Retired Players you miss the most

[Gnostic]

I am surprised = given all the moaning about the wallaby scrum I thought more would have liked to see a front row that can take it to the opposition at scrum time - symptomatic of the problem about Rugby culture in Australia - everyone worships the outside backs - hence not much incentive to play up front

i suggest the front rows from 1984, 1991 or 1999 would be nice to have around at this point

Its no use really picking the 84 front row. How would they go with the hit not having trained with it their whole pro career? Would there be a place for a Link or a Topo in Deans' teams? I don't think so they do not fit the mobile prop model that he seems to favour. More than likely you would've had Crowley or Panaho picked at THP.

 

[RugbyReg]

Link was skilled. Used to throw the ball in on occasions for Randwick.

I also remember a great chase he did at a test at Ballymore, from a Campo centre kick (might've been v Canada?), he then collared the catcher who dropped the ball, so Linky toed it forward for Paul Cornish to score.

And Tony Daley was a very skilled prop, one of the best sweepers in the lineout (when they was a prop's job) we had. Those two could scrummage, but had the skills too, don't worry about that. As RR (no, the other one) is saying, we all want a set piece scrum so why not ask for those good old props.

And Crowley? Now days? We bemoan the lack of size of Saia Fainga'a at 104 or whatever. Crowley was 98kg playing prop for Australia. No way would he cut it now.

 

[Gnostic]

Link was skilled. Used to throw the ball in on occasions for Randwick.

I also remember a great chase he did at a test at Ballymore, from a Campo centre kick (might've been v Canada?), he then collared the catcher who dropped the ball, so Linky toed it forward for Paul Cornish to score.

And Tony Daley was a very skilled prop, one of the best sweepers in the lineout (when they was a prop's job) we had. Those two could scrummage, but had the skills too, don't worry about that. As RR (no, the other one) is saying, we all want a set piece scrum so why not ask for those good old props.

And Crowley? Now days? We bemoan the lack of size of Saia Fainga'a at 104 or whatever. Crowley was 98kg playing prop for Australia. No way would he cut it now.

I agree but as I said I don't think they would get a start. I was trying to forget Links throwing thank you very much.

As for Crowley at 98Kg (which I doubt very much), he was very much like Tom Smith (Scot) and I don't recall either getting humiliated on the field. They may never have dominated but they held there own. In Crowley's case he scrummed against Olo Brown, one of the best props in NZ history IMO, and held his own and just about everyone else over a period of what 10 years? Thats a good career for a prop.

If we were really to ask for the impossible why not go for Topo, Lawton or Kearns, and one of McIntyre/Link/A. Blades/Noriega.

I miss the backrow play of the best Oz backrow ever IMO, Willie O, Poidevin and Gavin.

 

[disco]

Andrew Walker was a brilliant player probably another who was a bit quiet on the international stage but definitely carved up bigtime in super rugby.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=213aIeBGCRE&feature=related

Couldn't find his try against the NZ Moari which was probably one of the best solo tries I've ever seen.

 

[Thomas]

My list would be huge as I don't really remember much of the pre 2005 rugby as I was still youngish but watching replays and stuff on youtube etc I wish I could watch them again.
Larkham and Latham would be up there, Flatley, Rathbone, Doug Howlett, Spencer and Cullen would be the top of my list.

 

[Red Rooster]

Its no use really picking the 84 front row. How would they go with the hit not having trained with it their whole pro career? Would there be a place for a Link or a Topo in Deans' teams? I don't think so they do not fit the mobile prop model that he seems to favour. More than likely you would've had Crowley or Panaho picked at THP.

Not sure where you have pulled Panaho from as a skilled prop - he didn't start many tests either. Link was a very mobile prop with skills - I heard him speak once and he said he started playing for Australia at 105kgs and struggled in Europe - went to 115kgs (had Eales behind him who was only 107kgs) to be scrum competitive with a compromise on the other parts of his game - more indicitive of whats important in that era - scrum first, flashy second. The current Wallabies could select the same way but obviously choose not to

 

[RugbyReg]

As for Crowley at 98Kg (which I doubt very much), he was very much like Tom Smith (Scot) and I don't recall either getting humiliated on the field. They may never have dominated but they held there own. In Crowley's case he scrummed against Olo Brown, one of the best props in NZ history IMO, and held his own and just about everyone else over a period of what 10 years? Thats a good career for a prop.

it was in his autobiography.

 

[Raptor]

not retired but i miss Mark Gerrard. looking forward to seeing him next yr. any thoughts on his chances for rwc?

 

[DPK]

not retired but i miss Mark Gerrard. looking forward to seeing him next yr. any thoughts on his chances for rwc?

Depends what role Macqueen uses him in. He won't shine if he's expected to be a speedster, but as a blindside winger he could be very effective. With Deans persistence with Shepard though he my be interested in a winger like Gerrard.

 

[BrumbiesPolynesian]

Rupeni Caucau is one player I think most miss...Rupz Caucau in his Auckland Blues days

 

[tranquility]

Owen.

 

[dobduff11]

I think I miss the cult following of Scott Staniforth aswell, not the most talented player but a great guy and he was effective as hell http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AapwbC-OHs

The force could have done with him on the wing this year aswell

 

[Epi]

Nobody's mentioned Jonah Lomu??

There's probably a good psychological reason for that....

 

[Lee Grant]

[Gerrard] won't shine if he's expected to be a speedster, but as a blindside winger he could be very effective. With Deans persistence with Shepard though he my be interested in a winger like Gerrard.

Like the Ancient Mariner once more I will, with glittering eye and shaking finger, tell the tale of Gerrard and his usefulness as a long kicker on wet pitches and/or in the rain - or in any conditions really.

This skill has been discounted a bit since the law crackdown started in February this year. Last year attackers were too scared to retain the ball in their own territory and kicked the ball away, but the problem was that the team they kicked it to had the same idea. Fellows who could kick long for the line had top value.

But I digress - despite the law crackdown and it's cure for "loss of ball paranoia" I would still use Gerrard at fullback in unfavourable weather and ground conditions that Melbourne is known for. One would have to forgo the attacking opportunities that a faster man would create or enhance, but there would likely be fewer such opportunities in such conditions anyway.

His slowness in getting to the ball or a ball-runner will be offset by his experience of where to be on the park.

 

[drewboy]

Australian Forward: Kefu
Australian Back: Horan
International: Josh Kronfield

 

[TheTruth]

Paul McLean
Tim Horan
Mark Loane

still reckon that Sean Fitzpatrick of AB's was one of most influential players on a rugby paddock -

 

[HG]

Australian Forward: Kefu
Australian Back: Horan
International Forward: Michael Jones
International Back:Ollie Campbell as my pick per 90's

 

[Ruggo]

Phil Kearns - he had mongral
Tune
Croft
Burke
Latham

I miss George Smith. Pocock is fantastic but getting used to watching Wallaby sides without Smith is ike there is somthing missing. For so long it was like there were three certanties in life. Death, taxes and George Smith in a Wallaby jersey.

 

[Raptor]

Latham
Larkham
Smith

more recently not retired but Hewat and Rathbone. i was a big rathbone fan and hewat was always a favourite as a young waratahs supporter despite some of his kicks at goal.