The 'Deserved More Test Caps' XV
There have been countless players over time who have left fans scratching their heads as to why they have not played for their country more. Be it down to injury, politics, or simply a case of them not fitting in, there are many retired players who should have plenty more Test caps to their name. This is the RugbyPass ‘Deserved More Test Caps’ XV:
1 Trevor Woodman
The starting loosehead for England when they lifted the Webb Ellis Cup back in 2003 would only pull on the white shirt seven more times before retiring in 2005 as a result of a back injury. The exGloucester and Sale Sharks prop was only 29 when he retired with only 22 caps. He is in many ways the forgotten man of England’s ’03 triumph and was robbed of many more caps through injury.
2 Schalk Brits
His Springboks career may have ended on a high being part of the victorious 2019 World Cup campaign, but he only won 15 caps after making his debut in 2008. Brits never suited the stereotypical mould of a South African hooker, but that did not stop him being one of the most popular players in the northern hemisphere during his nine years with Saracens.
3 Brian Mujati
Another player who was deeply respected in the northern hemisphere, but less so in South Africa, Mujati joined Northampton Saints in 2009 and forged a name as a devastating scrummager. He only earned twelve caps, all of which were in 2008, before the move to Northampton. He also played at Racing 92, Sale Sharks and the Ospreys.
Honourable mention: Rodney Blake
4 Gregory Lamboley
Anyone who plays almost 400 games for Toulouse during the club’s halcyon days in a 17-year career at the Stade Ernest-Wallon is clearly a good player, but that did not necessarily translate to France caps for Lamboley. The lock, who could also play across the back row, only managed 14 caps for Les Bleus despite a glittering career with one of Europe’s premier clubs.
5 Radike Samo
A player who took versatility to a new level, Samo won a Super Rugby title for the Brumbies starting at lock, another title for the Reds starting at No8, and even had a dalliance on the wing for the Wallabies. However, he only won 23 caps between 2004 and 2012, which included being ostracised from the national set-up for six years before making a return in 2011 and earning a further 17 caps.
6 Jean Bouilhou
As faithful a player as Lamboley was for Toulouse, he was eclipsed during his career by Bouilhou. The ex-club captain amassed even more appearances for the European giants and while not the most flashy of players, he was the silent assassin and heartbeat of all his side’s success, playing in all five of their Heineken Cup finals this century. Surprisingly, he only had a scanty return of two France caps, one in 2001 against the All Blacks and another in 2003 against Argentina.
'There were times when I was in the car with the rugby coach and players would be phoning in saying they couldn’t do anymore because it was affecting their actual work life.' @Tom_Varndell talks to @heagneyl ???https://t.co/oKkSFnhHom
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 19, 2020
7 Luke Watson
A player whose international career was stunted mainly due to politics more than anything else, Watson was nonetheless a player that deserved more than ten caps for South Africa. Although the ex-Bath flanker is a slightly different option on this list as it was his personal choice not to play, any other player as well-rounded as Watson was would easily have over 50 caps.
Honourable mentions: Steffon Armitage and Heinrich Brussow
8 Xavier Rush
An example of a player who could never make the step up from domestic rugby to Test level, Rush only won eight All Blacks caps during his career. He earned his first cap in 1998, then his next seven in 2004, but no more. This was in spite of being a stalwart for the Auckland Blues, winning the Super 12 in 2003, and later for the Cardiff Blues.
9 Paul Marshall
A wonderful servant to Ulster over his twelve-year career in Belfast, Marshall only represented Ireland three times, all from the bench against Italy, the United States and Canada in 2013. Despite never making the breakthrough in green, the livewire at the base of the ruck played over 200 games for his club.
10 Nick Evans
One of the greatest fly-halves to ever play in England, the Harlequins legend only earned 16 All Blacks caps. Of course, his rival for the No10 shirt for the majority of his career was none other than Dan Carter, and there was plenty more competition elsewhere. However, there was a legitimate claim in 2011 that Evans was actually the second-best fly-half on the planet. But, being based in England, he couldn’t play for New Zealand.
11 Christian Wade
Now part of American football’s Buffalo Bills, hoping to play in the NFL next season, it is unsurprising that Wade sought a new challenge after being repeatedly overlooked by England. One cap is all the ex-Wasps winger has, despite having the fourth most tries in Premiership history. While it was felt his size and defensive vulnerability may have played against him, few can doubt his potency with ball in hand.
Honourable mention: Zac Guildford
12 Regan King
The owner of a solitary All Blacks cap, King was a much-loved player in both France and Wales during his time with Stade Francais and Auvergne and two stints with the Scarlets. An elusive runner in the midfield, King had the skill set of a player that would be well suited in an All Blacks back line and deserved more caps.
13 James Simpson-Daniel
The winner of ten England caps between 2002 and 2007, the Gloucester back was a player whose international career never took off, largely because of an unfortunate string of injuries, and partly because his face just did not fit under some coaches. Nonetheless, the former outside back remains one of the most balanced and natural runners the Premiership has ever seen.
Honourable mention: Casey Laulala
14 Tom Varndell
If Wade’s record of having the fourth-most tries in the Premiership was not enough for England, being the Premiership’s record scorer did not help Varndell either. Of course, a record like this is easier to break if you are not playing for England, as the ex-Leicester and Wasps winger only earned four caps. Save for his try-scoring debut against Samoa in 2006, Varndell’s other three caps came in heavy losses to Australia, twice in 2006, and the All Blacks in 2008 where he may not have shown what he was capable of. Nearing the end of his career, there have been few players to play for England with his raw pace.
Honourable mentions: Richard Kahui and Hosea Gear
15 Isa Nacewa
A player who could only muster three minutes of Test rugby, during a solitary cap for Fiji at the 2003 World Cup, Nacewa sought to defer to the All Blacks but was ineligible because of his one appearance. Born in Auckland, the full0-back was not only prohibited from playing for his home country, but also for Ireland later in his career for whom he could have qualified for through residency during his lengthy spell with Leinster.
Honourable mention: Nick Abendanon and Bruce Reihana
Comments on RugbyPass
Super 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?
10 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.
9 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.
10 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 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.
22 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
4 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.
9 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…??? 🤑🤑🤑
24 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
24 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
10 Go to comments