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15. Christian Cullen
The freak no one better at slicing through defenses, try scoring machine.
Honourable mentions: John Gallagher, Gavin Hastings and Don Clarke.
14. John Kirwan.
J.K none other. At his peak he made Campese look silly time and time again. The
first great modern powerful winger.
Honourable mentions: Jeff Wilson, the French guy with the big nose who
played in the 80's (Pdp help)!
11. Jonah Lomu, like Bart said in his
'Favourites XV" he brought you to your feet every time he touched the ball, had
2 magnificent World Cups, only All Black b to come out with his reputation
enhanced in 'that' semi vs France.
Honourable mentions: Joe Rokocoko and David Campese.
13. Frank Bunce.
The man. Came out of almost nowhere to be a dead cert All Black center for
5 seasons, apart from Tana hasn't been anybody close since.
Honourable mentions: Tana Umaga, Phillipe Sella, Jeremy Guscott, Joe
Stanely.
12. Walter Little.
He and Bunce went together like fish and chips, great North Harbour man who you
never always knew what he was going to do next with the ball!
Honourable mentions: Tim Horan (the best ever), Aaron Mauger, Warwick
Taylor.
10. Dan Carter.
The best ever (maybe) kicks the goals and hell even scores a Shedload of
tries...not many 1st 5's do that!
Honourable mentions: Grant Fox, Michael Lynagh, Hugo Porta.
9. Justin Marshall.
Never everyone's favourite but always gave his all, hated to lose and to be
subbed! The best number 9 since the days of Loveridge and Kirk.
Honourable mentions: Nick Farr-Jones, Dave Loveridge, Joost vander
Westhuizen.
8. Zinzan Brooke.
He had all the skills and had a lot of cheek. Took him a few years to become a
great and kick his first drop goal! A freakish player who might never be
replaced.
Honourable mentions: Buck Shelford, Willie 'O'.
7. Michael Jones
The greatest ever. Left everyone in awe at the '87 RWC. To come back from
that injury in 89 was incredible, fact he played over 50 tests despite not
playing Sundays and suffering several injuries shows what the Black Jersey meant
to him.
Honourable mentions: Josh Kronfeld, Richie McCaw, Kevin Schuler.
6. Alan Whetton.
Perfect foil for Michael Jones in '87, I used to have those old AB touring
videos and AJ Whetton was quite the joker, still see him up here on the coast
from time to time as well.
Honourable mentions: Michael Jones, Jerry Collins, Schalk Burger.
5 and 4. Colin Meads and Ian Jones.
Pinetree has his own fan club who celebrate his birthday and from what I've
heard ring him from time to time, he has been known to hang out with them and
drink the odd pint. Most weren't even born when he last played! Kamo, tall
skinny lanky fella who a lot thought wouldn't survive Test rugby, well he's
played more tests at lock than anybody else for NZ! Does a good job on the rugby
channel now too!
Honourable mentions: Robin Brooke, John Eales
3 and 1. Richard Loe (played both hence why I
lumped them together!) Hard ass, nasty bastard on the field too just ask a
certain puney Aussie winger! Craig Dowd, the guy was a mountain, quiet and just
got into his work no mouthing like some players do!
Honourable mentions: Olo Brown, Carl Haymen, Os Du Randt.
2. Sean Fitzpatrick.
Not many other players had such a big influence on and off the field, plus his
after match sayings became folklore (a game of two halves!). Almost never left
the field injured either.
Honourable mentions: Phil Kearns, Kevin Mealamu, Keith Wood.
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