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Australia's Chris Latham - AP Photo/Mark Baker
Coming to the end of this year, can only mean one thing to all those who argue long and hard over anything: a team of the decade!
For some reason, one has already been named – in 2005 (based on the first ten years of professionalism apparently), but I would like to go for the actual decade.
What an ordinary decade we have had, really.
Some great years at the beginning of the decade, followed by some pretty poor years at the middle to back-end. We are showing irregular glimpses of greatness, with more regular glimpses of incompetence.
Now how to pick your team? Do you pick purely on the number of caps? Do you pick your favourite player? Do you stay a little impartial at all? Do you pick players based on single stunning displays?
I like my sentimental favourites.
Does that make it a “favourite team of the decade” rather than “team of the decade”?
Anyway, here goes my team:
1. Benn Robinson
Sentimental favourite for prop, in a decade where, let’s face it, for the better part of the decade we have had a terrible scrum. His work this year has been awesome, and I feel he is hard done by not being recognized more for it.
2. Stephen Moore
Has been involved in the Wallabies since 2005. It was sheer weight of caps that got him here on my list. I like Tatafu more, for his robust game. But Moore has to start in my team.
3. Benn Alexander
Again, with the less than impressive scrum we have had to put up with for most of the decade, this bloke and the number one, have done an immense job in turning it around now. In fact, this bloke moreso, as he switched from Open side to Tighthead to become an integral part of the current team.
4. James Horwill
While some people might question this selection, I back it. I like how Horwill plays, even this year when he was down on form a little. He plays tight, and does the hard yards as a secondrower should. But oddly, he seems to pop up where needed to receive the crucial last pass to score out wide as well.
5. John Eales
I don’t care how many games this bloke has missed through retirement this decade. He is an automatic selection in my team.
6. Owen Finnegan
This one was a hard decision, but Melon provided everything you could want from a blindside flanker. He was tough, hard, and dirty. We complain a lot about the Saffas being dirty, but we all wish we had one of their enforcers. Finnegan was that enforcer for us. Elsom can sit on the bench behind this bloke, but if he plays well when given the opportunity, anything can happen.
7. George Smith
Simply a weight of caps here. This bloke debuted in 2000 and has played 100+ tests this decade. I must say, I toyed with the selection of David Wilson, a long held favourite of mine. Perhaps he will make the bench.
8. Toutai Kefu
This bloke was almost everything a number 8 should be, although I didn’t see too much of the drop-kicking skills held by ZinZan Brooke. I will forever remember the Irish hard man Trevor Brennan coming off second best in an altercation during the WC in ’99.
9. Wil Genia
Should have been Gregan, but I can’t bring myself to pick him as his final years stick in the memory banks more so than his earlier games. I like how Genia plays. Good passing, good running, very strong in contact. Hopefully he can carry this year’s play, and make my next decade’s team as well.
10. Stephen Larkham
There are three walk-up starts to my team, and this bloke is one. If Nobody was perfect, then this bloke is Nobody’s shadow. Jeez, he was great to watch. Slight, yet physical, deceptively fast with ball in hand, solid kicking game. He was fantastic in every aspect, and really embraced all that is running rugby.
11. Joe Roff
This bloke’s skills were silky. Big boot, good catcher, good passer, big fella. He could have played several positions, really, but was lucky enough to be on the end of a great backline. Plus, I think he still holds the record for most consecutive games for the Wallabies.
12. Matt Giteau
Calls for this bloke to go back to 12 are simply for the reason that he is a better 12 than 10. He can sniff a line break or try from anywhere, anyway, and the extra space out wide only helps him.
13. Stirling Mortlock
Can’t go past this bloke’s dominance at 13 this decade. Simple as that.
14. Ben Tune
Another sentimental favourite. People will undoubtedly call for Lote. However, I was never a fan of Lote Tuquiri. And was he really that good?
15. Chris Latham
I like Matt Burke, but Latham could do some freaky things. The try against Wales, when there were two blokes pushing him out, and he just kept powering forward towards the line? Amazing. Big kick, solid defense, great running.
So there it is. My starting favourite team of the decade.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.