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.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Issue 189, Special Issue-Ausgabe von NZ Rugby World.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Issue 189, Special Issue-Ausgabe von NZ Rugby World.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
The 20 Most Memorable Rugby Acts Of 2020
2020- Most Amazing Rugby Acts
RUGBY ROYALTY
FRANS STEYN’S IMPACT AT LAST YEAR’S WORLD CUP ADDED MORE PRESTIGE TO A DECORATED CAREER THAT ISN’T OVER YET. CRAIG LEWIS FROM SA RUGBY MAGAZINE REPORTS.
WINGING IT FOR LONGER
TYPICALLY POWER WINGS DON'T LAST LONG IN THE ALL BLACKS. BUT CALEB CLARKE AND RIEKO IOANE ARE HOPING TO BUCK THE TREND.
TOUGHEST JOB IN THE WORLD
NZ RUGBY WORLD EDITOR GREGOR PAUL HAS A NEW BOOK OUT CALLED THE CAPTAIN'S RUN. IN IT HE EXPLORES WHAT IT TAKES TO LEAD THE WORLD'S BEST RUGBY TEAM, HOW THE JOB HAS CHANGED AND HOW THE VARIOUS LEADERS HAVE DEALT WITH PRESSURE, FAILURE AND SUCCESS.
WOW FACTOR
SCOTT ROBERTSON IS UNORTHODOX BUT HE'S ALSO BRILLIANT AND WANTS A JOB WITH THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS.
RUGBY REBORN
COVID BROUGHT ECONOMIC CARNAGE IN 2020 BUT RATHER THAN BEING SEEN AS A WRECKER OF FORTUNES, THE PANDEMIC WAS ACTUALLY A GIANT BLESSING.
BATTLE FOR THE BLEDISLOE
THE UNPRECEDENTED CONDITIONS OF 2020 SAW THE INTERNATIONAL CALENDAR HASTILY REDRAWN AND IN A UNIQUE TWIST FOR THE PROFESSIONAL AGE, THE ALL BLACKS PLAYED FOUR CONSECUTIVE TESTS AGAINST AUSTRALIA.
PACIFIC POWER HOUSE
FIJI HAVE NEVER QUITE BEEN ABLE TO FULFIL THEIR ENORMOUS POTENTIAL. BUT THEY MIGHT NOW FOLLOWING THE APPOINTMENT OF VERN COTTER AS HEAD COACH.
THE PEOPLE'S CHAMPION
ON AND OFF THE FIELD, SPRINGBOKS WING CHESLIN KOLBE CONTINUES TO MAKE AN INSPIRATIONAL IMPACT.
DEFENCE FORCE ONE
THE BLUES WERE A RADICALLY DIFFERENT TEAM IN 2020 AND MUCH OF THAT WAS DUE TO THEIR VASTLY IMPROVED WORK ON DEFENCE.