Rugby's Top 100: 20-11

The Top 100 makes its return this week for the ninth and penultimate edition of the overall countdown, looking at the players ranked from 20 to 11 before next week’s grand finale.

With only 24 days to go before the World Cup kicks off in October, the rugby world is now within touching distance of one of sport’s biggest occasions. Without further adieu, let’s kick it off with number 20.

20 – Leigh Halfpenny (WAL) – Fullback
Since his national debut aged only 19, Halfpenny has been a rock of consistency for a Welsh side that has continued to progress under coach Warren Gatland.

Beginning his career as a winger, eye-catching displays in the 2009 and 2010 Six Nations tournament meant he was one of the first names penned on the team sheet each week, despite legitimate concerns over his size that suggested he was not physically capable of handling the rigours of Test rugby.

However, with the 2011 Rugby World Cup around the corner, his then club the Cardiff Blues saw the return of a larger and stronger Halfpenny whose impact upon the game improved dramatically with his weight.

Having shifted to fullback for the tournament and the years to follow, the 26-year-old Welshman now plying his trade with Toulon is widely touted as one of the best in the world, combining courageous defence and scything offensive carries with one of the best boots in the game.

Able to slot goals from over 50 metres, his uncanny accuracy has been a feature of the Welsh national and 2013 British and Irish Lions side, where he posted video game numbers of 27/29 in the weeks prior to the Tests; an astonishing 93 per cent success rate.

His goalkicking is not the only facet of the game Halfpenny displays excellent accuracy in, with terrific game reading and management skills meaning he will often insert himself on offence at crucial moments in the game, as well as nullifying an opposition’s kicking game.

It seems redundant then to state that Halfpenny will be crucial for Wales’ chances come October, as the Dragons chase a crown that so narrowly eluded them four years ago in a heartbreaking semi final exit. H

aving been written off as the underdogs of Pool A, it would come as no great surprise to see them post an upset over Australia or England to move through to the knockout stages.

19 – Conrad Smith (NZL) – Centre
One of the most reliable men in world rugby, the 33-year-old Smith has proven time and time again that the consistency in performance and a low error rate will trump pure dynamism every time, and this writer tends to agree.

Put simply, there is nothing really flashy about the way Smith plays. No devastating running game, enormous boot or bone crunching defence, Smith fits the “solid rather than spectacular” mould like a key in a lock.

However, 12 years of seemingly unwavering reliability and cool-headedness means that Smith is now rightly regarded as one of the best players in world, fundamentally because his selection can never be considered a gamble.

As stated previously, despite is being unable to be classified as “bone-crunching”, his defensive game is unparalleled in its accuracy.

Scything grass-cutting tackles have snuffed out many an attacking raid, and is one of the largest factors in the All Blacks’ sideline and width defence. Crisp passing and a strong offloading game also adds to the potency of the outside back division, and the success of a certain centre partner who will be revealed later in the countdown.

Once again the issue should be raised that a calm head under pressure, and an ability to rise to the occasion is the trademark of a world-class player, and many a time when his sides have been on the back foot has the class of Conrad Smith come through to prevent a seemingly inevitable loss.

Success in the 2011 World Cup final and the third Bledisloe Test in 2013 would not have been possible without his influence, justifying Steve Hansen’s decision to persist with Smith this year despite his age perhaps just starting to creep up on him, in the wake of some powerful performances by younger players in his position.

But in the high pressure scenario of a World Cup, a player of Smith’s calibre cannot be overlooked, and his solidity, clutch performances and proven success in 2011 will all be vital factors in New Zealand’s bid for a second consecutive world championship title.

18 – Nemani Nadolo (FIJ) – Wing/Centre
The 125kg Fijian and Crusaders wrecking ball, on current form one would be hard pressed to find a more potent winger in world rugby than the monstrous Nadolo.

Since 2012, the 26-year-old behemoth has exploded from a relative unknown to rugby folklore, with one of the most stunning array of skillsets this writer has ever seen from a man his size in maybe any sport. Tactical kicking, solid cover defence, nice footwork and even goalkicking characterise the man who is revered in his home country of Fiji and since 2012, Christchurch can be added to the list too.

But the most destructive feature of the game is also the most predictable; his power running game. Last year, the Crusaders employed a gameplan that seemed so flawed in its simplicity; shifting the ball to the sidelines at any cost, which made it easy for opposition defenders to pick of runners in the midfield channel if forward momentum had not first been achieved.

However, the fact that it worked for most of the season is a testament to the incredible ability of Nadolo to work with quite literally no space. Since his Super Rugby debut, he has scored 21 tries in a side where he was identified early on as the main strike weapon. He is difficult to pin down even then, but when given space he is nigh on unstoppable, especially given his terrific offloading game.

Although he incurred a minor injury earlier this year against the New Zealand Maori – ironically done by falling on the ball after scoring a try, proving once again that the only man who can stop Nemani Nadolo is Nemani Nadolo – he should be raring to go come World Cup time.

He has never required much time to hit top form, and will be crucial for Fiji as they seek to upset the balance of power in maybe the rugby World Cup’s toughest ever pool.

17 – Paul O’Connell (IRE) – Second Row
Superlatives cannot even begin to describe the impact O’Connell has had on not only the Irish national side, but Irish rugby in general since his debut for Munster in 2001.

For one and half decades now O’Connell has toiled for both club and country, and it feels strange to say that at 35, he may be entering the biggest ever year of his career.

The experience of three Lions tours, over 100 caps for Ireland and a scarcely believable 174 caps for Munster; upon Joe Schmidt’s ascension to Ireland rugby’s greatest throne, the decision about who to pick as captain after the retirement of the legendary Brian O’Driscoll was one of the easier ones he has had to make.

Off the field, the man who has lived in Limerick his whole life is one of the most revered figures in the country, and upon examination of his on-field game, it is easy to see why.

It is hard to encapsulate just how amazing it is for O’Connell to still be going strong at 35 given his callous disregard for his own wellbeing, with every aspect of his game employing every milligram of his 112kg frame.

Powerful tackling, impressive fitness levels and peerless lineout skills make O’Connell an easy choice for this countdown, with groundbreaking victories against South Africa and Australia last year coming off the back of toil put in by the battle hardened lock.

As stated, it is strange to think of this year as perhaps his finest, but captaining what now has to be considered the best Irish side of the professional era to the World Cup later this year has the potential to take him into the annals of rugby immortality.

If seeding play out as expected, then Ireland will surely secure a first ever semi-final berth later this year, and one given the way the side has risen to the occasion under the leadership of Schmidt and O’Connell, a first ever World Cup triumph may not be too great a dream either.

16 – Sergio Parisse (ITA) – Number 8
Prior to the rise of Kieran Read and Duane Vermeulen, Parisse was the unrivalled and unchallenged standard bearer for modern number eights. For both club and country, there was no more dynamic a back rower than the 31-year-old Italian, who has earned over 200 provincial caps and 112 Test ones to boot.

As a player, he remains one of the few complete players in the world, combining strong acceleration and agility with an uncanny offloading game that has caused many problems for teams in the past.

Alongside courageous defence that demonstrates little concern for safety and pain, Parisse has cemented his reputation as a leader by the strongest of examples.

Despite his in-game aggression however, the past five years have seen him mature into a more calm and level-headed player.

Guilty in his early career of sometimes letting his temper get the better of his judgment, Parisse is now often seen pulling rank among his own players as well as the officials in a style that is often only unlocked after years of experience with the skipper’s armband.

In a pool that features Ireland and France, one upset win over either could see Italy through to the quarters, and if their talismanic number eight is able to fire, a fantasy such as this will take a big step toward becoming a reality.

15 – Bismarck Du Plessis (RSA) – Hooker
One of the game’s most accomplished players, the past three years have been a turbulent period for Du Plessis.

A dip in form, disciplinary issues and injury have rendered the last World Cup cycle – at least in regard to Super Rugby – as one of the most inconsistent of his career.

However, there are a handful of players who upon donning the jersey of their national side seem to put their hardships behind them and step up when they are most needed. Make no mistake, at his best, there is no finer front rower, let alone hooker in world rugby who can match the impact of the Toulon-bound Du Plessis.

His arsenal includes all the core skills of a classic tight forward, combined with exceptional support play and offloading that makes him a threat on both sides of the ball.

But perhaps the most unique aspect of his game is the marvelous over the ball ability, which has now surpassed the level of most opensides in the world. Despite the somewhat dubious ending to his cameo, the Test against New Zealand at Eden Park in 2013 stands as one of his finest to date.

Before his early shower he was the most devastating player on the ground, ruling the breakdown and damaging the opposition on defence. In regard to his ability to handle pressure, his cameo in the 2007 World Cup final in such an early stage of his career demonstrates an ability to rise to the occasion.

However, it is not possible not to bring up his disciplinary record, which does not make for pleasant reading for South Africans. If he is able to keep it in line, then there is little doubt he will make an impact come October. Despite this, it is impossible not to recognise his incredible abilities, and he is the top ranked front rower on the top 100.

14 – Connor Murray (IRE) – Scrumhalf
Something of a continuing trend on this list, Munster Scrumhalf Connor Murray is not the first, nor the last, Irishman to have stepped up under the watchful eye of national coach Joe Schmidt.

Debuting in 2011, the first two years of his international year were good without being great, until in 2013 he returned to the world stage as the masterful player he is today as Ireland transformed under their new coach.

Accuracy is probably the most adequate word to describe Murray’s style of play, as his general passing and kicking is near immaculate, allowing the much vaunted Irish backline to flourish behind front foot ball. To be a decent Test player, it is vital that one is able to reciprocate their best week in week out with only little disruption.

However, for two years it seems Murray has yet to play a game below his brilliant best, and it is little surprise that Ireland have won two six nations championships in a row of the back of his fine play.

The Irish have always been a team that favours a territory based game plan, and possessing a half back able to keep the pressure on opposition sides with his kicking game is a big plus.

Defensively he is arguably the best halfback in the game, and presents a constant danger around the edges of the ruck on attack.

There is little doubt that the influence of Murray is crucial to Ireland’s chances later in the year, and if he is able to stay healthy, the Green machine could find themselves with one of the best knockout rugby specialists there is come October.

13 – Dan Carter (NZL) – Flyhalf
One of the few men in world rugby who needs little to no introduction.

1500 Test points, over 100 caps and a decade set as the benchmark player for any young pivot to inspire it, there is a seemingly endless list of achievements able to justify Carter’s place on this list.

However, recent years have not been kind to the man destined to go down as one of the greatest of all time, with injuries and extended breaks from the game hampering any significant chance of a return to form for the Crusaders and Racing Metro bound pivot.

This Top 100 list is based on the ability of players as they perform today, and despite his undebatable class in a historical sense, it is more important to look for recent sings that suggest he is still the player he once was.

Since June this year, Carter has gently grown in stature in his favoured number ten jersey, and it seemed only a matter of time before a big statement was made. And that statement came two weeks ago, at Eden Park, where a rejuvenated Carter took the ball to the line with an eagerness not sighted for many years, as the All Blacks shifted into another gear against the Wallabies with the World Cup just around the corner.

A good flyhalf will always bring out the best in the players around him, and it should come as no surprise to see the New Zealand backline flourish behind his play.

A majestic kicking game, impenetrable defence, and unparalleled game-reading skills, Carter has been known for a long time prior to 2015 as a player who has virtually no flaws in his game. He seems to feel no pressure, and as he chases a crown that has eluded him since the start of his career, it would be fitting to send out the man who in this writer’s opinion will go down as the greatest back, let alone flyhalf, to ever play the game, as a winner.

There is a mountain to climb to get to that point, but the signs are there that the mercurial Carter may have one last hoorah left in him.

12 – Julian Savea (NZL) – Wing
30 tries in 33 Tests says it all really. As far as wingers go, there is no finer finisher than the man dubbed “The Bus” following his explosion onto the Test scene in 2012, where he recorded three tries against Ireland at Eden Park and immediately established his presence on the world stage with an all-round blockbusting performance.

Offensively, he is near unstoppable one on one, with the lowering of his shoulder into the tackle meaning defenders are often left clutching at grass at the full force of his 108kg frame.

However, since 2012, the most admirable aspect of Savea is the constant improvement he has sought and achieved year after year, as despite his try scoring efforts early on it was clear his all round game needed significant refinement. Since then, his defensive reads and game intelligence has improved to the point where he rarely, if ever, gets exposed by running lines, and is now able to insert himself into the attack in places where his size is most needed.

Moreover, high ball skills which are crucial for the modern winger have also been added to his repertoire, as well as a subtle kicking game which has often punished teams when they have attempted to rush up out of the line to shut him down early. When combined with his raw talent, there can be little doubt of his potency as one of the game’s greatest players.

A shoo in for the left wing role for the All Blacks at the Rugby World Cup, Savea’s talents are already a known commodity at international level, however an ability to rise under pressure may mean that the game’s pinnacle event could be the stage where Savea establishes himself as one of the finest outside backs there has been.

11 – Eben Etzebeth (RSA) – Lock
The word “underrated” is not often associated with the man whose strength has achieved something of a mythical status in world rugby, but in this writer’s opinion he is still not given enough credit for his brilliant game.

To record 36 caps at only 23 years old in the locking position for a country that prides itself on its intense physicality is nothing short of phenomenal.

Standing at six foot eight and 123kgs, the towering Eben Etzebeth has gone from a relative unknown to the most feared presence in world rugby in just under four years. Capable of smashing into rucks, tackles and defenders like a man possessed, the Western Province man is destructive at all phases of the game.

However, like so many on this list, his defining feature is once again not his raw talent, but an ability to harness and utilise it in the most productive of ways.

In the lineout, he is one of the few locks in the world who can time his jump in order for the throw to connect at the peak of his height, which when combined with his already mentioned stature, means he is arguably the best in the world at this aspect of the game.

As well as this, Etzebeth’s technique at scrums at rucks is also evident of significant practice and refinement, which he is able to keep up for the full eighty minutes, and attribute not afforded to many tight forwards at any level of the game.

Despite being something of a troublemaker, his presence on the game is not symbolic due to reasons outside of the laws of the game, and entering a tournament that is fundamentally always won off the back of strong forward play, Etzebeth may just be South Africa’s most prized possession as they enter rugby’s greatest stage later in the year.

That concludes the penultimate edition of the Top 100, which will enter the tenth and final edition next week as the Top 10 players in the world are finally revealed as the beginning of the rugby World Cup looms large. The finale will begin next week with the most offensively potent individual currently in the game.