World of Boxing and Rugby Union
Winger
9. Doug Howlett
Doug Howlett made a monumental contribution to New Zealand rugby as a long serving All Black wing between 2000 and 2007. Though a heavy try-scorer with pace and enough skill to occasionally appear at fullback he always had to be at his best, for other crack wings like Joe Rokocoko, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Rico Gear were in their prime in the latter part of those seasons, too. The early part of his test career had also clashed with another charismatic trio in Jonah Lomu, Jeff Wilson and Tana Umaga.
But Howlett from an early age was clearly destined for stardom. At Auckland Grammar he was not only an exceptional rugby player but a track runner of promise who had he concentrated on this sport might have been good enough to have been a Commonwealth Games participant at least. He was still at Grammar when in 1996 he made his first appearance for the Auckland representative side.
As a teenager in the late 1990s Howlett had difficulty cracking some powerful Auckland and Blues sides, but his talents had been quickly spotted. In 1997 he appeared as a replacement draft player with the Highlanders, scoring three tries against the Chiefs in his Super 12 debut. In 1998 he was drafted to the Hurricanes and between 1997-99 he was a leading player in the New Zealand Colts.
Howlett gained his All Black jersey for the 2000 early season international against Tonga, coming on as a second spell replacement and making an instant impact. With his first touch he scored a try and then added another. A debut against Tonga had added meaning for Howlett as he had part Tongan heritage, though born and raised in New Zealand.
In 2001, with Lomu and Wilson still available, Howlett mainly shared the All Blacks wing spots, but by 2002 he was fast emerging as the first choice, which he would pretty well remain until the 2006 season, despite the rise of Rokocoko, Sivivatu and Gear.
However, in 2006 he suffered the disappointment of being rested, in favour of the other three, for the end of year tour and then was not among the 22 rested from the 2007 Super 14 and out on special conditioning programmes. That may have been a blessing in disguise for Howlett. He had a full season with the Blues, played with renewed zest and significantly was one of the better performed All Blacks through the 2007 season. Unlike so many of the others, he never gave an impression of being under-done.
His good form at the 2007 World Cup in France continued and it was a major surprise, and in hindsight, a big blunder, when he not only was omitted for the quarterfinal against France but not even placed in the reserves. The official explanation was that he was spelled so that a judgement could be made on whether Rokocoko or Sivivatu should partner him in the later semi-final and final. Unfortunately, those games never eventuated.
The World Cup disappointments of both 2003 and 2007 notwithstanding, he is entitled to rank among the great All Black wings. His 173 tries in all first class rugby placed him only behind John Kirwan and Bernie Fraser. He appeared in 103 Super 12/14 matches, including the Blues triumphant 2003 season. And his 49 tries in 62 tests meant that at the 2007 World Cup he ousted Christian Cullen as New Zealand's record-holder.
In all honesty the All Blacks, particularly of the past 30 years or so, have had such quality wingers this list could easily had All Black players occupying half dozen of the top 10. They are that good. Leaving the likes of Joe Rokocoko and Sitiveni Sivivatu out seems criminal, however, their highs and lows regarding form and fitness is what made the difference.