Andrew Mehrtens: Epic Moments of a Rugby Legend

[@steveclarke3809]

Mehrtens was largely the catalyst for the revival of Canterbury and Crusaders rugby in the 1990's...a dynasty which continues to this day

[@karlholdo831]

A player of vision, one of the best readers of the game, great passing and kicking game. Had a good turn of pace who could take the gap if it was presented to him. Fine general.

[@TheMarathonomahos]

Along with fact the Crusaders were the first Super side to field a full All Blacks line up

[@TheWolfandreptile]

@@TheMarathonomahosyou didn’t see the first blues teams if that’s what you think

[@TheMarathonomahos]

@@TheWolfandreptile the early Blues side was very good. But never fielded a full All Blacks side. It did field a side of 13 All Blacks however.

[@TheWolfandreptile]

@@TheMarathonomahos the crusaders never fielded full all blacks lineups

[@joenotaverage]

I used to love studying and watching Graeme Bachop's passing techniques as a kid, some of these clips where he's playing for the ABs takes me back to my college days in NZ. The speed of the ball off the ground directly to the receiver's chest was simple, magical and smooth, yet difficult to master. It's the reason why Steve Hansen selected Aaron Smith to take over the All Blacks #9 after 2011 WC. He said "Smith reminded him of Bachop", totally agreed with that statement...

[@MeanAzz_13]

Graham Bachop and Dave *Trapper* Loveridge two of *the best* 👍

[@lbradshaw6817]

I can still remember that middle finger salute to the south African crowd when he was playing for the crusaders lol.

[@oliverm3589]

Mehrtens was my favourite player growing up. I always hated Spencer for taking his spot, even when I met Carlos I couldn't bring myself to shake his hand.

[@scatdog4768]

Hahaha....I agree I always preferred mehrts over Spencer

[@butter0milk]

To me carlos was a great individual player with gas and lots of exuberance, two left feet and much worse game management. I would put carter slightly ahead of mehrtens..both in the same league definitely.

[@dukatikiddukatikid7358]

As good as Carter was/is we all have forgotten just how good Merhtens was,dude had some freakin gas,embarasssed a few wingers in this clip at international level!

[@ngabushallday6642]

Couldn't tackle to save himself, let alone a try...

[@TheWolfandreptile]

@@ngabushallday6642he actually could tackle pretty decently.

[@ngabushallday6642]

@TheWolfandreptile No mate, he was hopeless. An example would be the "game of the century" of 2000 v the Wallabies. The All Blacks go to a 24-0 lead with stunning tries by Umaga, Alatini & Jonah plus a penalty by Mehrts. It looked like a hiding was on the cards until Stephen Larkham sliced through an air swing by Mehrtens to put Mortlock away for their first score, thus opening the door for the Wallabies to make it 24 all at halftime. This miss by Mehrtens is used by many of his former teammates as a way to describe his defensive frailties. We won the game,,Jonah scores the winner in the 83rd minute.

[@TheWolfandreptile]

@@ngabushallday6642 😂😂😂 as if any players talks bad about their previous team mates. I never said he was a great defender, but he could tackle pretty well. Also, Stephen Larkham was one of the best running 10s to play the game. And you’re acting as if other players didn’t miss any tackles that led to the score being level. Mehrts himself openly makes fun of his lack of defensive ability. But the dude could tackle, but it wasn’t one of his strengths.

[@ngabushallday6642]

@TheWolfandreptile That's precisely what I'm saying mate, of course he made a tackle or two during his career, but the fact is, the All Blacks would adjust their whole defensive pattern in their red zone simply because Merhts couldn't be relied upon. They didn't call him the washing machine for nothing.

[@bustarogers9990]

John Mitchell is hated in NZ and will always be known as the worst ever coach the All Blacks have ever had. What he done to Christian Cullen especially was criminal , but Andrew Mehrtens will always be loved and admired for his tremendous skills and service to the Black jersey. My favourite 10 of all time , straight up LEGEND!.

[@MeanAzz_13]

I'm a *Chiefs* Man and Blockhead Mitchell will slways be *remembered* for the *man who dropped* the *most prolific try scorer* Christian *Cullen*

[@bustarogers9990]

@@MeanAzz_13 Dam straight bro.

[@LJFN213]

It was robbie dean’s call. He went with Ben Blair and Leon Macdonald.

[@noodles169]

The amount of great all blacks players like mehrtens, who didn't win a world cup, is incredible.

[@isaak-gabrielpereira6857]

Maybe the best place kicker ever in world rugby, as well as his kick from hand

[@captainhindsight8906]

Dan Carter is the greatest ever. In every department.

[@zogzog1063]

Mehrtens was a thinker. He always made the right decision between passing or kicking. His only weakness was that he did not have the running ability of, say Carter. His accuracy in kicking was just out of this world. Not so much penalties and conversions but in play. It was seemingly miraculous how the ball flew off his boot and happened to land where it was needed.

[@monkeysezbegood]

More wheels than Carter but less physical. Great player.

[@butter0milk]

The step and guile of carter I think versus the kicking accuracy of mehrtens. Both had fantastic ball handling skills with pace to burn.

[@samgreer8274]

Mehrts was kind of underrated. Probably the best kicker we had along with Grant Fox.

[@warken1985]

Mehrtens was legend

[@wtfunk1875]

Dood. Stop. I thought I already loved you and then this.... Thank you thank you thank you!

[@RealRugby]

Hahahahaha. I aim to please! Thanks for the support!

[@wtfunk1875]

You have a patreon? Or something like that?

[@RealRugby]

@@wtfunk1875 its in the works Will. I have a lot of exclusive content I am going to share on Patreon

[@onosai1000]

Mehrtens was a mean player. One of the Allblacks best

[@MarkWhippy]

I remember that 2004 all blacks trial. Merhtens played his way back into the team with slicing breaks as the possibles beat the probables. Carter was still playing at 12 for Spencer at 10. Sivivatu was wing for possibles because he was inelligle for the abs at the time. He put a huge hit on Dan Carter who got a hospital pass.

[@tawerapetera9327]

loved watching Andrew Mehrtens... do one on Henry Honiball.

[@boston5208]

born in south africa and unfortunately wasn’t in all black team that won world cup but still fantastic player

[@BenLoughlin-fg8yq]

He was our best first five. While I was a kid he was a legend

[@ay613]

Ur editing is very good m8 u have a good head for videos.

[@RealRugby]

I see your comments all the time. Thanks for the support bud! I'm glad you enjoy it

[@readmyusernamepls2950]

In the early 2000s the Crusaders were dominant, especially their backline👌

[@jordancrothers6403]

Wouldn't have thrown that pass Mortlock took in 2003.

[@mosessalusalu5424]

That was Carlos Spencer

[@jordancrothers6403]

@@mosessalusalu5424 yes it was.

[@ryanbonner25]

legend!

[@westsideAUKILANI]

"That was a poor kick, FROM MERHTENS" 🤣✊🏾 Jonah Lomu Rugby classic line bruh...

[@naudts13]

Nice upload

[@lanceausnz5997]

Mehrtens passing game was better than anybody gave him credit for, go back and watch Lomu's tries and see how many were set up by a perfect pass from Merts, always in the bread basket and placed so that Lomu would receive it in the celar and could hit it full speed

[@shanecook3102]

Wonder how many dropkickks merhtens has kickked in his entire career for all blacks, crusaders & Canterbury flippin heck 40+ lol

[@warken1985]

James Small tribute? RIP James

[@RealRugby]

Did one a while ago, just search for it on my channel

[@warken1985]

@@RealRugby Thanks!

[@onosai1000]

James Small was demon rugby player who was never afraid of any one and anything. This guy had massive balls would actually run through brick Walls. Reminded us all that size did not matter only the size of your heart. Rest easy James, respect from your kiwi brothers.

[@shanecook3102]

If only his drop goal attempt before extre time in the 95 rwc final went over. He would have been a world cup champion

[@vandrevandermerwe2080]

Maybe a tribute of Dean Hall and Deon Kayser ?

[@xxboombusticxx4206]

Legend, can you please do a video on the New Zealand Maori winning streak?

[@Stefan-X24]

Is Merthens the only one that wasn't poisoned?

[@keithmoon8838]

Mehrtens was one of the worst affected. Amazing effort that day.

[@francescopagliari2509]

❤️

[@kenwatson5562]

Unfortunately for Andrew Philip Mehrtens will never be regarded as an all true All Black having been born in Durban South Africa 1973.

[@RealRugby]

By that logic, all the players born in Fiji, Samoa and Tonga are also not regarded as true All Blacks? Makes no sense. Ray Mordt, Gary Teichmann, Bob Skinstad and Tendai Mtawarira were all born in Zimbabwe and we regard them as some of the greatest Springboks ever

[@nickay2549]

He couldnt tackle, but was a great player of the time

[@Shadow_10707]

Bruh I'm dead

[@csefesi]

Carlos Spencer is the same. Never won us a World Cup. Richie Mc Gaws Ab teams are still the best.

[@keithmoon8838]

Difference is, Spencer was one of the primary reasons we didn't win.

[@anonanon-vp5lt]

@@keithmoon8838 Agreed Spencer was a very obvious downgrade, he had his strengths but was no way as complete a player

[@butter0milk]

​@@keithmoon8838terrible game management and had two left feet..otherwise a brilliant individual player.

[@samgreer8274]

1. Carter 2. Wilson 3. Mehrtens

[@jbrown8059]

DC is still the best ever

[@FrightF]

Good player, South African born so therefore rightfully SOUTH AFRICAN with eligibility for New Zealand which he took advantage of, rightfully so.

[@toiletsmithy3630]

thats good that he came to nz, he wouldnt be half the player he wouldve been playing for SA

[@sketch3744]

Just couldn't tackle, otherwise he'd genuinely be really close to DC as greatest ever AB's 10

[@rogerwaihaperoger.1157]

His Defense was his weakness ..

[@siviwemabija5725]

He didn’t fit the All Blacks brand….🤷🏽‍♂️🤷🏽‍♂️🤌🏾🤌🏾

[@LB_die_Kaapie]

The Saffa turned kiwi..

[@keithmoon8838]

Don't be silly.

[@LB_die_Kaapie]

@@keithmoon8838 I mean it is the truth

[@Richard-vk3yk]

@@keithmoon8838 Well put. He moved back to NZ at the end of 1974, when he was only 18 months old. No danger of ever being considered a Saffa - except for the April Fool's Day prank he did with a radio station in about '98 where they called his mum to ask her about his impending 'defection' to SA.

[@keithmoon8838]

@@Richard-vk3yk It's pathetic the number of jarpies over the years who have tried to claim him. Third generation of the family to represent Canterbury.

[@toiletsmithy3630]

@@LB_die_Kaapie Both Kiwi parents, He was only a Saffa for nearly 2 years. Must've been the worst 2 years of his life

[@csefesi]

NEVER WON US A WORLD CUP...SORRY SAT THROUGH 95 & 99 & WE LOST & MERTHENS WON SUPER 12 TITLES & TRI NATIONS BUT NEVER THE BIG ONE THE WORLD CUP. HE NEVER RECOVERED FROM MISSING THOSE GOALS IN THE 95 FINAL. CULLEN, MARSHALL & LOMU THE SAME. GREAT PLAYERS BUT THEY NEVER WON A WORLD CUP FOR US.

[@yehbuddy1005]

Carlos was better every day of the week.

[@bustarogers9990]

Except game day.

[@yehbuddy1005]

@@bustarogers9990 ur meant to tackle on game day though.

[@MeanAzz_13]

@@bustarogers9990 lol

[@jbrown8059]

@@bustarogers9990 Carlos special player

[@keithmoon8838]

Better at what? Wearing a toweling robe?

[@csefesi]

Grant Fox won a world cup. No comparison. Full stop.

[@brettwilkinson9529]

South Africa weren't in the 1987 World Cup. All Blacks never faced any serious opposition in that World Cup apart from France in the final. It was a "Clayton's World Cup" . A World Cup you have when your not really having a World Cup.

[@keithmoon8838]

@@brettwilkinson9529 South Africa wouldn't have got out of their group had they played in 1987. Isolation meant they were well below the required standard.

[@brettwilkinson9529]

@@keithmoon8838 you obviously have zero knowledge about Rugby. The Springboks had the best side in the World at that time and proved it the year before in 1986 when they completely demolished a full strength New Zealand side ( The Cavaliers) that toured South Africa that year. That was the All Black team ( minus David Kirk and John Kirwan ) that was selected to tour South Africa the year before , but toured Argentina instead, when the tour was called off. South Africa had the greatest backline in the world that decade with Naas Botha, Danie Gerber, Carl du Plussis, Micheal du Plussis, Jaco Reinach, Garth Wright and Johan Heunis. I'm a New Zealander and and predicted a South African victory back then as they were simply bigger and faster in the backs than what we were. Nass Botha, Danie Gerber and Carl de Plussis were the best players in the world in their positions during their careers.The Springboks demolished England in 2 tests in 1984 so weren't as isolated as most people thought. The Currie Cup was extremely strong and many members played in international invitation fixtures during that time, so were well prepared. South Africa were definitely the team to beat in 1987.

[@toiletsmithy3630]

@@brettwilkinson9529 south africa were the team to beat in 1987? oh don't fool yourself

[@toiletsmithy3630]

@@brettwilkinson9529 comparing their forward pack, south africa wouldve had flip van der at 1, uli schmidt at 2 then hempies dutoit at 3. Nz wouldve definitely won up front, with mcdowell, fitzy and loe. South africa wouldve had the better backline coming into the 1987 rwc with carel du plessis at 11, michael du plessis at 12, danie "highest striking rate ever" gerber at 13, ray mordt at 14 and then Joan Hoanis at fullback. but carel du plessis best at his position? major stretch mate. Springboks defeated the nz cavaliers which was nz's c squad 33-18, they wouldnt of competed with nz upfront and at the backrow with allan whetton, iceman and wayne "bucky" shelford. serfontein and naas botha have a better pairing then kirk n fox. taylor and stanley wouldve held their lines tight. New zealand/ south africa were the teams to beat, but due to south africas isolation, Id say South africa were new zealands team to beat, while it could go vice versa, but new zealand had huge margins on other teams. but best side mate? that's also a huge stretch, it would be close contest but nz did have the better side on sheet. while south africa had more of a variety and had the better overall attacking game. im not sold on you being from new zealand mate. new zealand had put up an average of 70+ in each pool game, extremely impressive. if we were to put south africa into pool 4, they wouldve cleared it out no doubt. but nz wouldve been their first task in the quarters and basing it off history, south africa have struggled in quarter finals. Fox wouldve picked up the pace along with their forward pack. they wouldve held south africas attack tight and couldve picked them apart, and would be able to clear alot of their top dogs. loe strives at clearing out rucks. south africa were an heavy attacking team, while nz didnt have quite the attacking game but their defense was more tight. grant fox wouldve been kicking for territory and will try their best to hold them in their half, new zealand wouldve came out with a better outcome on the given day. but no doubt south africa wouldve made a contension