Sheek's best Wallabies XV (1967-present)

No Willie Ofahengaue in any of your 3 teams? Surely he has to be in there.

Rugby for me began in 1965 in the 12 A’s captained by Norb Hennessy and a spindly back rower named Dingle English. It got into my blood when I first heard about Catchpole, Hawthorn, Smith and Brass on ABC radio in 1967. Although I never saw him play live Catchpole was my raison d’etre. His injury in 1968 set the Wallaby cause back until 1978 when Finane literally beat the Welsh. The following year Gould, Moon, Loane, Shaw and Cornelson helped the Wallabies win the Bledisloe Cup for the first time in 35 years. So significantly Catchpole and these six are the first picked in my best XV. The 1980’s contributions of Ella, Campese, Farr-Jones, McIntyre, Lawton, Rodriguez deserve selection alongside the above. The 1990’s gifted Larkham, Horan, Tune, Roff, Burke, Kefu, Finnegan, Eales, Giffin, Daly, Willie O and more from Campo The 2000’s brought Smith, Paul, Mortlock into what is consistently considered the best wallaby era. I might also consider Lynagh, goal kicking aside, for best comeback try and gallantry under pressure against Ireland RWC 1991. I would also have considered Price and O’Connor until they crossed the Rubicon. Start team Bench from Rodriguez 1984-1987 Daly 1989-1995 Paul 1998-2006 Lawton 1983-1989 McIntyre 1982-1989 Finane 1975-1979 Eales 1991-2001 Giffin 1996-2003 Shaw 1973-1982 Smith 2000-2013 Cornelson 1974-1982 Finnegan 1996-2002 Ofahengaue 1990-1998 Kefu 1997-2003 Loane 1973-1982 Farr Jones 1984-1993 Catchpole 1961-1968 Larkham 1996-2007 Ella 1980-1984 Horan 1989-2000 Lynagh 1984-1995 Mortlock 2000-2009 Campese 1982-1996 Tune 1996-2006 Moon 1978-1986 Roff 1995-2004 Gould 1979-1985 Burke 1993-2007

I don't understand how Stephen Larkham isn't there. This bloke did it all and over a longer period then Mark Ella. People go on about the Grand Slam and Ella but to me that is nothing compared to a Bledsiloe and World Cup.

Sheek and all,In reply re the attractiveness of the game pre professionalism . I firmly believe that the changes to the breakdown laws have had a profoundly detrimental effect on the game but I find it incredible that there is no discussion or recognition of this. The breakdown is no longer an area of competition for the ball but merely an opportunity for the attacking side to relaunch itself at the opposition. The ramifications in my mind are perfectly obvious- the defensive forwards do not commit in numbers but take a position in the back line . There is little forward impetise hence the attacking backs stand flat and then run into a wall of defenders before the process is repeated . The flair that the players displayed in the days of the Ella's is no longer there not because the modern player lacks skill but the opportunity does not exist:there is simply no space or the necessary urgency that is required. I hope that we can continue this discussion - I believe that if these problems are not solved there will be dire consequences for Rugby.

That with widespread media it's easier to see the quality players from other nations and thus have a lower opinion of your own players.

What does it say that there is no current players in the top two teams

Sheek, in my day a certain Keith Oxlee prevented me from going higher. He was a very good fly half very highly regarded by the likes of Doc Craven etc). I recall him telling me that Greg Davis made him physically ill during one test because of the hard tackles he kept making on Keith. He thought he was the best he had ever played against. Keith would have been a star in todays game but back then he was restricted to an almost 100% kicking game.

Jock M Rucking made it better, as players wouldn't flop, knowing they'd be rucked out by Buddha Handy types, and Alan Jones would rip into the boys at half time to play running rugby there's 2 reasons.

Funny thing about McGill was there was one weekend when the NSWRL magnanimously postponed its fixtures, so that the Wallabies could play a test in front of a full house. Could you image that happening today? Frank Hyde called the Rugby test on 2SM. Another first and last. His man of the match was Arthur McGill. Frank declared that some league side should sign McGill immediately but it never happened.

Sheek, Everyone is talking about the players from the amateur era and I believe it is because the game was much attractive then. Why can't we all have a discussion on why this is so?

Dont know about Russel Fairfax. Even though Ron Sutton was the best uncapped Fullback in Sydney for years (Woodies bias) Arthur McGill was one of the toughest fullbacks with some of the best positional play going. He wasn’t spectacular but cold turn a game and win it and did not make mistakes. He also had a great defence at a time when most full backs were a bit open, such as Fairfax. Fairfax was not the best defender and relied on a suburb Randwick back row to cover for him.

Alan Cardy?

I'm talking about the game in South Africa the first time we played them post apartheid.

Giteau, you open up a can of worms Train. He was actually a very good no 12 at times 2004-9. I think even 1 year he got player of the year. He's just about been Toulon's best since he signed on with them. Russell Fairfax did make his wallaby debut at 10 and played a few tests there was electrifying. Willie O, I forgot how could i forget about him what a power house, a 1990's version of Jerome Kaino, but i reckon better more aggressive. Ray Price was damn good sheek may of picked him had he played more tests, he only played 8 tests, but then again 8 tests then would be like 15 tests today, so I don't mind putting him in. I'd be inclined to put Willie O ahead of Poido at 6 anyway, far more enforcer. But Poido was of course better on the ball at the break down scouraging for the ball. I'm not that comfortable with Michael lynagh at no 12, but then again i never saw him play at 12. He played at 12 in the 84 grand slam under Alan Jones, Alan Jones loved a young Michael Lynagh was a big fan and put him ahead of senior player Mick Hawker.

thanks sheek, appreciate it. Some homework / research for me, then :)

Bit of old age bias. John Hipwell come on.

Johnno whilst always a Waugh fan, I'd have Poidevin before him. Actually just saw Poido at 6 in the original team. I reckon Rogers and Palu would be lucky to make that team. Considering there is no Willie O I can't help but think he should be there on Wallaby form before Price, Palu or Waugh, as much as I admire all 3 (Palu would be my first choice 8 right now). Likewise Russell Fairfax - at 10 as well when I recall him being a winger. Surely Quade Cooper has been a better Wallaby 10 than him (Despite my joking below). Possibly even Giteau.

This is a disgrace that you have left Quade Cooper and Liam Gill out. More NSW bias on this website!