The best All Blacks XV: What is New Zealand's greatest front row?
Which players throughout the course of history would make an all-time All Blacks XV?
That is the question that has been posed by former New Zealand internationals and a host of leading Kiwi broadcasters and journalists as they aim to formulate the best All Blacks team ever.
The Greatest XV, the brainchild of former All Blacks wing Sir John Kirwan and ex-All Blacks coach Sir Graham Henry, will identify, through public vote, the 15 greatest All Blacks ever – as well as a captain, coach and reserves bench – over the next eight weeks.
The debate began on The Breakdown earlier this week as New Zealand’s greatest-ever front row came under the spotlight.
Beginning at loosehead prop, second-longest serving All Blacks captain Wilson Whineray, Tony Woodcock, 60-test Craig Dowd and Steve McDowall were shortlisted as the candidates to fill the No 1 jersey.
Veteran NZME journalist Phil Gifford and Sky Sport broadcaster Rikki Swannell both asserted that McDowall, who played 46 tests for the All Blacks between 1985 and 1992, deserved the title as New Zealand’s best-ever loosehead prop.
“My pick would be Steve McDowall,” Gifford told long-serving Sky Sport commentator Grant Nisbett. “Steve McDowall, to me, was the forerunner of the athletic and dynamic prop that we see today.”
Swannell added that although Woodock’s exploits as a two-time World Cup winner and test centurion were noteworthy, McDowall, a 1987 World Cup champion, was the best of the lot.
“… Tony Woodock, 118 tests, a Rugby World Cup final try, we will never forget that, and just that old-school attitude in a modern era,” Swannell said.
“But, in saying that, I’m going to agree with Phil and I say Steve McDowall, too.”
Sky Sport broadcaster Ken Laban, however, opted to back Woodcock.
“Woody, or Tony Woodcock, his role in the professional era, his role in World Cup finals, his immense strength and power with the ball or without the ball, especially at scrum time, was immense,” Laban said.
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“I think, obviously, he’ll be on a lot of people’s minds.”
Nisbett added: “When he [Woodcock] was loosehead prop, the scrum didn’t go far, did it?”
At hooker, the four contenders were the late Ron Hemi, Sean Fitzpatrick, Keven Mealamu and current All Blacks rake Dane Coles.
Swannell and Gifford again agreed with each other’s opinions as they both backed Fitzpatrick – who won the 1987 World Cup and guided the All Blacks to their only series win over the Springboks in South Africa in 1996 – to don the No 2 jersey.
“For me, it’s Sean Fitzpatrick,” Swannell said. “He changed the role. He became that fourth loose forward. Obviously he was an outstanding leader of a team in that ’96 team that did something unexpected and for the first time.
“As much as I love Keven Mealamu as a person and as a great bloke and a great All Black, I’m going Sean Fitzpatrick.”
Gifford added: “I have to go with Sean Fitzpatrick. In South Africa, for example, they hated him so much that when I talked to his mother during the 1996 tour, she said, ‘Do you think they’ll actually hurt Sean when he’s off the field?’
“Fitzpatrick, I think, had absolutely everything. He was a slightly chubby-cheeked little boy when he played in the Baby Blacks, but he was as tough as nails and he just got tougher and tougher as he went on, so, for me, it has to be Sean Fitzpatrick.”
Laban, however, viewed Mealamu, a two-time World Cup winner and veteran of 132 tests, as the best hooker ever to grace the All Blacks jersey.
“Keven Mealamu, hands down,” Laban told Nisbett. “I remember Sir Graham Henry asked one day if the All Blacks forward pack was trapped in a cage with a tiger, who would be the last two standing, and he said Rodney So’oialo and Keven Mealamu.”
That #SuperRugby is once again causing tension amongst NZR and RA is a bit of a head-scratcher, given that late last year, everyone was on the same page.
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Speaking on The Breakdown, veteran broadcaster Bernadine Oliver-Kerby advocated for Fitzpatrick’s inclusion in the side.
“I have to throw in Fitzy in there, for me,” she said. “Not for his might and his muscle. He was uncompromising. Not for his yap and his chat. He would put fear into the opposition and, at times, his own players.
“But, most of all, he really was the unofficial TMO of the 90s.”
Former All Blacks wing Jeff Wilson acknowledged how Coles revolutionised the role of a hooker since his All Blacks debut in 2012, something of which ex-Black Ferns midfielder Hannah Porter said shouldn’t be discounted from the voting process.
“Those players coming through the professional era and how that changed for them, and Dane Coles is a great person to speak about,” Porter said.
“He runs like a back, tackles like a forward, goes into those dark places that you need front rowers to go.”
The three tighthead prop candidates, meanwhile, were Kevin Skinner, Ken Gray, Olo Brown and two-time World Cup winner Owen Franks.
Gifford and Laban both pinpointed the late Gray, who played for the All Blacks throughout the 1960s and was a vocal opponent to playing South Africa during the Apartheid era, as one of New Zealand’s best-ever props.
“I just think Ken Gray,” Gifford said. “Just looking at the man, he was possibly the scariest-looking person to ever play in the front row for the All Blacks, and the way he played, I think he lived up to what he looked like.”
Laban added: “I’m going to go for Ken Gray. In my view, he’s one of the great front rowers in terms of tighthead props.”
Former All Blacks great Sonny Bill Williams has weighed in on where he sees Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s best playing position in rugby union. #AllBlacks #NRL https://t.co/ur7edqoJ15
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Swannell, though, decided on Olo Brown, part of the iconic All Blacks team of the 1990s, due to the “mystique” he held during his time with the New Zealand national side.
“There’s like a mystique about front rowers in particular, and there’s one on that list that I think has a mystique, and that is Olo Brown,” Swannell said before asking if any of her fellow panellists had ever interviewed the notoriously quiet prop.
Gifford replied: “As I understand, I remember trying to get interviews with him when he was a player, and I don’t know anybody that, when he was a player… he didn’t give a single interview, as far as I’m aware.”
Kirwan told The Breakdown that Skinner, a legendary enforcer who is best known for his bully-like exploits against the Springboks in 1956 and was a New Zealand heavyweight boxing champion, also warranted consideration.
“Already, for me, Kevin Skinner,” Kirwan said. “Legend against the South Africans, changed sides [of the scrum] because he was a New Zealand champion boxer.
“I think that generation’s hard because, for me, they were like these mystical people who had this aura about them, and I remember meeting Kevin a few times and he was a bit like the others – pretty scary.”
Fans can vote for who they believe should be selected in the front row for the Greatest All Blacks XV via Facebook using the links below.
Loosehead Prop
Wilson Whineray (32 tests from 1957-1965)
Tony Woodcock (118 tests from 2002-2015)
Craig Dowd (60 tests from 1993-2000)
Steve McDowall (46 tests from 1985-1992)
Hooker
Ron Hemi (16 tests from 1953-1959)
Sean Fitzpatrick (92 from 1986-1997)
Keven Mealamu (132 tests from 2002-2015)
Dane Coles (74 tests from 2012-present)
Tighthead Prop
Kevin Skinner (20 tests from 1949-1956)
Ken Gray (24 tests from 1963-1969)
Olo Brown (56 tests from 1992-1998)
Owen Franks (108 tests from 2009-2019)
Comments on RugbyPass
The game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
21 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
12 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
12 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
5 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
5 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
37 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
37 Go to comments