Tremendous Rugby is an expert rugby union competitors that options groups from South Africa, Australia, Argentina, and New Zealand. The New Zealand groups have a wealthy historical past of manufacturing a few of the world’s finest rugby gamers. On this article, we’ll take a look at every New Zealand Tremendous Rugby membership’s prime 10 gamers of all time, beginning with quantity 10.
10. Sir John Kirwan (Blues)
Sir John Kirwan is a celebrated determine in New Zealand rugby, having considerably impacted home and worldwide. He performed for Marist Brothers Previous Boys RFC and Auckland domestically, incomes 142 caps with the latter throughout their dominant period within the NPC and Ranfurly Protect. Kirwan additionally performed for Benetton Treviso in Italy from 1985 to 1989, the place he received the Italian championship in 1989.
Kirwan performed a pivotal function within the All Blacks’ 23-test unbeaten run from 1987 to 1990, which included their victory within the 1987 Rugby World Cup. He scored 35 check tries and a complete of 67 tries in all appearances with the All Blacks, which remains to be a nationwide file. In 1986, Kirwan was one among solely two All Blacks and David Kirk, who didn’t be part of the “insurgent” New Zealand Cavaliers group that travelled to South Africa through the apartheid period. Because of this, he and Kirk weren’t barred from taking part in with the All Blacks after the tour.
Kirwan additionally briefly performed rugby league, signing with the Auckland Warriors in 1995 for the ARL season, the place he was the group’s prime strive scorer within the 1996 season. After his time with rugby league, he completed his rugby union profession with NEC in Japan from 1997 to 1999.
9. Ben Smith (Highlanders)
Ben Smith was a extremely versatile participant for the Highlanders in New Zealand. He started his Tremendous Rugby profession in 2009 as a member of the Highlanders squad. In his debut season, Smith performed primarily on the wing and made two tries. The next 12 months, he began in each recreation and performed one match at fullback whereas Dagg was out injured. Smith earned reward from his coach and was in consideration for an All Blacks call-up.
For the subsequent few seasons, Smith continued to play because the Highlanders’ fullback. In 2013, he was chosen to symbolize the All Blacks on the wing towards France. His efficiency earned him the Tremendous Rugby Participant of the Yr award for the 2013 season.
8. Richie McCaw (Crusaders)
Some of the distinctive rugby gamers of all time is Richie McCaw, who performed for the Crusaders for 14 years from 2001 to 2015, and through his tenure, he helped the group to win seven Tremendous Rugby titles. Moreover, he led the All Blacks to 2 Rugby World Cup triumphs in 2011 and 2015, because of his distinctive management expertise, fearless play, and skill to win turnovers. Moreover, McCaw was the recipient of the World Rugby Participant of the Yr award 3 times, in 2006, 2009, and 2010, which acknowledges probably the most glorious participant on the earth.
7. Tana Umaga (Hurricanes)
Tana Umaga is among the most iconic gamers within the Hurricanes’ historical past. He performed for the Wellington-based group from 1996 to 2007, and through his time with the membership, he scored 37 tries in 74 appearances. Umaga additionally performed in two Rugby World Cups for the All Blacks, in 1999 and 2003.
Umaga’s highly effective operating and skill to interrupt tackles made him a feared centre. He was additionally identified for his management expertise and work off the sector, significantly in psychological well being. Umaga was awarded the New Zealand Order of Advantage in 2006 for his companies to rugby and the group.
6. Carlos Spencer (Blues)
Carlos Spencer is among the most fun gamers in Tremendous Rugby historical past. He performed for the Blues from 1996 to 2005, and through his time with the membership, he scored 491 factors, together with 36 tries. Spencer additionally performed in two Rugby World Cups for the All Blacks, in 1999 and 2003.
Spencer’s artistic play and skill to provide moments of magic on the sector made him a fan favorite. He was identified for his skilful kicking, passing, and operating, and his aptitude and individuality set him aside from different gamers. Spencer was additionally a key member of the Blues group that received three Tremendous Rugby titles in a row, from 1996 to 1998.
5. Andrew Mehrtens (Crusaders)
Andrew Mehrtens is among the biggest fly-halves in New Zealand rugby historical past. He performed for the Crusaders from 1996 to 2005, and through his time with the membership, he scored 990 factors, together with 29 tries. Mehrtens additionally performed in three Rugby World Cups for the All Blacks, in 1995, 1999, and 2003.
Mehrtens’ correct kicking, tactical consciousness, and his skill to learn the sport made him a standout participant. He was additionally identified for his composure below stress and performed a key function within the Crusaders’ 4 Tremendous Rugby titles between 1998 and 2002.
4. Christian Cullen (Hurricanes)
Christian Cullen is among the most fun fullbacks in rugby historical past. He performed for the Hurricanes from 1996 to 2003, and through his time with the membership, he scored 56 tries in 85 appearances. Cullen additionally performed in two Rugby World Cups for the All Blacks, in 1999 and 2003.
Cullen’s pace, agility, and skill to attain from wherever on the sector made him a fan favorite. He was additionally identified for his energy below the excessive ball and his skill to create area for his teammates. Cullen was inducted into the World Rugby Corridor of Fame in 2019.
3. Dan Carter (Crusaders)
Dan Carter is broadly thought to be one of many biggest fly-halves in rugby historical past. He performed for the Crusaders from 2003 to 2015, and through his time with the membership, he scored 1,708 factors, together with 29 tries. Carter additionally performed in three Rugby World Cups for the All Blacks, profitable the event in 2011 and 2015.
Carter’s accuracy with the boot, his creativity, and his skill to learn the sport made him a standout participant. He was additionally identified for his composure below stress and his skill to ship in massive matches. Carter was named the World Rugby Participant of the Yr 3 times, in 2005, 2012, and 2015.
2. Jonah Lomu (Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes)
Jonah Lomu is among the most iconic gamers in rugby historical past. He performed for 3 New Zealand Tremendous Rugby groups, together with the Blues, Chiefs, and Hurricanes. Lomu scored 37 tries in 63 Tremendous Rugby appearances and performed in two Rugby World Cups for the All Blacks in 1995 and 1999.
Lomu’s dimension, pace, and energy made him a dominant drive on the sector. He was identified for his skill to run over defenders and his unbelievable try-scoring skill. Lomu handed away in 2015 at 40 and is remembered as one of many biggest rugby gamers of all time.
1. Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders)
Richie Mo’unga is the present famous person of New Zealand rugby. He has performed for the Crusaders since 2016, and through his time with the membership, he has received 4 Tremendous Rugby titles. Mo’unga additionally performed a key function within the All Blacks’ 2019 Rugby World Cup marketing campaign, serving to his group attain the semi-finals.
Mo’unga’s creativity, skill to run the ball, and correct kicking have made him some of the thrilling gamers in rugby at this time. He was named the Tremendous Rugby Participant of the Yr for the previous two seasons and the World Rugby Participant of the Yr in 2020.
Mo’unga’s performances for the Crusaders have been nothing in need of excellent. He scored 46 tries and 895 factors for the group, together with a outstanding 33-point haul within the 2019 Tremendous Rugby remaining. Mo’unga’s skill to manage the sport and ship below stress have made him the very best participant in New Zealand Tremendous Rugby historical past.
Honourable mentions
Whereas the highest 10 checklist is dominated by gamers from the Crusaders, Blues, and Hurricanes, many different excellent gamers have been in New Zealand Tremendous Rugby historical past. Some notable mentions embody:
Zinzan Brooke (Blues): One of many biggest quantity 8s in rugby historical past, Brooke performed for the Blues from 1996 to 1997 and was a key group member that received three Tremendous Rugby titles in a row.
Tana Umaga (Hurricanes): A dynamic centre and former All Blacks captain, Umaga performed for the Hurricanes from 1996 to 2007 and led the group to their first Tremendous Rugby remaining in 2006.
Justin Marshall (Crusaders): A scrum-half with a superb tactical thoughts, Marshall performed for the Crusaders from 1996 to 2005 and was a key group member that received 4 Tremendous Rugby titles.
Conclusion
New Zealand Tremendous Rugby has been house to a few of the biggest gamers in rugby historical past. From Jonah Lomu to Richie Mo’unga, these gamers have captivated followers worldwide with their ability, aptitude, and dedication to the sport.
Whereas it’s all the time troublesome to rank gamers throughout totally different eras, the highest 10 checklist gives a glimpse into the wealthy historical past of New Zealand Tremendous Rugby and the distinctive expertise that has graced its fields through the years.
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