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

[@raniellis3239]

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

[@joshfasitoouta539]

Well said mate. Compared to what it is now

[@jackfry]

i think you meant rugby was so popular. You can see why the crowds showed up with such stacked teams playing in the NPC.

[@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

[@gerardbenson1844]

When New Zealand Rugby was absolutely outstanding to watch

[@notfarkingsurprised4052]

# 14 Jeff Wilson all blacks had the baddest team back then all time

[@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

[@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

[@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🙏🏾

[@litteisaaclovespaige5938]

Wellington team with most of the players featured here came to the old Carisbrook in 1998 Otago put 82 points on them that night that was a memorable evening

[@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.

[@RatelHBadger]

Such an amazing grubber kick through.

[@hohaia01]

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

[@RatelHBadger]

That last try shows it all really. Speed, fending off a big opposite, and then carrying him over the line anyway when he came back for a second go.

[@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!

[@waynewilliams3380]

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

[@rosihantu1]

He doesn't run, he glides

[@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.

[@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.

[@kfactor7]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@jonathanbennett1542]

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

[@jackfry]

my team growing up, what a pleasure it was to watch them every week! made me a die hard Wellington fan.

[@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!!

[@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]

Before Polamalu, Tana Umaga was the guy with the hair

[@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.

[@rossbrown6641]

Heard about punctuation?

[@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

[@hannotn]

They never had a great front five, but had some quality loosies, like Collins, So'oialo, Vanisi and a couple of others who aren't coming to mind.

[@AshboNZ86]

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

[@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

[@sicboi]

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

[@TSB43]

Hands down the best highlight reel

[@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.

[@oswaldfrans4007]

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

[@callumgowar]

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

[@cameronharris8039]

A truly great time in Wellington rugby

[@dajavoosp]

So many great players, Rodney soialo, Jerry Collins, Tana, Jonah, Lomi Fa'atau and Cullen

[@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!

[@sagamauga8074]

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

[@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

[@Simple_peeps]

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

[@daleminchin1184]

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

[@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🔥

[@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

[@tombutcher3021]

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

[@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

[@jedinite241]

Some great highlights ty

[@chanelopesu]

Awesome legends of the game 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@lindsayjoyce608]

Unreal play, brilliance at it's best

[@geoffwaldman]

That team is lethal. Good ol days of NPC

[@Formakiwi]

Back when NPC games could still draw a crowd.

[@canadiancontent352]

And all blacks played in the npc

[@dave2402]

My all time favourite kit!

[@Travel901z]

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

[@tyzxcj34]

Damn man what a team. Legends!

[@santos.l.halper1999]

don't forget, they had So'oialo with Collins and Waldrom. Semo Setiti, Dion Waller AND Norm Hewitt. Shannon Paku and Brad Flemming.... all international reps

[@ZOE_LAUVI]

damnn didn’t know tana umaga was that quick 😎

[@tane5802]

Better than any "Auckland Grammar" loaded Auckland side!

[@Laughable000]

G what about the MAGZ boyz

[@Fuzcapp]

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

[@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.

[@chrisfuller1726]

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

[@actiaint]

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

[@mahulad7298]

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

[@TSB43]

Beautiful play

[@zechariahfaatiga5676]

NPC back then was the best

[@aaronhapeta6354]

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

[@kaeso101]

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

[@jackfry]

haha Murray Mexted was a real character in the com box.

[@Iam0.]

Iremia cleaned that center with his line runs

[@deebo1314]

Miss these days of super rugby

[@grantpitkethley8638]

David Howell..Northland magic

[@RogerBiwandu]

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

[@dubemccready7438]

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

[@Sulu-sw3zo]

4:08 *RIP Legends :(*

[@jasonh5377]

The glory days😊

[@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 ☺️✌️

[@AlmaDaFunn]

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

[@paulolsen4186]

I miss this era

[@mattdrake2065]

How many little kicks does steinmetz put in behind the defence

[@etiennevanwyk3208]

Cullen and Danie Gerber, best open field runners ever

[@keogan]

I love NZ Rugby !!!

[@AlmaDaFunn]

Rodney should've been mentioned aswell

[@canadiancontent352]

Love those jerseys

[@smartalec65]

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

[@ar3t33]

Goated video

[@AlmaDaFunn]

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

[@Iam0.]

Kupu Vanisi was a demon on a lose ball

[@paopao4827]

This line up can win the world cup...

[@lemafoeleutogi3550]

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

[@Laughable000]

Those were the days...

[@jpowell2603]

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

[@jamiewoodcock2369]

Here here

[@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?

[@andrewp1075]

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

[@Sulu-sw3zo]

No, the late, great John Drake. RIP.

[@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.

[@petelosuaniu]

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

[@tomloughman8865]

True legends,,,,

[@jinjaman101]

and they did it again last week v Blues 2022

[@etiennevanwyk3208]

Love Jerry

[@harleyfrench9997]

Lome was 🔥

[@Brdr685]

Holwell was pretty good,but if a beauden Barrett type 10 played for them, this team would be nearly unbeatable

[@alexescanlan]

So talented Filo Tiatia was water boy

[@eddieandrews3335]

Fantastic rugby

[@FKTHESYSTEM063]

Pass at 2:07 underrated

[@GM-ow2cx]

Nonu was missing