Most Polarising All Blacks Ever

(Pictures no longer available due to copyright restrictions).

The Kick on TV One's Sunday night prime time viewing was a nice feel good movie about Stephen Donald. The fact remains he is still one of our most polarising ABs of all time.

Here is a look back at his career and some other polarising ABs. 

1.Mark Carter - think Carter, think greatest first five ever. But back before Dan the man was even on the radar of Canterbury rugby, the Carter name was treated with groans by All Blacks fans. Mark Carter, long a backup to the great Michael Jones, has often topped fans' lists as worst ever All Black - a bit harsh really given his limited appearances. Carter was part of the great Auckland and Blues teams of the 1990s and deserved a bit more respect than he did but then again you could say the same for several other ABs.

2.Stephen Donald - now immortalised in a movie and of course that penalty kick that proved to be the winner for the ABs in the 2011 RWC Final. However, Beaver will still polarise the opinions of rugby fans even after retirement - was he lucky or really good enough to be an AB? His career stats more than justify his selection into the ABs but the same could be said about many players. Hong Kong 2010 will be mentioned in any debate. 

3.Luke McAlister - polarised fans not for his talent or ability but rather his commitment and desire to play for the ABs. Going off to Sale at a young age after he was involved in the ABs' shock quarterfinal loss to France, didn't help nor did coming home and getting picked by the ABs while he was still abroad and not playing Super Rugby or NPC. McAlister's career quietly died down after his unsuccessful return in 2009 and he's now back in Europe. 

4.Keith Murdoch - probably the most controversial All Black in history but had his indiscretion occurred today, perhaps the big Otago prop would have been reprieved rather than have his reputation shamed to the point of no return to NZ. A  black mark for New Zealand rugby. 

5.Simon Mannix - widely regarded as the worst AB in history, Mannix is now a well regarded, well travelled coach in Europe - and probably will stay there given the vitriolic response he still receives in NZ.