As rugby fans around the world gear up for the Rugby World Cup 2023 quarter-finals in France this weekend, there's no shortage of excitement in the air.
A 2022 list of the greatest 100 rugby players in the world has resurfaced chockablock with current and previous All-Black greats - 26 to be exact.
So, while we get set to cheer on the boys in black during their game against Ireland on Sunday, let’s go through the Independent’s top NZ rugby players who have represented our country on the field.
TOP 100
#98 – Ben Franks
#95 – Va’aiga Tuigamala
#91 – Stephen Donald
#80 – Israel Dagg
#79 – Wayne Shelford
#73 – Brad Thorn
#70 – Mils Muliaina
#68 – Owen Franks
#66 – Keven Mealamu
#65 – Glen Osbourne
#63 – Josh Kronfeld
#54 – Sonny Bill Williams
It's clear that New Zealand has consistently produced top-tier talent that has shone on the world stage.
TOP 50
#50 – Andrew Merhtens
#45 – Tony Woodcock
#37 – Sam Whitelock
#36 – Jerome Kaino
#28 – Conrad Smith
#24 – Zinzan Brooke
#23 – Ma’a Nonu
#21 – Kieran Read
#14 – John Kirwan
#7 – Michael Jones
#5 – Sean Fitzpatrick
TOP 3
You wouldn’t bloody believe it (but you absolutely should), the top three names belong to us right here in New Zealand.
#3 – Jonah Lomu
The late Jonah Lomu was an unbeatable winger who became a global sensation for his "unstoppable" runs. He sits at number three with his power and speed completely unmatched.
#2 – Dan Carter
Dan Carter is widely regarded as one of the greatest fly-halves in the history of the sport. He secures the second spot for his precision kicking and ability to read the game.
#1 – Richie McCaw
Topping the list at number one is none other than Richie McCaw, the legendary former All Blacks captain. His incredible leadership and skills on the field made him a legend in the rugby world.
New Zealand rugby is chock-full of tradition and the legacies of these unreal players that continue to inspire the All Blacks of the future.
With shit-tonnes of fresh talent in this year's competition, we might see some new additions to the list next year. So, keep an eye out for the rising stars who may soon join the ranks of these rugby legends as they battle it out on the field in France.
