Remarkably, the 1999 All Blacks were New Zealand’s only World Cup team not to contain a current or future world champion in their roster.
But who would make the best All Blacks XV not to win a World Cup based largely on their performance at the tournaments in which they competed?
What does this list tell us about the shortcomings of All Blacks teams that didn’t win the World Cup?
Who would make the Australian, South African and England line-ups not to have won the World Cup?
This is my XV (from 15 to one): Christian Cullen, Jeff Wilson, Frank Bunce, Walter Little, Jonah Lomu, Andrew Mehrtens, Graeme Bachop, Ardie Savea, Josh Kronfeld, Jerry Collins, Robin Brooke, Ian Jones, Olo Brown, Anton Oliver, Craig Dowd.
(Photo by Mark Leech/Offside/Getty Images)
A lot of very good players have never won the World Cup while others with lofty reputations underachieved at the tournament, which is a blot on their copybook.
This especially applies to Cullen, Mehrtens and Wilson, who are all regarded as giants of the All Blacks but underwhelmed at the World Cup.
Granted, Wilson and Cullen were played out of position and Mehrtens was ill in the 1995 final when he didn’t perform at his authoritative best. In 1999, however, Mehrtens was the New Zealand player of the year. But at the World Cup, New Zealand were fourth, at that point their worst effort.
Only Lomu would make the All Blacks’ greatest World Cup XV from this list.
How senseless were the midfield picks from 1999, 2003 and 2007? Cullen, Wilson, and Leon McDonald were picked out of position with Tana Umaga largely absent in 2003, and Luke McAlister not very effective in 2007.
Bachop and Kronfeld were awesome in 1995 with Bachop one of the more underrated halfbacks and Kronfeld exactly the right type of openside for his era and the free-running approach of his team.
The strength of the front row was an issue in the 1999-07 period. Corey Flynn and Mark Hammett were hardly heavyweight hookers and Norm Hewitt was given very little chance to play. Anton Oliver from 1999 gets the nod, later becoming the All Blacks’ captain, but he was far from exceptional.
Ardie Savea is the only player picked from last year. He was awarded with the 2019 New Zealand player of the year award with his consistently strong displays. Anton Lienert-Brown rates an honourable mention.
Adsa
Roar Rookie
Did not think of the wider RWC squad, my bad. When Ardie scores 3 tries in a test and kicks a drop goal we will know he has caught up with Zinzan
Kiwi in East Perth
Guest
That 95 cup result still hurts. That AB's team was unbelievable. It was a shame that the players got sick but it's history now. The one thing the other failed campaigns lacked was strong leadership and playing players out of position. Who is the captain of this team? Anton Oliver? I find it interesting that the captain's of the failed campaigns to have not won a WC are not selected in this team. It's also amazing that Cullen only played in one WC in 99 and played as a Centre. Should he be selected as FB in this case?
Kiwi in East Perth
Guest
I do agree as Ardie is still early in his career. I am sure Zinny was in the 1987 winning squad therefore doesn't qualify for this exercise.
Adsa
Roar Rookie
Zinzan Brooke at no. 8, one of the best I have ever seen play the game. Savea is not even close when it comes to Zinzan skill set.
Josh
Roar Rookie
Great article Adam, keep up the hard work.
Josh
Roar Rookie
Very correct Locky, very little ball in the first half, scores two of the best tries in the tournament. Basically no ball in the second half.
Armchair Halfback
Roar Rookie
sorry read the Mortlock amendment after my comment!
Armchair Halfback
Roar Rookie
Good team Davos - I would pick Mortlock or Kuridrani ahead JOC. I'd pick Diggers before Dell and Rory Arnold ahead of Simmons. Front row might need some remedial attention too!
Davos
Guest
Correction, O` Connor out Mortlock in at 13.
Wal
Roar Guru
Great article, I think your a bit hard on Merts he was a maestro in 95 and played a huge role in getting the team to the final, and still scored all of their points in the final. Forwards were well beaten that day no 10 plays well when that happens (Carter excluded)
Gary
Guest
1995. You make your own luck.SA were just too good on the day. :rugby: :boxing: :thumbup:
Lara
Guest
Every 4 years . If you time it right as a player , you might get to go to one , maybe two. The opportunities are rare, winning even rarer. So many things need to fall into place and luck does play a part . We all know the best teams doesn’t always win the RWC n these players you mention, some good , some even great would have some regrets, but at least got to play on the the World stage. However, I still think the ABs of 1995 were unlucky, but that’s history , you live with it.
Davos
Guest
Correction number 8 Rocky Elsom.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
Great concept for your article mate. In away it is sad to see so many great players not winning World Cups but that is the nature of sport. Bachop was great halfback and probably doesn't get the credit he deserves. Hookers is a definitely hardone. Anton Oliver is the best option there and personally I thought he was not as good as people made him out to be. Would be good to get Tana Umaga in your team but he generally played wing or centre at World Cups. So would be hard for him to surpass Wilson (based on 95) or Lomu. As a midfielder he only lasted one game in 2003. Bunce and Little were a hot combination in 1995.
Davos
Guest
My best Wallabies never to win a Cup would be. 1 Ben Alexander 2 Stephen Moore 3 Greg Holmes 4 James Horwill 5 Rob Simmons 6 David Pocock 7 George Smith 8 David Pocock 9 Will Genia 10 Elton Flatley 11 Wendell Sailor 12 Matt Gitaeu 13 James O`Connor 14 Lote Tuquri 15 Mat Rogers 16 Brendan Cannon 17 Bill Young 18 Ben Darwin 19 Nathan Sharpe 20 Radike Samo 21 Nic White 22 Quade Cooper 23 Digby Ioane
Locky
Guest
Agree NZ had some average players from 1988 to 2010 .Jonah was a absolute superstar but he had a lot of duds around him. I feel really sorry for him that he didn't win a World Cup. In 1999 the players let him down against France. He had a blinder that day , but the rest were very poor. Him and Chris Latham are my most favourite players of all time.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Great team Adam, you can make a good case for all of them. Actually the only two I would consider changing are Umaga for Little, who I didn’t rate so high, and So’oialo as a specialist 8. Besides, Ardie will win in 2023 :=) I suppose 1999 is the mid point between 1987 and 2011 so no surprise that it was the one that contained no winners. On the other hand, since South Africa runs on a 12 year cycle I suspect every squad contained at least one!