what happend to these players (allblacks)

[Phillips]

Christian Cullen

Kees Meeus

Caleb Ralph

Andrew Mehrtens

Xavier Rush

Carlos Spencer

Reuben Thorne

just wondering what happend to these players, can any of them still be picked for the Allblacks?

 

[bayrep]

Cullen - Munster (Mitchell AB coach at the time wouldnt pick him - B@stard!)
Meeus - Is in France I think. (Great player but past AB level)
Ralph - Is in France ? (He never featured in the AB's after a dodgy incedent in SA)
Mehrtens - Has just signed for an English club.
Rush - Japan (Got frustrated that he was never picked)
Spencer - England (He wouldnt be picked agains with the talent we have now)
Thorne - Still playing for the Cantabs (He will never feature in an AB shirt again)

 

[Southern Warrio]

Christian Cullen
In Ireland
Kees Meeus
In France, soon to be joint by Carl Hoeft
Caleb Ralph
PLaying for Canterbury
Andrew Mehrtens
Playing in England, for Harlequins
Xavier Rush
Leaving at the end of the NPC for the NH, is currently injured
Carlos Spencer
Playing for Northampton Saints in England
Reuben Thorne
Playing for Canterbury, has been injured for the last couple of NPC games
just wondering what happend to these players, can any of them still be picked for the Allblacks?

Thorne and Ralph could still play for the All Blacks, but won't.

 

[Phillips]

thanks guys

 

[Jackal Dog]

Cullen was a gun player, must be one of the top 5 fullbacks of all time in IMO.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

He was, but he was a bit of an early bloomer. I think Mitchell was right not to pick him. When he got past about age 25 he seemed to be past it.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Cullen was an awesome natural talent but he didn't really seem to develop the mental side of his game and really mature. One of the best running fullbacks ever to play the game though.

 

[Polynesian Warrior]

I saw Cullen in that Hong kong 7s team where he won the tournament for NZ . It was shown live through out NZ at the time and it was like watching a one men team beating the rest .

Xavier Rush has just got his transfer from Auckland NPC to Cardiff Blues Wales .

 

[Scott]

Ralph was one of the worst (if not THE worst) people to ever become an All Black.

He was (is) a terrible rugby player!

 

[aussies1st]

Only reason Ralph was picked was to have a Canterbury full back line. That was when the ABs were obessed with the Crusaders.

 

[Scott]

Caleb Ralph has just been named of the Canterbury team for this weeks Shield gane vs Northland. He is also playing at 12.

I wish he stayed over in England when he was linked with Zara Philips. Although what club would want a player of his non ability???

Only Canterbury!!!

 

[Iafeta]

I thought Caleb was a decent enough player, not world class but no slouch either.

8 test tries in 13 tests, as I say I'm not saying he was world class but he certainly wasn't the worst. Want to think of worst All Blacks you have to start thinking of the likes of Simon Mannix.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Caleb Ralph was my original Clinton Toopi. I couldn't believe it when he got picked at centre for the All Blacks as a complete no-name in 1998 against England ahead of a host of better credentialled players, and I was even more mortified when I watched him play and saw he was completely crap. I actually think he has improved over the years to the standard of a solid provincial player.

 

[Polynesian Warrior]

Your right there Henry and Iafeta . I hate the guy and the way he plays but probably more because he was always chosen ahead of other good rugby players .
The thing is Ralph always seem to shine or score tries when matter the most when playing for Crusaders/All Blacks .

 

[Scott]

I thought Caleb was a decent enough player, not world class but no slouch either.

8 test tries in 13 tests, as I say I'm not saying he was world class but he certainly wasn't the worst. Want to think of worst All Blacks you have to start thinking of the likes of Simon Mannix.

Simon Mannix played 1 test for the All Blacks, (Lomu's first test vs France 94) and was paired with Stu Forster. Forster had a shocker. Poor passing and poor options. What happens?? Mannix gone, Forster retained (not for long though).

IMO, Forster cost Mannix a career as an All Black.

One of the worst All Blacks of the last 20 years would have to be Shayne Philpott.

 

[bayrep]

Simon Mannix was a Wellington player wasnt he ? I thought he was an alright player. WHo was the number 8 in the 94 side Jamie ?? now he was a crap player to ever pull on an AB jersey. Man I cant remeber his name but can picture him....

 

[Scott]

You are thinking of Jamie Joseph. He runs the best pub in Wellington now

The number 8 in that test was actually Aaron Pene, Joseph was at 6.

 

[bayrep]

Ahhh thats right. I didnt think much of either player to be honest. But Jamie was just grating to watch.

 

[Scott]

They were both favourites of Laurie mains - the whole Otago connection at the time.

 

[ThrashViking]

Joseph's done wonders coaching the Lions forward pack but he was another hot head like Troy Flavell without the skills.
There was nothing wrong with Mannix, he was a fine player for Wellington when they were bottom of the table material.