Over the years, Irish rugby has gained significantly from the expertise and influence of New Zealand players. This partnership traces back to the late 1990s with Andy Ward’s rise to the national team and continues today with figures like Jamison Gibson-Park playing pivotal roles.
Among the foreign-born players who’ve donned the green jersey, Gibson-Park, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Jared Payne, and Andy Ward stand out for their impact on Ireland’s international rugby scene. However, the influence of New Zealand extends beyond those eligible for the Irish team. Legendary players such as Doug Howlett, Brad Thorn, and Isa Nacewa, although ineligible for national selection, have left an indelible mark on the provincial game with their world-class skills.
The latest in this line of impactful players from New Zealand is Sean Jansen, who continues to make a name for himself in Irish rugby. Yet, not every Kiwi has successfully adapted to the Irish scene. While some, like Jansen, have thrived, others have faced challenges, often due to injuries or failing to meet the high expectations set for them.
As Jansen embarks on a new chapter in his career this summer, it’s worth reflecting on those New Zealand players whose journeys in Irish rugby did not meet their goals or fans’ hopes.
All Black legend Mark ‘Bull’ Allen, a celebrated figure back in New Zealand, struggled to replicate his success with the Shannon team in Ireland and remains a reminder of the uncertainty that accompanies international sports endeavors.
MARK ‘BULL’ ALLEN
A cult hero in New Zealand for his giant size, bald head and aggressive style, ‘Bull’ Allen arrived over to Shannon in the mid-1990s with a huge reputation having already earned Test recognition with the All Blacks.
Allen undoubtedly had ability but injury issues and poor form made his Irish sojourn an unfulfilling one. Shannon were the dominant force in Irish rugby at the time (winning four All-Ireland League titles in a row) and they had quality props.
Bull Allen ended up playing for their seconds.
Kiwi Clinton Huppert was considered not to be good enough for AIL when Munster signed him
CLINTON HUPPERT
The winger became infamous in Irish rugby circles when it quickly became obvious that he was way off the level Munster thought they were signing in the early 2000s. Like Bull Allen, he ended up on the Shannon seconds team with one club insider who preferred not to be named at the time said that Huppert was ‘not up to AIL level’. Munster paid him off early and an interesting post-script to the Huppert story occurred in the late 2000s when he contacted an Irish journalist who had been critical of his time in Ireland and claimed that he would love to ‘sort him out’ if he could afford the flight from New Zealand.
Christian Cullen is wrapped up by the Reivers defence during his difficult spell with Munster
CHRISTIAN CULLEN
Many in Munster would not be happy with Cullen being described as a ‘flop’ but that is the reality of his time with the province.
Widely regarded as the finest full back to have played the game, Cullen was a massive signing for Munster in the early 2000s but arrived over injured and could never reach the levels that made him a superstar.
While he always retained the affection and respect of players and supporters, the lethal pace was not there anymore and his impact suffered when he did play.
However, while his body failed him, Cullen’s rugby intelligence could not be dimmed and he had a profound impact on his Munster teammates as they built towards the two European Cups they would win later in the decade.
Bryce WIlliams had plenty of size but did not provide the mean edge Leinster were looking for
BRYCE WILLIAMS
The 6ft8in second row had a good reputation from provincial rugby in New Zealand and was brought in to beef up the Leinster pack when Leo Cullen left to join Leicester.
Williams had some ability but did not possess the dog Leinster needed and was blown out the gate when Leinster needed him most.
In 2006, Leinster played some scintillating rugby on the way to the European Cup semi-final showdown against bitter rivals Munster at Lansdowne Road. On the big day, Williams, fellow Kiwi Cameron Jowitt and the Leinster pack as a unit were steamrolled by the Munster forwards to set up a thumping 30-6 victory.
That was the end of Williams’ time in Ireland.
Jeremy Manning (left) does the haka with Rua Tipoki before Munster-New Zealand in 2008
JEREMY MANNING
Manning was a talented young out-half who was brought over to understudy Ronan O’Gara with Munster and, when he qualified, Ireland but the promise was never fulfilled.
O’Gara was a huge presence and Manning, for all his efforts, found it impossible to emerge from the Corkman’s shadow.
Manning floated around the Munster periphery and the AIL for five years before joining Newcastle in 2010. He is best remembered for performing the haka with the province’s other Kiwis before a memorable clash against New Zealand in 2008.
Mils Muliaina shares a joke with Connacht legend John Muldoon following a win over Munster at the Sportsground in 2015, but the All Black full-back’s spell out west was not a happy one
MILS MULIAINA
One of the great All Blacks, the world-class full back joined Connacht in the 2014-2015 under fellow Auckland alumnus Pat Lam.
It was an unhappy stint where Muliaina made minimal impact on the pitch, while off the pitch an incident in a Cardiff nightclub did not help matters (the charges were dropped).
For such a brilliant player, Muliaina was well into his 30s when he rocked up at Connacht and a pale imitation of what he had once been as his career wound down rapidly.
Peter Borlase was lined up to solve Irish rugby’s issues at tighthead but never came close
PETER BORLASE
The first designated ‘project player’, Borlase was a highly anticipated signing as a long-term solution to Ireland’s tight-head prop depth issues. He hung around Munster for a while but never came close to what had been planned.
Tyler Bleyendaal never got going as a player in Ireland due to an horrendous run with injuries
TYLER BLEYENDAAL
Another highly touted young Kiwi out-half who was being eyed as a residency qualification target for the national team, Bleyendaal suffered the Cullen jinx of picking up a serious injury just before his arrival.
It dominated his time in Ireland as a player. When he did play, Bleyendaal could be sublime but the problem was that he did not play enough – a recurring theme with the southern province right up to their recent woes with RG Snyman – and is now making his way as a backs coach.
Charles Piutau was a big name, big money signing by Ulster but the All Black star never clicked
CHARLES PIUTAU
When Piutau joined Ulster in 2016 he was regarded as one of the most exciting attacking forces in the game.
Lethally fast and hugely powerful in contact, Piutau joined Ulster after a hugely successful short-term stint with Wasps in England where he had earned massive money and he did not come cheap.
While he had some eye-catching moments, it never clicked for Piutau at Ulster and he will go down as an expensive mistake.