in Te Kuiti, it was a regular occurrence for “The Boot” to kick penalties and drop goals from well inside his own half.
He was directly responsible for All Black victory in 16 of the 31 Test matches he played. When he retired from test rugby he had amassed a world record 207 points – more than double the total of the second placed Jean Prat of France with 90 points. In 1959 he won the Supreme Halberg Award, one of only three individual All Blacks to be so honoured.
28. Wayne Shelford (1985-1990 – 48 matches)
The most dominant No 8 in the country, he was an automatic choice for the World Cup. Shelford then led the All Blacks on one of their great periods of domination, going unbeaten from 1987 to 1990.
A competitive and skilful No 8, he led by example, whether driving over the advantage line from scrums or rucks, defending or standing up against real and imagined slights. His quickness to take the law into his own hands would have been harshly judged in rugby’s more recent years, but there was no question that he was one of the great forwards to play for New Zealand.
27. Dave Loveridge (1978-1985 – 54 matches)
Over a lengthy period between 1978 and 1985 Loveridge gave the All Blacks outstanding service but the undoubted highlight of his career came in the 1983 second Test against the British Lions at Athletic Park where he displayed every aspect of the halfback’s art, passing accurately, kicking effectively and running with judgement.
Even the most exacting judges declared Loveridge had produced one of the greatest displays of all time. But even without this sublime performance Loveridge had already done enough to be ranked among the greatest New Zealand has had in this position.
26. Sir Brian Lochore (1963-1971 – 68 matches)
Made his All Black debut at No. 8 on the 1963/64 tour to the United Kingdom. Not wanted for the All Blacks in 1964, he was recalled for the 1965 series against South Africa and, as one of the best No. 8s New Zealand has produced, became an All Black fixture until he retired from international play after the 1970 tour to South Africa.
One of New Zealand’s most successful captains, with just three losses. As a coach he was just as successful. Appointed a New Zealand selector in 1983 he became the national coach 1985-87 with his crowning achievement being the 1987 Rugby World Cup victory.
25. Billy Stead (1903-1908 – 42 matches)
One of the best to play in the first five-eighth position and also one of the sharpest early thinkers on the game. As such he had a deep influence long after he had stopped playing. Stead was vice captain of the celebrated 1905-06 Originals.
He was the chief strategist and tactical mainstay and was worshipped by all of his team-mates, especially those backs on his outside who scored the vast majority of the 243 tries on that tour. In later years Stead continued as a referee, coach, selector, administrator and columnist. He was the manager and coach of the All Black sides in the first two Tests against the touring 1921 Springboks.
24. Christian Cullen (1996-2002 – 60 matches)
Other fullbacks starting with Fergie McCormick in the late 1960s had brought an increasing attacking dimension to the All Black fullback role. But none showed quite the flair and attacking potency that Cullen demonstrated, especially in his early years. Making his All Black debut in 1996, aged only 20, he made an instant impact.
For the next few seasons Cullen was an automatic selection and while there may have been reservations about some of his unorthodox skills, where sometimes his positional play was astray, everyone agreed that he was a unique talent. Cullen’s ability as an astonishingly prolific tryscorer is reflected in the fact that in 60 All Black matches he scored 52 tries and scored in excess of 150 tries in all first-class rugby.
23. Grant Fox (1984-1993 – 78 matches)
One of the most potent scorers in rugby history. Fox’s incredible feats for Auckland through the 1984-86 seasons, in which his rate of scoring was phenomenal, meant his claims to be in the starting XV for the inaugural World Cup were irresistible.
Fox in that tournament proved to be one of the All Blacks’ main weapons. His rate of scoring was astronomical and soon he had accumulated several All Black Test records, eclipsing even the mighty Don Clarke. For all his exploits Fox was often the target for criticism. Certainly he was not a player of great flair and he was never a dashing runner.
Yet despite his lack of flamboyance, he was a highly effective Test player and it was significant that at all levels those on his outside were prolific scorers. In 78 matches for the All Blacks he scored 1067 points In first-class matches he scored a record 4112 points. He scored 932 points in Ranfurly Shield rugby, nearly three times more than anyone else.
22. Sir John Kirwan (1984-1994 – 96 matches)
From 1985 through to 1992, apart from when he was injured, Kirwan was pretty well an automatic All Black selection. At his peak, in the seasons between 1986 and 1988, Kirwan was magnificent and irresistible, exceeding in those years even his great Australian rival, David Campese.
In 1987 he was a star of the All Blacks’ World Cup, his length of the field run for a try against Italy being an enduring image from that tournament. His greatest year, certainly in terms of tryscoring, was in 1988 when in five Tests he scored 10 tries. If not quite so dominant thereafter, Kirwan remained a world-class player for the rest of his career and when he finished with rugby in 1994 his 96 All Black matches had brought him 67 tries as well as 199 tries in first-class rugby, which are both New Zealand records.
21. Zinzan Brooke (1987-1997 – 100 matches)
One of the most skilful forwards to have played for the All Blacks and one of the most versatile and durable. In 1987 he established his reputation as a player with the build of a forward but the skills and flair of a back. But It was only relatively late in his career that he became the regular first-choice No 8 after being played on occasions there or either of the flanker positions.
His 17 tries in tests were a world record for a forward. Many of his more than 150 tries in his first-class career came from pushover tries at the base of the dominant Auckland pack, but the nature of the tries don’t detract from the skill and competitiveness of one of the All Black giants of the 1990s.
Johnno
Guest
richard I disagree, because i being a wallaby fan look at it like this. In the year 2000 the matches were split 1-1 all, and nothing in it. And very similar squads. Andrew Blades strengthened the wallabies, and him retiring can be seen as a loss. But I don't think the retirement of Richard Harry was a massive loss after the 1999 world cup final. Phil Kearns didn't even play in the final it was Foley and he backed up to 2001 anyway. And was Andrew Blades really the true difference between the 2 sides i'm not so sure. He wasn't that good. Give me Olo Brown any day over Andrew Blades. Glen Panaho who was a kiwi originally anyway as was jeremy paul, panache pretty much was 3rd best wallaby prop him and Bill young . And the aussies had no Jonah Lomu factor either, Lomu was very powerful in that semi final vs France no reason he could not of done that in the final.
richard
Guest
To be fair, Johnno, I rate McQueens side as your best team. The general concensus among (knowledgable) ab fans is that wb team was too good, even if the ab's had made the final , nz wouldn't have won it.
Shahsan
Guest
Toa, yes Colin Mead I'm sure was a great defender, was strong etc, but at barely 6ft 3, i dont know where you would put him today.
Toa
Guest
Jerry….the fact this is an Australian base web site, it reaches out to an international audience from all athletic disciplines. Australian generation " Y & Z " readers are only to happy to review such titles as " 100 greatest All Blacks ever " with keen interest. Your claims of stupid standard is the voice of ignorance. In my generation (Y) here in Australia through history the combination of both rugby codes allows us to gauge a better understanding of what a certain player can offer (hence my interest in this subject) & to my knowledge outside of Auckland that didn't exist. As for fullbacks IMO Chris Latham surpasses the benchmark for the AB's Christian Cullen again the rash of talented fullbacks from both codes is unbelievable, again debatable, however for mine those two tick all the boxes speed, defence, tactical kicking, game smarts, support play & player management. Correct me if I'm wrong wasn't it illegal to play rugby league in certain areas outside of Auckland? Anyhow I enjoy Rugby Union more importantly listening & reading the history of the game both here and abroad. I'm not blinded by what talent the other codes have however for the matter of this forum and the All Black brand you kiwis have a ridiculous amount of talent….cant wait until abnutta announces his final ten.
Johnno
Guest
And the AB'S also healed the Bledisloe cup for a record 28 years. 1951-78. Wallabies record only 5 years 1998-2002. And 10 long years since. Even when in 2003 the wallabies won the semi final at the world cup dusted up in 2 game during the bledisloe.
Johnno
Guest
Anyway you want to judge it. This much is clear and saying the bleeding obvious. And I am passionate wallabies fan. But the AB'S are far and away the greatest rugby team on planet earth , with the books the only nation that even gets close. AB'S and Wallabies really is like Germany VS England in soccer. This myth that England has as good a record as and matches Germany . Total myth advantage Germany big time. Even in England's only world cup win in 1966 was shrouded in controversy, the goal over the line. But with the wallabies some more facts and ,myth vs reality. The AB'S have never been dominated by the wallabies ever period. Only beaten sometimes. Facts supposed 2 best wallaby teams or 2 of the best wallaby teams. 1999 Wallabies world cup winners. Hello, they never had to play Jonah Lomu AB'S to win the 1999 world cup, France having the game of the lives in that 2nd half, with the french just being the french. Wallabies suffered the same fate a few weeks ago. 1999 results 1 win each. AB'S 34-15 in Auckland . Wallabies 28-7 in sydney. One of Wallabies win ever 1991 results AB'S 6-3 in Auckland Wallabies 21-12 in Sydney wallabies won semi final in 1991 1984 series the AB'S beat the wallabies 2-1 . Big 2000 Test in sydney. AB'S won on the bell, And also they were up like 21 or 24-0 after 10 minutes or something remarkable match full stop. And the last 10 years well less said the better. And in 1987 the AB'S beat the wallabies 30-16 to leave no doubt who was world champion. Plus the 1970's etc. And the 1986 series the wallabies didn't dominate they just won under Alan jones. AB'S way better statistical record, and playing depth than Aussy rugby and the wallabies. A bit like England VS Germany stats that I don't have time to go into detail now. But both statistical set ups are a no contest.
Jerry
Guest
That's a stupid standard - how about, when determining who was the best Rugby Union player for New Zealand, you limit the discussion to achievements in Rugby Union. And in Rugby Union, Frano Botica didn't acheive anything close to what Grant Fox did. Or are you going to argue that Matthew Ridge was a better fullback than John Gallagher cause he made in League where Gallagher didn't?
Jerry
Guest
Toa - Colin Meads was 1 inch shorter and about 13 kg lighter than Wyatt Crockett, a prop, is now. I don't think even his most ardent supporters can argue he'd have been able to play as a test match lock in this day and age.
Toa
Guest
Andrew Leeds, Andrew Walker & yes Matthew Ridge, take your pick....you may want to name number 77 however I'll leave that up to you.
Toa
Guest
Shahsan,your only happy to provide an input responding by how you strongly recommend that GF is capable of playing along today finest now your claiming its a silly argument to which I pitch you a real time comparison with QC......I never seen the Mead brothers play however at 6ft 3 & from what I'm been told they were both structurally sound defensively & offensively furthermore extremely skilful with that resume why couldn't they make it …..to date I've read the countdown with interest, all the names that I'm familiar with apart from Grant Fox could well and truly bounce through different time zones.
Jerry
Guest
So Matthew Ridge is now the benchmark for All Black fullbacks?
Shahsan
Guest
Ok then, MOST no 10s can't perform behind a weak pack. Good thing I wrote that carter was one of those I would rate above grant fox!
Jerry
Guest
Given the AB's dominated possession and territory overwhelmingly, I don't reckon you can say the AB pack was beaten in that 07 match. As for Carter - 1 - the AB's were leading when he went off injured. 2 - if you want to see how good he can behind a beaten pack, have a look at the 08 Bledisloe match in Sydney.
Shahsan
Guest
That's a silly argument. Fox excelled in the teams he played in -- you can't ask for more than that. Would carter look good behind a weak pack? Probably not. Did he make a difference when the ABs pack was well beaten by France in 2007? He's only played behind the Canterbury and New Zealand packs. Is he instrumental for their performance? Of course, just like fox was. And if you want to pluck a player from one era and surmise he can't play in another, then what do you say about Colin meads. At 6ft 2 he definitely wouldn't be selected for any international side these days, let alone New Zealand.. And I reckon he is probably number one in this list.
Shahsan
Guest
That's a silly argument. Fox excelled in the teams he played in -- you can't ask for more than that. Would carter look good behind a weak pack? Probably not. Did he make a difference when the ABs pack was well beaten by France in 2007? He's only played behind the Canterbury and New Zealand packs. Is he instrumental for their performance? Of course, just like fox was. And if you want to pluck a player from one era and surmise he can't play in another, then what do you say about stan meads. At 6ft 2 he definitely wouldn't be selected for any international side these days, let alone New Zealand.. And I reckon he is probably number one in this list.
Toa
Guest
Frano was a duel international, my comparisons relate to his overall skill level IMO his greatness is his ability to compete in any given era furthermore the fact he play test matches for Kiwis without any junior experience shows his class as the ultimate five eight....if he's not a benchmark then I don't know who is.
Toa
Guest
Shahsan, succeeded at what level?..... in the modern era for him to reproduce the same product behind a weaker forward pack and ordinary backline would only magnified his deficiencies therefore the criticism he face in the 80s would be ten fold in today's currency......Mckenzie shifted QC to fullback due to defensive inconsistencies brought him up front on attack so he could play off the cuff, I don't think you could hide Fox like that he had no running game & he certainly never took the line on.....Auckland & AB's during Fox's time were an unbelievable team their team chemistry was second to none & everyone went about there business like a well oil machine in turn made everyones job that much easier.
peterlala
Guest
Reminds me of an English journalist who said of heavyweight boxer Joe Bugner, "He has the looks of a Greek statue, but not the moves."
abnutta
Guest
I guess you'll see in a couple of days.
RV1
Guest
So many great players. I agree so far with your picks. Cant wait to see who's in top 20