Farewell to some true legends of the game

There has been much written in the press this week celebrating the remarkable career of Brad Thorn, and rightfully so.

His retirement from international rugby got me thinking: who will we never see again on the biggest stage of them all, the Rugby World Cup.

Richie McCaw:
It is not beyond the realms of possibility that he will still be around in 2015, but with over 100 caps at one of the most physical positions, it is hard to believe his body will let him.

The first man to reach 100 caps for the All Blacks, captaining them more than 60 times, including to their first world title in 24 years – is there any more to be said.

In a golden age of number 7s (George Smith, Phil Waugh, Serge Betsen, Neil Back) he is/was the best, and it isn’t close.

John Smit:
Much like Jonny Wilkinson (see below), he stayed on far too long and while that will tarnish his reputation now, in a few years time, he will be remembered for the player and leader he really was.

Capped over 100 times in the front row, he was a ferocious scrummager, smart and most importantly, one of the finest leaders in the modern area.

He united a dressing room of strong and often divisive personalities, with the highlight being lifting ‘Bill’ in 2007.

Jonny Wilkinson:
Half the player he was in his pomp, it was very sad to watch his play over the last six weeks. Metronomic with the boot (New Zealand 2011 aside), the finest defender at 10 the game has seen (just ask Emile N’Tamack).

His crowning moment was that drop goal in 2003, but to focus solely on that would be to do him a disservice. He was the key to so much of the success of England in that era.

Brian O’Driscoll:
The first name on this list who hasn’t won a World Cup, but arguably would have made it into any of the World Cup-winning sides from 2003 onwards.

Another fine leader and the most iconic of Ireland’s so-called golden generation, he produced numerous highlight reel tries (any of his hat-trick in Paris, or for the Lions in Australia in 2001), but was the consummate defender, a Lions captain to boot.

Victor Matfield:
The finest lineout operator of this or any generation. He ruled the skies in what is such a crucial part of the modern game.

He was so much more than that, powerful in the tight, strong in the loose and another fine leader; who was unlucky to play at the same time as John Smit in terms of his captaincy aspirations.

Brad Thorn:
A freak. Nearly 400 games of professional rugby across both codes, and still going strong aged 36.

Set the cat among the pigeons by turning down touring with the All Blacks early in his career, he has more than made up for this by adding steel, and sheer physical might to the All Black pack.

The rock around which the 2011 World Cup-winning forward pack was built.

Paul O’Connell:
Often overshadowed by his more celebrated countryman, O’Driscoll, he was arguably more important to his nation.

Phenomenal desire and a great physical presence, he was the heartbeat of the Ireland-forwards for many years. Another fine leader, as was illustrated by skippering the Lions in 2009.

Mils Mulliana:
Only the second man to reach 100 caps for the All Blacks, he has been Mr. Reliable over the last decade.

When the form of many around him has wavered (Rokocoko, Sivivatu etc), he has never let the side down. In a nation that seems to produce more classy outside backs than anywhere else, to achieve all he has is remarkable.

Unfortunate to be injured for the latter stages of the 2011 tournament, although he would likely have spent the games watching from the bench; you can be sure that the consummate professional would have done so with pride and been more than happy to contribute in any way he could.

There are many others that I could and probably should have spent more time discussing, including: Nathan Sharp, Chris Paterson, Lewis Moody, Mike Tindall, Rocky Elsom, Bakkies Botha, Danie Rossouw, Stephen Jones and Lionel Nallet to name but a handful, but the eight men above are those that have really stood out for me.

If the next generation can be half the players these men have been, the game is in very good hands.