Sean Jansen Adds to Irish Rugby’s Kiwi Successes — But These Nine New Zealand Prospects Flopped

Irish rugby has long drawn value from New Zealand influence, a thread that stretches from Andy Ward’s rise into the national set-up in the late 1990s to the continuing importance of Jamison Gibson-Park in the modern Ireland team.

Alongside Ireland internationals who arrived from New Zealand, including Gibson-Park, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Jared Payne and Ward, there have been several Kiwis who never qualified for the national side but still left a major mark at provincial level. Doug Howlett, Brad Thorn and Isa Nacewa are among the world-class names who enriched the Irish game.

Sean Jansen is the newest New Zealander to make an impact in Irish rugby, but not every Kiwi import has followed the same path. For every success story, there have been others whose spells failed to ignite, whether because of injury, difficult timing or performances that did not match the expectations that came with them.

With Jansen preparing to take an important next step in his career this summer, it is worth revisiting some of the New Zealanders whose time in Irish rugby ended on a far less satisfying note.

MARK ‘BULL’ ALLEN

Known in New Zealand as much for his imposing frame, shaved head and confrontational playing style as for his nickname, ‘Bull’ Allen joined Shannon in the mid-1990s carrying a sizeable reputation after already being capped by the All Blacks.

There was no doubting Allen’s talent, but his stint in Ireland never truly came together. Injuries disrupted him, form deserted him, and he found himself at a club that was already packed with strong front-row options. Shannon were then the dominant power in Irish club rugby, winning four All-Ireland League titles in succession.

Bull Allen ended up playing for their seconds.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.