5 players who scored massive on their international debuts – but not all went on to greatness

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by Steven Smith

Friday, 08 September 2017 at 16:50

bySteven Smith

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RUCK looks back on some of the best international bows, ranked by points scored.

5. Eduardo de Forteza

ARGENTINA v Paraguay - 25 Sep 1975

Cons 11, Pens 3, 31pts

Played three tests in four days for his country, winning all three against Paraguay, Brazil, and Chili respectively.

3=. Justinus van der Westhuizen

NAMIBIA v Zambia - 26 May 2007

Tries 3, Cons 9, 33pts

Won just two caps in the lead up to the 2007 Rugby World Cup, but never pulled on the blue jersey again.

3. Carlos Spencer

NEW ZEALAND v Argentina - 21 Jun 1997

Tries 2, Cons 10, Pens 1, 33pts

He made his first Test appearance for the All Blacks against Argentina in 1997, landing 33 points in a 93-8 win. He struggled to fight his way past Andrew Mehrtens into the All Blacks jersey on a regular basis, often finding himself on the bench until 2002.

Having been selected for the All Blacks' 1999 World Cup squad but not playing through injury, Spencer finally made his mark at the 2003 tournament in Australia. He will be remembered however for the loose pass that was intercepted for a try by Australia centre Stirling Mortlock, sending the All Blacks out at the quarter-final stage.

Having won the Super 12 with the Blues in 2003, Spencer moved to Northampton Saints in 2005, ruling himself out of contention to play for the All Blacks against the British and Irish Lions in order to train with his new club.

Spencer enjoyed a successful period with the Saints despite their relegation from the Premiership in 2007, becoming a senior and respected player as they fought their way out of National League One. Spencer left Northampton in January 2009 after failing to break into the first team on a regular basis following their return to the top flight.

2. Charlie Hodgson

ENGLAND v Romania - 17 Nov 2001

Tries 2, Cons 14, Pens 2, 33pts

Fly-half Charlie Hodgson is the Premiership's record points scorer and has also experienced success on the international circuit with England.

He gained his first England cap in 2001 against Romania at Twickenham, collecting a massive 44-point haul, including two tries, on debut as England racked up 134 unanswered points.

Hodgson played three games during the 2003 Six Nations as England won a Grand Slam, but did not make the trip to the Rugby World Cup later in the year. Following England's triumph Hodgson entered his most regular period at international level, when he was handed the huge task of deputising for the injured Jonny Wilkinson.

His cap against South Africa at Twickenham proved to be his last until March 2008. In June 2008 Hodgson was handed the England fly-half jersey for a Test against the All Blacks and was given a torrid time by giant centre Ma'a Nonu.

1. Simon Culhane

NEW ZEALAND v Japan - 4 Jun 1995

Tries 1, Cons 20, 45pts

Would only ever win six caps for the All Blacks. He lost his place in the starting line-up for the next match to first-choice Andrew Mehrtens and struggled to ever make an impact.