Ardie Savea will get his chance to wear the No7 jersey for the All Blacks tomorrow night. But plenty before him have not had the privilege. The position has basically been in the hands of three players — Michael Jones, Josh Kronfeld and Richie McCaw — for nearly 30 years. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at 10 openside flankers who never got a decent run — if at all — in the black No7 jersey.
Flanker Josh Blackie is on the charge for Otago in 2006 at Carisbrook. Photo: Peter McIntosh.
Mark Brooke-Cowden
Test caps: three
Games for province: Auckland — 43 (1984-87) Brooke-Cowden had pedigree — his family had connections to the native tour of the late 1800s, and he rose to prominence in the mid-1980s. Was a key player when Auckland beat Canterbury in the so-called game of the century in 1985. A few days later was rested for a mundane match against South Canterbury and replaced by one Michael Jones, who made his first-class debut. Jones scored three tries and his journey to stardom had begun, ending Brooke-Cowden’s brief international career. Brooke-Cowden played one test in the Rugby World Cup, as Jones did not play on Sundays. Switched to rugby league shortly after the World Cup in 1987.
Duane Monkley
Games for province/franchise: Waikato — 135 (1987-96), Chiefs — nine (1996) Monkley was part of a dogged Waikato pack which ended the great Auckland Ranfurly Shield era in 1992 and then won the national provincial championship the following year. A rugged competitor who never backed down. Do not ask any long-term Waikato supporter whether Monkley was unlucky not to wear a black jersey. You will never get back those three days. Perhaps did a bit too much of the hard graft and never looked the most glamorous of players.
Flanker Marty Holah catches the ball for the Chiefs in his side’s game against the Highlanders in Hamilton in 2005. Photo: Photosport.
Mark Carter
Test caps: seven
Games for province/franchise: Auckland — 113(1989-2000), Blues — 32 (1997-2000) The name gets the blood boiling for many, especially from the deep south. Carter was viewed as a pet of Auckland coach John Hart. Rushed into the All Blacks in 1991 and went to the World Cup that same year, though it ended in failure. Frozen out by Laurie Mains, he then came back into the national scene when Hart was the All Black coach. Worked hard and was athletic but a polarising figure through no fault of his own.
Paul Henderson
Test caps: seven
Games for province/franchise: Southland — 89 (1983-86, 1992-97), Otago — 71 (1987-91), Highlanders — eight (1996) Ginge Henderson was a favourite in the South for either Southland and Otago. Smart player and constructive. Started in Southland and then moved north to Otago when the Southland side was relegated. Jones was always in front of him and Carter, which left many scratching their heads. Captained the All Blacks once, to a record-setting score against Japan in the World Cup in 1995 in South Africa.
Blues flanker Mark Carter looks to move the ball on in a match at Eden Park in 1998 against the Highlanders. Photo: ODT.
Angus Gardiner
Games for province/franchise: Canterbury — 69 (1993-99), Crusaders — 38 (1996-99) As the Canterbury machine started getting into its work in the late 1990s, the drums started beating for Angus Gardiner. A solid, hard-working flanker, he did little wrong when the Canterbury outfit was starting to make an impact. May have been a victim of rugby politics and never really got a look-in.
Marty Holah
Test caps: 36
Games for province/franchise: Waikato — 88 (1999-2007, 2014), Chiefs — 81 (2000-07) Holah played in 36 tests, which is a surprise, as he was seen as very much an understudy to Richie McCaw. Started only 14 of them. The Waikato warrior was an utterly dependable player, a tiger at the breakdown who pilfered ball and played himself to a standstill. Was passed by the over-rated Chris Masoe in the later stages of his national career.
Josh Blackie
Games for province/franchise: Otago - 57 (1999-06), Highlanders — 73 (2001-07), Blues — 6 (2009) Blackie was quick and mobile and scored some spectacular tries for Otago and the Highlanders. Also good enough to make an impact in sevens, in which he won a gold medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. Was actually picked for the New Zealand colts ahead of McCaw. Never got a look-in as coaches became fascinated with bigger players.
Daniel Braid
Test caps: six
Games for province/franchise: Auckland — 76 (2001-10), Blues — 59 (2002-08-10) Reds 9 (2009) Son of an All Black, Braid was a smooth operator who was lucky enough to time his run well in 2003 when he was part of a Blues outfit which won the Super 12 title. Went into the All Blacks for the end-of-year 2002 tour but never rated ahead of McCaw or Holah. When stocks were lean came into the side in 2010 against Australia. The All Blacks lost and he was subbed in the second half and never got near the All Black jersey again.
John Hardie
Games for province/franchise: Southland — 65 (2008-14), Highlanders — 53 (2010-2015) Much was expected of Hardie when he emerged from Southland. He certainly had a big ticker and worked very hard. But often got injured at just the wrong time. In 2012 when the door was very open for him at the Highlanders, he got injured. Then rumours started surfacing he had Scottish links and eventually left after the Highlanders 2015 season for Scotland and made the Scottish World Cup squad.
Matt Todd
Test caps: three
Games for province/franchise: Canterbury — 69 (2009-16), Crusaders — 94 (2010-16) Matt Todd has never let anyone down. But there is always that nagging feeling he is not as good as everyone bangs on about. Gets round the field and is a good link man. Has played three tests but these days is clearly third choice in the openside ranks behind Sam Cane and Ardie Savea. Would be at long odds to make double figures in test appearances.