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Jeff Wilson crowns 'the fastest guy I've ever seen on a rugby field'
By Ned Lester
Jeff Wilson may go down as the last athlete to ever represent both the All Blacks and New Zealand’s national men’s cricket team, the Black Caps. Now a broadcaster and avid rugby fan, he’s seen some athletes in his time.
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The All Blacks have seen their fair share of speedsters, and current players like Will Jordan and Rieko Ioane have been tearing the field apart in recent seasons. Meanwhile, abroad, the likes of Louis Rees-Zammit, Henry Arundell and Kurt-Lee Arendse’s speed was on full display for Wilson to witness in person at the Rugby World Cup.
But even with the pace of today’s superstars, it’s a former player who retired a decade ago whom Wilson crowned rugby’s ultimate speedster.
“There were a number of Fijians that I played against, who I don’t think I ever saw run at full speed because they didn’t need to,” Wilson told the All Blacks Podcast. “They only ever had to run just fast enough to stay out of reach. They were lightning.
“Rupeni Caucaunibuca is probably the fastest guy I’ve ever seen on a rugby field.”
Indeed the “Bua Bullet” was famous for his attacking prowess, and remembered as one of the great Fijian talents. His career was one that put a spotlight on Fijian rugby, but also one that taught the rugby world of the dangers and inequities of the professional game.
Wilson himself was known for his remarkable turn of pace and recalled the competitive edge he enjoyed within All Blacks camp.
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“The one thing that was important to me, was when I went to the All Black training camps and they did the speed testing, the fact that I always won those. I won that race. Clearly, I was trying the hardest, and we’re talking by just enough.
“Whereas I don’t think Joeli Vidiri who was there was really trying to run his fastest. Cully (Christian Cullen) was always trying pretty hard, clearly Jonah (Lomu) as well.
“If I’ve got something, at least I’m fast. I may not be able to tackle very well…”
Come on AB's aka the Pacific Lions
If the Black Ferns can do it so can you, pick local.
All the new millions the AB's (Pacific Lions) have announced - well pick and train your own players, no more PI poaching.
The 2023 AB's (Pacific Lions) squad 9/33
The Black Ferns squad 2/33
The 2023 AB's (Pacific Lions) squad 9/33 (could have been 10/33 if Sevu Reece had not been injured).
1. Samisoni Frank Simpson Taukei'aho - Tongatapu, Tonga
2. Nepo Eti Laulala - Moto'otua, Samoa
3. Tyrel Shae Lomax - Canberra, Australia
4. Aniseto Ofa He Moori Tuʻungafasi - Nukuʻalofa, Tonga
5. Leicester Ofa Ki Wales Twickenham Fainga'anuku - Nukuʻalofa, Tonga
6. Emoni Narawa - Suva, Fiji
7. Finlay Turner Christie - Peebles, Scotland
8. Shannon Michael Frizell - Folaha, Tonga
9. Samisoni Frank Simpson Taukei'aho - Tongatapu, Tonga
The Black Ferns squad 2/33
Tanya Kalounivale -Fijian-born
Amy du Plessis - South African
Big jump to 2023 – Pacific Lions
2015 – 4
2019 - 4
2019 - 9 (could have been 10 if Reece was not injured)
2015 squad
1. Pauliasi Manu - Neiafu, Tonga
2. Jerome Kaino - Faga'alu, American Samoa
3. Malakai Fekitoa - Ha'apai, Tonga
4. Waisake Naholo - Sigatoka, Fiji
2019 Squad
1. Nepo Eti Laulala - Moto'otua, Samoa
2. Aniseto Ofa He Moori Tuʻungafasi - Nukuʻalofa, Tonga
3. Shannon Michael Frizell - Folaha, Tonga
4. Sevuloni Lasei Reece - Nadi, Fiji
Current 2023 RWC squad.
1. Samisoni Frank Simpson Taukei'aho - Tongatapu, Tonga
2. Nepo Eti Laulala - Moto'otua, Samoa
3. Tyrel Shae Lomax - Canberra, Australia
4. Aniseto Ofa He Moori Tuʻungafasi - Nukuʻalofa, Tonga
5. Leicester Ofa Ki Wales Twickenham Fainga'anuku - Nukuʻalofa, Tonga
6. Emoni Narawa - Suva, Fiji
7. Finlay Turner Christie - Peebles, Scotland
8. Shannon Michael Frizell - Folaha, Tonga
9. Samisoni Frank Simpson Taukei'aho - Tongatapu, Tonga
Thanks Rugby, we are very proud of our country and islands. Immigration is fairly new concept for most of the world but Pacifika people have been coming to Aotearoa since it was found over 500 years ago. Colonialism is cool too if you include it’s early years, but nothing as natural is what you describe as happening here.
I really want to see the Pacific Lions team tour Europe alternately to the Lions, first the island of Ireland, then a UK team, and last in cycle a French side, maybe residents side that contains all the French leagues best Europeans like the Georgians and Spanish players?
Apologies if I thought you one of those South African’s
Look at this this block talks about things he knows nothing about.
Noel says ..
He can’t do maths, which team has 24?
Any how non NZ born players
he says
2015 -1
2023-3
I say
2015-4
2023-9
Noel is wrong here are the facts.
2015 RWC squad
1. Pauliasi Manu - Neiafu, Tonga
2. Jerome Kaino - Faga'alu, American Samoa
3. Malakai Fekitoa - Ha'apai, Tonga
4. Waisake Naholo - Sigatoka, Fiji
2023 RWC squad.
1. Samisoni Frank Simpson Taukei'aho - Tongatapu, Tonga
2. Nepo Eti Laulala - Moto'otua, Samoa
3. Tyrel Shae Lomax - Canberra, Australia
4. Aniseto Ofa He Moori Tuʻungafasi - Nukuʻalofa, Tonga
5. Leicester Ofa Ki Wales Twickenham Fainga'anuku - Nukuʻalofa, Tonga
6. Emoni Narawa - Suva, Fiji
7. Finlay Turner Christie - Peebles, Scotland
8. Shannon Michael Frizell - Folaha, Tonga
9. Samisoni Frank Simpson Taukei'aho - Tongatapu, Tonga
Marautaki ira na christams mai Viti. Biuti ira tu ga na noda dauqito 2024
How fast was that string bean lock Albert van Der Berg who chased and caught Christian Cullen?
Ha yes forgot about that one, I can see it now in my mind. Albie was very tall so he had a head start. However he was jaapie playing for jaapies. It is the Pacific Lions taking players born in other countries that is the issue, poaching to prop up their team which is 1. unfair to all other teams and 2. more importantly it is so abhorrent and colonial almost, it is preying on inequities. It must stop. At least you Boks are a republic, you had the guts to kick England out. Down in NZ they are still bound to the English King, the umbilical cord is uncut. So they continue to raid the pacific islands, in this case rugby players.
If NZ was that good at rugby systems and structures fine, pick your own players.
The Pacific Lions v Pacific Islanders was a good game
The ABS aka The Pacific Lions (featuring - Joe Rokocoko,Jerry Collins on loan to The Pacific Lions).
Pacific Islanders had two future ABs in team Sione Tuitupu Lauaki (who played for Pacific Islanders before ABs poached) and Sitiveni Waica Sivivatu (who played for Pacific Islanders before ABs poached).
How does that work? NZ watch a combined Pacific Islanders rugby union team and cherry pick. Cool rugby system.
FROM Wikipedia
Search Pacific Islanders rugby union team
The Pacific Islanders was a combined international rugby union team that played from 2004 to 2008. It represented Fiji, Samoa and Tonga; Niue and the Cook Islands also supplied players to the squad for their tour in 2004. The team did not play at Rugby World Cups, where each of the nations continued to represent themselves.
O tagata Pasefika na faoa i le folafolaga o tupe
All those players you mentioned immigrated to NZ for a better life with their families. There are many others but rugby wasn't their thing. So you didn't list them.
I guess you're country wasn't on the radar for immigration for obvious reasons.