When John Sturges directed an adaptation of the Seven Samurai in 1960 called ‘The Magnificent Seven’ I am pretty sure he was not expecting his movie to be the title of a rugby article some 52 years later.
This is about seven men who have worn a jumper bearing that number in the running game. Men who not only wore it, but by their performances enshrined the open-side flanker as one of the most revered positions on a rugby park.
These ‘Magnificent 7’ I am to tell you of, are in my opinion the authors of what we readers now understand is ‘the openside flanker.’ They are the pioneers of the position.
They are a rare tough breed; they are the first to arrive and last to leave; they are gun-fighters with their own warrior code of ‘do whatever it takes to win the ball.’ They are heroes to some; magnificent to most.
Laalui Michael Niko Jones of New Zealand and Samoa
The Iceman. God’s warrior in Heaven is the Arch-Angel Michael, and Michael Jones has carried the name on earth with the faith of a champion.
To think Michael Jones played 55 tests for New Zealand and one for Samoa yet never on a Sunday leaves the question how many could he have played, and how well?
For me, Jones completely revolutionised the game of the wing forward. He was complete and near perfect in everything he did. In the time before line-out lifting Jones could be seen at the back of a line out with boots near opponent’s knees challenging for the ball.
Jones’ running play, in particular his linking with outside backs was a highlight, and a quality only the very best openside flankers possess. Jones could run with backs and equally look at home with the likes of Schuster, Green and Gallagher as they carved the opposition apart.
Coupled with superb pace and agility, Jones in full cry was simply a joy to watch. Not only could Jones run, he was tough as old boots and was rarely far from the hard work in tight.
Jones’ work at the breakdown was uniquely committed, and furthered the open side mantra of ‘continuity at all costs.’ I particularly recall Concord Oval in 1987 against Australia and again at Eden Park in 1993 against the British Lions, Jones dove like superman towards breakdowns to secure possession that had yet to reach terra-firma.
Jones took the ball in mid-flight, rolled and got to his feet and continued the charge. Simply awesome to watch and personified absolute dedication to the team effort.
The magnificence in Jones for me was his dedication, not only to his faith but also to Auckland, All Black and Samoan rugby. A true magnificent champion is Michael Jones.
John Fergus Slattery of Ireland
The Shamrock of Ireland has three clovers of St Patrick that the Saint used to remind the native Irish of the Holy Trinity.
Like St Patrick, Slattery had his own trinity; skill, pace and endurance.
Slattery’s ability to play for 80 minutes is testament to his near inexhaustible fitness.
The Dubliner debuted in 1970 against the Springboks and by 1984 Slattery had accumulated 61 test matches for Ireland and four as a British Lion.
The highlights for Slattery were being an integral member of the 1974 Lions team against South Africa who are known as ‘The Invincibles.’ The Lions won the spiteful series 3-0, a series that could be described as a mix between rugby and open conflict. Slattery starred in all tests and captained the Lions twice during the tour for midweek games.
His try against Western Province was a sublime expression of ability that many wingers today could not have scored, let alone a flanker. Slattery and the ’74 Lions set a benchmark for those who have followed.
Slattery possessed leadership evident during his captaincy of Ireland in Australia in 1979. At a time when Australian rugby was commencing a renaissance after defeats of Wales and New Zealand in 1978, Slattery’s men downed the Wallabies 2-0 in a series where Australia was simply outclassed.
The crowning moment for Slattery was Ireland’s Triple Crown in 1982, and was only denied a Grand Slam by the French.
Slattery is widely admired for his directness and humour. Whilst commentating an All Black match his co-commentator said as Sean Fitzpatrick was being lead from the field “I think he has broken his nose,” to which Slattery quipped, “No, I think someone has broken it for him.”
It was known Slattery would play for Ireland on Saturday and for his club Blackrock on Sunday. He never was aloof or above either, a humble hero indeed.
Well played Fergus.
George Smith of Australia
When David Wilson was coming to the end of his wonderful career George Smith burst onto the international rugby scene and quickly established himself as a genuine rugby player that demanded attention.
Smith brought Australian forward play into the new millennium. Smith did everything expected of a Wallaby openside and more. His prowess at the breakdown is legendary. Often bodies would pour into a breakdown yet Smith somehow would prevail and appear with the ball.
He was a master thief.
In his magnificent 110 test career Smith scored nine tries. The Cromer High Old Boy knew how to find the line and when and where to link with his backs to create overlaps. Smith could also run, step and pass, which made him a highly effective attacking player.
Smith could run with the inside backs offloading to support after engaging multiple defenders. George Smith, in all facets of forward play, was a handful for any opposition.
Ask Dan Carter how well George Smith can tackle. Smith was a pocket battleship in defence. Time and time again he could read attacking play and shut down the threat before it eventuated. Smith never shirked taking on bigger players and simply felled them and stole their ball for good measure. A true rugby ninja.
For me Smith is the only flanker that could go toe-to-toe with Richie McCaw in the modern era and that is a compliment in itself. Australia has been blessed with some wonderful openside flankers but none greater that Smith. A truly magnificent player and rugby man.
Finlay Calder of Scotland
A captain’s captain.
Whilst only having a relative short international career from 1986-1991 where he achieved 34 caps for his native Scotland and 3 for the British Lions Calder has left his impression on the game that still echoes today.
Calder was a no-nonsense player who knew what was required to win and set himself to the task. The Scot was not outstanding at anything apart from ensuring his opposite was less outstanding than himself by employing any and all means possible.
Calder had the ability to work effectively in concert with those around him. This quality must have contributed to Calder being named captain of the 1989 British Lions tour of Australia that possessed a touring party of big personalities including Brian Moore, Gareth Chillcott, Mike Teague and Will Carling.
Whilst many say Australia had more class than the Lions, Calder ensured the Australians knew they were not tougher. Calder led an orchestrated assault on Australian rugby at Ballymore that stunned the Australians and has been a blueprint for British and Irish teams since on how to beat the Wallabies since.
It comes as no surprise that whilst Calder played for Scotland, Murrayfield became a fortress. In his six years in international rugby Scotland lost only twice at home achieving an 86% win ratio. Even Ted Henry would be happy with that statistic.
A magnificent leader of men and openside flanker was Finlay Calder.
Simon Paul Poidevin of Australia
The man who wouldn’t quit.
Whilst it’s easy to remember Poidevin for his magnificent achievements in rugby, what encapsulates for me Poidevin is how he stood up when others were wilting.
His performances for New South Wales and Australia when against stronger opposition are now legendary. No matter the odds Poidevin was not afraid to take on Tony Shaw one weekend then Cowboy Shaw the next. At times he was the spine of Australian rugby.
A supremely fit athlete, Poidevin was never far from the fray of battle in tight. Although not in the same league as a Jones or Slattery as a running flanker, Poidevin knew how to support those who could run evident in his try at Twickenham in 1984 when he just hung off the inside shoulders of Ella and Lynagh all match and reaped his reward.
Whilst the 1984 Grand Slam was Ella’s glory, Poidevin was pivotal in all tests in gaining ascendency over some very good home nation packs.
Again in 1986 when the Wallabies secured a Bledisloe Cup series victory in New Zealand Poidevin featured as a pillar of strength and grit who was happy to mix it up with the All Blacks.
Captaining his county on four occasions with three victories is testament to his leadership quality.
The crowning moment for Poidevin was the 1991 Rugby World Cup victory over England at Twickenham. Although his best rugby was behind him, Poidevin was instrumental in keeping the aggressive English pack at bay. Even after being demolished by Mickey Skinner in a big tackle, Poidevin just got on with it. He knew no other way.
Unfashionable but unbreakable was ‘Poido.’
Jean Pierre Rives of France
As a child I grew up reading the Astrix cartoon books that were based upon a small village in ancient Gaul holding out against the Roman Empire.
I get the impression Rives could have featured in such a book as he would look equally at home eating wild boar and fighting Roman invaders as much as he did on the side of a scrum.
Rives was a complete rugby player with an appetite for physicality. Born and raised in the rugby haven of Toulouse, Rives is often remembered for his flowing blonde locks of hair flaying behind his ears as he crashed into rucks and mauls with no thought of self preservation.
Rives embodied everything that is ‘French rugby’; flair, passion and pride.
In his 59 tests for France Rives captained the tri-colours on no less than 34 occasions. Rives did what many players have not been able to do and that is beat the All Blacks at Eden Park.
On Bastille Day 1979 Rives and his men bested the All Blacks 24-19 in a flowing game of rugby. Rives went on to skipper the French to a Grand Slam in 1981. Clearly Rives was not only a great player but a leader of men.
In later life Rives has forged a career as an artist and sculptor of note. He quietly spends his time near St Tropez tending to his passion.
I would like to think that if anyone knew what the Mona Lisa was actually smirking about it would be Rives, however he is simply too French to tell us.
Rives is a unique and authentic human with a free spirit. We were fortunate to witness him express this sprit on the rugby park. A great flanker.
Richard Hugh McCaw of New Zealand
Standing at six feet, two inches McCaw is the personification of ‘Warrior Flanker.’ He looks naturally at home with a bandaged head, strapped knee and a slight trickle of blood from his nose.
A hard man; this is easy to understand when you know McCaw’s roots are steeped in the borders of Scotland whose history spared only the brave and cunning. If Richie were living around 1300 I am sure he’d lend William Wallace an able sword.
McCaw’s battlefield, however, has been elsewhere, from Lansdowne Road to what was Lancaster Park, and rarely has McCaw tasted defeat. McCaw’s record of 100 test victories in 112 matches with a winning percentage of 89.28% is a record that will stand the test of time and likely never to be bested.
McCaw is more than statistic though. He is unbeatable in himself. In the dozen times the All Blacks lost with him in the team I would find it hard to say McCaw himself was beaten by his opponent, at best they achieved parity with him.
McCaw has a rare ability to quickly understand the ebb and flow of a game and adapt to it. He feels what the referee will and will not allow and plays his game accordingly. Some call it cheating; this is openside rugby and McCaw is simply better at this than anyone else.
McCaw’s magnificent moment for me was the 2011 Rugby World Cup. It is now understood how badly injured McCaw’s foot was, yet like the warrior McCaw is he just got on with the job of winning.
Even when Aurelien Rougerie took to McCaw’s eyes with his fingers like a bride looking for her lost wedding ring in deep sand, McCaw just got to his feet like the champion he is, effectively telling the French “Is that the best you’ve got?”
Well Richie for me you’re the best there has ever been in the number seven.
Lionheart
Guest
The greatest open-side is a man who outplayed Michael Jones in all 3 Tests in NZ in 1993; was voted one of the five player's of the year after the Lions tour to NZ in 1983; he played with distinction for Hawkes Bay, was revered in South Africa where he represented Transvaal, and was outstanding in losing teams fighting to the end, making thunderous tackles over and over again,and doing what all great open-sides should do and that is do ALL the unsung dirty stuff like securing and stealing good ball. He was a superb link player and had no peer in his magnificent angles of running. If he had been born a New Zealander there would be a national holiday named after him. He would never-ever give in,was unfazed by so called superior teams and would never stop tackling and took the physical punishment like a man squatting a fly away. In 1984 he shone in the hammerings' given out in two tests in South Africa,outplaying Rob Louww,which was no mean feat. He's outplayed excellent flankers like Calder,Poidevin,and the rest. I know who I would want on a dark winters night in Dunedin against the All Blacks spitting quiet,passionate defiance and an unmatchable will and that is the great 'Winters' himself. I give you the indefatigable brilliance of the 'Strawman', the man of Yorkshire steel the magnificent, superb PETER WINTERBOTTOM!
Tony Roberts
Guest
As an old fashioned Welsh wing forward (before flanker became fashionable) during the mid sixties on, I seem to recall hookers starting to throw in early to mid 70's and in the Northern Hemisphere we played mainly open and blind although we did try to experiment with right and left to get bigger players on the field. In Wales we had a celebrated old fashioned open/blindside and no8, See Dai Morris (Shadow) at 6, Mervin Davies, (Merve the Swerve) 8 and John Taylor (Basil Brush) at 7. This was a magnificent back row for Wales for many a year and none of them the Ork's of today. I also recall JP Rives and J C Skrella in the French back row and believe Rives played mainly open side whist playing with Skrella, what a great breakaway duo they made. Some great blogs wiping away the cobwebs of a bygone era which in our day (old fogies) translated into some brilliant matches. However the players of that era would struggle to do the stats today as the modern players are huge!
Tex
Guest
This would be my list 1. R.Mccaw 2. G. Smith 3. M. Jones 4. Sam. W 5. H. Brussow 6. J. Kronfeld 7. Thierry. D 8. Schalk. B 9. M. Holah 10. A. Qera
Tex
Guest
Marty Holah should be included in there.my list would be 1. M Jones(n.z) 2. R Mccaw(n.z) 3. Thierry D.(fran) 4. G Smith(aus) 5. Sam W.(wales) 6. M.Holah(n.z) 7. H. Brussow(S.A)
Mark
Guest
Watch the lions tour in 89 and see the damage messers Teague Richards and Calder dish out to the ozzies.Finlay Calders tackling and support play is brilliant and he knocks two australians on there arses in that third decisive test.He has also said Mike Teague was one of the best in the business and got on really well with Brian Moore.
CBDoggz4lyfe
Guest
You Saffers would have this position on "lock" excuse the pun! LoL! Victor Matfield was an all-round complete lock and a 4th loosie. His ability to read the lineouts and keep his own posession was the key to the RWC2007 and his general leadership was another. ABs have a had a few good'uns Andy Haden, Gary Whetton, Peter Whiting, Robin Brooke, The Kamo Kid, Murray Pierce. As for the wallabies one name John Eales. enough said.
Ivan - Cape Town
Guest
best locks of all time ?
BLACK PANTHER
Guest
NZ 1) M Jones 2) R McCaw 3) J Kronfeld 4) G Mourie 5) W Nathan 6) C Seeling 7) D Monkley (Should've been an All Black) OTHERS 1) G Smith 2) JP Rives 3) F Slattery 3) P Winterbottom 4) P Greyling 5) T Dusautoir 6) O Magne 7) R Kruger Why Calder is mentioned with this lot I have no idea! Poidevin played most of his time at 6 as Jeff Miller was the open side for Oz (Bloody good one too)
CizzyRascal
Roar Guru
I don't know if you'd class him as an openside as he didn't wear the 7 jersey but French teams seem more often to play left and right flankers, so I'll put him in, but Serge Betsen was an absolutely brilliant flanker for France from the early part of the last decade up until his retirement in 2007. I just remember him making one tackle and then the next one and the one after that, always near the ball. To be honest, Thierry Dusautoir might just be a player that will go down as one of the greats. One of the hardest tackling players there is and a determination that drives him and his often flaky French side on will make him one of the greats.
Frank The Tank
Guest
I agree, Poido was great but not the skills or dominace to sway a game. Kronfeld has to be a starter, he pretty much forced the IRB to change the rule of coming in from the side because of his ability to jackel or just disrupt games. Frank O'Keefe, the fact that you don't have George Smith on your list is just silly.
patonga
Guest
I am surprised Burger didn't make the cut.. But i have to say Micheal Jones was my favorite in the 7 jumper, with Simon Poidevin a close second. Mccaw is probably the best running loose forward ever,, and George Smith probably the best retriever of the ball. But when Jones and Poidevin played there was rucking in the rucks and they both always seemed to be at the bottom of them going for the ball. So it is a hard call to say who was the better.
G.B
Guest
Very glad to hear Ray Price being discussed. I saw him play regularly for the two blues , for Sydney and Australia. The most vigorous of forwards if we had a pack of them we would tear any team apart, no wonder the A.B's at the time didn't like his presence as , at that time, they would not have been used to a Aussie belting the bejeezus out of them in the tight/loose. What a bloody shame the mongoes grabbed him, this is what Kiwis and Saffers don't relaise , the drain of our best in the 60's and 70's to League, if this hadn't happened Rugby stats would have been very different. Pricey should be drafted back into the Wallaby fold as the 'mongrel' coach, why not ? we seem to have a coach for everything else.
abnutta
Roar Guru
Frank, The All Blacks chopped and changed between left/right and dedicated open/blind from the early 1930s up until the early 1960s with the emergence of Waka Nathan, whose terrier like speed and anticipation set the prototype example for the New Zealand style openside. As you're probably aware, until 1931 New Zealand used the 2-3-2 scrum formation which effectively meant 4 flankers (who would be the modern equivalent of blindsides) 2 hookers, 1 lock and a wing-forward who fulfilled many of the duties of the modern openside flanker. Thereafter when a flanker was selected with more mobility and speed than his loose foward partner, he would invariably pack on the openside as opposed to the left/right which was the norm. The earliest examples of this type of flanker was Keith Arnold in the late 1940s followed by Bill Clark in the early-mid 1950s. But they were the exception rather than the rule. But then again it was off and on depending on the style and capabilities of those selected. For example in the late 1950s there were combinations including Rex Pickering, Sir Colin Meads, Kel Tremain, Peter Jones, Dave Gillespie and Tiny Hill who were all tight-loose or blindside style forwards. Ever since Waka Nathan in 1962 the All Blacks have selected at least one out and out tearaway on the flank. Waka Nathan, Graeme Williams, Tom Lister, Ian Kirkpatrick (in his early days), Ken Stewart, Kevin Eveleigh, Graham Mourie, Jock Hobbs, Michael Jones etc
Frank O'Keeffe
Guest
It's going to be interesting to see how history remembers George Smith... Is he the Wally Hammond of rugby? Wally Hammond would have been the best player of his generation by far, but he was eclipsed badly Sir Donald Bradman. George Smith 2000-2004 was really as good as anybody in world rugby. He dominated most Tests in 2008 that didn't have Richie McCaw in them... but then there was a period where it was (1) McCaw, (2) Burger, (3) Smith... but then Smith probably eclipsed Burger etc. The only thing against him is when McCaw dominated him, Smith became a bit cynical and gave away penalties - he tried too much. To his credit, he retired at exactly the right time, not too late and not too early - just as Pocock was on the rise and ready to take over. It's either him or Windon as Australia's best ever openside, and you can't compare areas too easily.
Derm
Roar Guru
Lol! Ok now I'm really impressed,Uncle. Yes,Ollie is an Old Belvo man. That's where I met him - at a function there. You played with Bective? Sorry for your troubles. :)
jeznez
Roar Guru
FOK, I was a Winterbottom fan - I thought that England backrow with him, Teague and Richards was an awesome trio, I'd throw it up there with the Poidevin, Ofahengahue, Gavin back row from Oz in the same period, Smith, Finegan, Kefu from 1999 or last year's world cup winning backrow of McCaw, Kaino and Read - they are all seriously good back row trio's. The trio I didn't mention because it wasn't at its peak when they won the world cup was Back, Hill and Dallaglio - in their day they were superb as well. (For that world cup they were still good but Lawrence in particular had picked up the nickname of the Crab for his cross-field running). Before the 2003 world cup I'd always thought Englishmen were blowing their own trumpets to even consider Neal Back up there with the likes of McCaw, Smith or Burger who was also prominent in the period. After that tournament I had a new lease of respect for the player, he had a huge motor and played for 80 minutes flat out and to plan. In the world cup final he had a set job of getting from the set piece to the 13 channel to help stop Mortlock who was our only attacking threat. He did for the entire match and completely closed the Aussie backline down.
Johnno
Guest
Brendan Nasser had a heck of a lot of talant he should of gone further in his rugby career .
jeznez
Roar Guru
Holah, poor bugger living in other blokes shadaows. Phil Waugh must have gone close to that list as well.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Didnt have the chance to see Maso play so cant comment on him but its true France has always struggled with its n10. I dont know if Thierry Lacroix was the best of the last 20-25 years but he certainly had the biggest impact at international level. Thomas Castaignede was the 'great hope' in the late 90s but injuries prevented him from showing what he could really do. All the others were quite average and all of them were never pure 10 but rather 10-12 or even 13 sometimes: Lamaison, Mesnel, Delaigue, Traille etc were not n10 specialists as such. Even now, Michalak is a n9-10, same with Parra!!! Why!!!? lets not hijack UA's thread about flankers though!
jeznez
Roar Guru
Salada, Magne is a great contribution to the discussion. He was my favourite international player for a period. I loved that 99 world cup where he had his headgear made up to look like the ball.