For every Doug Howlett there has been an Eddie Hekenui on Irish rugby shores. We have mixed some of the sublime, with some of the not so subtle. But who have been our best imports? Kil “my knee’s gone” O’Connor has compiled his best XV. What do you think?
1. Stan Wright (Cook Islands) - The Cook Islander is a hard man and was a worthy signing. He may not be the most talented prop grace our shores, or even the Leinster team for that matter but his contribution to two successful Heineken Cup campaigns make him my first choice. Notable others: Ollie Le Roux, CJ van der Linde.
2. Richardt Strauss (South Africa) - Dynamic and destructive. Unbelievable talent. Here's hoping he declares for Ireland at the end of 2011.
3. Federico Pucciariello (Argentina) - This loveable 'egg on legs' became a Munster legend in his first season. Not always a starter but his ability to play both tight and loosehead made him a great man to spring from the bench.
4. John Langford (Australia) - Superb in the lineout. Combined nicely with Mick Galwey in the engine room. You can be sure this old school pairing had a lot to do with the development of Irish stalwarts Paul O' Connell and Donncha O' Callaghan.
5. Nathan Hines (Scotland) - Good 2010/2011 season with Leinster. Not much else to choose from in the second row to be honest. Easy call between himself and Cameron Jowitt! Easily interchangeable with big Jim at 6.
6. Jim Williams (c) (Australia) - What can I say about Seamus. No question on the captaincy of this side. A fantastic leader, a supremely intelligent player, an all-round athlete and a gentleman to boot. Promising coaching career now developing.
7. Ray Ofisa (Samoa) - Not too many imports at 7 but that doesn't take away from Ray Ofisa's contribution to Connacht Rugby. Tough Samoan nut.
8. Rocky Elsom (Australia) - 2008/2009: Leinster Player of the Year, European Player of the Year, Magners League Player of the Year. 3 MoM performances from 6 wins in the Heineken Cup. 11 MoM performances in the Magners League. Not even Leinster could afford to renew his highly sought after John Hancock for the 2010/2011 season. Enough said.
9. Ruan Pienaar (South Africa) - One season at Ulster and he single-handedly transformed a stuttering and stumbling team. Notable other: Chris Whitaker
10. Felipe Contepomi (Argentina)- Best of a (seriously) bad bunch of imports at number 10 for Leinster. Was hot and cold throughout but when on form he was unrivalled. His injury in the 2009 Heineken Cup semi-final against Munster opened the door for Johnny Sexton. No place for Eddie Hekenui unfortunately!
11. Isa Nacewa (Fiji) - Best season was at full back but was shifted to the wing for this team for the man at 15.
12. Trevor Halstead (South Africa)- Crash and Bang! Great signing by Munster and a true hero in the 2006 season. Always took out a few defenders to open up channels for his comrades. Notable other: Rua Tipoki.
13. Lifeimi Mafi (Tonga) - Again, little to offer in the way of imports at 13. Mafi is great to watch but is a bit of a liability. Caused many scares for Munster fans down through the years with his indiscipline. He has caused more scares for opposition centres who like to have their heads attached to their bodies! This man has to be included for entertainment alone.
14. Doug Howlett (New Zealand) - Announced his arrival to provincial rugby by apologising to media for doing the haka on a BMW in Heathrow Airport. Won the hearts of the fans for his drunken antics before even touching a ball (and it wasn't the last time he had a brush with the law after a few scoops). This was the second time Munster had signed a reigning 'top try-scoring All Black of all time' and it wasn't without trepidation. It was to the relief of all fans that he didn't emulate his predecessor, Christian Cullen.
15. Shaun Payne (South Africa) - Apparently he has only dropped a ball once in his lifetime. He may look like a plastic figurine with a perfectly chiselled chin but he was arguably the best full back in Ireland for many years. The South African's grandmother was born in Sligo which qualified him to play for Ireland but he never really took Eddie O' Sullivan's fancy. Should he have won a few caps for Ireland when the best we had to offer was 'Girve the Swerve'. I think yes. Notable other: Paul Warwick
2. Richardt Strauss (South Africa) - Dynamic and destructive. Unbelievable talent. Here's hoping he declares for Ireland at the end of 2011.
3. Federico Pucciariello (Argentina) - This loveable 'egg on legs' became a Munster legend in his first season. Not always a starter but his ability to play both tight and loosehead made him a great man to spring from the bench.
4. John Langford (Australia) - Superb in the lineout. Combined nicely with Mick Galwey in the engine room. You can be sure this old school pairing had a lot to do with the development of Irish stalwarts Paul O' Connell and Donncha O' Callaghan.
5. Nathan Hines (Scotland) - Good 2010/2011 season with Leinster. Not much else to choose from in the second row to be honest. Easy call between himself and Cameron Jowitt! Easily interchangeable with big Jim at 6.
6. Jim Williams (c) (Australia) - What can I say about Seamus. No question on the captaincy of this side. A fantastic leader, a supremely intelligent player, an all-round athlete and a gentleman to boot. Promising coaching career now developing.
7. Ray Ofisa (Samoa) - Not too many imports at 7 but that doesn't take away from Ray Ofisa's contribution to Connacht Rugby. Tough Samoan nut.
8. Rocky Elsom (Australia) - 2008/2009: Leinster Player of the Year, European Player of the Year, Magners League Player of the Year. 3 MoM performances from 6 wins in the Heineken Cup. 11 MoM performances in the Magners League. Not even Leinster could afford to renew his highly sought after John Hancock for the 2010/2011 season. Enough said.
9. Ruan Pienaar (South Africa) - One season at Ulster and he single-handedly transformed a stuttering and stumbling team. Notable other: Chris Whitaker
10. Felipe Contepomi (Argentina)- Best of a (seriously) bad bunch of imports at number 10 for Leinster. Was hot and cold throughout but when on form he was unrivalled. His injury in the 2009 Heineken Cup semi-final against Munster opened the door for Johnny Sexton. No place for Eddie Hekenui unfortunately!
11. Isa Nacewa (Fiji) - Best season was at full back but was shifted to the wing for this team for the man at 15.
12. Trevor Halstead (South Africa)- Crash and Bang! Great signing by Munster and a true hero in the 2006 season. Always took out a few defenders to open up channels for his comrades. Notable other: Rua Tipoki.
13. Lifeimi Mafi (Tonga) - Again, little to offer in the way of imports at 13. Mafi is great to watch but is a bit of a liability. Caused many scares for Munster fans down through the years with his indiscipline. He has caused more scares for opposition centres who like to have their heads attached to their bodies! This man has to be included for entertainment alone.
14. Doug Howlett (New Zealand) - Announced his arrival to provincial rugby by apologising to media for doing the haka on a BMW in Heathrow Airport. Won the hearts of the fans for his drunken antics before even touching a ball (and it wasn't the last time he had a brush with the law after a few scoops). This was the second time Munster had signed a reigning 'top try-scoring All Black of all time' and it wasn't without trepidation. It was to the relief of all fans that he didn't emulate his predecessor, Christian Cullen.
15. Shaun Payne (South Africa) - Apparently he has only dropped a ball once in his lifetime. He may look like a plastic figurine with a perfectly chiselled chin but he was arguably the best full back in Ireland for many years. The South African's grandmother was born in Sligo which qualified him to play for Ireland but he never really took Eddie O' Sullivan's fancy. Should he have won a few caps for Ireland when the best we had to offer was 'Girve the Swerve'. I think yes. Notable other: Paul Warwick
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