10. Dan Carter
Joining Lomu in the conversation for ‘Greatest Rugby player of All Time’, is legendary All Blacks fly half Dan Carter. Slotting a crucial drop goal to secure the All Blacks momentum, to eventually win the 2015 Rugby World Cup Final, ‘DC’ has done it all in the game. Carter holds the record for most points in a test match career, as he made a phenomenal 1,598 points across 112 All Blacks caps.
9. Aaron Smith
Heading to Japan after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, this upcoming competition may well be the farwell for Aaron Smith in the black jersey. Having already said his goodbyes to his beloved Highlanders, Smith is a scrum half great that has stood the test of time. With 114 All Blacks caps and counting, Smith holds the mantle in the number nine jersey for New Zealand.
1. Tony Woodcock
A workhorse prop with the engine of a back-rower, Tony Woodcock was amongst the five All Blacks legends who hung up their international boots after the 2015 Rugby World Cup glory. Woodcock was unfortunately injured for that final, but he scored the All Black’s only try in the 2011 Rugby World Cup final, and is one of only 20 men to have won the Web Ellis Trophy twice.
2. Sean Fitzpatrick
Widely regarded by rugby historians as the greatest hooker of all time, Fitzpatrick played a key role in the front row for New Zealand’s success in the 1980s and 1990s. Just shy of the century mark with 92 test match caps, Fitzpatrick scored 14 tries for the All Blacks, and even captained the side from 1992-1997.
3. Owen Franks
The human battering ram Owen Franks was a revered foe in the All Blacks scrum. The bulldozing tight-head prop was a powerful ball carrier, but also implied the old-school tricks of the trade to gain the upper hand in the scrum. Throughout his 108 test matches for the All Blacks, Franks won the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cups, partnering up with Woodcock in this iconic front row.