Rugbys most gifted Idiots who squandered their talent

So by now we were all hoping that the dust would settle after learning that Elton Jantjies were getting / giving extra nutrition to one of the staff. As such, everything fell flat and he now finds himself in D2 after losing a very lucrative contract in Japan. Not that the team he left would have been any better off as they were relegated to division 3 in the new Japanese structure. 

This made me wonder which players were the most gifted idiots that you can recall that never reached their full potential. 

James O Conner 63 test (32) This guy was touted to be the next Matt Gitaue and could almost play every position, but then left Australia to chase some money. At 30, he found his way back to Australia, had a few memorable test matches but have now fallen out of favour, yet again. 

Johan Goosen 13 test (30) - Another very talented rugby player. A 10 the bok fans have been craving for, but his introduction to test rugby was sudden and as such, went to his head. He then got lured to France, but only a year or two into his contract decided to retire, only to pop up in France for a different club a year later. In the end a transfer fee of 1 million euros had to be paid. He was still a very valuable player for his club and become the league player of the year. He is now back at the bulls, pushing 30 but still battling injury and hoping for a bok recall. 

Quade Cooper 76 (34) - One of the most gifted and insanely skilled players. He and Will Genia was the reason why the Reds won the super rugby title but he to was a fan of the spotlight, kept getting into trouble and become a bit of a journeymen chasing the mighty Euro. His stint for Toulon was for 2 years with only 16 games for them. He then returned to the Reds, but Brad Thorn was having nothing of his nonsense and booted him out of the club. Australia paid him a million dollar contract and he was filmed playing Sunday Club Rugby.

Gaven Henson 33 test (40)- Jelled Spike hair and a big fan of the tanning bed. Burst onto the scene during a provincial game against the boks who had no answer for this gifted player. Another extremely talented player, moved from 10 and around the backline. Kept falling out with his team mates. His career ended poorly and was filmed in a fist fight well at a club with one of his team mates. Just can’t seem to stay out of trouble where ever he goes. 

Elton Janjties 46 test (32) - Another very flashy player and did wonders in the Lions golden run during the super rugby days under Swys and Johan Ackerman. But another player that could never deliver for the boks. He had so many chances to shine. Just when he showed he was a team man in 2019, decided to stick his balls between a different set of poles. Partly blame the coaching team for carrying players around and selecting them when they have not earned there spot or showed any form.  

Frans Steyn 76 (35) - Can’t believe he is only 35, debut for the boks back in 2006. Mainly a flyhallf but was so talented that he started on the wing. Then covered for the injury prone Jean De Villiers and help the boks win the 2007 World Cup. The French media loved the way he played and almost claimed him as one of their own. After having a fall out with Pieter De Villiers and not happy to ride the pine and learn his craft from the bench, packed his bags and headed to France for a very lucrative contract. His first stint was for Racing Metro with some good success. He came back to SA and could almost double up as a prop forward thanks to good life in France. Struggled to settle in a position at the sharks and flirted with Heineke Meyer in getting a few caps for the boks but then mysteriously dropped out of the team, only to show up in France on a very lucrative contract. 

Sonny Bill Williams 58 (37)- Yes, on camera the man comes across as a great team man, but how many times did he ditch his teams for the chase of the mighty dollar. Probably one of the most devastating backs after Lomu to ever play the game. I watched him play live way back when the Sharks and Crusaders played in London. The sharks had no answer to stop him. It was his crazy passing, but he had great size too. Fortunately for NZ, they had so many other great players of that era and I think the rest of the other test nations could breath a sigh of relief that he did not pitch up more often for the kiwis. This is a true rugby mercenary in both codes. The only frustrating thing with his is that is such a fantastic player. He even got the New Zealand administration to allow him to carry on with Boxing. Although, not such a great boxer and recently got knocked out. 

Frans Steyn is a legend now, but just think what could have been had he showed humility and willing to be mentored and be a team player. 

All of these players above were or are extremely arrogant and they had to learn a hard life lesson. Yes, they got the some money for a few seasons  but now their careers are nearly at an end. Just think how much better rugby could have been if they could just go out their and showed us their talent and kept their off field antics private

Frans reached his potential, he simply was mishandled by the Boks. We don't always get our best players on the field. Brussow is another, who despite proving that he could outplay every fetcher in world rugby, simply didn't fit the profile, or wasn't favoured. Low and behold, Kwagga finds himself in a similar position. 

Sonny Bill was a deeply flawed player who was a marketing gimmick, and came in at just the right time to capitalise off of New Zealand's peak. He just about reached what he had to give. As stats show, he was nothing especially great. 

Spies could have been the greatest 8 of all time, had he rounded out his game. He was so heavily marked that had he learned to distribute it would have opened the game up for him. He became a very accurate and reliable Bok. Very good, but he was never the threat of Big Joe, who you knew you could not lock up on the seam, or you'd leave acres of space for the midfield to pour into. Lesson: You have to in some way become a dual-threat player to allow your best attribute to thrive. 

The Fijian Rupeni Caucaunbuca

Played for the ther Blues back in the naughtiest. Absolute freak of a player, should of surpassed Lomu but kept disappearing on his teams.

I can't believe I forgot about him! Caucau had it all. If there was one player that could have been a more complete package than Habana, he was it. What a tragedy. Maybe B rent Russell, and Gaffie could be there too. 

This is a terrific string. I forgot about Caucau  as well, but the guy was virtually unstoppable. You mentioned 2 others Deus, Skinstad and Big Joe. Both brilliant. Skinstad’s try against Ireland where he picked up the ball from the base of the scrum at the halfway and ran through the whole Irish back division still ranks as the best forward try I have seen.

I think there were a lot of players who lost their potential in the early 00s in the dark days. De Wet Barry showed in 2004 what he was capable of, and just as he showed that potential, Jean had arrived. It's a sad way for a lot of talented players to miss their calling. Joubert too, though statistically, he left more of an impression. Skinstad was a great player, but I remember him more for his provincial rugby than Bok rugby. For me, the try he scored against Australia under Viljoen remains his high point. I think it was 00 and 01 that Province faced the Sharks in the Currie Cup final, there were fantastic Skinstad moments. I'll never forget his burst and offload in a tryline dive for a try. Those two finals really stood out for me. 

You're a very bitter man Mike. Goosen played poorly in 2012. All of his tests were write o ffs. No matter how much you hate Morné this is the truth. As per Frans, he was excellent. Given your love of Damian, you really don't have a leg to stand on. 

The Fijian Rupeni Caucaunbuca

In a word....awesome!

Had everything, talent, skill and pace.

Above all he made it look easy.

Goosen was bad in which tests - he was outstanding in the Scot test  and Ausie at home test - in the AB test he was injured early and replaced early as well.   I do not hate any player - I just do think Morne ever really was up to standard as a flyhalf - the best he could do for Stade Franais was to be their bench flyhalf.  Not good enough at club level - how good was he as an international flyhalf?

This discussion is in fact about Frans Steyn and his love of food making him becoming known as FAT FRANSIE.    Plumtree called him no center at all and sent him packing from the team.  he was overweight and unfit.   Came along  White and he remained Fat and unfit.   Incidentally the one time he played against De Allende he landed on his arsehole twice when trying to tackle De Allende.    If Fat Fransie was any good how come his contract with the Springboks was terminated in 2015 and no SA franchise or any club in Europe signed him up and he had to go to Japan to play rugby there. 

Pity - but gluttony was Fransie's downfall.               

Completely forgot about CauCau, I think he found a club in France in the end were just as good but obvious lost a big of his ability. 

There is definitely a trend of young talented players struggling to live up to expectations. But then we have to look at those that went on to become great players. 

Dan Carter, Mcaw, Burger, Johnny Wilkinson. All these guys except for Mccaw had a lot of injuries too but they didn't fall out with their team mates or always a news headline. 

On Frans, to my mind he should have stayed at 15. Gave him more room and allow him to join the line rather being a critical cog like a centre or 10 that just doesn't allow that time or space. He was able to cut the line as a 19 year old but ad another 20kg and he went from a speed boat to a tug boat. 

Don't forgot Danny Cipriani either, that guy was always in the tabloids. Again, had all the potential. Even had a shot at redemption under Eddie and just did leave a great impression on the team. 

But in France's case, I think Pieter De Villiers was completely the wrong coach and with his loose mouth and how he treated players was extremely poor. Victor got accused for being a racist, he had to leave France, fly all the way to George just to have an hour sit down with De Villiers so that he would be selected for the boks. The only difference between Victor and France, Victor was willing to beg where France would not have it under De Villiers. I respect France for that not letting some misguided fool ruin him. 

Reading all of your comments, I just wonder how poor some of our national coaches have been over the years and their treatment of players. 

Kingcorn spot on Carter,  McCaw and Burger My top 3 players players of all time and even in the correct  order.

NZ was very lucky to have those 2 playing at the same time, just wish we had Burger as well.

Carter in 2005 against the Lions 2nd test the most complete performance I have ever seen for me the best rugby player ever (well of all the games I have seen, cannot comment before about 1980).

Crusader, you never needed burger. You had Jerry Colins. The All Blacks also won 2 back to back World Cups and had a perfect year. France just went the entire year unbeaten, but the never faced the All Black, that said, they did beat them last year. 

I don't know Saffex if Mcaw was over rated. That guy just pop upped every where, although, he also got away with a lot when spoiling the b all. 

Pretty much SA version of John Smit. I would rate George Smith above Mccaw if I had to pick an opensider, but Mccaw longevity and consistent performance. I never remember him actually ever having a bad game. Did all the donkey work and made over 100 caps, I think a 145 caps in total. 

Unreal player to be consistent for so long, also had a massive influence on the team and both Carter and Mcaw were hug for the Crusader too

148 test I think, a great team man and never gave less than 100%.

Also a very influential player, possible not the best actual player but invaluable to jelling a side. The ABS owe him a huge debt for his influence over the team and the ABS record over his playing career speaks for itself.

Dave

 Frans  Steyn was brilliant as a player until 2009.   In France playing for Racing Metro he went down fast - actually as fast as his weight increased.  

Frans was brilliant throughout. As flyhalf for the Sharks instead of the overrated Lambie he took them to the finals, before Lambie came back and mediocred them out of the final. That Frans run included the epic 13 man win against the Saders in Christchurch.

As for Morne, few players win 2  Lions’ series….a very effective flyhalf playing the rugby that we play.

So what does Goosen offer instead a few decent games against poor opposition and a truck load of injuries. I knew he had no bottle when he missed his first test poles kick from almost right in front. A head case, just like Jantjies sans the sexual stuff.

Saffex is right, McCaw is very overrated. However, I do disagree with some of his points. McCaw was slow, but his economy of movement, his running lines were very efficient. He knew where to be and was very good at ensuring he covered ground efficiently. He was also a good link man. There were many plays where he would be point man in a pod that essentially operated like a midfield, it gave numerical advantages to New Zealand. He was, however, a very poor defender and actually very sloppy on the ground. He had many poor games. Let's look no further than 2009 where he was outplayed by Italy, France, all of the Tri Nations, one good half against Wales. Despite all of this, he was player of the year. Despite the fact that Brussow, who had comprehensively outclassed Pocock and McCaw, was never even mentioned. The man who was key to the Bok's success. It just shows us how clueless the media and hack pundits really are. He was also abysmal in the farcical 2011 final against France. There's a video which covers it on YouTube. He was a leader, though I question how much of a good leader in a strong All Black era. He was also a spiteful loser. 

Lemur, agree on Brussouw, he got the worst end of the deal. Probably one of the main players why the boks won the Lions. If I think about the players that stood out for me was probably Brussouw, Jacque Fourie and Morne Steyn. 

Perhaps Mccaw perception is greater in our minds. However, I still think that on most days I would select Mccaw. Just a very smart player which you want over braun sometimes, 

Just remembered the we lost to them All blacks and Richie had a smirk on his face. His words were, they are big boys, so we know that we just need to move them around the whole time and they will tire. 

Which is exactly how NZ have been able to outplay our perceived bigger pack. 

Better hope Sir Wile E Richie won't start coaching soon...

Beale and Cooper. They formed that unholy trinity of Wallaby rugby with O'connor . They have to be listed together.