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Rugby's Top 100 finale: Recap and 10-1

8th September, 2015
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Brodie Retallick has been the victim of a number of concussions. (Source: AFP PHOTO / Michael Bradley)
Roar Guru
8th September, 2015
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Rugby’s Top 100 players returns again this week for the tenth and final time, as the Rugby World Cup is now mere days away, and what more fitting an event to mark it than the counting down of the best 10 players in the world.

The list first made its debut way back in July, beginning with Number 100 Ben Youngs, and now more than two months later it will reach its conclusion. Before the top 10 are revealed, let’s take a quick look at the prior 90 players named over the past nine weeks (in order of ranking):

100 – 91:
Ben Youngs, Kahn Fotualii, Michael Leitch, Juan Imhoff, Henry Speight, Greig Laidlaw, Malakai Fekitoa, Tony Woodcock, Morgan Parra, Tendai Mtawarira.

90-81:
Michel Campagnaro, George Ford, Wyatt Crockett, Francois Trinh Duc, Taulupe Faletau, Juan Martin Hernandez, Willem Alberts, Rhys Webb, Billy Vunipola, Dan Lydiate

80-71:
Owen Franks, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Pascal Pape, Ramiro Herrera, Bernard Foley, Jonathon Joseph, Stuart Hogg, Handre Pollard, Liam Messam, Jamie Heaslip

70-61:
Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Quade Cooper, Fourie Du Preez, James Slipper, Bryan Habana, Joe Launchbury, Rob Kearney, Marcell Coetzee, Mamuka Gorgodze, Nicolas Sanchez

60-51:
Robbie Henshaw, Richie Gray, Israel Dagg, Sean O’Brien, Dan Biggar, Joe Marler, Matt Giteau, Tommy Bowe, Charlie Faumuina, Alun Wyn Jones

50-41:
Dane Coles, Matt Toomua, Samu Manoa, Sam Cane, Agustin Creevy, Mike Brown, Peter O’Mahony, Chris Robshaw, Stephen Moore, Dan Cole

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40-31:
Jamie Roberts, Courtney Lawes, George North, Cian Healy, Sonny Bill Williams, Willie Le Roux, Will Genia, Jean De Villiers, Thierry Dusautoir, Nikola Matawalu

30-21:
Wesley Fofana, Juan Martin Fernandez-Lobbe, Louis Picamoles, Marcos Ayerza, Michael Hooper, Sam Warburton, Jerome Kaino, Sam Whitelock, Francois Louw, Tevita Kuridrani

20-11:
Leigh Halfpenny, Conrad Smith, Nemani Nadolo, Paul O’Connell, Sergio Parisse, Bismarck Du Plessis, Connor Murray, Dan Carter, Julian Savea, Eben Etzebeth

These players are all terrific in their own right, and let it be known that selection of this final edition was the most difficult of them all. This speaks volumes about of players gracing the game today.

But now without any further adieu, here are the Top 10:

10 – Israel Folau (AUS) – Fullback
Let it be known now that from his very first outing in the Green and Gold, Folau has been at home on rugby’s grandest stage.

Crossing over from the AFL in 2013, his successes in rugby’s brother code meant a transition to the 15-man game was one of the most documented changes the sport has known.

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This was not a player attempting to try his hand at the tail end of his career, where potential was limited both as a result of age and old habits. Here was a man among the most athletic in the nation, who had already showcased his tremendous ability in Rugby League, becoming the youngest player ever to debut for his country at only 18 years of age.

With the experience of two codes under his belt, adapting to a new environment would clearly not phase the 25-year-old, and the question then lay in how quickly he could learn the minor technicalities of the game that are often the most difficult aspect that code hoppers encounter in attempting to re-establish themselves.

Despite his incredible ability being evident early on in his high ball skills and scintillating attack, his defensive positioning was often lacking, and he looked at sea when teams attempted to play a territory based game. However, it seemed only a matter of time before he figured out this aspect, and 2015 looks to be that year.

For the entirety of the Rugby Championship, Folau was unrivalled in regard to the pure devastation he could cause with ball in hand, and now with the game management skills to complement his athletic ability, he is now deserving of being recognised among the top tier of players in the game.

Year after year he has topped the offloading, metres gained and tackle breaking statistics in Super Rugby, and now with two years of Test experience under his belt, he finally looks to have found a home in union.

It is redundant to even measure what sort of impact he will make at the World Cup, as regardless of whether he is at his best or worst it will be large. A John Eales medallist for two years running, he is crucial to Australia’s chances this year, and is a deserving tenth on this list.

Israel Folau looks to break the line against France (Image. Tim Anger)

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9 – Ma’a Nonu (NZL) – Centre
The best centre in the game, and with 97 Test caps to his name, Nonu has been dominating opponents at both Super Rugby and Test level for over a decade now.

Coming onto the scene as a fresh-faced youngster in 2003, he was immediately touted as potential All Black with his blend of explosive power and speed making him a force to reckoned with.

However, like so many other players, he was tactically lacking, and for several years looked to be headed for a somewhat average career with the same skill based flaws responsible for him missing selection in both the 2003 and 2007 World Cups.

But in 2008, Nonu looked to have finally gotten the message, and returned to Super Rugby as a much more mature and complete player, and was welcomed back into the All Blacks fold as the incumbent centre pairing with partner in crime Conrad Smith.

He has never looked back since then, and one would now struggle to find an aspect of his game he is really lacking in. Complete with a passing game that can unlock his outside backs and a calm head that has shown itself a number of times in the back end of games, Nonu seemingly returns to rugby year after year with another string to his bow.

Now boasting a kicking game that creates a triple threat when he has ball in hand, it is difficult to view the dreadlocked blunderbuss as being so complete and mature a player, however this is now a reality that will haunt opposition teams for at least the remainder of this year.

His combination with Smith and Carter has been outstanding for the All Blacks, and given the form he has exhibited over the course of the year, few would bet against him playing a major part in the final standings of the RWC.

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Despite his Super Rugby misdemeanours in past years, Nonu will go down as one of New Zealand’s greatest ever players, and he will reach a well-deserved 100 caps later in the year as the All Blacks chase a repeat of their heroics in 2011, and attempt to do something no other team has ever done before and go back to back at the RWC.

8 – Ben Smith (NZL) – Fullback
Emphasis on the word “fullback” too. In regard to pure versatility, there is probably no more valuable back to have on the roster than the Highlanders’ outside back.

Since missing out on the World Cup in 2011, Ben Smith has gone from strength to strength, progressing to the point that he must now be considered one of the world’s premier players. Since exploding into his form in the Highlanders ill-fated season of 2013, he has become an irreplaceable cog in the All Blacks machine, shining in any role he is given.

Many players are given the tag “utility”, but in this writer’s opinion having utility “value” means more than just having experience in a number of positions. In Ben Smith, New Zealand has a player who is not just capable of performing in close to any poisiton, but is able to shine there as well.

In 2013 he was one of the most devastating wingers in the world, scoring five tries in only two games and over 10 by season’s end. The next year he was given a shot at his preferred fullback position, where despite being unable to add to his phenomenal try scoring record, he was no less dangerous in constantly challenging the line and creating space for those around him.

But if Folau is most devastating offensive fullback in the game, then Smith takes the mantle of defence.

His incredible try-saving tackle on Manu Tuilagi in 2014, as well as numerous one on one efforts that demonstrate not only incredible bravery, but refined technique and an absence of panic. Also one of the only players in world rugby who seemingly never has a bad game, Smith really is the complete package, and there is simply no better player to have in the fullback jersey than the 29-year-old Otago man. No matter where he plays at the World Cup, he is sure to make a large impact.

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Israel Dagg (C), Sam Whitelock (R) and Ben Smith of New Zealand celebrate Smith's try during the second Bledisloe Cup game between the All Blacks and Wallabies. AFP PHOTO / MARTY MELVILLE

7 – Duane Vermeulen (RSA) – Number 8
No matter what side one supports, it is hard not to admire the rise and rise of South African eighth man Duane Vermeulen.

With the decline of Pierre Spies hard to ignore even for the most staunch of fans, the Springbok backrow begun a search for a world-beating enforcer that could return them to their fear-instilling best. In the three years since then, Vermeulen has gone from a selection gamble to the most important weapon in South Africa’s arsenal.

In 2014, after a run of phenomenal performances, he was hampered with a damaged rib which threatened to rub him out of the all-important clash against the All Blacks at Ellie Park.

After making the call to grit his teeth and get on with the job, not only did he see out the full eighty minutes, but was the most devastating player on the park as he pinched ball, tirelessly carted it over the gainline and put in tackle after tackle as South Africa claimed a win against the Darkness for the first time since 2011.

There are only a handful of players with the mental fortitude to play through the pain barrier in such a tough game, but performances like Vermeulen’s are symbolic of player who can be relied upon to give his all when the stakes are at their absolute highest.

His style of play itself is also what should be considered the prototype for all modern eights; threatening out wide, a fantastic offloading game, and a threat both in the contact and ruck zones. Despite being injured for the majority of the year, recent prognosis suggests he will be back for the Springboks later in the year as they chase a third world title, and given the way he has rebounded from injury in the past, his influence will no doubt be enormous come October.

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South Africa has had some terrific back rower performances during his absence, but there is only one Duane Vermeulen.

Duane Vermeulen for the Springboks

6 – Johnathon Sexton (IRE) – Fly Half
One of the most impressive trends that has become evident over the past three years, at least in regard to European rugby, is the vast number of Irish players who have stepped up under the masterful eye of Joe Schmidt.

His tenure has not been so much of a rebuilding phase, but a transformation of the same team he inherited, with many players who had been a rock in the side for years prior improving seemingly out of sight, and there is none more so than 30-year-old Leinster pivot Jonathon Sexton.

Since becoming the undisputed first choice with the retirement of the legendary Ronan O’Gara from Test rugby in 2013, Sexton has become almost unrecognisable in the way he has refined every skill on offer, to the point where there are no real weaknesses in his game.

A deadly accurate boot both off the tee and from hand, a devastating running game, brilliant distribution and play stopping defence, when he is on the field there is little doubt why Ireland have stamped their mark as one of the best sides in the world.

There is no finer example of his limitless class than the 2015 Six Nations, where despite a loss to Wales in the later rounds running any chance of a Grand Slam, Ireland played a magnificent brand of rugby which was headed by the dominance of their fly half.

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With scores often close, his cool head and refined organisational skills meant defensive cracks were rare, especially remarkable considering the inexperience of centre combination Jared Payne and Robbie Henshaw. Offensively, so much of the Green and White’s play came off their halves pairing, who were unrivalled in their brilliance throughout the tournament.

Sexton is currently the best pivot in the game, and given the emphasis placed on strong directional play at World Cups, he will be the deciding factor in Ireland’s hopes. They are considered the dark horses of the tournament, but when their best player is running the cutter at 10, their class should not be a mystery to anyone.

5 – Richie McCaw (NZL) – Flanker
If any justification has to be given as to why the All Black talisman is going to be one of the most important figures at the World Cup, then one must have been asleep for the last decade because McCaw is undoubtedly the most well-known player who is currently still lacing up boots.

The most capped player of all time, the most successful captain and arguably player of all time in terms of winning percentage, has never lost the Bledisloe as a captain, over 200 victories at both international and Super Rugby level, the list is seemingly unending.

Even at 34 years of age, there can be no doubting his class, as he inevitably performs at his best when the team most needs it. Although age has clearly impacted on his physical abilities, McCaw’s unbelievable ability to rebound from adversity, incredible game reading skills, passion and heart means that even was he not the brilliant captain he is, his game alone would still see him among the game’s greats.

But his leadership is now indispensable to New Zealand, and the incredible belief and calm he instils in this team has become a sight to behold. It is hard to forget that in the final game of 2013, with their undefeated record to Ireland and winning run that year on the line, the All Blacks somehow went 70 metres to score after the siren had already gone, despite a hostile crowd and an Irish side playing for what would have been one of the most memorable days in their nation’s sporting history being in their path.

Self-belief at a time like that is difficult to muster, and is in no small part thanks to the presence of one or a few outstanding individuals who can bring the best out of the players around them, and there is no-one in the game who eclipses McCaw in that respect.

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His achievements are simply to vast to list, but if he is able to lead New Zealand to a third World Cup, then his legend will take an even larger step towards immortality.

Regardless of the result of the coming RWC, McCaw will go down in this writer’s opinion as the greatest player to ever play the game; the Jerry Rice of Rugby Union, but one suspects he is not done yet, and he be perhaps the most important figure in the tournament come October.

New Zealand captain Richie McCaw

4 – Brodie Retallick (NZL) – Lock
The term “old school” has never been so aptly applied. Six foot 8 and a half, 117 kgs and at age 24 Retallick has already cemented his reputation as one of the finest locks New Zealand has ever produced.

The most hard-nosed player currently strapping up boots, the Chiefs; lock has sprung from relative anonymity to world class within four years, with the reception of the 2014 World Rugby player of the year award capping off a remarkable rise for the quiet giant.

This is no mean feat; prior to this the only other tight forward to ever receive the award was Irishman Keith Wood back in 2001, and even he had the benefit of being skipper at the time. It is made even more remarkable that Retallick is also not a flashy player, instead being the typically industrious blue collar lock whose hard work is the foundation of any good side.

To be ranked as the world’s best given all of these factors goes a long way to justifying his place on the Top 100, as simply put, there is no better tight forward in the game today, and has not been since the glory days of one Victor Matfield.

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Able to single-handedly disrupt opposition lineouts, a destructive scrummager and fearless in all forms of contact, Retallick is the prototype lock forward who has taken test rugby by storm. Alongside his immaculate core skills, he displays soft hands and a deft touch that is able to create havoc both in in the tight and out wide.

Combine this with incredible fitness that will not only see him complete the full eighty minutes, but maintain an impact right up until the final buzzer – or after it in Ireland’s case – and you have the signs of a legend in the making. Like all great players, and especially locks, he stands up when he is most required too, with his heroic performance against South Africa in Wellington last year a testament to his incredible ability, and it would be no stretch to say he could be one of the most important players at the RWC later this year.

No matter what the gameplan, a lock’s fundamental role will never change, and in Retallick the All Blacks have no-one better to set the platform.

3 – David Pocock (AUS) – Flanker
When identifying a champion player, there are a few tell-tale signs that one needs to look for both in their game and character before knowing for certain.

The first of those is raw skill. Tick. The second is an ability to stand up under the most immense of pressure. Tick. The third is the strength to bounce back from any and all adversity. Tick. The fourth and final mark, and by far the most important, is possessing the self-belief that the culmination of all these factors will reap rewards, and it is only a matter of time before success is achieved.

Tick, tick and tick.

The return of David Pocock to rugby after two years of setback and inactivity had the potential to be one of the great sporting tales, as a once great player was not only plagued by injury, but the type of injury that had the potential to derail a career just as it looked to be nearing its peak.

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Can he come back? Will he hit form? Is he the player he once was?

All common questions asked by the rugby world as he slowly rehabilitated himself back to full health. But one could sense the answer was already apparent, and as is the case with champions, it is not a matter of if but when he could provide the answer, and 2015 has been one long highlight reel for the world’s best flanker.

Courageous defence, incredible fitness, strong ball carrying and the best over the ball specialist this writer has seen for a long time, Pocock does not only enter the World Cup in top form, but as Australia’s best and most important player.

His record as a game changer has already been proven in prior matches, none more so than the 2011 quarter final against South Africa, and his influence have an enormous bearing on how Australia fare at the Rugby’s centrepiece event.

Despite his brilliant year, Pocock still does not quite look to have hit his ceiling, and any opposing nation should view that reality with more than a little trepidation, as the best may be yet to come from the masterful Aussie.

Michael Cheika has found the best role for big Will Skelton. (photo: AFP)

2 – Kieran Read (NZL) – Number 8
One of the most blockbusting forwards to ever play in the modern era, Crusaders and All Blacks eighth man Read is currently the most potent loose forward in the game, with his incredible range of skills unmatched across the entire rugby landscape.

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Since debuting in 2008, his tremendous ball carrying and defensive prowess have been on show, and it took only two years to establish himself as New Zealand’s first choice number eight after a string of brilliant displays off the bench on both the end of year tours and 2009 Tri-Nations tournament.

From 2012 to 2014, a rich vein of form saw him become arguably the world’s best player across two seasons, with his reception of the 2013 IRB player of the year award and Kelvin R Tremain memorial trophy two of the most memorable in a long list of achievements. Physically, Read is near impossible to contain one-on-one.

His powerful frame allows him to brush off would be tacklers with consummate ease, complete with a devastating offloading game that is able to create mismatches in defences even when there is no surplus of numbers on attack. When given go forward ball out wide, he is at his incredible best, tearing opposition sides to pieces and freeing up room for his outside backs.

Combined with this is an exceptional defensive game that allows him to exert his influence at all the right moments, both as a tackler and ruck ball specialist.

With the inevitable end of the great Richie McCaw’s legendary career now within sight, Read has been identified as the heir to the throne, with previous stints as captain like that in the 2013 Steinlager series and past two Super Rugby seasons already demonstrating his potential as a player who leads by example.

Although barring catastrophe he is likely to play second fiddle to McCaw at the World Cup, his influence on this team and the World Cup as a whole will be crucial nonetheless, and if he is able to produce his best on the world stage like he did in 2011, New Zealand would look firm favourites to take out a history making third title.

All Blacks player Kieran Read wins a lineout from Wallabies player James Horwill

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1 – Aaron Smith (NZL) – Scrum half
The most complete player in the world, the past three years have seen the Highlanders and All Blacks maestro slowly etch his name into the annals of rugby greats, as he has now refined his game to the point of no weakness.

After an outstanding 2014 season, Smith has returned in 2015 as an even greater player than what he was last year, which saw him widely touted as the best halfback in the world, with a string of individual displays that have been beyond incredible.

In Super Rugby this year, the Highlanders rode to the title off the back of Smith’s peerless performances, with one of the most remarkable finals runs in the history of the tournament simply not possible without the work of the New Zealand nine.

Underdogs in all three games, the Dunedin side’s ability to seamlessly change between a tactical, territory based game and scintillating running rugby was unmatched, and proved the perfect tonic for knockout rugby.

What’s more, for three weeks Smith was identified as the main threat, and for three weeks he the Highlanders’ best player, as all attempts to contain him ultimately failed.

But with a skill set like Smith’s, the result should come as no great surprise, as on the field he is currently the most devastating player in the game with his ability to set his team alight through unparalleled distribution skills, pinpoint accurate kicks, and an excellent eye for the gap on display seemingly every game.

Under pressure there is no-one better, with some of his best rugby coming in the crucial stages of the biggest matches, making him the perfect weapon for a knockout tournament like the World Cup.

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An event which lingers long in the mind is against the Waratahs in the Super Rugby semi-final, where alongside a masterclass in strategic rugby, a scarcely believable quadruple cut-out pass for Patrick Osborne seemed to go unnoticed amidst the debate over the try he scored.

Magical plays such as this, when they are most required, make Smith the player that he is, and he is currently the most irreplaceable player in the All Black side bar none. The World Cup is now mere days away, and as it stands there is no finer player currently gracing the game than the 26-year-old scrumhalf, and he is the logical choice as the number one player on the Top 100.

That concludes the final edition of the countdown, as the World Cup is now less than a fortnight away with the conclusion of all major test matches before the beginning of the tournament on the 19th of September.

It has been a pleasure to write, and we may now look forward with anticipation to the battle for rugby’s greatest prize.

Highlanders' Aaron Smith celebrates his teams win over the Hurricanes

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