Here are the best ten rugby union players in the world. They would dominate any other team, no matter who you added to fill out the teamsheet.
You could add any five guys (including Roarers Biltongbek at tighthead, Sheek in the second row, myself at eighth man, Uncle Argyle at 13, and Rugby Tragic at wing), and it would not matter.
This is my framework: two outside backs (including at least one fullback), one centre, two halfbacks, a hooker and a prop, one lock, and two loosies (including one opensider).
This is how my selections panned out.
Outside backs
My finalists are: Ben Smith, Israel Folau, Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Israel Dagg, Willie le Roux, Napolioni Nalaga, Alex Cuthbert, Bryan Habana, and Julian Savea.
I looked at this selection as a combination of a highball-kicking back and a pure trigger man killer: as in Dagg/Habana or Folau/North or le Roux/Savea.
I don’t see Halfpenny as a complete outside back any more (although he used to be more of an attacking player), and he is certainly not in the same class as Dagg, le Roux, and Folau (my finalists for fullback). Folau can still be exploited by a tricky halfback like Aaron Cruden or Fourie du Preez, so it’s got to be either Dagg or le Roux.
The wings can all fly and finish; but Savea and Habana seem top of the class. North, Nalaga, and Cuthbert can be turned too easily on defence, due to their bulk and (sometimes) disinterest in the dirty stuff.
I’ll go with Dagg and Habana. Both are very good rugby players in prime time and fill in each other’s deficits.
Centres
Wesley Fofana, Conrad Smith, Jamie Roberts, Jean de Villiers, and Ma’a Nonu are my finalists here and only one can make the cut.
Nonu has learnt to kick well, but is not as good as Conrad on defence. Brain bruisers Roberts and de Villiers can always bend a line and are opportunistic. But Fofana is magic. He gets my nod.
Halfbacks
My flyhalf finalists are: Aaron Cruden, Jonny Sexton, Dan Carter, and Quade Cooper.
As 2013 developed, it turned into a two man race for me: Cruden or Cooper. Cruden is a more polished rugby man; but Cooper, as he has matured, is the bigger force on the field. He’s like a video game, really.
But who will pass to him? It’s Aaron Smith, Fourie du Preez, or Will Genia.
I’ll go with du Preez simply because I would really love to see a Quade/du Preez combination.
Front Row
Tony Woodcock, Alex Corbiesero, Census Johnston, Matias Diaz, Marcos Ayerza, and Adam Jones compete for the prop spot.
I’ll go with Woodcock, because I like my props old, no-nonsense, experienced, and short-haired.
Next to him is Bismarck du Plessis, who beats out countryman Adriaan Strauss and the quietly brilliant Stephen Moore.
Lock
These finalists are formidable: Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Samu Manoa, and Eben Etzebeth.
Whitelock is better than Retallick, and Manoa is still raw. You could go with either Whitelock or Etzebeth. This is the toughest call out of the ten.
But Etzebeth ticks all the boxes for me. He burns hot all match long, he is a great leaper so he can steal a lineout without relying on lifters and he is powerful in tight-loose and scrum. Etzebeth can get over the gain line and seldom loses the ball in contact, and his tackling technique is almost perfect for a tall guy.
Loose Forwards
The opensiders were Francois Louw and Michael Hooper.
That’s it. Every other opensider was less durable (Sam Warburton), less active (Richie McCaw), or just inconsistent (Sam Warburton) on the big stage.
Both are dynamic, both can be hot-headed in rucks or the tackle, but both outplayed everyone else. I like Louw because he is a leader. He’s a complete player who can easily play eighth man if needed, but is an out-and-out fetcher, and he is smart.
Who is his partner?
I chose from this star-studded crew: Louis Picamoles, Sergio Parisse, Kieran Read, Sean O’Brien, Tom Wood, Liam Messam, Duane Vermeulen, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, and Toby Faletau.
There could really only be one: Kieran Read. A guy you’d love on your team and hate as a foe.
So, here are my 10 best rugby players:
Israel Dagg
Bryan Habana
Wesley Fofana
Quade Cooper
Fourie du Preez
Tony Woodcock
Bismarck du Plessis
Eben Etzebeth
Francois Louw
Kieran Read
Tjay
Guest
Disagree with this top ten veherantly.
john g.
Guest
In my opinion jonathan davies at 13 is one of the best in this position...he has the strenght to truck the ball up and the guile to put the others in the space
Harry Jones
Guest
Ha! Jason8--I know my QC views are not orthodox. I just think he's refined his game and has to live on scraps
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Barrett? That guy makes QC look like a rock in defence. "the bloke has to play Super rugby" says it all about your opinion, to be honest.
jason8
Guest
Harry... i like you i really do bud, BUT QC at 10 ? Cruden is the most dependable, astute and reads play excellently in this position without a doubt, Barrett and Wilko not far behind. opensider - Brussouw still the player with the most mongrel in this position and thats exactly what you need ( Messam and Flouw right up there), i would have Mc Caw on the other flank and Kaino as 8 At Nine i would have to go with Aaron Smith, he is the total package and brimming with energy, F dup in his prime was something to behold but not now. D care is a able deputy I would love to take W le Roux here as the man can make magic but i always assert that a FB de dependable and that has to be Dagg. Folau is the greater athlete and has the ability to surpass both if he keeps learning the game. Not sold on Fofana... the bloke has to play Super rugby if he wants to be considered above Conrad Smith and de Villiers, i will take Smith Savea all day long at wing, Ben Smith right beside him. Hmmm Etzebeth or Retallick... you are right toughest call of the bunch. Retallick for me he has a better all round game and a longer fuse. ( no silly penalties) Beast as my Loosie Strauss as my Hooker with Moore and Biz hot in pursuit Kieran Read the only gimme out of the bunch really
Bakkies
Guest
Most argue that Warburton isn't even the best 7 in Wales. Ellis Jenkins could get on the radar if he performs at regional level. Was a good player in their under 20s team which made the Final in France last year. Young Matera from Argentina might end up a good player for them. Fernandez Lobbe is still no mug and can play across the backrow. Not a fan of Tony Woodcock and I don't think he scrummages legally. Cian Healy has come on pretty well with his scrummaging and is a very good ball carrier. If Philippe Saint Andre gets his head out of his backside and picks Fickou. Who does he drop though? Yoann Huget had a good Six Nations on the wing in a poor side. Was the big difference in the key win over England.
nerval
Guest
Despite Wales Leigh Halfpenny being voted the player of the series for the Lions v Australia, Northern Hemisphere scribes to a man selected Israel Folau in their end-of-year World Fifteens. I can't remember Israel Dagg getting a look in. Habana is a fine player but identifiably past his prime. And, although I'm a fan of his, Quade Cooper's selection is just plain odd. Folau is the player I most look forward to watching anywhere in the world of rugby union.
Daws
Guest
How about proposing someone better instead of creating a straw man?
Firstxv
Guest
Neither are world beaters I just think Smith is tracking upwards where FDP is past his very best. Gone off Perenara a bit, one cos he's a bit lippy, is always in the refs ear and I don't think he's lived up to his earlier promise through being inconsistent and a bit all over the place. Canes fans (real ones- not fake Wellington residents like me) might disagree but I prefer Smith within the current AB model. Can't see anyone else being the no.1 9 through to the world cup- too much investment in Smith already...so far with pretty good results. From the NZ conference Savea stands out most for me so far. His all round game versus the Blues was top shelf. Kaino in his short time is fast impressing and will probably steal the 6 spot from under Messam and Luatua, despite Messam maintaining very high standards himself. Hansen will be staring to think his Xmas's have come at once if returning players in Kaino, Slade, McCaw and DC continue to prove successful.
Chan Wee
Guest
tnkx but i am for equal opportunity employment , hence potty and slipper and pulu :) i know King Khan is doing well and said it somewhere here , but again Pulu this season is ding great work for chiefs, without AC also :) not seen m uch of care so wont say much ...
Harry Jones
Expert
Yes, but that's also luxury at Test level. One of NZ's only true "holes" is at hooker depth.
Kibz
Guest
Great side Chan Wee, but IMO Gus Pulu is good, but his body of work cannot compare to Danny Care or Kahn Fotuali'i. A lot of folks forget how dominant Kahn was in Super comp for the saders, and he has been dynamite in Europe. Barrett or Toomua at 5/8. I love the Brits pick, he is a top 3 hooker for me. I agree that Woodcock is past it for me, dark arts skills and all. He doesn't offer enough to be a top 5. Probably pick Nicolas Mas, Hayman or Diaz over him. Think you pick O. Franks over Slipper ......and i am Wallaby Fan.
Chan Wee
Guest
@ biltongbek funny u shud say that. on an interview with BBC the chairman of Saracens (befor Hcup semi) said the same thing. he was of the opinion that given SA share same time lines with Europe, they shud play with European clubs :) http://www.bbc.com/news/world-radio-and-tv-27130971
Harry Jones
Expert
Yes, he is very inconsistent.
Chan Wee
Guest
LOL :D btw have u seen Dane Coles in recent matches? Running with the backs and making trys and all...
Harry Jones
Expert
OK. One.
Harry Jones
Expert
Brilliant post. Quade is a real athlete at 10, and if he had consistent go forward ball, I think he'd be incredible.
Harry Jones
Expert
He's a luxury item.
Brian
Guest
I would also rate Ben Smith as the better 15 than Dagg. Ben Smith offers slightly less in attack, but is much more sound defensively. As for the argument of Cruden Vs Cooper. Based on their performances, you would have to go with Cruden. I think with Carter out, he is the best 10 in the world. However, I do see what the author is trying to argue. Quade struggles greatly in Super rugby because he is asked to perform miracles without much help from his teammates. His pack is far from dangerous, and his back have 0 punch. On the spring tour for the Wallbies, he was one of the best performers, creating space left and right. But this pack is no where near the strength of the All blacks or Spring Boks pack. Put him behind a world class pack, with world class backs outside him and he wont have to try all the stupid stuff that he gets so much critizism for. In American football terms, it is like putting a star running back behind a terrible offensive line. He will still churn out the hard yards and be recognized as a good/great player. But put that same running back behind a stellar offensive line and he will look incredible.
Chan Wee
Guest
ireland 2013 :)