Had a clip pop up on SM the other day showing a highlights reel of Rupeni Caucaunibuca and it reminded me of his freakish abilities.
Had me wondering what other 'freaks' have we seen in the game? Players that transcend their contemporaries and have you in awe at their play.
Lomu and Cully are obvious examples to add to Rupeni IMO. Who else?
@crucial was possibly this one?
@taniwharugby said in Rugby Freaks:
@crucial was possibly this one?
Ha, could have been. I probably saw the same link as you.
Have had a look for a clip that includes decent footage of that Blues game against the Brumbies in the wet. That's the one that really sticks out for me. He was on another planet that day, scooping up a wet ball one handed and looking like he was jogging to the line until you see the name players all around him that can't get near. Even Howlett is going flat out to be in support.
the context plays a role in this a little, but i remember goldie playing for harbour in dunedin prem, was an AB at the time, cant remember if he was coming back from an injury or somethings...he didn't hold back, just opened us up from where ever he liked, this was arrogant ball hog goldie at its finest
Rupeni and Lomu are the stand outs. Cullen great player, amazingly quick, ran great lines but not in the same league of freakishness for me. I’d say Blanco an honourable third.
I would also add Michael Jones to the list.
Showed the rugby world a new dynamic in loose forward play.
@catogrande said in Rugby Freaks:
Rupeni and Lomu are the stand outs. Cullen great player, amazingly quick, ran great lines but not in the same league of freakishness for me. I’d say Blanco an honourable third.
Agree with you on Blanco but not regarding Cully. I think you are seriously underestimating his other abilities. You only have to watch his first few tests to see that his natural play brought something to the field that hadn't been seen at test level before (except in flashes).
His tackle breaking strength was second to none but it was his stepping without losing speed that was the real standout.
i think we're just going to end up with a list of the world best players...but
one that might not stand out as much because its not try scoring...Richie, i went to school with Richie and people legit made comments like "future AB right there" in 3rd form
@catogrande said in Rugby Freaks:
Good call on Jones. I also take your points re Cullen but would say they weren’t freakish. Other guys had those attributes, just not all of them.
which in my eyes made him a freak...
Not looking for best players ever. Many of these guys had big failings in other areas but I guess it's down to players that made you go 'WTAF!!' on a regular basis
I'd suggest Gregor Townsend deserves a mention. Some of the stuff he did was pretty outrageous
I was always amazed at some of the things Sivivatu did, all the while looking like he was in 2nd gear. 5 tries against Auckland was good to watch.
Zinny for his drop-kicking ability.
Not sure I'd put Lomu in freakish skill/ability, he was just a phenom, large and fast with good skills, but not freakish IMO.
For me, Cully is possibly the closest to Rupeni in terms of freakish ability, Goldie near the top too, and the fact we had Goldie, Lomu & Cully at the same time!!
I'd put Blanco & Campo up there too for outsides.
@taniwharugby said in Rugby Freaks:
Not sure I'd put Lomu in freakish skill/ability, he was just a phenom, large and fast with good skills, but not freakish IMO.
For me, Cully is possibly the closest to Rupeni in terms of freakish ability, Goldie near the top too, and the fact we had Goldie, Lomu & Cully at the same time!!
I'd put Blanco & Campo up there too for outsides.
Lomu had a two metre sidestep FFS! His best attribute by far was balance though. Addthat to his other abilities and he was a freak.
Goldie, Lomu and Cully? sounds like a good back three 
@dice said in Rugby Freaks:
I'd put Joeli Vidiri in the freak category.
Most Waikato supporters would agree.
Lots of Fijians being mentioned, I'm going to add Serevi.
Sevens is (at least used to be) a great arena for freakish abilities to shine with Jonah and Cully being good examples.
Serevi was one of those players that had you on edge whenever he had the ball. They'd be seemingly no options in front of him but he'd dance around on the spot for a bit, then having worked out a path, take off through the defence and dot down.
@catogrande said in Rugby Freaks:
Rupeni and Lomu are the stand outs. Cullen great player, amazingly quick, ran great lines but not in the same league of freakishness for me. I’d say Blanco an honourable third.
WTF, Cullen was easily as freakish as those two. Ran great lines is barely scratching the surface, he could change direction and not lose pace as good as anyone (including Rupeni).
