I write glowingly about Springbok players, particularly if they are from the Western Cape. But that is easy, the ramblings of any articulate fan can be heard in every rugby-friendly pub.
Who do I like from our foes? And why?
I will select my favourite current player from each of the Boks’ rivals – not necessarily who is the best, but who I can easily cheer for.
From Wales, I like Adam Jones. He took Bakkies Botha’s clean out like a man, like a real Lion. And he goes about his business without the cockiness of much of the rest of his team and their coach.
From England, I like Joe Launchberry. He carries hard, tackles like a workman and seems like he could be world class if he realised how good (and big) he is. (Tom Wood is my second favourite Pom).
My favourite Irish rugby player is Conor Murray. I think he is a great example of a good tall number nine. For me, he is the best scrum-half in the Anglo-Irish world, but I’m sure someone will talk about Danny Care. I like Murray’s pass and his all around play. He’s a smart guy.
From Scotland, I’m fond of Alasdair Strokosch because we look alike and he is a nasty guy, which I prefer. I think he is a black belt. Imagine how hard it is to play his position in a pack that is routinely beaten.
From France, I like the ‘Dark Destroyer’, Thierry Dusatoir. He always seems to be balanced and in the right place. I never see him complaining about anything. An all time great.
From Argentina, I have a lot to choose from. But I like the bruising Saracen back Marcelo Bosch, who’s versatile with a big boot.
From Australia, I like Scott Fardy. He plays rugby like he is angry, and that is the correct way for a blindsider to play. See something. Hit something. Repeat.
From New Zealand, it’s very difficult to pick just one. But I suppose my favourite current All Black is Conrad Smith, even though he really drives me mad. Even when his comrades are out of position, he solves the problem. He’s small, but he tackles perfectly. He is my favourite Kiwi.
From Italy, I like Martin Castrogiovanni, the Argentine-Italian who owns a restaurant. From the looks of him, I think the portions would be bountiful.
From Namibia, my favourite minnow, it’s Jacques Burger, who really scares me.
From Canada, I like Harry Jones.
Who is your favourite player from other teams?
Geoff
Roar Rookie
Hi Harry Just casting back (in a lazy sort of way), these are the players that stand out: NZ - Christian Cullen Oz - Campese SA - Morne du Plessis Arg - Hugo Porta Fr - Jean Pierre Reeves Wal - Phil Bennet Eng - Jonny Wilkinson Ire - Keith Wood Sco - Andy Irvine As far as the current players are concerned...... These are the guys I love to watch: Oz - Quade Cooper (Sublime skill) NZ - Corey Jane (So tough to bring down) SA - Willie Le Roux (who else!!! The most exciting current player) Arg - Gonzalo Comacho (Similar Player to Jane) Wal - George North (SH type player stuck in the stodgy Northern fields...) Fr - None of them much....... maybe Dimitri Sarzewski Ire - Robbie Kearney (Best current FB?) Sco - No-one really.... Eng - Same...
Nic
Guest
I would have to say my favourite foreign players (not playing for Aus SR teams) are mostly South African with the exception of Leigh Halfpenny. Willie Le Roux Robert Ebersohn Juan de Jongh Gio Aplon Tendai "Beast" Mtawarira
Garth
Guest
Such a very English name that sounds totally Native American as well.
Garth
Guest
Jeremy Guscott over Carling.
Bakkies
Guest
His body ain't. Too many injuries over the past 3 seasons.
richard
Guest
Fair enough,but that being the case,why did Johnson make himself available for the U-21's? Besides England is in no position to point the finger,when you consider the amount of kiwis that have played for them.
Birdy
Guest
Are you trying to claim Johnson as a 'kiwi' now, Highlander? He has no connection to NZ through either parents or birthplace. He did go out to NZ for a couple of years when he was young in a 'backpacker' sense and played some rugby there. I believe NZ did make an attempt to 'poach' him by selecting him for the U-21's - but come on; it's difficult to come up with anyone more English than Martin Johnson.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
You know what else I really dislike about England (aside from you two blokes taking life too seriously)… when you're watching Midsomer Murders and you think you've figured it out, but then the actual murderer is some bloke they drop in at the last minute who wasn't even part of the story….
Redback
Guest
Conrad is the most uderated player and by that I mean his value to any team as a leader and player. His work ethic is second to none and he is far more valuable to NZ Rugby than any of the flash players that get all the credit in the media. My next best is Bismark du Plessis. He is tough has the skills of 5/8 and speed of a winger.
The Bleat
Guest
tackler never released Genia as well
Wal
Roar Guru
It was always a shame that, Spies didn't have the same physicality to match his size. Could have been a human wrecking ball but has had a career as more of a flat track bully
Max Power
Guest
No I would say that it's the #5 'attempt' at rolling away. But that's just me being a whinging Aussie
Wal
Roar Guru
Great list Sheek, I still get on YouTube to get my fix for Christian Cullen, The most brilliant player with any sort of gap to exploit.
richard
Guest
Laurent Carbanne?
Chan Wee
Guest
i think this is a good reort on the incident in chronological order. " It is not often that the winning of a title may be described as incidental, but Leicester's first victory in the Premiership play-off final since 2010, in a rousing encounter, was overshadowed by the dismissal of the Northampton and England hooker Dylan Hartley at the end of the first half for swearing at the referee, Wayne Barnes. Hartley's red card, which may end his Lions career before it starts, came at the end of a half that was stuffed with intent and incident. The Northampton hooker, clearly frustrated at the referee's handling of the scrum – only two of the 12 scrums resulted in the ball emerging, with Leicester awarded six free-kicks/penalties – was warned after firing a verbal volley at Barnes on 38 minutes. The half should have ended tamely when Northampton were awarded a drop-out with time up on the clock. The Saints' outside-half Stephen Myler was told by Barnes he could not kick the ball into touch on the full to end the half: the outside-half tried to bounce it over the line, but failed, leading to a Leicester scrum on the 25, which turned into a penalty when the Saints were deemed to have taken it down. As the forwards got up, Hartley mouthed the words 'fucking cheat'. Barnes, indignant that Myler had ignored his exhortation, not appreciating that the 10's intent had not been to kick the ball dead directly, saw red and flourished red, leaving the hooker's status as a Lion at the mercy of a disciplinary panel that will be hastily convened. Advertisement Hartley, who claimed to be a victim of mistaken identity after asserting that the target of his abuse was his opposite number, Tom Youngs, became the first player to be sent off in a Premiership final and it soured what had been a, fascinating, oscillating encounter between the East Midlands rivals. "
Nobrain
Guest
England: Jonny Wilkinson All Time: Jonny Wilkinson France: Bastareaud Serge Blanco Wales:Halfpenny Shane Williams Ireland: O Connors O Driscoll Italy:S Parisse Parisse Scot:K. Brown Gavin Hastings SA: Habana Percy Montgomery AU:Hooper Campese NZ: Read Lomu ARG: Bosh Porta Fiji:Nalaga Waisale Serevi
Bakkies
Guest
Don't have Setanta/BT so didn't see the match. That cheat comment came after Saints had made a mistake off a drop out.
Bakkies
Guest
Roberts and North seem to be decent lads.
Harry Jones
Expert
Nice picks from SA: two genuine hard men.
JimmyB
Guest
He struggled playing for England too.