Dont think there was ramkings back then, coaches would have included John Reid for a while, Geoff Howarth. Other very very average players that got picked for NZ in that period include Darrin Murray, Michael Owens, our current CEO, Heath Davis, the leg spinner from CD whose name I can't remember. I think it was probably just as bad to be fair and quite similar in terms of mass retirements and rebuilding.
Greg Loveridge....interesting prospect. Got a 50 on debut and broke his finger and never regained his place...and Karl Bulfinn, Chris Drumm. Some of these players are handy btw, or not the worst at any rate...
Howarth still kicks Bracewell's but in the crap coach stakes...