Rugby: Unrealised potential of forgotten All Blacks

As Luke McAlister walks away from New Zealand rugby for a second time, rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks back and finds a few other All Blacks who never really delivered on their talent.

Norman Berryman
Big Norm had some ability. When he wanted to, he could split a backline in half. But liked his fish 'n' chips a bit too much and had issues with weight. Take him out of Northland, or a Crusaders jersey, and he was half the player.

Ben Blair
As a youngster, one week he was playing for Buller under-16, the next he was at a Christchurch boarding school. Very quick and looked like a smaller version of Christian Cullen. But had a shocker in 2004 Super 12 final and headed to Cardiff a couple of years later.

Royce Willis
A noted rower at school, he was big and powerful. Looked as though he would be an All Black lock for years, after playing his way

into the side when he started appearing for the Blues. But like so many before him and since, joined the Chiefs and it all went wrong. Picked up injuries and left for Japan at the end of 2002.

Isaac Ross
If ever there was someone who was promoted too fast, it was the lanky Ross. A couple of all-right games for the Crusaders and he was soon in a black jersey. But was quickly found out and is now chasing the yen in Japan.

Rico Gear
Started out young, was quick and elusive but always seemed to have someone in front of him. Played for plenty of provinces and left under a cloud when he did not want to live in Nelson.

Chresten Davis
A schoolboy star who was selected for Manawatu after playing just two club games. A beanpole who threw his body around and that, in the end, cost him, as he picked up plenty of injuries. Playing for the Chiefs did not help his cause.

Troy Flavell
Had ability, there is no doubt about that. But the loosest of cannons, and discipline was never his strongest attribute. Big and destructive at his best, which was not often enough. Was strangely made a captain by some coaches.

Jasin Goldsmith
An All Black the first year out of school, a long career loomed in front of him. But the outside back broke his leg badly after shifting to Auckland and that more or less ended his career. Made a comeback but leg still bothered him.

Ross Filipo
An All Black at the end of 2008. With others injured and off overseas, the next year dawned as one in which he could stake his claim. Was passed by Ross and within six months he had headed to France.

Craig Wickes
Played for a New Zealand XV on the wing against Fiji while still at school in 1980. But never went any further and simply disappeared from view.