All Black selectors have made their fair share of mistakes.
Although we have come to associate the All Blacks with rugby excellence, they are not infallible. Indeed, New Zealand’s management are as guilty as any of their rivals when it comes to making questionable selections.
While many of these players are simply forgotten about, many find themselves being hyped up by European media upon arriving in the northern hemisphere.
Nevertheless, despite the fact that many will criticise these players, they will forever be remembered as All Blacks.
1. Jamie MacKintosh (1 Cap)
With the nickname ‘whopper’, fans would have been forgiven if they expected a great deal from Jamie MacKintosh. However, after being destroyed by the Scottish scrum on his debut in 2008, he never featured for New Zealand again.
MacKintosh now plays his rugby for Ohio in the new American Pro Rugby championship.
2. Aled de Malmanche (5 Caps)
Back at a time when New Zealand were looking for a reliable hooker, Graham Henry handed Aled de Malmanche his debut against Italy in 2009.
However, de Malmanche was soon deemed to be surplus to requirements, and joined Stade Francais in 2011. Strangely, as rugby’s residency laws were relaxed so as to allow sevens be included at the Olympics, the hooker could have potentially represented Wales at the 2015 World Cup.
3. John Schwalger (2 Caps)
Back in 2007, Graham Henry picked John Schwalger ahead of John Afoa, Clarke Dermody and Greg Somerville. With an ability to cover both sides of the scrum, it is easy to understand why Henry would look to someone like Schwalger before the 2007 World Cup.
However, after making his debut against Canada in June, Schwalger was quickly dispensed with. The following year he earned his second and final cap against Ireland, before joining Agen in 2011.
4. Tom Donnelly (15 Caps)
After their disappointing 2007 World Cup campaign, New Zealand went in search of players who could break their tournament hoodoo.
One of these players was Tom Donnelly, who had been unable to break into the All Black squad before then.
After making his debut against Australia in 2009, Donnelly maintained his place for much of the next year. However the emergence of players such as Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick and Luke Romano during subsequent years meant that Donnelly would be forced out of the All Blacks squad.
He now plays with Montpellier.
5. Jarrad Hoeata (3 Caps)
Like Donnelly, Hoeata was selected as the All Blacks management looked for players to ultimately succeed Brad Thorne and Ali Williams in the second row.
However, after making three appearances for New Zealand in the summer of 2011, Hoeata was not included in their World Cup squad and never featured for the All Blacks again.
He now lines out for the Cardiff Blues in the Pro 12.
6. Reuben Thorne (50 Caps)
Although Reuben Thorne won 50 caps and even captained the All Blacks on 22 occasions, he came in for particular criticism following the 2003 World Cup.
Indeed, many fans labelled him ‘Captain Invisible’, while some of his teammates were said to refer to him as ‘suitcase’ as they felt they had to carry him.
7. Mark Carter (7 Caps)
As Richie McCaw and Josh Kronfeld were the dominant All Black opensides during the twenty years between 1995 and 2015, we had to go back a long way to find one for this team. Indeed, we had to go back to the 1991 World Cup, when Mark Carter made his debut against Italy.
Despite the fact that Carter switched over to league in 1996, the then All Black coach, John Hart, recalled him two years later. As a result, rumours circulated suggesting that Hart only included the openside as he was dating his daughter.
8. Sione Lauaki (17 Caps)
Sione Lauaki was one of the best players in Super Rugby when he made his All Black debut in 2005. Although his pace and power saw him earn 17 All Black caps, one of those appearances is considered to be one of the worst performances ever seen in an All Black jersey.
When Lauaki came onto the field during New Zealand’s 2008 clash with Australia, the All Blacks were leading 19-14.
However after coming on, he immediately missed a tackle that allowed Rock Elson score under the posts. He then knocked the ball on five times in eight minutes, missed a further tackle that allowed James Horwill touch down, and was turned over on a number of occasions.
9. Brendon Leonard (13 Caps)
With Byron Kelleher and Piri Weepu suffering from injury in the summer of 2007, Grahan Henry handed Brendon Leonard his debut against France.
12 further caps followed, but he could never bring his Super Rugby form onto the international scene. Leonard eventually moved to Italian side, Zebre, in 2013, before joining the Ospreys in 2015 as cover for Rhys Webb.
10. Stephen Donald (23 Caps)
Stephen Donald will always be remembered as the man who stood in for Dan Carter and Aaron Cruden during the 2011 World Cup final. However, while Donald may have impressed that day, he struggled throughout his previous 22 appearances.
His performance against Australia in 2010 lives long in the memory of New Zealand fans for all the wrong reasons.
11. Rudi Wulf (4 Caps)
During 2008 Rudi Wulf was highly regarded by the All Black management. His form was rewarded when Graham Henry selected the winger to play against England in June of that year.
However after making three further appearances, Wulf decided to join Toulon in 2010 bringing an end to a forgettable international career.
12. Tamati Ellison (4 Caps)
Given that Tamati Ellison’s career coincided with that of Ma’a Nonu, Sonny Bill Williams and Conrad Smith, it is easy to understand why the current Rebels centre didn’t earn any more than four caps.
However, the former Blues, Hurricanes and Highlanders player gained a reputation for being a selfish player, despite throwing this unbelievable pass to Ben Smith back in 2013.
13. Francis Saili (2 Caps)
With one eye firmly on the future, All Black selectors had been planning for the day both Conrad Smith and Ma’a Nonu eventually decided to retire.
To that end, they cast an eye over a number of players, ranging from Isaia Toeava to Francis Saili. However, while Toeava had been earmarked for stardom, Saili was an unspectacular player with the Blues.
Nevertheless, Saili made his All Black debut against Argentina in September 2013, before earning his second cap during New Zealand’s 54-6 win over Japan in November.
Munster were so impressed by Saili’s performances that according to the Irish Independent, they handed the centre a two year contract worth €1 million.
14. Lelia Masaga (1 Cap)
For a player who nicknamed himself ‘flash’, Lelia Masaga must be disappointed to have only made one solitary All Black appearance. Nevertheless, despite his speed, Masaga’s work rate was consistently called into question.
Consequently, despite a strong strike rate with the Chiefs, Masaga was never able to earn an All Black recall.
15. Ben Blair (4 Caps)
After scoring 37 points during an uncapped game against Ireland ‘A’ in 2001, All Black selectors would have been forgiven for thinking that they had a player capable of replacing the great Christian Cullen.
However, after Ben Cohen twice exposed Blair’s lack of pace during England’s 2002 victory over New Zealand, the fullback was quickly dropped from the squad.
Alan Drumm, Pundit Arena
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