The season is all but over, but I came across a site which had chosen the greatest professional side ever so I decided to pick my own team and see what sort of opinions other Roarers might have.
15. Christian Cullen (New Zealand)
The best fullback I’ve ever seen. Scored some super tries and perhaps never kicked as well as every good fullback should. But then, Cullen never had to.
14. Jeff Wilson (New Zealand)
Always made things look really easy out there.
13. Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)
This guy is awesome. That try Ireland scored against Argentina in France was O Driscoll at his best, and the sort of stuff I’d pay to see.
12. Tim Horan (Australia)
Won two World Cups and was the type of centre every side wanted to have.
11. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)
Simply the most awesome rugby player the professional era has produced.
10. Dan Carter (New Zealand)
This fella runs like Larkham and kicks like Johnny. He’s also got a solid defence and is good for a few turnovers. He is the perfect flyhalf, and the first player I would pick if I needed to select a side to play for my life.
9. Joost van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Knew when to make a break, when to kick, and was as solid as a rock in defence.
8. Gary Teichman (South Africa)
I think he was the most complete Eight in the professional era. He could do everything required and was always as cool as a cucumber, no matter what the situation.
7. (openside) Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
Undoubtedly the greatest exponent of openside play there has been. George Smith deserves a mention, and maybe Heinrich Brussow will eclipse McCaw in a few years, but until then, the All Black captain is in a class of his own.
6. Richard Hill (England)
The most unsung of all English rugby heroes, but he’d have it no other way. If you didn’t see him much, it was because he was forever at the bottom of the ruck.
5. Martin Johnson (England)
The brooding driving force behind England’s World Cup win. We reckon the moment when he hoisted Bill was the first time he had smiled on a rugby pitch! Now bringing that menace to England’s national team, Johnno takes the captain’s armband in this team as well.
4. John Eales (Australia)
This one will have Saffers everywhere raging. How can we leave out Victor and Bakkies? Because Johnno is meaner than Bakkies, and because Victor was not nicknamed ‘Nobody,’ as Eales was, despite his obvious talents. I felt Eales offered perhaps just a little more grunt, but I’m now running for cover.
3. Carl Hayman (New Zealand)
This one was much easier. Hayman has been peerless at tighthead for some time now. New Zealand still miss him.
2. John Smit (South Africa)
Has now won every honour going in the game except for the Super 14. We know he plays tighthead now, but for a solid anchor in the scrum, an extra dose of leadership and some pinpoint lineout throwing, Smit’s the man. Just edging out Rafa Ibañez.
1. Os du Randt (South Africa)
The backbone of the ‘Bok scrum for so long, won every honour available to him, simply outstanding.
So this is my side.
Let the battle begin!
Winston
Guest
Caucaunibuca instead of Wilson
jmt
Guest
Chabel for x factor in the tight 5, He brings to the tight what McCaw brings to the lose and Lomu out wide. Can you leave Dallaglio out! If it was not for his appetite to party so hard, he would have been captain at the time England won the world cup...Never say die moto... Fourie du Preez, to lead the pack around the paddock!
Sylvester
Guest
For me, Cullen was one of those players who you'd turn up to watch no matter who else was playing. The stats say it all: 46 tries in 58 tests (including a record 16 in the 3N). 56 tries for the Hurricanes in 85 games (Super Rugby record at the time, since surpassed by Roff and Howlett)
mick h
Guest
ok fair enough, might be my green and gold eyes suggesting Burke. Cullen was awesome.
Romey
Guest
christian cullen will go down as my fave player of all time - and IMO the best attacking back ive ever seen. His pace, acceleration, timing, side steps, lines he ran, support play , line busting and attacking nous is simply superb. we (nz) sure could have used him in the 03 world cup.....
Hoy
Roar Guru
Loved the one with ZinZan pointing for him to run back under, and he just kept going outside Campo. Also, the Saffa trying to trip him around 2:15 in. The strength of Cullen when scoring at 4:05 and the Saffa has hold of him, and he just threw his body over. Massive fan of Cullen.
Justin
Guest
Freak...pace was amazing and he could hold it for 100m. Could time his run to perfection to hit the line at real pace and he had such underrated power, he busted a lot of tackles.
OldManEmu
Guest
He could move couldn't he? Wonderful to reflect on the great great players. Cullen was at his peak a super player BUT I would rate Joubert's A game as slightly better than Cullen's A game.
Dublin Dave
Guest
I'm shocked that a "Best XV" thread has been up for two days and still no sign of Sheek. Has swine flu made its way to Australia? Is the boy laid low? I think we should be told. ;)
Knives Out
Guest
Johnson was a 4. Matfield and Eales are 5s. Two 5s affects the composition of the scrum. Further, I never saw Johnson have a bad game, whereas I have seen Matfield made to look completely redundant on the rugby field. That's my personal take.
mick h
Guest
I will correct myself before I get hammered. I realise Leonard was a loose head. No. 1 spot for him.
mick h
Guest
Percy may have looked a bit soft but he played a lot of test footy in a world class team. It's unwise to knock a champion. Jason Leonard deserves the 3 spot. 119 tests. I don't think any prop will beat that personally. For longevity alone he deserves a mention. Zinzan at 8, Matty Burke at 15 (looked a bit pretty too I might add.)
van der Merwe
Guest
Stifle your amusement and bear in mind I'm strictly talking about South African fullbacks.
Sylvester
Guest
This montage should help put to bed the fullback debate I reckon. See no.18 especially. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0945lQKP7I&feature=PlayList&p=90E21494D1B7EC9A&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=9 Also, helps the case for Jeff Wilson if you pay close attention.
JustinB
Guest
Good team. Agree with choosing Matfield over Johnson. Johnson was great, but like you say no-one has ever mastered the lineout like Matfield has. Not so sure about Jerry Collins though.
Romey
Guest
after some thought i have revised my team. 1. al baxter 2.a.hore 3. m.dunning 4. j.horwill 5. i ross 6. p.waugh 7. kaino 8. soialo 9. gregan 10. kurtley beale 11. w.sailer 12. r. cross 13. tahu 14. matt rogers 15. o conner or percy captain: al baxter ..... ok so its not the greatest team ever ...but this team of jokers sure would make you laugh!
Jameswm
Guest
I agree with hammer - Percy in the team? He was considered a joke in Australia - soft and bumbling. We even had the "Percy awards" named in his honour for the best stuff-up each week. And I'm surprised no one mentioned Fourie du Preez at half back.
Hammer
Guest
Percy - WTF .... that's the best laugh i've had for a very long time
Shahsan
Guest
Yes, and 1-2 years of those guys were better than 15 years of most others, even those named
Shahsan
Guest
Great player to watch but the biggest flat track bully ever. Does great against smaller teams or when the game is over but has never been a big match winner when it really matters. Always shown up in the biggest matches.