Crystal Glass XV
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@MN5 said in Crystal Glass XV:
@Nepia said in Crystal Glass XV:
@MN5 said in Crystal Glass XV:
@Nepia said in Crystal Glass XV:
@canefan said in Crystal Glass XV:
That lock from Waikato, Keith Robinson. Had a tough guy rep but was always hurt
In for a shot as one of the most overrated players in NZ rugby too. Always hailed as a saviour, never really delivered.
Jesus Neps. He did the business really well on the pitch if memory serves.
At least that’s what Bart and Red Beard always said on here.
If him and Troy Flavell had stayed fit/away from the judiciary I think NZ might have had the most feared forward pack of that era.
I took a calculated risk of RB not being around here anymore and Bart starting threads and then disappearing again so I took my shot - and I stand by it.
He did actually play well and had presence when he actually made it on the park didn’t he ?
Not like those show ponies Ali Williams and Chris Jack
Apparently it was a huge effort just to come back from that back injury he suffered. Recall him being pretty damn good before that injury.
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Another one from the past is Nicky Allen. Literally lost his life playing rugby. Was he as good as they say?
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Crystal Glass XV:
Another one from the past is Nicky Allen. Literally lost his life playing rugby. Was he as good as they say?
I think Foxy said in his book that he only had his career because Allen had the wanderlust and didn't actually commit himself - IIRC he died playing rural rugby in Oz and that he knew he could die if he kept playing.
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@booboo said in Crystal Glass XV:
@Victor-Meldrew said in Crystal Glass XV:
Going back further, i nominate Bevan Wilson, the fullback from the late 70's.
After years of crap 15's he was the real deal in '77, calm under pressure, good goalkicker and pretty good on attack. Only played 8 times due to injuries an retired after 2 years
Obvious segue is Clive Curry.
Dirty Welsh thugs. Glad they're still whinging and deluding themselves about Haden.
Karma's a bitch huh?
Currie ... just for the record ... 😀
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Crystal Glass XV:
Another one from the past is Nicky Allen. Literally lost his life playing rugby. Was he as good as they say?
Big rep. Reading some of the biographies from that time and they wax absolutely lyrical about his skills.
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@Bones said in Crystal Glass XV:
@Mr-Fish Alaimalo ruthlessly taken out with deadly precision by Clarke. What happened to Leonard?
Was misremembering!
Thought it was Stephen Jones' kick to Leonard's head that saw him scrubbed for a while (still more a 50/50 call than Clarke's entirely pointless tackle on Alaimalo) but it was one of his other countless injuries.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Crystal Glass XV:
Another one from the past is Nicky Allen. Literally lost his life playing rugby. Was he as good as they say?
Too brief a career to be fair. Saw him against Wales in 1980 IIRC and he looked outstanding.
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I saw Keith Robinson play a bit for Waikato. He was an absolute beast.
In the cut short stakes we can add Aaron Hopa.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Crystal Glass XV:
@Bovidae said in Crystal Glass XV:
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Crystal Glass XV:
Going back a long way but Jason Goldsmith was the youngest AB I believe and then disappeared due to savage injury.
He played for Waikato while still at school. I remember watching Goldsmith star in Waikato's win against the 1988 Welsh team. He was in the ABs later that year at 18. Retired at 24 due to injuries.
I actually saw him play at Ballymore in 1988. Was a bit pissed off because I wanted John Kirwan's autograph and he was playing on the right wing so on opposite side of where I was.
Should have hung around for the second half...
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@Duluth said in Crystal Glass XV:
If you include foreigners - Manu Tuilagi
A lot of midfielders mentioned
He has PI heritage, you're bound to poach him anyway
But yeah, for sure, he is the epitome of a Crystal Glass player. His International career lasted for almost 14 years and during that time would have been an automatic pick but amassed "only" 60 caps. Without doubt he would now have been England's record cap holder and maybe even have surpassed Alun-Wyn's record.
Injured more than fit.
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@Catogrande said in Crystal Glass XV:
@Duluth said in Crystal Glass XV:
If you include foreigners - Manu Tuilagi
A lot of midfielders mentioned
He has PI heritage, you're bound to poach him anyway
But yeah, for sure, he is the epitome of a Crystal Glass player. His International career lasted for almost 14 years and during that time would have been an automatic pick but amassed "only" 60 caps. Without doubt he would now have been England's record cap holder and maybe even have surpassed Alun-Wyn's record.
Injured more than fit.
Would we fast track his citizenship after finding out he was an illegal overstayer? And would WR let us get away with it?
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Well, we’re unlikely to know, but my guess is probably yes and almost definitely yes. Although in truth there was little that WR could do even if they wanted to. Tuilagi qualified hands down. The citizenship and overstaying was not within their remit.
Edit: From what I can gather, once the problem was realised, the correct channels were followed and he was granted “indefinite leave to remain” by the UK Government. It was Leicester Tigers that started the ball rolling on this one and they lobbied local politicians and the RFU to assist their case. Not an RFU initiative.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Crystal Glass XV:
@MN5 said in Crystal Glass XV:
@Nepia said in Crystal Glass XV:
@MN5 said in Crystal Glass XV:
@Nepia said in Crystal Glass XV:
@canefan said in Crystal Glass XV:
That lock from Waikato, Keith Robinson. Had a tough guy rep but was always hurt
In for a shot as one of the most overrated players in NZ rugby too. Always hailed as a saviour, never really delivered.
Jesus Neps. He did the business really well on the pitch if memory serves.
At least that’s what Bart and Red Beard always said on here.
If him and Troy Flavell had stayed fit/away from the judiciary I think NZ might have had the most feared forward pack of that era.
I took a calculated risk of RB not being around here anymore and Bart starting threads and then disappearing again so I took my shot - and I stand by it.
He did actually play well and had presence when he actually made it on the park didn’t he ?
Not like those show ponies Ali Williams and Chris Jack
Apparently it was a huge effort just to come back from that back injury he suffered. Recall him being pretty damn good before that injury.
He was bloody good. And so were Williams and Jack.
Flavell… not so much. All hat, no cowboy. It’s fine to be half as hard as you think you are (see Williams, A. above), it’s fine to mask it by being dirty, but what’s no use is being an ineffective cheapshot merchant who makes an art of hiding from the other team’s hardmen.
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@Catogrande said in Crystal Glass XV:
Well, we’re unlikely to know, but my guess is probably yes and almost definitely yes. Although in truth there was little that WR could do even if they wanted to. Tuilagi qualified hands down. The citizenship and overstaying was not within their remit.
Edit: From what I can gather, once the problem was realised, the correct channels were followed and he was granted “indefinite leave to remain” by the UK Government. It was Leicester Tigers that started the ball rolling on this one and they lobbied local politicians and the RFU to assist their case. Not an RFU initiative.
You sure about that? Ever heard of the dawn raids?
And you think so? We tried with Naholo who was living with family in NZ (legally), but not his parents same as Manu, and were denied.
Also, I'm not saying he should never have been available for England, but WR should have imposed the stand down after his schooling was completed which happened to other players.
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Neemia Tialata's jaw
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@KiwiMurph said in Crystal Glass XV:
Not sure they've been mentioned yet but Taniela Tupou and Jordie Petaia would be two that fit the (food)bill
And let’s not forget Matt Rogers or better known as Medicare Matt because he was frequently injured.
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@Bones said in Crystal Glass XV:
@canefan said in Crystal Glass XV:
Don't forget that midfielder from Waikato who makes the list because of an act of filth from an Aussie scumbag
One injury which you come back from makes you eligible for the glass XV?
May as well include everyone who’s played for the ABs who’s not called Sean Fitzpatrick.
