Over the years, there have been certain players who sent the proverbial willies up us Kiwi fans. Players who caused a lump to develop in one’s throat at the mere sight of them.
Some are remembered for their destructive attacking play, some for their brutal defense, others because of their tactical nous. Players considered are from the 1970s through to today only as that is the scope of my experience.
Here are the 10 most feared players from an All Blacks fans’ perspective.
10. Gareth Edwards
Widely considered the greatest Welsh player of all time and held in the highest esteem by every Kiwi fan who watched him play. Dynamic, tough, brilliant passer and copy book tackler, no Kiwi felt safe when this guy was on the park.
9. Stephen Larkham
There was a period in the late 90s, early 2000s where this man tore us to shreds every time he touched the ball. Clever tactically, with his huge boot, and dropped a goal to send the Wallabies into the 1999 World Cup final. But it was his attack with ball in hand that scared us most. His flat pass or show and go caused many sleepless nights for us Kiwis.
8. Joost van der Westhuizen
The Springboks’ greatest-ever halfback and one of our greatest, most well-respected rivals. Intensity, and sheer will to win was written all over his face. Never took a backward step and wasn’t afraid to pull the trigger. His unique running style, ball in one hand always made us Kiwis squirm just a little. Defensively a beast, he brought a physicality to the number 9 jersey that had never been seen before. Boks had an unfair advantage with him on deck as they had 9 forwards.
7. Jonny Wilkinson
Dan Carter rated this guy the best No.10 of his era. That says it all. Although success against the ABs was rare for Wilkinson, you always felt like they were in the game when he was on the park. He had the most revered boot in rugby history.
6. Naas Botha
Reached godlike status in his homeland, but was equally revered by Kiwis. His tour out this way in 1981, gave us a glimpse of his unmatched flyhalf play. Had the kicking game that was the equal to Wilkinson, but his tactical nous was another level again. Glad that we didn’t see him that much as I am sure he would have caused a lot of broken hearts.
5. Victor Matfield
A giant of a man, menacing, uncompromising, brutal and yet clever, tactically sound and astute. Still the greatest lineout jumper to play the game.
4. Schalk Burger
This enormous lump of a man carried All Blacks on his back for fun and squashed them under foot every time he carried the ball. An absolute wrecking machine and rated by Richie McCaw and DC as the toughest opponent they have played against.
3. John Eales
The goal kicking lock revolutionized the way the game was played, leading the Wallabies to RWC glory in 99 and played an important part of the 91 winning team. He nailed us with his supreme line-out work then drove the nail in with his goal kicking.
2. The French teams of 93, 99, 03
The last international team to win a three-match series on NZ soil that 93 team were special. 99 and 2003 broke our hearts like nothing before or since.
1. George Gregan
No Brainer this one. Who will ever forget the tackle on Goldie or the phrase “4 more years”. A brilliant, brilliant player who caused us heartache after heartache.
Honorable mentions…
Os Durandt
Thierry Dusatior
Keith Wood
Maro Itoje
Danie Gerber
Nick Farr-Jones
Michael Lynagh
David Pocock
Duane Vermeulan
sheek
Roar Guru
Jacko, Humans are stupid. Look at the tape. If Marto hadn’t been so asleep & so typically conservative Queenslander, & awake to the possibility that Campo will try something anytime, they might have between run the ball all the way back to the Lions line. Campo ran it because he could see space. But as is often the case, only he saw the space, not his braindead team mate. And of course 98% of rugby fans who are equally braindead continue to follow the official line that it was Campo’s fault. Not Campo’s fault. Then, or now.
sheek
Roar Guru
Lazer, How far did you cast your net to come up with this list of 10, or several hundred if you add the various French teams? Is this your opinion, or based on articles & research of other NZ historians, writers & journalists? Or a mixture of both, which is quite alright. I'm curious more than anything else. All great players, but Edwards & Botha are the only ones who played mostly before 1990. I like that you mentioned Botha, a highly unregarded player, especially by Aussies. But he was a puppeteer on the pitch. Curiously, if SA didn't have apartheid, their midfield in the 80s should have been, Botha at #10, Errol Tobias at #12 & Gerber at #13. They would've scared the daylights even out of the Wallaby fancy-Dans from the 80s. As it was, it was still good. The du Plessis brothers Willie & Michael shared centre duties with Gerber, but Tobias was on another level. Shame about the apartheid. I've come around to the thinking that Gregan may actually be the Wallabies greatest-ever scrumhalf. Not a purist's idea of the perfect #9, but his strengths far outweigh any niggling minor weaknesses. And while I can't yet release myself from thinking Ella is our greatest #10, the case for Larkham is compelling. He could do most of the same stuff as Ella, but was ridiculously durable & way courageous too much for his own good.
Justin
Guest
To be fair. There really hasn’t been much heartache for All Black supporters at all has there? A few blips on the screen hear & there . For the most part, it’s been business as usual. The only possible thing that could possibly bring any heartache to All Black supporters. Would be if ‘all Non Māori’ , Melanesian, Micronesian, and Polynesian players were to actually decide to play for the countries of their birth or their forefathers birth. It may not stop the All Blacks from winning most of the time, but would certainly put a hole in available player talent.
ozziedude
Roar Rookie
Refs cheats? .. im hearing that ol kiwi chestnut rear its ugly head again… Wayne Barnes’ name is sure to be mentioned soon enough! :laughing: ffs sake bottling something doesnt mean cheat.. are you that ignorant? I guess that anyone who needs someone to tell them who a good player is - via some flaky award, shows their one eyed level of understanding.. Like everyone knows, he only excelled when Smith moved on. Both Smith and Pocock - better over the ball and similarly 1 dimensional to old mate, are better ppl too off field, not signing with dubious sponsors.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Now your saying Refs are cheats!! Ffs are you really that naive? Like you seemed to have lack of understanding what a world player of the year title is, seeing George never won one! Well honestly your being one eyed doesn’t help in understanding what the global game has for players that are legends.
ozziedude
Roar Rookie
Anyone who watched the game live knows Joubert bottled it…even honest kiwis agree :laughing: only in some kiwi’s opinion you think Richies better, he aint.. player for player George takes it..was also captain btw. when George was winding up his test career , old mate was labelled the worst kiwi captain ever :laughing: he only improved after George left the scene.. Even Dusautoir was a better player.. Fact.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Well it’s a known fact with us that know the game, that most Kiwis, & Saffas, we consider a test match between us as the ultimate challenge.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Choked over the line?? Honestly where in the record books say that?? They won it!! Only in some Aussies opinion that he’s what you say, but Richie was what I said, & also a captain. George never achieved what Richie ever did. Fact.
ozziedude
Roar Rookie
:laughing: Smith is way more skilled.. nz choked over the line in 2011 anyways, only just. :laughing: :stoked:
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
So tell me dude? How many IRB player of the year titles did George win, along with RWC’s ?
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
ozziedude
Roar Rookie
Lol Smith was way more skilled..
Andrew Nichols
Guest
Gifted a try to Euan Evans the Lions winger.
Andrew Nichols
Guest
Dont agree with Wilkinson as the English really didnt have that much success against the ABs in his time. Others fair enough. In particular, Gregan was a master magician at manipulating refs at the scrum feed against far superior scrummaging AB sides, delaying or feinting the put in on theur loosehead and thus getting penalties for his side. Loathed him for it but was also in awe of his ability to do so, game after game.
Michael
Guest
Good list. The Bledisloe Cup teams around the turn of the century produced some of the most passionate performances I’ve ever seen on a sporting field. As an Aussie, 2 of my favs who are rarely mentioned in lists are Matthew Burke and Toutai Kefu. I believe they both had some pretty important plays in that 2001 series :stoked:
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Good call...
Kane
Roar Guru
I’d also say NZers LOVED rather than feared Schalk. I would agree, growing up as a Kiwi, Schalk was and still is my favourite player, closely followed by Troy Flavell
Kane
Roar Guru
Is Brian the only one on that list to not have beaten the All Blacks?
Kane
Roar Guru
Whilst Brian was very good he never broke the All Blacks hearts, what was he 0-14 against them?
Tezza
Guest
Excellent selections! But no mention of Mark Ella, Brian O’Driscoll?