The most surprisingly star studded rugby team ever - Wellington Lions | Rugby Highlights

We bring you the NPC rugby archive predominantly focussing on 3 key All Blacks from the early 2000's. In this video we have highlights of Jonah Lomu, Tana Umaga and Christian Cullen playing for Wellington Lions. This was one of the most exciting teams of that era because of the flair they had out wide. #RugbyHighlights
---
Binge episodes of The Season Brisbane Boys College - • 'The Season' 8 - Austr...
RUGBYPASS MERCH - rugbypass.shop/
SUBSCRIBE to Rugby Pass for daily rugby videos, exclusive interviews, press conferences, highlights, original documentaries, weekly chat shows and much more: / @rugbypass
---
RECOMMENDED PLAYLISTS:
GUINNESS SIX NATIONS 2022
• Guinness Six Nations News
British & Irish Lions Tour 2021
• British & Irish Lions
RUGBYPASS FAN ZONE
• RugbyPass Fan Zone
RUGBY NEWS, PRESS CONFERENCES, INTERVIEWS & REACTION:
• Rugby News
CLASSIC FULL MATCHES & HIGHLIGHTS:
• Classic Matches & High...
THE ACADEMY S1, LEICESTER TIGERS - PLAYLIST:
• Leicester Tigers - The...
RUGBYPASS ORIGINALS - PLAYLIST:
• Documentaries - RugbyP...
HOLD BACK THE RIVER - PLAYLIST: • Hold Back The River - ...
THE SEASON S1, ST JOSEPH'S NUDGEE COLLEGE - PLAYLIST:
• 'The Season' 1 - Austr...
THE SEASON S3, ST PATS SILVERSTREAM - PLAYLIST:
• 'The Season' 3 - New Z...
THE SEASON S5, HAMILTON BOYS HIGH SCHOOL - PLAYLIST:
• 'The Season' 5 - New Z...
THE SEASON S6, BRISBANE BOYS COLLEGE - PLAYLIST:
• 'The Season' 6 - Austr...
---
RugbyPass is the premier destination for rugby fans across the globe, with the best news, analysis, shows, highlights, podcasts, documentaries, live match & player stats, live blog feeds, and in some territories live streaming of the world's greatest rugby tournaments all in HD.
In 2017 and 2018, RugbyPass acquired several popular rugby properties including Rugby Dump, Rugby Onslaught, Rugby365 and Fantasy Rugger, becoming the largest independent English-language rugby audience network in the world. The RugbyPass Network reaches tens of millions of rugby fans across its social media channels and millions of users across its websites.
WATCH: weekly episodes of The Breakdown (NZ), The Aussie Rugby Show (AU), The Rugby Pod (UK), The Aotearoa Rugby Pod (NZ), The Breakdown & Offload. VISIT www.RugbyPass.com for the best international and local rugby news, views and entertainment.
---
#Rugby #RugbyPass
---

[@lebowski_dude]

Cullen, Umaga, Lomu. Strong contenders for an all-time 1st 15. Always a pleasure to watch them play.

[@FKTHESYSTEM063]

Conrad #13. Jonah #11 . Cullen #15 maybe Tana in the Race for #14 with many others tho

[@martinmulivai]

They were like the JORDAN, PIPPEN and RODMAN of rugby 😁

[@fletmok3548]

No way, Umaga 13

[@raniellis3239]

rugby was so popular in wellington back then. big crowds with atmosphere

[@joshfasitoouta539]

Well said mate. Compared to what it is now

[@icholas1527]

I feel like the Nonu Smith combo that followed unfairly took some shine off Umaga's career. What an absolute legend that man is.

[@jamiewoodcock2369]

That's true. He was a great mentor for them both and a great player in his own right

[@jmjm1920]

True toko If Umaga was still Captain and let young Macaw play different outcome RWC 2007 Malo🙏

[@thefobbieii2888]

Great observation! As you say, watching Umaga here you really do forget how good he was - I would rate him ahead of Smith!

[@mackapacka77]

Thanks RugbyPass for putting this up. These guys were my hero’s when I was a kid. I was 10 years old in 2000. Cullen is and always will be my favourite sports player. Sucks growing up because players these days don’t have that same aura about them

[@maverick4177]

Amazing talents, each and everyone of them, Rip Jonah and Jerry 🙏

[@Roberto_79]

And we can add to Joeli Vidiri that list 😔😔😔

[@wolfgangvonuce9615]

All of these guys were legends RIP. Throw one more in there,Va'aiga Tuigamala🙏🏾

[@kfactor7]

“I bought it…. Left, right and sinker” 5:15 Nice one Mex 😂

[@marcusd9192]

Steinmetz intrical in so any plays. Very underrated player

[@Awesome14450]

yeah, I was a fan

[@gstgst6334]

Very underrated. Also Hewitt Fleming spice holwell waller faatau vinisi O'Halloran sooialo ieremea... .....what a supporting cast.

[@MrUHTiger]

That Last Lomu try I remember me and my friends were at party and we ditched the party to go in the lounge where all the males from the party went to watch that final when Lomu was running we were louder than the party and we he scored we erupted still gives me good feelings watching that try never ever forgotten RIP JL11

[@thehurunui]

Was at that game as a Canterbury fan. Crowd was shellshocked by how well Wellington played they were our bogey team back then. Great final man I miss those days.

[@thehurunui]

Simply awesome. Take note NZR, this is how rugby once was in NZ. Pride, passion and stars playing for your local team equals massive crowds

[@chris5386]

Amen to that

[@wolfgangvonuce9615]

I remember watching Lomu vs vunibaka,it was incredible the power and momentum Lomu had as vunibaka is a beast himself but as the commentator said Lomu is the only one in WORLD rugby able to do that. Damm

[@teawaruaedwards274]

Truly Vunibaka was a BEAST of a winger and would easily BEEN an All Black but like WE saw during that PERIOD, BIGGER monsters and BETTER players prevented that. Still HE was a joy to watch also.

[@isaak-gabrielpereira6857]

Christian Cullen is a legend of the game while he played "only" 8 seasons in NZ. Just imagine how many caps he would have won and how many tries he would have scored in staying in NZ after 2003... Man, this guy was a genius.

[@lastpenny849]

Mitchell didn't pick him for the WC in 2003, he took Leon Macdonald instead. That was a stinker of a howler..

[@thefobbieii2888]

@@lastpenny849 - Yeah was not happy about that but Cullen suffered a major knee injury and became obvious that he had lost his speed by then!

[@kd2239]

2:45 best bit of skill i've ever seen on a rugby pitch. how that ref didn't fall over i'll never know.

[@waynewilliams3380]

Seeing Cullen running in real life.Was something special to see.Great times with inspirational players.

[@rosihantu1]

He doesn't run, he glides

[@walt3299]

That was a great time. These were such awesome players. I really miss them and the beauty they brought to the game. They linked together so well too - Cullen ( my all time favourite Fullback), Umaga and Lomu. All legends. Collins was really great too. Miss them all. We don't see this kind of flair anymore.

[@hohaia01]

Bit of a tear in the eye, watching Jonah in full flight.

[@99waylon]

For me, the most exciting era for Wellington was around 1978-83. Hewson, Bernie Frazer, Stu Wilson, Jamie Salmon, Tui Wylie etc. Some great tries at Athletic Park back then.

[@Nineteenseventy2]

And freezing our asses off in the Mallard stand.....

[@gstgst6334]

Oh yeah. That's when I was about 10. Loved Neil Sorenson. Maybe he was a bit later....more in the Pokere Schuster Gallagher Era.

[@gstgst6334]

Mike Clamp was a favorite.

[@99waylon]

@@gstgst6334 Sorenson was the 2nd best halfback in NZ in 1982-84, however never got picked for the ABs

[@99waylon]

@@gstgst6334 Forgot about him. Yeah, he was part of that era too

[@westscotindex8972]

These Legendary players are talked about in South African circles quite a bit. They really dis put the fear in some of us Springbok fans.

[@AshboNZ86]

The work rate from Cully to get back up after being tackled and nearly score the try himself.

[@lukestclair2514]

Watchin these guys in the 90's taught me how to play rugby!!

[@mamanjc]

I still have that exact jersey framed with all those legends signature! Love it👌🏻

[@danroth2163]

That's a keeper!!

[@TSB43]

Before Polamalu, Tana Umaga was the guy with the hair

[@davepannekoek1562]

Some great memories there - had a seat at the Wellington Stadium for those home games. Great back line, under powered pack that tried so damn hard. See if you can find Petones contribution to the British and Irish Lions in a Wellington Lions jersey in there... the only sour note for a Wellington boy is a short glimpse of Steve Walsh Jr, not a fan favourite in Wellington rugby circles. And seeing the Big Man scoring that try against the Cantabs - still gives me goosebumps. RIP Jonah and Jerry...

[@zack2cloud21]

Steve Walsh ranfurly shield 2001 vs Canterbury Never forget Never forgive

[@grantohalloran103]

Riki Flutey

[@jonathanbennett1542]

Loved that era , just so good to see those boys in full flight , big smiles

[@sicboi]

Bloody hell, I didn't know that Lomu pulled on the Welly jersey before I saw this video. Mind blown, RIP champ.

[@JumboWiniata]

The pain was knowing we had this team and never win a super title

[@Nineteenseventy2]

Not the Super Rugby team, this was the NPC. These are the Lions, not the Hurricanes.

[@MarkWhippy]

They won the NPC in 2000.

[@JumboWiniata]

@@Nineteenseventy2still the same guys that were in the super rugby team

[@EatDeze]

@@Nineteenseventy2 They were all in the Hurricanes as well

[@Nineteenseventy2]

@@EatDeze Yes, however "We bring you the NPC rugby archive" not super rugby

[@sagamauga8074]

Wow. Thanks for the video! This is awesome footage💪

[@TSB43]

Hands down the best highlight reel

[@callumgowar8191]

Cullen was sensational!! Not shy of getting smashed in a 2 on 1!! Class side, this!

[@TheRaMan1981]

0:00 Lome Fa'atau vs North Harbour 1:26 Tana Umaga vs Taranaki 2:03 Umaga vs Counties-Manukau 2:35 Christian Cullen vs Auckland 3:40 Jerry Collins vs Waikato 4:50 Umaga vs North Harbour 5:46 Jonah Lomu vs Canterbury 6:23 Rodney So'oialo vs North Harbour 7:01 Lomu vs Counties-Manukau 7:52 Cullen vs Auckland 8:44 Jason O'Halloran vs Canterbury 9:18 Umaga vs Waikato 10:12 Umaga vs Auckland 10:57 Lomu vs Canterbury

[@jedinite241]

Some great highlights ty

[@oswaldfrans4007]

Who remember Tana umaga hit on Brain o discroll 2005..🤣😂😂😂😂😂It was the hit of rugby's history

[@kirwan1414]

Yep that's Wellington, great to watch but heartbreaking to support. We last won the NPC in 2000 and have lost around 7 finals since. Jason O'Halloran was another great 2nd 5 that we've produced. For some reason we've always produced midfield back's, winger's and fullbacks with the odd loosie, but never first fives or tight forwards, apart from Dane Coles. That there in is the reason we don't win many titles, million dollar backline with no forward pack.

[@cameronharris8039]

A truly great time in Wellington rugby

[@thefobbieii2888]

As an Aucklander I could not understand why this team did not win more championships let alone Super rugby title back then - that backline!

[@daleminchin1184]

5:15 "I bought it left, right and sinker" gotta love Mex

[@chanelopesu]

Awesome legends of the game 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@nanchu2151]

UMAGA..LEGEND..always humble..great rugby player family man n SUPERSTAR!!I believe he still lives in the little town he was born in Wellington..NZ. RESPECT!!

[@TSB43]

Beautiful play

[@harrymilton657]

Christian Cullen, best back I have ever seen.

[@theephraimite]

Yup, that was a star-studded team. Lethal backs and some powerful loose forwards; I’m surprised they didn’t dominate as much as they should’ve. Anyway, thanks for the memories. Tuesday ngt - March 1, 2022.

[@candycain2327]

Tight 5 always the problem

[@jamiewoodcock2369]

@@candycain2327 so true and also maybe not a world class 9 and 10 combo. We had a team of champions but not a champion team. But we were awesome when we were on🔥

[@kaeso101]

1:13 the commentary team having a chat about the habour master tho 😂😂

[@Parawai116]

FUCKING FINALLY! My favorite team of all time!

[@Parawai116]

Shot for putting it up! Miss these rugby days 😢

[@andyhunter5869]

This team was nothing without Northland’s David Holwell

[@Parawai116]

Hard! Him and Jason Spice were amazing during these times, both great players

[@dave2402]

My all time favourite kit!

[@zazleticsbrah5693]

Lome Faatau, Tana Umaga, Jonah Lomu, Christian Cullen, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, Rodney Soo’ialo, Jerry Collins then Conrad Smith, Maa Nonu & Hosea Gear came in at the end of some of these gifted players careers. Great team but man it took ages to finally win

[@tyzxcj34]

Damn man what a team. Legends!

[@Simple_peeps]

Look at the crowd these legends pulled at the games they played

[@Formakiwi]

Back when NPC games could still draw a crowd.

[@canadiancontent352]

And all blacks played in the npc

[@tombutcher3021]

Vunabaka is so fast he gets fended and managed to catch up Lomu again. Miss both these players.

[@actiaint]

Shit time went fast. Thank you to all those greatest of great players. O’Halloran the glue of the greats.

[@lindsayjoyce608]

Unreal play, brilliance at it's best

[@Fuzcapp]

3:20 ... time to go to Rugby League, thinks Innes.

[@chrisfuller1726]

Tana would have to be the centre in best ever ABs team, pure class with all the skills

[@eddieandrews3335]

Fantastic rugby

[@geoffwaldman]

That team is lethal. Good ol days of NPC

[@TravelMan.69]

See how lomu gifted tht ball to Cullen and the say he wasn't skilled tht was pure skill

[@ZOE_LAUVI]

damnn didn’t know tana umaga was that quick 😎

[@Sulu-sw3zo]

4:08 *RIP Legends :(*

[@dubemccready7438]

Now thats how talented these retirees X players were back in the era of supreme excellence in the National Game.

[@aaronhapeta6354]

Great team & check out the water boy @ 4.12 current another capped allblack filo tiatia - current pacifika assistant coach

[@jasonh5377]

The glory days😊

[@canadiancontent352]

Love those jerseys

[@AlmaDaFunn]

This is when the npc was fun to watch when they had actual stars go back and play

[@lahkeyroo6096]

for all the guns this team had - canterbury, auckland still won the npc comps back then. but still love watching this team play

[@Nineteenseventy2]

Wellington won it in 2000, But after that struggled.

[@zechariahfaatiga5676]

NPC back then was the best

[@mahulad7298]

They were the meanest back line ever a real crowd pleaser.

[@keogan]

I love NZ Rugby !!!

[@AlmaDaFunn]

"It not just a try it's a hiding" lol

[@smartalec65]

Ah those were the days, big crowds for NPC games, I had season tickets for the Lions and Hurricanes good times.

[@deebo1314]

Miss these days of super rugby

[@tomloughman8865]

True legends,,,,

[@etiennevanwyk3208]

Cullen and Danie Gerber, best open field runners ever

[@ar3t33]

Goated video

[@paulolsen4186]

I miss this era

[@mattdrake2065]

How many little kicks does steinmetz put in behind the defence

[@thedappercook]

Anyone else have a stiffy watching this? Incredible.

[@lemafoeleutogi3550]

Inga da winger and Brian Lima with that team oh no, I mean no other teams come close 💯

[@andrewp1075]

Is that Jemaine Clement on comms at 3:05? 😁

[@Sulu-sw3zo]

No, the late, great John Drake. RIP.

[@AlmaDaFunn]

Rodney should've been mentioned aswell

[@petelosuaniu]

Back in the good old days when All Blacks played in the NPC

[@RogerBiwandu]

The late GREAT Jerry Collins may his Soul rest in Peace.

[@paopao4827]

This line up can win the world cup...

[@harleyfrench9997]

Lome was 🔥

[@etiennevanwyk3208]

Love Jerry

[@tpc6236]

Even some faatau up in there

[@alexescanlan]

So talented Filo Tiatia was water boy

[@mthabitX]

Before money was put above else, for both players and franchises.

[@dimann1090]

Fa'atau was a great player for Wellington and Samoa

[@jinjaman101]

and they did it again last week v Blues 2022

[@jpowell2603]

I miss those days no COVID no masks no border control 😪😪

[@jamiewoodcock2369]

Here here

[@DrAAAli]

Interestingly all of these guys never got to touch a world cup.

[@jonathanbennett1542]

Gotta add I was in Wellington a couple years back for the ABz vs Springbok had the chance to shake Christian Cullen’s hand , he is my all time fav player , I was speechless , he must have thought I was a bit of a nutter 🙈 having grown up in the 70s playing footy not to any great heights but tge love of the game was firmly entrenched in my heart and it’s a big call to say he was my idol and still is ☺️✌️

[@proudkiwi7641]

What happened to rugby in NZ? This is just NPC and look at the crowds, meanwhile Super rugby used to sell out every game. But nowadays even the All Blacks struggle to sell out stadiums. What the heck happened to rugby in NZ?

[@shanerangihuna4482]

Am i missing something here The Auckland side from the mid 1986 wouldve been the greatest provincial side in world rugby They boasted 13 ABs in their side Drake Fitzpatrick McDowell Gary Whetton Alan Whetton Michael Jones Zinny David Kirk Grant Fox Bernie MCahill Smokin Joe Terry Wright and John Kirwan This team basically were almost the whole AB side that took the 1st RWC in 1987

[@gstgst6334]

Yes they were amazing....but we're not talking about them at the moment.

[@pitaberaciri8366]

Did they win a Super Rugby Title

[@iblahim2000]

Jerry Collins ?

[@khayasontsele8984]

Lomu = King Cobra….. Cullen = Black Mamba

[@rogerwaihaperoger.1157]

Remember one game ,when the CrusadersV Hurricanes- came back from 36-3 down with 30 minutes to play and won 38-36. yep Steve Walsh was the man in the middle with the whistle,Jason O'Hallaran got sent off with 20 minutes to play -and Jerry Colins got sent off with 10 minutes to play..I think it was Jasons last game with the Canes,**Hanging up his Boots**They had the game won -Than Steve Walsh started pinging them,Frustration overcame Jason O'Hallaran and what ever he said to Steve Walsh must not have went down to well,From that game and every other game that Steve Walsh Referreed for the Hurricanes Vs ???????what ever team -did not come off to well for the boys..

[@kirwan1414]

Jeez O'Halloran was a great player. Unlucky to to be the AB second five.

[@grantohalloran103]

@@kirwan1414 he was an All Black

[@kirwan1414]

@@grantohalloran103 sorry, I should have been more specific. I remember Jason getting 1 test cap (about 5-10 minutes at the end of a game). I actually meant he should have been the 1st choice second-five for the ABs. Any relation?

[@grantohalloran103]

@@kirwan1414 yep brother Cheers

[@GM-ow2cx]

Nonu was missing

[@natejohnson6712]

These guys are timeless and absolutely wipe the board of modern day rugby players and the unwatchable product that rugby has become.

[@tonyupham2340]

Exciting stuff, shame the npc doesn't have the elite players it used to, how long has it been since we've had crowds like that at provincial games, all is not right in the modern professional game, shame😊