50 Stephen Donald [2008-2011]CAPS 23
Stephen Donald is the perfect example of why no one should ever think doors stay permanently closed in a professional career.
They don’t – as he proved when he went from being the most vilified player in New Zealand to national hero.
Donald is living proof that the most unlikely players can end up having the most incredible influence. No one can say the All Blacks wouldn’t have won the 2011 World Cup without Donald, but he certainly had a massive influence in ensuring they did.
Drafted into the squad as the fourth choice first-five for the semifinal, he ended up having to play 55 minutes of the final. He wasn’t in great shape physically, hadn’t played for five weeks and he suddenly found himself as the All Blacks’ chief playmaker in the biggest game of all.
But he played his heart out and kicked the winning penalty – writing one of the more incredible chapters in not just All Blacks history but sporting history.
Not only has he had a huge influence in shaping New Zealand rugby history – there was even a film made about him – but his contribution in that one game has made him an inspiration to hundreds of thousands.
49 Reuben Thorne [1999-2007] CAPS 50
The New Zealand public didn’t always have a great handle on the value or influence of Reuben Thorne.
He suffered some cruel comments and analysis of his performances when he was All Blacks captain in 2002 and 2003. His detractors said he lacked dynamism and impact, that he was a plodder, safe but unspectacular.
There was maybe a bit of truth in that but it was those qualities of being secure, measured, accurate, grafting and relentless that marked Thorne as special and influenced those around him.
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