Big Ewis
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^ That is a question mark. Or is it. Question mark.
Why yes it is coma Aedaphon full stop Why would you post such a comment question mark
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^ That is a question mark. Or is it. Question mark.
interestingly, this AB side actually doesn't have many islanders who are regulars compared to most years in recent history. Nonu, Mealamu, Faumaina, Savea, Luatua then? Really only two-three in a regular top run on 15. Messam is part maori (also part samoan too), as is TKB, TJP, A Smith I think?
What the ABs did this year should see them talked about as one of the greatest All Black sides and probably the best team ever in the modern era, any country. What they did this year was many times harder than winning a world cup. It's only ever an opinion and nothing more but still. What this team did this year will become the new benchmark, it will be compared to and talked about for as long as the game is still played.
NZ is too over powered, 1/2 of their players are/have Samoan Heritige. SBW IS The BIG ONE
ONE DAY NZ WILL FALL TO THE JAWS OF DEFEAT
interestingly, this AB side actually doesn't have many islanders who are regulars compared to most years in recent history. Nonu, Mealamu, Faumaina, Savea, Luatua then? Really only two-three in a regular top run on 15. Messam is part maori (also part samoan too), as is TKB, TJP, A Smith I think?
I think for the 1996-1997 ABs you can add 1995 even though you lost the RWC final in 1995 by a hair's breadth.
1. Craig Dowd
2. Sean Fitzpatrick
3. Olo Brown
4. Ian Jones
5. Robin Brooke
6. Michael Jones
7. Josh Kronfeld
8. Zinzan Brooke
9. Justin Marshall
10. Andrew Mehrtens/Carlos Spencer
11. Jonah Lomu/Tana Umaga
12. Alama Ierimia/Walter Little
13. Frank Bunce
14. Jeff Wilson
15. Christian Cullen
That is a very strong team.
No McCaw. Carter at his best was definitely better that Carlos spencer.In essence he was made by Andrew mehterns. What a centre pairing little and Bunce.But smith And Nonu are equally as good!Lomu before Umaga the wing position.The pack is awesome but you have to find a place for Richie otherwise you'll be lynched! Lol
On the bench Keiran read and a young mealumu. Cullen what are fantastic player! you are evoking the memories.
No McCaw. Carter at his best was definitely better that Carlos spencer.In essence he was made by Andrew mehterns. What a centre pairing little and Bunce.But smith And Nonu are equally as good!Lomu before Umaga the wing position.The pack is awesome but you have to find a place for Richie otherwise you'll be lynched! Lol
On the bench Keiran read and a young mealumu. Cullen what are fantastic player! you are evoking the memories.
Also SBW is coming back to the ABs as he said in the Sydney Morning Hearld ( SBW IS HALF SAMOAN) and they are getting Benji marshall who would might be a treat if he plays with his mind, he can be a treat but they do have talent young players - http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...retty-boys-doing-our-hair-20131025-2w6lg.html
AND you forgot some legends that were Islanders
Jonah Lomu
Jerry Collins
Victor Vito
Tana Umaga
and more
To be honest, I don't Mccaw would have had such a big impact during that time, as what he has had in his era. The Rules at that point and stage, was a lot more primitive and less technical as it is now. there wasn't a big focus on a fetcher at ruck time. So I don't think Richie would have been such a great influence then.
The team that Nick compiled there was awesome! I was still in primary school when these guys played, and at that time I collected cards of rugby players (player profile cards). I had all of these guys in my collection, and my friends always tried to trade a Springbok player for my Olo Brown card, for some strange reason I had about 10 Olo Brown cards.
Anyways, I can still remember how Cullen and Carlos and Jeff Wilson used to run us ragged.
I have to disagree. McCaw would have been just as effective back then, as it wasn't really that long ago that NZ had that side ('95/'96) - it was only a couple of seasons before McCaw made his debut for Canterbury. If anything I think he would have been much more effective back then than he was now, as around that time the rules really favored a pilfering openside, it's just few teams outside of New Zealand seemed to realize this Indeed Josh Kronfeld main strength was his ability to turn over opposition ball at the breakdown (his support play was handy too) - and though Kronfeld was an exceptional player McCaw is in a different league......
1. Craig Dowd
2. Sean Fitzpatrick
3. Olo Brown
4. Ian Jones
5. Robin Brooke
6. Michael Jones
7. Josh Kronfeld
8. Zinzan Brooke
9. Justin Marshall
10. Andrew Mehrtens/Carlos Spencer
11. Jonah Lomu/Tana Umaga
12. Alama Ierimia/Walter Little
13. Frank Bunce
14. Jeff Wilson
15. Christian Cullen
That is a very strong team.
Yes, probably the best team of individual greats, you would only exclude Dowd, Spencer and maybe Little from a Legends list.
BTW Ierimea didn't really play in this team, Scott McLeod had a few tests too