Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years
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As a slightly younger poster one thing that has surprised me is Fitzy making the cut for a lot of people. Not that he doesn't deserve to be there, but I never really watched him play as he retired when I started watching. What was so good about his play that puts him in our top 5 all time lists?
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@No-Quarter said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
I know Lomu wasn't a complete player by any stretch, but his running game was so much better than anyone else that has played the game it's not even funny. Without exaggerating he was probably about 5 times more effective with ball in hand than any other player. People had nightmares about trying to defend against him. The combination of pace and power he had were basically inhuman. Has to be in the top 5 given the way he could break games apart with such ease.
For different reasons I think Cullen was just as good in attack. The fact they played at the same time was just terrific.
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@MN5 said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
@No-Quarter said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
I know Lomu wasn't a complete player by any stretch, but his running game was so much better than anyone else that has played the game it's not even funny. Without exaggerating he was probably about 5 times more effective with ball in hand than any other player. People had nightmares about trying to defend against him. The combination of pace and power he had were basically inhuman. Has to be in the top 5 given the way he could break games apart with such ease.
For different reasons I think Cullen was just as good in attack. The fact they played at the same time was just terrific.
that whole 96-97 backline was a fucking cheat code
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@mariner4life said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
@MN5 said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
@No-Quarter said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
I know Lomu wasn't a complete player by any stretch, but his running game was so much better than anyone else that has played the game it's not even funny. Without exaggerating he was probably about 5 times more effective with ball in hand than any other player. People had nightmares about trying to defend against him. The combination of pace and power he had were basically inhuman. Has to be in the top 5 given the way he could break games apart with such ease.
For different reasons I think Cullen was just as good in attack. The fact they played at the same time was just terrific.
that whole 96-97 backline was a fucking cheat code
A couple of glitches, Marshall couldn’t pass and Merhts couldn’t tackle
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@MN5 said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
@mariner4life said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
@MN5 said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
@No-Quarter said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
I know Lomu wasn't a complete player by any stretch, but his running game was so much better than anyone else that has played the game it's not even funny. Without exaggerating he was probably about 5 times more effective with ball in hand than any other player. People had nightmares about trying to defend against him. The combination of pace and power he had were basically inhuman. Has to be in the top 5 given the way he could break games apart with such ease.
For different reasons I think Cullen was just as good in attack. The fact they played at the same time was just terrific.
that whole 96-97 backline was a fucking cheat code
A couple of glitches, Marshall couldn’t pass and Merhts couldn’t tackle
96-97 Marshall was fucking good, his pass was not a massive issue because his running game was brilliant.
No 10s tackled then, and Mehrts was the perfect 10 for that side, again a running game to stop players drifting off him.
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@mariner4life said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
@MN5 said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
@mariner4life said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
@MN5 said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
@No-Quarter said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
I know Lomu wasn't a complete player by any stretch, but his running game was so much better than anyone else that has played the game it's not even funny. Without exaggerating he was probably about 5 times more effective with ball in hand than any other player. People had nightmares about trying to defend against him. The combination of pace and power he had were basically inhuman. Has to be in the top 5 given the way he could break games apart with such ease.
For different reasons I think Cullen was just as good in attack. The fact they played at the same time was just terrific.
that whole 96-97 backline was a fucking cheat code
A couple of glitches, Marshall couldn’t pass and Merhts couldn’t tackle
96-97 Marshall was fucking good, his pass was not a massive issue because his running game was brilliant.
No 10s tackled then, and Mehrts was the perfect 10 for that side, again a running game to stop players drifting off him.
Sounds like someone never saw Henry Honiball play.
But yeah, big fan of Merhts. What a player and character.
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@MN5 said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
@mariner4life said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
@MN5 said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
@mariner4life said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
@MN5 said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
@No-Quarter said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
I know Lomu wasn't a complete player by any stretch, but his running game was so much better than anyone else that has played the game it's not even funny. Without exaggerating he was probably about 5 times more effective with ball in hand than any other player. People had nightmares about trying to defend against him. The combination of pace and power he had were basically inhuman. Has to be in the top 5 given the way he could break games apart with such ease.
For different reasons I think Cullen was just as good in attack. The fact they played at the same time was just terrific.
that whole 96-97 backline was a fucking cheat code
A couple of glitches, Marshall couldn’t pass and Merhts couldn’t tackle
96-97 Marshall was fucking good, his pass was not a massive issue because his running game was brilliant.
No 10s tackled then, and Mehrts was the perfect 10 for that side, again a running game to stop players drifting off him.
Sounds like someone never saw Henry Honiball play.
But yeah, big fan of Merhts. What a player and character.
i knew you would bring Honnibal up. A footnote
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@mariner4life said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
@MN5 said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
@mariner4life said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
@MN5 said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
@No-Quarter said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
I know Lomu wasn't a complete player by any stretch, but his running game was so much better than anyone else that has played the game it's not even funny. Without exaggerating he was probably about 5 times more effective with ball in hand than any other player. People had nightmares about trying to defend against him. The combination of pace and power he had were basically inhuman. Has to be in the top 5 given the way he could break games apart with such ease.
For different reasons I think Cullen was just as good in attack. The fact they played at the same time was just terrific.
that whole 96-97 backline was a fucking cheat code
A couple of glitches, Marshall couldn’t pass and Merhts couldn’t tackle
96-97 Marshall was fucking good, his pass was not a massive issue because his running game was brilliant.
No 10s tackled then, and Mehrts was the perfect 10 for that side, again a running game to stop players drifting off him.
Meg Marshall luckily also was like an extra loose forward...
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@mariner4life said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
@MN5 said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
@mariner4life said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
@MN5 said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
@mariner4life said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
@MN5 said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
@No-Quarter said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
I know Lomu wasn't a complete player by any stretch, but his running game was so much better than anyone else that has played the game it's not even funny. Without exaggerating he was probably about 5 times more effective with ball in hand than any other player. People had nightmares about trying to defend against him. The combination of pace and power he had were basically inhuman. Has to be in the top 5 given the way he could break games apart with such ease.
For different reasons I think Cullen was just as good in attack. The fact they played at the same time was just terrific.
that whole 96-97 backline was a fucking cheat code
A couple of glitches, Marshall couldn’t pass and Merhts couldn’t tackle
96-97 Marshall was fucking good, his pass was not a massive issue because his running game was brilliant.
No 10s tackled then, and Mehrts was the perfect 10 for that side, again a running game to stop players drifting off him.
Sounds like someone never saw Henry Honiball play.
But yeah, big fan of Merhts. What a player and character.
i knew you would bring Honnibal up. A footnote
Bloody good against NZ though.
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@mariner4life said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
@MN5 said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
@mariner4life said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
@MN5 said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
@No-Quarter said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
I know Lomu wasn't a complete player by any stretch, but his running game was so much better than anyone else that has played the game it's not even funny. Without exaggerating he was probably about 5 times more effective with ball in hand than any other player. People had nightmares about trying to defend against him. The combination of pace and power he had were basically inhuman. Has to be in the top 5 given the way he could break games apart with such ease.
For different reasons I think Cullen was just as good in attack. The fact they played at the same time was just terrific.
that whole 96-97 backline was a fucking cheat code
A couple of glitches, Marshall couldn’t pass and Merhts couldn’t tackle
96-97 Marshall was fucking good, his pass was not a massive issue because his running game was brilliant.
No 10s tackled then, and Mehrts was the perfect 10 for that side, again a running game to stop players drifting off him.
That 96-97 side did pretty bloody well without Merhts too - when Carlos was at 10 or Preston etc.
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@No-Quarter said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
As a slightly younger poster one thing that has surprised me is Fitzy making the cut for a lot of people. Not that he doesn't deserve to be there, but I never really watched him play as he retired when I started watching. What was so good about his play that puts him in our top 5 all time lists?
I’m actually genuinely surprised at how quickly he became the forgotten great in NZ rugby. During the 90s I think he was thought of as that modern great, that Meads of the era. Maybe because he stayed in the UK he slipped out of our consciousness?
He really did have it all as a player though, running game, accurate in the line out, good scrummager, was a bit of a prick.
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@Nepia said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
@No-Quarter said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
As a slightly younger poster one thing that has surprised me is Fitzy making the cut for a lot of people. Not that he doesn't deserve to be there, but I never really watched him play as he retired when I started watching. What was so good about his play that puts him in our top 5 all time lists?
I’m actually genuinely surprised at how quickly he became the forgotten great in NZ rugby. During the 90s I think he was thought of as that modern great, that Meads of the era. Maybe because he stayed in the UK he slipped out of our consciousness?
He really did have it all as a player though, running game, accurate in the line out, good scrummager, was a bit of a prick.
Yeah was a star at the time. Being "rent a quote" in the UK does seem to have tarnished the image a bit.
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@Nepia Fitzy brought mental toughness, confidence, dominance into an AB team that was impacted by the Cavaliers controversy, and drew the best out in players around him - while the opposition were usually rattled by this. His team mates always believed they were going to win, and willingly gave their all for the cause. That stands him out above his pure attributes as a player.
I see a modern parallel with Brodie Retallick, and the impact his presence has had on both his team-mates and the opposition. When he is missing the AB's become far more vulnerable.
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@No-Quarter said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
The combination of pace and power he had were basically inhuman.
I'll die in a ditch about his balance being what set him apart. Other people have had pace and power, but he had the ability to get hit and stay on his feet that was just nuts. He was a remarkable player going forwards.
That said, I'm sure this forum would have been well aware of his positional and defensive frailties.
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@No-Quarter said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
As a slightly younger poster one thing that has surprised me is Fitzy making the cut for a lot of people. Not that he doesn't deserve to be there, but I never really watched him play as he retired when I started watching. What was so good about his play that puts him in our top 5 all time lists?
Was excellent at all his core jobs, automatic thrower, led from the front, became probably our best ever captain (was great with the refs)
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@No-Quarter said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
I know Lomu wasn't a complete player by any stretch, but his running game was so much better than anyone else that has played the game it's not even funny. Without exaggerating he was probably about 5 times more effective with ball in hand than any other player. People had nightmares about trying to defend against him. The combination of pace and power he had were basically inhuman. Has to be in the top 5 given the way he could break games apart with such ease.
For many years the ABs offensive strategy was "get the ball to Jonah". Still one of the few rugby players referred to by his first name only
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@No-Quarter said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
I know Lomu wasn't a complete player by any stretch, but his running game was so much better than anyone else that has played the game it's not even funny. Without exaggerating he was probably about 5 times more effective with ball in hand than any other player. People had nightmares about trying to defend against him. The combination of pace and power he had were basically inhuman. Has to be in the top 5 given the way he could break games apart with such ease.
Also, and I think @mariner4life summed it up well earlier, being the "greatest" or even a "great" All Black goes far beyond mere rugby playing ability (although that's most of it). It also includes what impact he had on the jersey and the legacy - did he add to it and, if so, how much? Jonah's impact on the jersey and the legacy are almost - almost - unparalleled. He's the benchmark by which we judge all of our wingers - he's why no-one rates George Bridge,
You've also got to say that the guy made huge physical sacrifices for the jersey. We quite rightly talk of McCaw's foot, Fitzy's ear, Pinetree's arm and Buck's testicle. But, let's not forget that Jonah played with a life-threatening and debilitating kidney disease and made several comebacks are bouts of dialysis and a fucking kidney transplant.
Anyone who doesn't have in in their Top 5 - because he was slow on the turn or some other nit-picking bullshit - can seriously go and eat a bag full of dicks!
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@junior said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
@No-Quarter said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
I know Lomu wasn't a complete player by any stretch, but his running game was so much better than anyone else that has played the game it's not even funny. Without exaggerating he was probably about 5 times more effective with ball in hand than any other player. People had nightmares about trying to defend against him. The combination of pace and power he had were basically inhuman. Has to be in the top 5 given the way he could break games apart with such ease.
Also, and I think @mariner4life summed it up well earlier, being the "greatest" or even a "great" All Black goes far beyond mere rugby playing ability (although that's most of it). It also includes what impact he had on the jersey and the legacy - did he add to it and, if so, how much? Jonah's impact on the jersey and the legacy are almost - almost - unparalleled. He's the benchmark by which we judge all of our wingers - he's why no-one rates George Bridge,
You've also got to say that the guy made huge physical sacrifices for the jersey. We quite rightly talk of McCaw's foot, Fitzy's ear, Pinetree's arm and Buck's testicle. But, let's not forget that Jonah played with a life-threatening and debilitating kidney disease and made several comebacks are bouts of dialysis and a fucking kidney transplant.
Anyone who doesn't have in in their Top 5 - because he was slow on the turn or some other nit-picking bullshit - can seriously go and eat a bag full of dicks!
1000%
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@No-Quarter said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
As a slightly younger poster one thing that has surprised me is Fitzy making the cut for a lot of people. Not that he doesn't deserve to be there, but I never really watched him play as he retired when I started watching. What was so good about his play that puts him in our top 5 all time lists?
In addition to what others have posted, his longevity was very impressive especially as a captain. He wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea and I had plenty of Aussie and Pom mates that thought he epitomised “All Black arrogance”, but they knew he was damn good as a player and leader. He was a pro even before the game went pro.
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@ACT-Crusader said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
@bayimports said in Five Greatest ABs of the past 50 years:
Just curious but some of the 100 club didn’t make even a comment, didn’t see Woodcock or Mils even get a mention. Mils I get, but does Tony get a mention?
Special shout out to the greatest AB centurian that hasn’t scored a try
Tony won you a WC
