Where are they now?
A year on from our Under 21’s super performance at the IRB Under 21 Rugby World Cup in Edinburgh, I thought it would be interesting to show you where the all blacks are now compared to our lads. It certainly shows the difference in attitudes of the two nations.
New Zealand:
15-Glen Horton – Playing Super 12 for the Highlanders
14-Anthony Koonwaiyou – Playing NPC for Auckland
13-Ben Atiga (capt) – Capped All Black, All Black trialist for past 2 years, plays for Auckland Blues.
12-Luke McAlister – All Black trialist, Member of All Black touring squad in the Autumn, New Zealand Maori as well.
11-Rudolffe Wulf – Captain of this years New Zealand Under 21 side, Member of the 7’s team and contracted to the Auckland Blues.
10-Stephen Donald – All Black trialist and member of the Chiefs Super 12 Squad
9-Toby Morland – Playing Super 12 for the Highlanders
8-Jerome Kaino – IRB Under 21 player of the year, All Black 7’s team. Key member of the Auckland Blues in Super 12.
7-Jonathan Poff – Plays in the NPC
6-George Naoupu – Playing NPC for Canterbury
5-James Ryan – All Black, All Black trialist and playing for Otago Highlanders
4-Craig Clark – Playing in the NPC
3-John Afoa – All Black trialist and starting XV of the Auckland Blues
2-John Pareanga – Playing in the NPC
1-Ben Franks – Playing for Canterbury in NPC and at Under 21 RWC in 2005
Reserves:
16-Tii Paulo – Playing NPC
17-John Schwalger – Playing NPC
18-Kurtis Haiu – Playing NPC
19-MikaeleTuu 'u - Playing NPC and currently at Under 21 RWC
20-Piri Weepu - All Black, All Black trialist, playing Super 12 for the Hurricanes
21-Jimmy Gopperth – All Black trialist, playing Super 12 for Hurricanes
22-Hosia Gear – All Black trialist, All black 7’s, New Zealand Maori and Member of Hurricanes in Super 12
Ireland:
15-Andrew Finn – Playing for Dolphin
14-Richard Lane – Playing for UCC , member of Munster Academy
13-John Hearty – Blackrock College and recently signed to play for Connacht next season
12-Glen Telford – Took a year out to concentrate on his studies
11-Paul McKenzie – Playing for Belfast Harlequins and back Under 21 RWC this year
10-Gareth Steenson – Playing for Dungannon, captains the Under 21’s at this years event
9-Tomas O'Leary – Recently signed a contract with Munster for next season.
8-Jamie Heaslip – Signed full contract with Leinster for 2005/06 season, runner up in IRB player of the year for 2004 award.
7-David O'Brien – Playing AIL
6-Brendan O' Connor – Contracted to Connacht
5-Shane O'Connor – Playing for Cork Con. Recently signed a development contract with Munster
4-David Gannon (capt) – Recently signed for Connacht
3-Declan Fitzpatrick – Playing for Dungannon next year and on a development contract with Ulster
2-Denis Fogarty – Playing for Cork Con. And development contract with Munster
1-John Wickham - Development contract with Leinster, plays for Clontarf
Now I think it is easy to see which side’s players have progressed further and how they have progressed! Our National side and provinces are too keen on having dead wood floating about in the squads, instead of bringing these young players through and giving them time in the Celtic League to prove if they are good enough or not, we will never find that out if they play AIL. The Baby blacks players had been on development deals since they were 18 or 19 at their franchise’s and had been playing NPC at 17 some at 16. It is an aspect Ulster needs to look at we have the talent why not give it a go and see if it is good enough we will never know unless people give them their chance.
Just a note how other players from other Countries did from the IRB Rugby World Cup 2004:
Cameron Sheppard (Australia) – Super 12 for NSW Waratahs
Josh Valentine (Australia) – Has captained Australia “A” and is playing for Queensland Reds
Rocky Elsom (Australia) – Playing for NSW Waratahs and recently capped against Samoa
Drew Mitchell (Australia) – Super 12 for the Queensland Reds
Derrick Hougaard (South Africa) – Capped at 2003 RWC by South Africa and playing for Blue Bulls
Yannick Nyanga (France) – One of France’s stars of this years six nations.
Mirco Bergamasco (Italy) – Established member of Italy National team and Stade Francais squad
Marcel Garvey (England) – Playing for Gloucester and on verge of England squad
Ugo Monye (England) – England 7’s player and again verging on England side
Steven Moore (Australia) – Playing for Queensland Reds and recently capped by Australia
Alex Kaanar (Australia) – Came from nowhere to become one of the stars of the NSW Waratah’s season
Luke Charteris (Wales) – Capped by Wales this season and making a name for himself at the Dragons
Ritchie Pugh (Wales) – Recently capped his debut against Canada with a try
Bryan Habana (South Africa) – Has been ever present for the boks after a try scoring debut v England in the Autumn.
Luke Watson (South Africa) – A star of the Super 12 and ready to break in to the Springbok squad.
Chris Czejak (Wales) – At 19 he was recently capped by Wales on their North American tour.
John Yapp (Wales) – Became an impact sub for Wales in this years six nations, was an outside bet for the Lions.
So I think it is fair to say our development of our young talented players is way behind the other nations and instead of letting them progress we seem to be holding them back.
The Terror on the Terrace
