The All Blacks are the best side in world rugby at the moment, and some say they are the best team of any sport anywhere in the world.
They boast some of the greatest rugby players to lace a boot. But there are still some players who they would love to have in their set-up. Here are ten players that New Zealanders would love to see in Black.
10. Brian Lima
Mastered his craft under the watchful eye of John Hart at the Blues from 96-98. Nicknamed the ‘Chiropractor’, lots of Kiwi’s wished he performed his craft in a Black jersey instead of Blue.
9. Manu Tuilangi
A genuine game breaker who would fit right into the Polynesian style of play that the All Blacks backline have become renowned for. Powerful, fast and fearsome, he would have made a terrific centre.
8. Sione Taumalolo
Nearly topped the Super Rugby try-scoring charts two years ago, this guy was an absolute beast at his best. A shame we couldn’t wheel a deal to get him in black.
7. Brian O’Driscoll
Imagine this – Smith to Carter, skips Nonu, finds O’Driscoll who beats Tuilangi on the outside, steps inside Brown to score the winner for the All Blacks! Dreaming I know, but oh what a dream it is.
6. Martin Johnson
Should have, could have would have been a AB, but the former New Zealand U21 player ended up World Cup-winning captain for dreaded foe. Guided in his early days by the great Colin Meads, the NZRFU will still be wondering how we let this genius slip through the fingers.
5. Mark Ella
Undoubtedly the best fly-half of his era. Step, swerve, pass, chip andamp; chase, he had it all in spades. Would love to have seen him behind a rampant All Blacks pack, now that would have been fun.
4. Tim Horan
It hurts to think how many damn times this little guy broke our Kiwi hearts, yet no other inside centre is so highly respected by Kiwis as this bloke is. If we’d had Tim instead of Bernie at the 91 WC, the All Blacks name would be on the cup three times.
3. Serge Blanco
Played like an All Blacks, his majesty Serge Blanco could create the impossible out of nothing at all and make it look so easy – isn’t that what All Blacks fullbacks are meant to do?
2. Peter Fatiolofa
Mr ‘Piano mover man’ would have made a great AB, but his unswerving loyalty to Manu Samoa kept him at bay. His partnership with Brown and Fitzy at Auckland is legendary and no doubt he would have built on that had he chosen Black.
1. And the number one player that every kiwi wished was an All Black goes to
Rupeni Caucaunibuca. Oh. My. Gosh.
Could you even begin to imagine what he could have done if he was playing behind a rampant New Zealand pack? The greatest rugby crime of the century is that this man was not able to play for the All Blacks and showcase his extraordinary talents.
Mark skinner
Guest
Some very fine players there ( and I understand space must be filled) but I can't agree - we don't need any of these players, nor ever have irrespective of time or result. Thing about the blacks is they are New Zealanders as Ella is as Australian as they come in nation and team etc
scrumma
Guest
pull your headn man. although they are legends from another country i wouldn't want anyone representing our country and our allblacks if they didn't apply their trade in our rugby mad nation, and im sure they wouldn't want to either. what are you smoking, did u ever dream of our allblacks stars playing for every other country on the planet. think you need to speak to your shop.
Magic Sponge
Guest
Skillful ??????. Guscott and Carling would destroy the current pommie backline, the current backs are just gym junkies nothing special but boy can they bench press
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Yeah nothing special really, just the most complete second rower to play the game, there was nothing he couldn't do.
Nathan
Roar Rookie
sorry, he moved here when he was 4. Hardly poached by the All Blacks though? Unless they have a psychic as a talent scout
Ralph
Guest
Michael Jones.
Ralph
Guest
"wishful thinking" And that's the point of it.
Ralph
Guest
Oh yes, but to see Rupeni in any kind of space was magical, a marvel, special. Just to see him run I would want him an AB.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Yeah a bit of a nobody really ;)
Degsy
Guest
Richard Hill - you sir are a man that knows his rugby. The only player never to have been dropped by Clive Woodward (yep that includes Johnson) - would have loved to have seen him play in the back row with McCaw. The Lions lost in Australia the second Nathan Gray's elbow hit his chin - he was that important.
Tom Watson
Guest
I love the fact that people overlook the horrific defensive attitude of both "Thauthau" and Blanco. There is footage of both of these players during their careers allowing attackers to run straight past them due to some sort of "dummy spit". Both have been recorded expressing their belief that they shouldn't have to defend! Name me one AB coach who would pick either of them??? Who was getting dropped for Matfield??? Whitelock? rettalick? Robin Brooke? Brad Thorn? Where would Giteau or ODriscoll have fitted in! Rubbish article and I doubt any kiwis agree with any of it!
Tom Watson
Guest
Hahaha... DeBa is a pole-smoker who plays wherever they are offering the most money for the least amount of training!!!
firstxv
Guest
yes I knocked around a bit with Frank Bunce when he was at Manukau and strictly Auckland B. In our circle he was deadly but never seemed to go anywhere for years- he liked to party a bit back then... then suddenly he was the man- at 30 odd!
firstxv
Guest
Slade- never did like him- in hindsight only cos he kept getting injured. But he sure is one impressive player
Wii
Guest
Don't you dare trying and take some moral high ground Pita, you didn't even acknowledge his White side, you are the one with mud on your face pal. Glad to see you admit he is a kiwi after previously stating he was Samoan and nothing else!
44bottles
Roar Guru
^^ That was a reply to you Jerry
44bottles
Roar Guru
Should just replace it with a placeholder comment saying [COMMENT REMOVED] or something. Same with the article a bit back that got deleted. Still says I have a comment there, and when I went to check a reply the link broke.
Harry Jones
Expert
Not a Kiwi, but I imagine Kiwis might like to have Joost, Schalk, Habsna, Matfield, Bismarck, and Vermeuelen available.
killaku
Guest
Willie O got deported and Aussie took him.He really wanted to play for the ABs
Wardad
Guest
My family lived in Tihoi for a while in the early 60s ,as did some Aunties and Uncles .