By Sam Taulelei
December 17th 2009 @ 2:16am
Loading ...An international rugby team of the decade
Australia's Berrick Barnes tackles Brian O'Driscoll of Ireland during their rugby union test match in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, June 14, 2008. AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill
Hoy’s recent post about the Wallaby team of the decade sparked a debate in my mind about an equivalent All Black team of the decade. However in my mind there wasn’t a great deal of debate or difficulty in selecting the majority of the team that played from 2003 – 2007.
I changed focus instead to an international team of the decade, which offered wider scope, endless debate and more personal bias, depending upon what part of the world you lived in or came from.
Whenever these exercises have been conducted, there have been some players selected out of position in an effort to squeeze a favourite into the team somewhere.
I’ve resisted the temptation to do this and all players are selected in their specific positions or jerseys that they have played in throughout their career.
I’ve also tried to achieve balance within the team by selecting it with a view to playing an expansive, attacking game as a real coach would, instead of just picking the best players in their position.
As expected, there are a plethora of world-class contenders to select for each position, more so than others. This is my international team of the decade.
15. Chris Latham
14. Doug Howlett
13. Brian O’Driscoll
12. Jean de Villiers
11. Rupeni Caucaunibuca
10. Daniel Carter
9. Fourie du Preez
8. Lawrence Dallaglio
7. Richie McCaw
6. Schalk Burger
5. Victor Matfield
4. Martin Johnson (captain)
3. Carl Hayman
2. Raphael Ibanez
1. Os du Randt
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(102)
brad said | December 17th 2009 @ 2:40am | Report comment
Justin Marshal in place of du Preez
PastHisBest said | December 17th 2009 @ 9:33am | Report comment
Can’t agree with this. He only played for half the decade and his best rugby was in the nineties.
Mr Sports said | December 17th 2009 @ 7:47am | Report comment
That looks pretty good to me. My only question marks are de Villiers at 12 and Burger at 6. I would give some consdieration to Tana at inside centre. I’m nto really sure who i’d prefer at 6 (Elsom maybe?) but Burger doesn’t feel quite right.
Bay35Pablo said | December 17th 2009 @ 7:48am | Report comment
Eales (c) instead of Johnson.
Burke instead of Latham (we’ve had this debate on the Aussie team article).
I’m also chewing my lip over whether I could squeeze Mortlock, Kefu and Roff in there …
PastHisBest said | December 17th 2009 @ 9:35am | Report comment
He didn’t play for most of the decade Bay. Johnson lifted the world cup in ‘03, good enough for me.
Terry Kidd said | December 17th 2009 @ 8:29am | Report comment
Yeah Roff instead of Caucau, definitely Eales in place of Johnson and Dallaglio doesn’t do it for me but I’m not settled on a replacement …. Kefu or Chabal maybe?
PastHisBest said | December 17th 2009 @ 9:41am | Report comment
I’m a huge fan on Caucau Terry. It’s a difficult one as it’s definitely a case of wasted potential, as good as he was he could have been so much better.
Why not Pierre Spies for no. 8? He’s been a monster since ‘06.
Wavell Wakefield said | December 18th 2009 @ 12:49am | Report comment
In test rugby Pierre Spies has been reasonably easily contained. Aside from a few wonder tries at Super level there is no way that he could be considered in the same context as Scott Quinnell, Lawrence Dallaglio, Toutai Kefu, Zinzan Brooke etc.
Rusty said | December 18th 2009 @ 7:48am | Report comment
Im with you on this – he has yet to truly deliver on the international side or at least consistently. Scored one helluve a try against england in Bloemfontein in ‘07 though – broke off the back of the scrum, accelerated past the 9 and then beat 3 players with his step and power to score
Wavell Wakefield said | December 18th 2009 @ 8:36pm | Report comment
He is undoubtedly a phenomenal athlete but I do not think the current SA brand of rugby suits him. Further, he is relatively new to the position (isn’t he?).
A very underrated pair of number 8s, are, in my opinion, Anthony Foley and Martin Corry. Problematically, the decade has offered countless good players, many of which I can’t recall.
Who Needs Melon said | December 17th 2009 @ 9:12am | Report comment
Great stuff Sam. You’re right – this’ll spark some discussion.
Happy we got one aussie in there. I agree with the Latham selection. The Eales/Johnson decision is an interesting one. I think the selection of MJ is fair though – just because he kicked on a little longer with his achievements in the World Cup, etc. in the decade than Eales did. Crap coach though.
I agree with having Jean de Villiers there are 12. I think if Giteau had stayed at 12 (where he belongs!) for more of the decade he would have pipped Jean. Jean is not as flashy as Giteau but just a hard worker and complete player. Nonu has shown glimpses of brilliance but I think and you need steady rocks like Jean de Villiers at 12.
Schalk Burger also jars a little for me in that list. Although like Mr Sports, I’m struggling to suggest a better alternative. Elsom only won the really huge accolades while playing in club rugby overseas and I think is yet to demonstrate true greatness on the international stage.
If you ran this article through an English site, you might find a fair few calling for their hero Jonny Wilkinson to be in the side ahead of Carter on the basis of achievements during the decade… but I agree with Carter. I think you might also find they (and other NH followers) might also suggest Gregan ahead of Du Preez. Gregan had turned into a dirty word by the end of his career which is such a shame because he was fantastic for the Wallabies for so long and hugely respected worldwide.
I wouldn’t have a frikin clue how to compare front rows to be honest so I won’t weigh in on that front.
Thanks for the article.
Darwin hammer said | December 17th 2009 @ 9:27am | Report comment
There really is only one #6 to be included – Richard Hill – the rest are just scrapping for a very distant 2nd place … and I’d placed Joost as being ahead of Du Preez … and the locks are far to similar esp if you want to play a more fast paced game – those two clods aren’t going to be that mobile and won’t be offloading a la Jack, Williams, Eales etc
PastHisBest said | December 17th 2009 @ 9:44am | Report comment
Can you imagine a front row with those props!! They would scare the absolute crap out of every front row they came up against.
Terry Kidd said | December 17th 2009 @ 9:45am | Report comment
Yeah PHB, Caucau showed great potential but didn’t show us enough consistency to make a team of the decade …. IMHO anyway. Roff did it all over a longer period thats why I put him in.
Sam Taulelei said | December 17th 2009 @ 10:11am | Report comment
I knew this would spark some lively debate and discussion. I deliberately didn’t explain my (personal) selections in the team as everyone will have their own reasons about who should be included or excluded. As I stated rather than just going for the best player in their position as sole criteria I also thought about how each player would fit into the team so wanted some combinations and a definite playing style.
Burke v Latham – not a lot between them. Latham had more X factor in his attacking game and could make something out of nothing a la Christian Cullen, with a goalkicker like Carter in the side I felt I could get away without a backup in Burke. Jason Robinson and Mils Muliaina were other strong contenders.
Rupeni Caucau – personal preference and while purely based on his performances for Northland in the NPC, the Blues in the Super 12 and Fiji at the 2003 world cup he had the X factor with a capital X. He was as devastating with the ball in hand as Jonah Lomu and I can’t think of any other winger who played in the decade that can lay claim to that. Habana would be the other logical choice but he hasn’t scored the kind of tries Caucau did. Roff is one of many quality finishers that played in the decade including Lomu but compared to those players whose careers spanned most of the decade he didn’t stack up.
Jean de Villiers – with an attacking runner like O’Driscoll you need a good playmaker and while you could argue to pick Gordon d’Arcy, Will Greenwood, Aaron Mauger, Yannick Jauzion and Matt Giteau. The Sprinkgbok was the most consistent in the no.12 jersey. Tana didn’t play enough games in the no.12 jersey to be considered.
Matfield and Johnson – Matfield will be remembered as the best lock foward in the games history the same way that Richie McCaw will be remembered as the best flanker. Eales was a freak but even in his prime I can’t remember him being destroying opposition lineouts to the same extent that Matfield does. Martin Johnson dominated the front of the lineout and I can’t think of any other lock that played this decade that can compare even though his career ended in 2003.
Dallaglio – the same reason as I selected Johnson. So’oialo is a dependable, reliable performer but was really part of a whole in combination with Collins and McCaw and not a dominating player like Dallaglio. Pierre Spies career is still in its infancy and it’s only this year he’s achieved any type of consistency, Sergio Parisse and Toutai Kefu were other contenders but I couldnt’ look past Dallaglio.
Anyway the selection only reflects my personal preferences and I don’t profess to know everything about the game so I’m eager to read other people’s thoughts and arguments.
Jerry said | December 17th 2009 @ 1:59pm | Report comment
I’d disagree about Matfield v Eales. While not quite on the same level in the lineout as Matfield, Eales was still a real force on the opposition throw and he did it in both the pre and post lifting era, not to mention doing all the other stuff better than Matfield does.
MattyP said | December 19th 2009 @ 3:44am | Report comment
I love your stuff Sam but I think you’re off base on Matfield. No doubt a great lineout exponent but locks have to do more than that. I don’t want to say negative things about him, but I don’t think it’s as clear cut as you have made it out to be that he will be remembered as the best lock ever. (And a lot of kiwis I know still say Michael Jones was the best… but I’m staying out of that one.)
I would have Eales and Matfield. I loved Johnson’s leadership, but it’s not required in this team! And you can have Eales as your backup kicker if you don’t have Matty Burker…
I would have picked JC over Burger. Collins would be the last guy I would to come across on a rugby field. But I think the French are perhaps under-represented here. Magne or Harinordiquy, perhaps?
Brett McKay said | December 17th 2009 @ 10:35am | Report comment
great stuff Sam. I guess the question would be which stadium in the world would be big enough to see your team play Hoy’s team (and never mind who miight win)??
Rusty said | December 17th 2009 @ 10:43am | Report comment
Hmm my thoughts on this – although I am big fan of Burger and he has been incredible through a large chunk of last decade, the problem is up until recently he has played on the open side. So therefore I would plumb for his unheralded partner Juan Smith to take up the blind side.
Jameswm said | December 17th 2009 @ 10:54am | Report comment
Roff in a world team of the decade?
Sometimes I just shake my head and move on…
Dublin Dave said | December 17th 2009 @ 7:41pm | Report comment
I used to wonder if you were the same old Jameswm.
No doubt any more.
katzilla said | December 17th 2009 @ 11:09am | Report comment
Roff and Robinson on my wings.
Jerry Collins at 6.
I would make a strong argument for Tana at either 12 or 13. At his best he was devastating in the mid field (just as much so as BOD) and was a pioneer of the outside back as ball scavenger model.
Temba said | December 17th 2009 @ 11:48am | Report comment
Great team Sam, after watching the Baa’baas match and seeing Du Preez combine with a talented 10 I realised how much South Africa needs a proper fly half. SA have had this problem for a long time and it’s a big reason for our “boring” game plan.
It’s a mouth watering combination with Du Preez and Carter, I never thought about it but can you imagine?
The backline is impressive and most of the blokes in your team a very decent blokes of the field too. Lots of experience in there but the only place ill make a change is at 11. If you want a running back line why not opt for the best finisher in the world… Habana (maybe I am being buys’) Brian is so explosive with ball in hand.
Du Preez takes it from a solid scrum crisp pass to Carter (receives the ball with more time then ever in his life) pulls two defenders, loop pass skipping JDV to O’Driscoll who straightens the line and pops it to JDV on his outside. JDV drill through two players and off loads to Habana… placing it softly under the post. Howlett scaring the opponent with his hair style.
What would the bench look like?
Temba said | December 17th 2009 @ 11:49am | Report comment
Im with you Katz, leave Burger out put in the buldozing Collins
Sport 24-7 said | December 17th 2009 @ 11:52am | Report comment
Good side and some good comments. I can’t argue with much. I would nominate Richard Hill at 6 as a very underrated (not in England) and importnat member of the most dominant pack this decade. I’d be happy with Tana but only as a 13. Leave BOD there just. I’d probably put Jauzion in front of De Villiers but if you wanted consistency, leave Jean there.
Sam Taulelei said | December 17th 2009 @ 11:52am | Report comment
Rusty I know what you’re saying and I suppose I was being cheeky in selecting Burger as a no.6 because that was his jersey’s number although he played in an openside role for SA.
Katzilla, looking forward to hearing your argument, I must admit I agonised between BOD, Mortlock and Tana for the centre spot.
Campbell Watts said | December 17th 2009 @ 12:49pm | Report comment
Great stuff Sam!
Like the selections you’ve made based on your criteria. My only change would be Collins for Burger.
Just giving some thought to watching that team play together – OMG!! What a side!
Grunt in the 2 man-mountain props!
A tough-as-teak engine room of Johnson, Matfield and Dallaglio
The scavenger supreme in McCaw
Combination of Carter, DeV and O’D – holy s#*t!!!
back 3 to cut any defence to shreds!
An unbeatable side one would almost say!!!
Hoy said | December 17th 2009 @ 12:54pm | Report comment
I thought of doing this topic as well, but gave up doing it myself. It is a lot easier when someone else starts, and you can go from there.
Brave topic Sam. Good one.
If it is OK, I will use your team as a template and I agree with most, however I think the following changes could be arguable:
15. Chris Latham – Most exciting fullback this decade I think. Not most dependable, most exciting.
14. Doug Howlett – Tough call with lots of wingers getting around this decade. Toss up for me over Tune, but this bloke is a great finisher, and not too bad at creating as well.
13. Tana Umaga – More influencial as a leader than O’Driscoll, and runs lines just as well. More powerful as well.
12. Jean de Villiers – A better 12 doesn’t stand out for me, except maybe Giteau when he plays there. De Villiers is the muscle car, speeding in space, and Giteau is the like the little rice burner zipping through holes. I always like an assertive centre more.
11. Rupeni Caucaunibuca – I love watching the tries this bloke scored. To me, he is better than Habana as this bloke takes his man on and wins with either pace or power, and for a backup he has both together.
10. Stephen Larkham – So many good 5/8s this decade from many countries. It really is a toss up, but I picked Larkham as I just love this bloke and how he played the game for the Wallabies. Carter can sit on my bench.
9. Fourie du Preez – No argument here. Influential with his play for the Boks, and has been nominated a few times for IRB player of the year I believe.
8. Lawrence Dallaglio – Again, no argument here. I do wonder, though, how England would have fared with his as captain instead of Johnson? Would they have won in 03?
7. Richie McCaw – Best openside ever. I suppose I can squeeze him in there.
6. Jerry Collins – This bloke was brutal. Anyone who can knock Colin Charvis out with a normal tackle is in my team of the decade.
5. John Eales – As good as Matfield in the lineout. Can kick, can carry, is nicknamed Nobody. That is good enough for me.
4. Martin Johnson – He can provide my grunt in the second row. And he wasn’t a half bad player either.
3. Carl Hayman – He was the cornerstone of the All Blacks scrum and is fairly noticable absentee now he has moved on.
2. Raphael Ibanez – I guess we can slot one Frenchy in.
1. Benn Robinson – He is new, but I can’t go past this bloke for sheer impact on the Wallaby scrum. I keep harping on about it, but I feel he could have been man of the match in about 3 or 4 games this year. Not bad for a young prop, and I am selecting for the future. ha.
Ben C said | December 17th 2009 @ 1:01pm | Report comment
Sam
I like the look of your side. Most of it I agree with, although there are some tight arguments around fitting Habana in or whether to go with Johnson or Eales to partner Matfield.
I agree with many that Burger sticks out like a sore thumb. A very good player, but I am not sure he is one of the all-time greats. For a dynamo at number six I flirted with Thierry Dusautoir but would ultimately pick Serge Betsen.
Sam Taulelei said | December 17th 2009 @ 1:04pm | Report comment
Thanks Hoy
I’m hoping more people submit their choices and arguments for their inclusion. Larkham, Wilkinson, Juan Martin Hernandez or Carter will be an argument that rages long into the next millennium. Love it.
Sam Taulelei said | December 17th 2009 @ 1:06pm | Report comment
Thanks Ben
I can’t believe I forgot about Serge Betsen. I always remember Olivier Magne as I loved watching him play but forgot his compadre. Yep he would be worthy of inclusion.
Temba said | December 17th 2009 @ 1:39pm | Report comment
Teams coach is Eddie Jones!
katzilla said | December 17th 2009 @ 4:55pm | Report comment
Who said the Saffas didnt have a sense of humour!
cookie said | December 17th 2009 @ 1:47pm | Report comment
There needs to be some criteria set here…
ie.
1. How many games is the minimum requirement to make the cut?
2. Year started and Year ended? also factor in northern seasons at each end.
3. Is it based on simply the best game they played or their overall games?
Sam Taulelei said | December 17th 2009 @ 1:51pm | Report comment
To quote Indiana Jones “I dunno I’m making this up as I go along” Why don’t you submit your ideas Cookie and then we can run with it.
cookie said | December 17th 2009 @ 2:01pm | Report comment
Sam I would propose two teams…
Team 1. Best team based on overall performance and any unreliable or inconsistent player can not make the cut.
Team 2. Best based on the best games they could play. No penalty for inconsistency outside that game.
Other criteria….
Only one game needed to make the cut but must be played from season 2000-2009.
If they played the bulk of there rugby in the past decade but still played 1 game in the current decade they make the cut and their overall performance may be included.
Thus…
Burke Vs Latham…. for me Burke would make both teams but i suspect for many agonising over the choice…
Burke would make Team 1.
Latham Team 2.
Thus some other players such as Umaga probably wouldn’t make Team 1 but may feature in Team 2.
Hoy said | December 17th 2009 @ 2:20pm | Report comment
Steady set of rule Cookie, but again, are we talking favourites, or honest to goodness best players?
Horan makes the cut according to your rules, so see you later De Villiers.
cookie said | December 17th 2009 @ 2:48pm | Report comment
Hoy
Honest to goodness best…. though many will still stick with favourites even if they know they don’t truly make the cut.
Probably why we’ve seen a few mention Roff…. yes a good player but wouldn’t make my oz team yet alone an international one.
simple rules… only need to clarify that by played a game this decade that means for their international team… not the Baa Baa’s or any other invitational team.
sheek said | December 17th 2009 @ 2:54pm | Report comment
Sam,
Good selection. Might quibble about a few spots, althought nothing major….. one of them being blindside flanker.
No-one’s mentioned Richard Hill, who I think was a mighty player. He would certainly be my pick at #6.
Jameswm said | December 17th 2009 @ 3:20pm | Report comment
JDV is good, but if he’s the best 12 of the decade, then it hasn’t been a sensational decade for 12s.
Justin said | December 17th 2009 @ 3:46pm | Report comment
Agree totally, not many standout, see my comms below.
sheek said | December 17th 2009 @ 7:35pm | Report comment
Gee James,
I reckon that’s tough – I would rate de Villiers highly as a 12, okay maybe not quite top drawer, but a very clever playmaker & opportunist nonetheless.
Dublin Dave said | December 17th 2009 @ 7:44pm | Report comment
Selection of JdV would raise some eyebrows down Munster way.
Did he used to be good?
Rusty said | December 18th 2009 @ 7:50am | Report comment
odd one that – he has been sensational for us (WP/Stormers/Boks). seems to be struggling to adapt to the Munster game plan
Justin said | December 17th 2009 @ 3:44pm | Report comment
Great stuff Sam, tough job but you have done it well. As always it provides huge debate and lets face it most of us watch more of some teams than others so it is difficult to judge.
Going off your team to start (its pretty good) I have a couple of changes with a few comments.
15. Chris Latham
Kefu was a freak, massive work rate in both A & D, amazing skills, could play in the backs such was his talent. Kills LD for mine.
Best lock I have seen play the game.
14. Doug Howlett – Robinsons was a freak but Howlett more consistent. Would love to see how JR would have gone in a black shirt…
13. Brian O’Driscoll – just ahead of Tana and Mortlock. What a trio!
12. Jean de Villiers – Mauger was a great footballer, especially outside Carter who he really educated but not too many others standout
11. Rupeni Caucaunibuca – Just a freak who had the X no one has ever had, even Campo!
10. Daniel Carter – Could go down as the best ever.
9. Joost – What is it about SA 9s. Sensational player, great pass, fantastic runner and a big man to boot.
8. Toutai Kefu – Sorry but if you are picking such a dynamite side you dont need a crab at 8
7. Richie McCaw
6. Jerry Collins – Has anyone intimidated more? Burger really more a 7 (always wears 6 as is the SA way). Richard Hill has a huge rep but I just never saw enough of him to include him. Happy for him to go in though on what many in the NH say.
5. John Eales – Could do it all. Maybe just down on Victor Matfield in the LO but all over him in most other facets. Back up goal kicker too
4. Martin Johnson (captain)
3. Carl Hayman
2. Raphael Ibanez
1. Os du Randt
Front row looks awesome (and what would I know about them anyway)!
sheek said | December 17th 2009 @ 7:37pm | Report comment
Justin,
Like your team, but I still ask – what’s the lack of attention for Richard Hill?
Jerry Collins might have been tougher, but Hill was more constructive.
Justin said | December 17th 2009 @ 7:48pm | Report comment
Sheek – May not have explained myself well above but for whatever reason I didnt see much of Hill play hence its hard for me to include him. Due to the amount of people who say he was fantastic though I would be happy to have him in. Does that make sense? Probably not
Rin said | December 17th 2009 @ 4:04pm | Report comment
I must say Jason Robinson and Habana have been neglected on the wings in the conversation above, i would have those two over Howlett, who was good but was in an unbelievable team at the time, and Caucau who was only good for a couple seasons 2003/04 and would most likely not even pitch up at the game!!
And Matfield over Eales definately, as far more influential, more mobile, better jumper … plus we dont need a kicker we got Carter to do that!!
Justin said | December 17th 2009 @ 6:53pm | Report comment
Matfield more mobile and influential than Eales? Better check the video tape
sheek said | December 17th 2009 @ 7:44pm | Report comment
Yeah, I’m inclined to agree Robinson & Habana would be my wingers. I thought Robbo was very clever, while no-one sniffs an opportunity better than Habana.
If I had to omit one from Eales, Johnson & Matfield, it would be Johnson. Johnno was tough & a good leader, but Eales & Matfield were both superior all-round players.
Rin,
Be careful about rating Matfield above Eales. You’re comparing someone fresh in your mind with someone who’s been out of the game 8 years. I’m guessing you’re a Saffie. You know everythiong you need to know about Matfield. Perhaps you need to revisit Eales’ greatest moments???!
katzilla said | December 17th 2009 @ 4:39pm | Report comment
Sam,
I thought Tana Epitomised both sides of the traits that BOD and Mortlock have shown throughout their careers, making him superior to both.
He ran Smooth lines ala BOD, but he could also Bulldoze backlines ala Mortlock.
BOD isn’t as Physical as the other two in crash ball and Mortlock isn’t as quick through the spaces in the midfield as the other two. I’m not saying BOD isn’t physical because we all saw him flinging his body around vs the Saffas and im not saying Mortlock isn’t quick yet I wont mention the most obvious example of that, but i think Tana was more rounded and revolutionised the game we know.
No one ever thought of backs getting over the ball at the contact area and pilfering before Tana, he has revolutionised our game. Every back is expected to do it now.
Has he changed our game for the worst? If backs weren’t so adept at pilfering and slowing down ball would our game be so negative right now? Would teams be afraid to go wide and have players isolated?
I think he has inadvertently influenced the game of rugby more then almost any other player, something the other 2 cannot lay claim to.
Im sure the ABs would have made gold out of any three of those guys and i’d have been happy to have any of them.
For me Tana was the best and most complete Centre of the three.
My opinion only of course and slightly tainted by my complete bias for my favourite all time AB captain
Justin said | December 17th 2009 @ 6:54pm | Report comment
Horan was pretty good over the tackled player too, I think Tana took it to a new level though.
PastHisBest said | December 17th 2009 @ 10:44pm | Report comment
I’m interested in what makes him your favourite AB captain katzilla?
Wavell Wakefield said | December 18th 2009 @ 2:10am | Report comment
‘No one ever thought of backs getting over the ball at the contact area and pilfering before Tana, he has revolutionised our game. Every back is expected to do it now.’
Katzilla, I actually think that O’Driscoll started that trend, not Umaga, and that is why he is always jokingly labelled an extra flanker.
Rusty said | December 18th 2009 @ 7:45am | Report comment
to my mind – and yes I am a bit biased the centre who used to turn over a bit of ball in flanker mould was DeWet Barry
katzilla said | December 18th 2009 @ 7:47am | Report comment
Hmm i think you’ll find that early in the decade Tana was stealing ball over isolated players.
Back then we labelled Tana an ‘Extra Flanker’ as well.
Lol must be a who you watched kind of thing?
Rusty said | December 18th 2009 @ 7:52am | Report comment
I think you are right and what we were all seeing was shift in the role of the centre in each of our respective teams
pothale said | December 18th 2009 @ 7:54am | Report comment
You’re right it must be. In this part of the world – O’Driscoll has been long renowned for being the extra jackal in the back. So he, Umaga and de Wet Barry must all have revolutionised the game at the same time.
Funny that. Wonder where all three of them learnt to do it?
Probably some bloke in a flat cap who wandered around the fields of Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa and whispered in a few select players ears – ‘do you know what would be a great idea, when you tackle the guy, try taking the ball off him as well.’
Rusty said | December 18th 2009 @ 7:58am | Report comment
I actually think it was a combination of a few things – the increased physicality in the defense and the leap forward in physical size of the backs to the point they have practically become flankers
Sam Taulelei said | December 18th 2009 @ 9:02am | Report comment
Daniel Herbert was doing the same thing for the Wallabies. As you say Rusty it was probably a natural evolution with the playing laws, stronger defensive systems and the multi-phase playing style that the world champion Wallabies were playing. Perhaps other teams simply imitated and followed what the Wallabies were doing.
pothale said | December 18th 2009 @ 9:06am | Report comment
Highly unlikely Sam. Highly unlikely.
Frank O'Keeffe said | December 18th 2009 @ 3:59pm | Report comment
Tana can’t touch O’Driscoll in terms of pure centre play.
You talk about Tana having a bit of Mortlock and O’Driscoll in him, yet Tana’s distribution skills were never as good as Mortlock’s or O’Driscoll’s. Tana, to his credit, changed his skill set when he lost a bit of pace and was moved to centre. But that’s another thing Tana didn’t have, O’Driscoll’s pace. Tana couldn’t dream of scoring some of the individual tries O’Driscoll did in the early 2000s.
Tana’s hands could be horrendous ala v South Africa in 2003 where the Saffies scored two tries as a direct result of his mistakes. Tana’s greatest attribute as a centre was his defence. Later on his captaincy was pretty vital to New Zealand becomming they force they were to become.
In terms of pure centre play O’Driscoll has it over Tana. Speed, vision, balance, ball skills, runs great angles etc. Even this year when O’Driscoll didn’t show a lot of these qualities with Ireland, he was Mr Johnny on the spot in all the games. He was the best player of the 6N, and he did it through leadership and stepping-up.
Wavell Wakefield said | December 18th 2009 @ 8:42pm | Report comment
I think O’Driscoll’s physical build helps. Funnily enough I never recall Umaga tackling and then pilfering ball, nor do I ever recall reading any analysis of him doing that, Katzilla. I just can’t remember him ever doing that, whereas everytime I watch ‘Driscoll he attempts a steal on basically every tackle. He has a very low centre of gravity. Umaga, Barry and Herbert didn’t.
Rusty said | December 17th 2009 @ 5:09pm | Report comment
In a slightly different angle – if you were to say look at the most electrifying running team then it provides some interesting change
15. Latham
14. Robinson
13. BOD
12. Giteau
14. Rupeni
10. Larkham
9. du Preez
8. Spies
7. McCaw
6. Elsom –
5. Matfield – Im putting him in here not because he is electrifying to the LO purists but for the show and go he put on Gregan in Cape Town? a few years back.
4. ?
3. ?
2. Schalk Brits – not everyones cup of tea but can step
1. Robinson/Woodcock – both get a pretty good rumble around the park but have seen Benn do some superb breaks
Sam Taulelei said | December 18th 2009 @ 2:05pm | Report comment
Rusty how about these guys?
4. Ignacius Fernando Lobbe
3. Trevor Woodman
2. Keith Wood
Rusty said | December 18th 2009 @ 2:09pm | Report comment
Hmm thats quite good – Lobbe especially and I will take Woodman on the virtue of the most electrifying eyebrows to grace a face! Pity Roncero plays on the loose head side or he would also be a good pick. Think I will stick with Brits though as Woods was a far better player but Brits will make a break. step 2 players and sprint the lenghth of the field!
Sam Taulelei said | December 18th 2009 @ 2:17pm | Report comment
Yeah I liked watching Brits play, Dmitri Szarzevski was another hooker in a similar mould.
Wavell Wakefield said | December 18th 2009 @ 8:39pm | Report comment
Omar Hasan and Mauricio Reggiardo were pretty tasty props, Sam.
brad said | December 17th 2009 @ 7:58pm | Report comment
Eales was more of a 90’s man and hence most go with Matfield and Jono BUT in my view Bakkies is the real star and Chris Jack is probbly a better bet than both of those. In order to win a game Matfield and Joono combo would be tops. Individually Jonno and Jack. We also forget about Augustin Pichot at scrummie, Unfortunately there are winners and losers and I guess This decade has been the worst for scrumhalves.
Bay35Pablo said | December 17th 2009 @ 9:20pm | Report comment
Your 2nd row needs a brains and a brawn. Eales is the brains, so if you pick him your other one is the enforcer.
allblackfan said | December 17th 2009 @ 9:32pm | Report comment
I agree with most but I’d put Meews in ahead of Hayman. Meews was a better scrummager than Hayman.
And Aaron Mauger ahead of JDV (just) but then I am biased.
Rusty said | December 18th 2009 @ 8:00am | Report comment
Bad news Meews – I remember him being very formidable but not mentioned in the same breath as Hayman. I wonder though if thats becase when Meews was knocking around most teams could scrum properly where Hayman emerged when the setpiece had been depowered in lieu of mobility.
PastHisBest said | December 17th 2009 @ 10:47pm | Report comment
As in Kees Meews? I’ll have some of what your having…
pothale said | December 18th 2009 @ 12:16am | Report comment
15. Chris Latham
14. Shane Williams
13. Brian O’Driscoll
12. Yannick Jauzion
11. Rupeni Caucaunibuca
10. Daniel Carter
9. Joost va der Westhuizen
8. Lawrence Dallaglio
7. Richie McCaw
6. Richard Hill
5. Victor Matfield
4. Martin Johnson
3. Carl Hayman
2. Raphael Ibanez (captain)
1. Os du Randt
I Harinordquoy
J Wilkinson
K Wood
Giteau
O’Connell
Muliana
Rockocoko
Severian said | December 18th 2009 @ 1:18am | Report comment
15. Chris Latham
14. Mils Muliaina
13. Stirling Mortlock
12. Brian O’Driscoll (could just as easily be Giteau or Mauger, and maybe should be for the balance of the team)
11. Jason Robinson
10. Daniel Carter
9. Agustin Pichot (Arg) (Fourie du Preer is better now, but Gus was a great player for a decade in a 2nd or 3rd tier team)
8. Lawrence Dallaglio
7. Richie McCaw (captain)
6. Richard Hill
5. Victor Matfield
4. Martin Johnson
3. Carl Hayman
2. Bismarck du Plessis (good enough to make the best hooker in the world try his hand at TH prop)
1. Tony Woodcock had a ridiculous work rate, could carry the ball respectably well, and was among the top loose head scrummagers. Os was an amazing athlete, but he was an ordinary scrummager.
Rusty said | December 18th 2009 @ 7:56am | Report comment
On Os – I think he was a better scrummager than given credit but his effectiveness diminished into more of a securing prop rather and attacking loosehead. You also have to remember this is a fellow who propped in the ‘95 world cup and came back from serious knee injury for one last crusade. Like the Gregan effect though you only remember the latter years
Wavell Wakefield said | December 19th 2009 @ 2:15am | Report comment
‘On Os – I think he was a better scrummager than given credit but his effectiveness diminished into more of a securing prop rather and attacking loosehead’
I completely agree, Rusty. It’s not as if Du Randt was a notorious technical infringer like Van der Linde or Baxter. I saw him have an awful time against Julian White, but I also noted that Hayman never got the better of Du Randt. We all know that styles make scrums and to criticise Du Randt’s scrummaging is a tad melodramatic. One only has to consider the 2007 WC SF versus Argentina: Roncero threw Van der Linde around like a rag doll whereas Du Randt and Scelzo just appeared to be leaning on each other. Du Randt didn’t move an inch backwards. It’s highly debatable whether SA would have won the WC without him.
Brad Moran said | December 18th 2009 @ 1:34am | Report comment
Crazy!!!
I actually agree completely with this side, I think it’s one of the worst things that happened to International Rugby that Rupeni Caucau never lived up to his full potential, he had such a shitty attitude, such a shame, he is the most talented attacking player I’ve ever seen and I think could have possibly became the Greatest Wing of all-time.
Rin said | December 18th 2009 @ 12:14pm | Report comment
yes indeed was a great attacking player, but i would only have him in my second team purely because he had the defensive capabilities of a kangaroo (i.e. Kangaroos physically cant walk backwards), and would be badly exposed by a decent center/wing combination on the other side. To make this team you have to be an all round player, that he is not.
ohtani's jacket said | December 18th 2009 @ 1:42am | Report comment
15. Mils Muliaina
14. Shane Williams
13. Sterling Mortlock
12. Yannick Jauzion
11. Joe Rokocoko
10. Daniel Carter
9. Fourie du Preez
8. Sergio Parisse
7. Richie McCaw
6. Richard Hill
5. John Eales
4. Martin Johnson
3. Carl Hayman
2. Keith Wood
1. Rodrigo Roncero
Rusty said | December 18th 2009 @ 12:25pm | Report comment
Keith Wood or the “The Raging Potato’ as he was known
pothale said | December 19th 2009 @ 12:45am | Report comment
I preferred Uncle Fester – complete doppelganger.
Wavell Wakefield said | December 18th 2009 @ 2:08am | Report comment
1. Andrea Lo Cicero, 2. Keith Wood, 3. Carl Hayman, 4. Martin Johnson, 5. John Eales, 6. Richard Hill. 7. Olivier Magne, 8. Scott Quinnell, 9. Robert Howley, 10. Daniel Carter, 11. Rupeni Caucuanibuca, 12. Matt Giteau, 13. Brian O’Driscoll, 14. Jason Robinson (although he preferred 11), 15. Mils Muliaina
Terry Kidd said | December 18th 2009 @ 9:11am | Report comment
Hey Pots I agree with Sam … the Wallabies did do it first !!! Lol, Sam is very very knowledgeable bloke !!!
Sam Taulelei said | December 18th 2009 @ 9:19am | Report comment
Terry I expect a pot of ale in return
pothale said | December 18th 2009 @ 9:23am | Report comment
Sam/Terry
Obviously I’d recommend the following selection:
http://img371.imageshack.us/img371/9977/poths4hl1.jpg
Sam Taulelei said | December 18th 2009 @ 9:29am | Report comment
Yum where can I get a slab of those? Looks the perfect accompaniement to watching the team of the decade play.
Terry Kidd said | December 18th 2009 @ 9:33am | Report comment
Absolutely Sam … it would be my pleasure …. I’ll let you know next time I cross the ditch.
Nice one Pots.
Sam Taulelei said | December 18th 2009 @ 9:56am | Report comment
Terry its not that far from Sydney to Melbourne
mattamkII said | December 18th 2009 @ 1:15pm | Report comment
Some really good teams here.
OJ – nice team but you have to be kidding abut Mils?
Wouldn’t be in my 4th Grade world 15.
Rusty, it was regular for OS used to back peddal against the better tight heads… he was poo come scrum time. But yes, I would still have him in my team because of his work around the park. I have never seen a Prop make so many try saving tackles in broken play.
Also agree that Smith is the best hooker of the decade. I think the current crop of Bismark, Moore etc are slightly better players but no one had as much affect on a teams performance as he.
Also, there is no way anyone in the right mind would have de Villers over Tana…is there?
Rusty said | December 18th 2009 @ 1:19pm | Report comment
JdV plays 12 and Umaga 13 so dont really see it being an issue.
As said earlier Os was fine till his second stint where he really started to run out of gas after thinking he could charge around the park like he did in his younger days.
Jerry said | December 18th 2009 @ 1:34pm | Report comment
Tana played a bit of 12 too, especially for the Hurricanes. He did run out alongside the likes of Conrad Smith at test level too.
ohtani's jacket said | December 20th 2009 @ 12:17pm | Report comment
Well, I don’t think Mils is a great attacking fullback, but he’s been a consummate pro in the first full decade of professionalism. He certainly outclassed Latham and Montgomery on a regular basis. I think he deserves a nod for the number of Test caps he won this year, considering NZ puts their backs out to pasture long before any other country does.
Sam Taulelei said | December 18th 2009 @ 1:39pm | Report comment
Mattamkill
Only if they were in a head to head competition. But they played in different midfield positions in their career although interestingly both started their careers on the wing before moving in closer. Tana has played a few games at 12 when Conrad Smith emerged on the scene but in any world or best team selection he would always be a contender for the centre position and nowhere else. If you read Katzilla’s comments above he makes a compelling case for Tana’s inclusion.
I’m assuming you’re referring to John Smit as the best hooker?
Frank O'Keeffe said | December 18th 2009 @ 4:10pm | Report comment
Latham’s an interesting case. Nick Farr-Jones once said people were so focused on anything wrong David Campese did that they too easily forgot how many records he was breaking each and every game. Latham’s a bit like that. He’s been criticised for becomming more conservative as his career went on. People claim he went missing in the big games. Others felt he wasn’t doing enough in attack etc.
While all this was being said about Latham he raced up the try-scoring records list. 40 tries from 78 Tests suggests he’s doing something right, especially for a guy who supposedly just “kicked up and unders back to the opposition”. I will admit though, despite that good tally of tries, only two of them are against New Zealand, whom he played 14 times. I can accept it when people say he didn’t play his best against New Zealand.
Then again, I think all Wallaby supporters would kill to have a fullback like Latham playing for the Wallabies right now. Ashley-Cooper has had a really good year, but he can’t compare to Latham’s kicking game. How many games have Australia lost because of poor kicking? I’d go as far to say Australia would have won a few of their last seven games against New Zealand if they had Chris Latham.
I think Latham’s the best choice for fullback in this list.
Darwin hammer said | December 18th 2009 @ 4:40pm | Report comment
The Latham debate is interesting – Eddie Jones really worked overtime on him to curb his attacking flair in the international scene – to the point where he’d perfer a lump like Rogers over him … it was a real shame he could easily have been far more similar to a Campese if he was allowed to reproduce what he did for Qld … sure their would have been a few more mistakes but perhaps there may have been some really memorable moments …
Banger said | December 19th 2009 @ 1:46am | Report comment
15. Latham
14. Williams
13. BOD
12. Lima
11. Habana
10. Carter
9. Pichot
8. Kefu
7. McCaw (hardest call leaving Smith out he performed outstandingly for entire decade against the best)
6. Hill
5. Pelous
4. Matfield
3. Hayman
2. Wood
1. Os Du Randt
I had to include Lima, he and keith wood were the two players that I got the most joy watching play rugby.(besides Latho).
MattyP said | December 19th 2009 @ 4:01am | Report comment
Wow – great team, really intresting discussion prompt Sam.
Here’s one thing for you to consider. I love the first 5/second 5 model over the flyhalf and 2 centres model. So how about a 10/12 of Larkham and Carter? They could really set a backline alight. De Villiers is a tremendous player, but I don’t think he’s in the same league as Carter and Larkham. And I would have Pichot feeding them the ball, his service behind that pack would be impeccable.
pothale said | December 20th 2009 @ 11:50am | Report comment
Couldn’t find anywhere else to put this tidbit of info around the selection process for IRB player of the Year according to one of the judges, Ireland’s Paul Wallace.
There was no round-table discussion amongst the judges. The way it works is that each of the judges is responsible for every Test match that takes place in their jurisdiction. After every Test in Ireland this year, Wallace texted the names of the best three players on the pitch, regardless of nationality. Each nomination is worth a point, and at the end of November, someone in the IRB added up all the points. The same thing happened in every other test team jurisdiction with a judge representative. It’s understood that McCaw pipped O’Driscoll by a solitary point.
“It’s not as though the nine of us sat around and considered the politics of it all,” says Wallace. “In fact, the system was devised to take politics out of it. But it’s a flawed system, obviously, and I’ve made my views known to the IRB. For what it’s worth, I would have chosen Brian, followed by Fourie du Preez.”
Rusty said | December 21st 2009 @ 11:33am | Report comment
Interesting to see the decades lineup from Daniel Gilhooly on stuff.co.nz
15. Mils Muliaina NZ. Mentions, Latham, Robinson, Montgomery
14. Doug Howlett NZ. Mentions, Paulse
13. Brian O’Driscoll IRE. Mentions, Umaga, Mortlock, Fourie, Greenwood
12. Yannick Jauzion FRA. Mentions, de Villiers, Mauger
11. Bryan Habana RSA. Mentions S Williams, Tuqiri, Rococoko
10. Dan Carter NZ. Mentions Wilkinson, Larkham, Giteau, Michalak, Hernandez
9. Fourie du Preez RSA. Mentions Gregan, Stringer, Dawson, Marshall, Kelleher
8. Lawrence Dallaglio ENG. Mentions Parisse, So’oialo, Harinordoquy, Taylor
7. Richie McCaw NZ. Mentions Smith, Burger, Waugh, Magne, M Williams
6. Juan Smith RSA. Mentions Collins, Elsom, Hill
5. Victor Matfield RSA. Mentions O’Connell,Williams, Vickerman
4. Martin Johnson ENG. Mentions Pelous, Botha, Jack, Sharpe
3. Carl Hayman NZ. Mentions Vickery, Peter deVilliers, Jones, Castrogiovanni, Sommerville
2. John Smit RSA. Mentions Mealamu, Thompson, Ibanez
1. Tony Woodcok NZ. Mentions Marconnet, Roncero, Sheridan, Jenkins, du Randt
NZ 6
RSA 5
ENG 2
IRE 1
FRA 1
All in all a pretty close reflection to the Roar crew’s choices
Sam Taulelei said | December 21st 2009 @ 2:36pm | Report comment
True, but we got in first and our selections generated more discussion (ha, ha)
Terry Kidd said | December 30th 2009 @ 7:13am | Report comment
Sorry Sam …. I assumed (something I should remember never to do) that you lived in NZ …. okey dokey, Melbourne is closer but I’m on the Sunshine Coast, not in Sydney ….. next time I’m in Melbourne then.