5. Rene Ranger
Despite being one of the most exciting and highlight-reel providing ball carriers, Rene Ranger never established himself as a mainstay amongst the All Blacks. Making his debut for New Zealand in 2010, the powerhouse centre was unable to push beyond the substitutes bench, as the legendary Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith partnership ran the All Blacks midfield.
The Blues star was undoubtedly ‘born in the wrong generation’. Had Ranger come into his prime just a few years later, the opportunities would have been there for him following the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Nonu and Smith both called time on their international careers, after the All Blacks became the first team ever to successfully retain the Rugby World Cup. Yet Ranger’s All Blacks tenancy ran from 2010 to 2013, which was firmly during the prime Nonu-Conrad years.
Ranger achieved six New Zealand test match caps, after making his debut in the 2010 Tri Nations Championship. Unignorable performances for Northland and the Blues put Ranger in this position, yet he was unable to reach the expected heights amongst Hansen’s squad. Come the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Nonu and Smith were joined by Sonny Bill Williams and Richard Kahui as the selected centres, which saw Ranger miss out, as the centre began to survey his options overseas.
After two more Super Rugby seasons and sporadic All Blacks call-ups, Ranger commenced his new goals and agreed a move to Montpellier in 2013. This would then see Ranger disqualified from representing the All Blacks, due to his commitments in France.
Steve Hansen is recalled to have spoken about selecting Ranger for the 2013 Rugby Championship, had the centre not moved abroad. Hindsight was once again a wonderful thing, with All Blacks fans left thinking what could have been for Ranger in the famous black jersey.