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15- Christian Cullen
video here
John Gallagher ruined the fullback position for everyone who wasn't fast like he
was. Wingers were shunted back to fullback and their careers stuffed (Timu) as
coaches tried to emulate Gallagher's runs into the backline. Glen Osbourne
looked pretty good in 95, but no-one quite pulled it off until Christian Cullen
Culley came along and absolutely blew everyone away. Sometimes he'd outrun his
support & eventually he was slowed due to too much bulk and a dodgy shank, but
what a player in his prime!
Silver -John Gallagher Bronze-Serge Blanco
14- Rupeni Caucaunibuca 2003:
video
here
Like Lomu the man was an athletic freak who could glide through defenders like
they weren't there. Was unfortunately brittle for a guy who played in such a
robust way.
11- Jonah Lomu
video here
Other wings may have had a better all around game but who else had as big of a
"Holy fuck" factor as Jonah?? No-one that's who. The 95 World Cup were some of
the most amazing moments I've ever seen in the game that we all love. Played
through the pain when his body was betrayng him and never once let on or used it
as an excuse.
Bronze Sitivini Sivivatu
13 Tana Umaga
video here
Had few rivals in terms of mana. Went from wild fullback to a scything right
winger, to a monster at center who will be remembered as an All Balck great. He
resatmped controlled aggresion into the All Blacks and led the best haka since
Buck.. acutally the best EVER.
Silver Frank Bunce Bronze Joe Stanley
12 John Schuster
Set Gallagher up time and time again for Wellington and the AB's. A perfect
blend of balance and skills. Was a hard arse on defence and could beat tacklers
by stepping off either foot by smashing through them. Stoeln by the Newcastle
Knights before we all got to see the best of him in black. He ended up as a
pretty good goalkicker too.
Silver Tim Horan Bronze Denis Charvet
10 Dan Carter
video here
In that 2nd Lions test he played the complete game. Every other 1st 5/8 I could
think of had some sort of weekness, usually tackling. Carter has none apart from
the odd rough game.
Silver Henry Honnibal Bronze Frano Botica
9- Graham Bachop
Was a small player but an All Black for nearly a decade. What a pass, what
vision. Mehrts was young at the 95 Cup but Bach's accuracy and speed of
clearance gave him a ton of room to work in. He was easily the best halfback at
the tournament that year.
Silver George Gregan Bronze Simon Crabb
8-Murray Mexted
I used to watch him from the Millard Stand at Athletic Park and got a great view
of him operating. Mex was EVERYWHERE on the paddock. His workrate was huge.
Quick off the back of the scrum and tall enough to win plenty of ball at the
back of the lineout and he hardly ever missed a tackle.
Ball needs to be carried to set up a ruck ?, Mex was there. Ball carrier needs
support? Mex was there on his shoulder
Half back puts in a box kick ? Mex was there to field it.
His was a great story. A kid from Tawa, dreams of being an All Black. Not only
does he grow up to do that, he ends up rooting Miss Universe! L-E-G-E-N-D
Silver Abdel Benazzi Bronze W.T. Shelford
7-Michael Jones 87-89
Ball skills, anticipation, the hanging leap at the back of the lineout, poetry.
Best ever. Nuff said
Silver Richie McCaw Bronze Josh
6-Eric Champ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUDYiBi2MB0
He once punched out a truck and bit the head off a Rhino on the same day.
He was tall, fast, intimidating & fearless and completely 'gt' what the haka was
about and responded in the right way.
Silver Jerry Collins Bronze Mark Shaw
5-Royce Willis - To Provide the power in
the scrum, defence & in the ball carrying department. Never really cemented his
place in the All Blacks before heading offshore. He was devastating during his
years at the Blues and particularly in a test match against South Africa at Eden
Park where he absolutely clowned Mark Andrews
4-Murray Pierce A sign at the World Cup
Final in 87 read No Condom is too big for a kiwi. Pierce marked Condom in that
game and the genius with the banner was proven correct. The Wellington polceman
was the forgetten member of the 87 World Cup pack, but he never lost a lineout
and was a hero to all tall white guys who prefer short shorts.
Bronze Martin Johnson Honorable mention Mike TePaa
3-Richard Loe - Tough,Mean & Strong. Thug
reputation on the field was a shame because it didn't give credit to what a good
player he was. Off it he was sharp and suprisingly funny.
Silver Carl Hayman Bronze Gary Knight
1-Steve McDowell - Good scrum technician
but his charges around the paddock were what set him apart. His amazing
technique in the point of contact came from Judo. Tore his left bicep the day
before Fight For Life but still went ahead with it.. took a pasting but had guts
enough to hang in.
Silver Tony Woodcock Bronze Brian McGrattan
2-Hika Reid
The Wellington years... Small but gutsy hooker who loved the physical stuff but
shone in open play... and his middle name was Rockliffe!
Silver Tom Lawton Bronze Phil Kearns
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