Wasted talent XV

[TRF_Olyy]

Berrick Barnes possibly ? I really rate the guy but just so much Aussie talent at 10/12/15 means he got 51 caps. Or is that about his level ? If he was English he probably would've had 90+

Injuries knocked a fair few caps off - he had recurring concussion issues for a number of years.

I'd definitely class him in the injury-caused-wasted-talent category though. He went to Japan as he knew he'd have to cut his career short, and it's a little easier on the body over there with bigger paycheques - if he were still in Aus I've no doubt he'd be in their first choice 23, if not starting XV. He's class.

 

[HenryChinaski]

Only seen one person mention Tom Rees... could have been England captain....a real talent and a real shame

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Quite a few of the NZ guys have already been covered, but just to reiterate the ones I can remember from recent times (in no particular order):

Richard Kahui (18 caps)
Rene Ranger (6)
Rico Gear (20)
Hosea Gear (15)
Isaia Toeava (37)
Nick Evans (16) - criminal
Luke McAlister (31)
Tamati Ellison (5)
Aled de Malmanche (5)
James Ryan (9)
Jason Eaton (17)
Marty Holah (31)
Brendon Leonard (14)
Sione Lauaki (17)
Regan King (1)
Keith Robinson (12)
Roger Randle

Who the heck is Paul Steinmetz??

 

[Mcfadden]

Agree with Keith Robinson. Definitely one of the toughest players we've had. Would have been an incumbent for any other nation. He was just unlucky that at the time we had an embarrassment of riches when it came to locks. Plus he got injured a fair bit.

I don't think Sione Lauaki is wasted talent. Good for the Chiefs (at times). A disgrace at international level. I don't use that term loosely, but there are a couple of guys who have been rubbish for the ABs and imo, he was one.

 

[Kiwi_]

The Nick Evans one hurts the most.. I think Byron deserves a mention as well.

 

[Chistera]

Basically, all non-Springbok/Puma SH players who went to France before the end of their international career. Australia did good to make that 60-caps rule, Giteau was the Top 14's best player two years' running and couldn't get picked by the Wallabies, good thing they've included him in their WC squad, he's gold.
For France, I hope that some of our good younglings don't go to waste because we picked some Southern-Africans players ahead of them (Le Roux for Burban/Camara, Kockott for Machenaud/Doussain, Spedding for Buttin...)

 

[Mcfadden]

Possibly André Pretorius? He seemed to be a hell of a goal kicker and had the ability to get a team out of a few tricky situations. Must admit I only saw him play a few times, so maybe he isn't exactly wasted, but it seems like if he got continuity on the field he could have been lethal.

 

[nickdnz]

Heinrich Brussow has to be mentioned...

 

[Cruz_del_Sur]

Patricio Fuselli.

 

[RedruthRFC]

James Forrester could have been unreal another Dan Ward Smith.

Good shout, he really should have got an England cap, but a combination of unfortunately timed injured and the fact that the first 5 years of his career were spent at Albion playing between level 4 and 2 held him back.

- - - Updated - - -

Jeff probyn should have played in the 93 lions but lost out to horse trading.

That rings a bell. Wasn't it Peter (teapot) Wright that went in his place?

Also Ben Clarke quite possibly one of the best back row players of the 90s but made a bad choice when the game went pro

Another good shout. IIRC he was a unanimous choice as the best number eight of the 1995 world cup by all the national coaches, but never really hit those heady heights again.

 

[TobesHodges]

Digby Ioane?

 

[dragos03]

Zac Guildford

 

[TobesHodges]

Robbie Freuan

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Yes, yes, good, Keep them coming. I'll post an updated 23 and we'll see what the team can look like and if they might've had a shot at this year's RWC.

 

[TobesHodges]

Manu tuilagi (injury and dumb antics)

 

[TobesHodges]

James O'Connor
Brian Mujati
Tom Croft
Matthew Luamanu

 

[Jaguares]

DJ Forbes
Santiago Gomez Cora
Nicolas Bruzzone
Sitaleki Timani
Nasi Manu

 

[Kiwi_]

DJ Forbes
Santiago Gomez Cora
Nicolas Bruzzone
Sitaleki Timani
Nasi Manu

Nasi Manu and DJ Forbes shouldn't be on that list.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

From a Scottish point off view. Max Evans would be a wasted talent as we don't select him and Castres don't start him either yet he always perform quite well when playing.

Roddy Grant would be a big one, Always gives 100% in everygame for Edinburgh but Injury during Scotland selections make him a loss.

Not sure that Sean Maitland would count though, he get injured most off the time and couldn't really add to his 9 caps for Scotland.

 

[Kiwi_]

Matthew Ridge would have to be up there.