A few weeks ago, Wales Online published this article, listing who they thought to be the current top 30 rugby players in the world.
While there are some reasonable decisions throughout the list, such as Beauden Barrett at number one, there are also some true head scratchers, like England’s Maro Itoje finding himself at the lofty heights of third.
Australia is the second most prominent country on this list, with five representatives, although the inclusion of Israel Folau at No. 9 is sure to raise some eyebrows, while some Wallaby fans will heavily object to Michael Hooper’s inclusion altogether.
Unsurprisingly, New Zealand is the most common nationality on this list. Ten of the 30 spots on offer go to the All Blacks, while the top six is occupied by five Kiwis.
The Kiwi dominance at the top is broken up Itoje’s third-placed ranking, and he’s joined by two fellow Englishmen to give the country three inclusions – tied for third with Wales.
Ireland, France and Argentina all feature on the list twice, while the Springboks’ slump is evidenced starkly by just one player featuring at all. Fiji and Scotland are the other nations with one player on the list.
The full list is as follows;
1. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)
2. Kieran Read (New Zealand)
3. Maro Itoje (England)
4. Ben Smith (New Zealand)
5. Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)
6. Dane Coles (New Zealand)
7. Owen Farrell (England)
8. Jonathan Davies (Wales)
9. Israel Folau (Australia)
10. Conor Murray (Ireland)
11. Billy Vunipola (England)
12. Sonny Bill Williams (New Zealand)
13. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
14. Aaron Smith (New Zealand)
15. Sergio Parisse (Italy)
16. Leone Nakawara (Fiji)
17. Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
18. Facundo Isa (Argentina)
19. Bernard Foley (Australia)
20. Sam Cane (New Zealand)
21. Sam Whitelock (New Zealand)
22. Taulupe Faletau (Wales)
23. Michael Hooper (Australia)
24. Kurtley Beale (Australia)
25. Louis Picamoles (France)
26. Agustin Creevy (Argentina)
27. Wesley Fofana (France)
28. Israel Dagg (New Zealand)
29. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
30. Stuart Hogg (Scotland)
So, what do you think Roarers? Who’s been rated too high? Who’s been robbed of a place on the list? What on earth is Maro Itoje doing at No. 3?
Let us know in the comments.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
As I said earlier, Fionn, I really rate Launchbury. It's just that people forget how young Itoje is. He's just very recently turned 22. His potential is scary. Launchbury for all his qualities is near the top of what he will ever be.
Fionn
Guest
I'm still picking Launchbury to be the best lock in the NH by 2019. No slight on Itoje intended, but Launchbury has impressed me that much this year.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Itoje could average 8 line out steals per game, 12 turnovers at rucks, 400 metres running, and never miss a tackle every game for the rest of his career, and you and Muzzo would claim he'd struggle to make a Mitre 10 side. The only reason most Kiwis grudgingly accepted that Martin Johnson was a good player is that it allowed them to add 'he learnt it all in NZ'. It's pathetic.
DavSA
Guest
A well informed list ..Well done to the Welsh supporters .Always going to be disagreement however . It would have been nice to add the Worlds best coach to the mix. Eddie Jones maybe but what about Hansen .Then again my sister who hasn't watched a rugby game in her life could coach The All Blacks to success . Joe Schmidt . Does a lot with limited resources. Then there's Jake White . Always seems to overachieve . Vern Cotter ?? Nah . The rest for my money don't even count . Warren Gatland ? His recent series with the Lions cannot be discounted......But it has to be Eddie Jones . Got my respect when he assisted the Boks to a world cup victory , really nailed it for me when coaching Japan over the same unfortunate Springboks and merely confirmed what I already knew with his successes with England.
taylorman
Guest
Yes you're right... I'm one of those kiwis?
taylorman
Guest
Oh? But you're able to speak on behalf of the French so easily? Tell you they were disinterested in the result did they?
wyn
Guest
Total BS - what are the criteria and what games are they basing it on. Must be last year's as there is only one springbok. Id favour Cruden above Foley any day
Tipene Roar
Roar Rookie
it had me there as well.Retallick number 1 for me.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Tiddles is making more sense than you, Muzzo. At the moment I'd make Itoje the third best lock in the world behind Retallick and Whitelock. Etzabeth has been a shadow of his former self for 18 months, and Mostert has done nothing of significance at international level. Here's a prediction for you. By the RWC Itoje, providing he's not unlucky with injuries, and/or Jones doesn't play him at blindside flanker, will be considered the best lock in the world (by everyone except Kiwis, of course). By then he'll still only be 24.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
The Aussies may have been many things in that 3-0 series, Tman, but 'disinterested' wasn't one of them. I also don't remember England claiming much of anything other than they're on a long process towards their goal of being the number 1 side in the world - a goal I presume all Tier 1 sides have.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Meaow?
taylorman
Roar Guru
Presence? Thats exactly what he didnt have on his last test. He didnt lift them... he left them!
taylorman
Roar Guru
Well you seem to be claiming quite a lot from a 3-0 win over a largely disinterested oz side.
Diggercane
Guest
Well it is Chook. How you mix up any back with being worthwhile is completely beyond me...... ?
Nobrain
Roar Guru
Well, ISA is no longer elegible fot Los Pumas so I understand that is not a current international list. Lets put DC in the top 3 pls.
Muzzo
Guest
Well FunBus, that might be the case, about Itoje, but how can you compare him with the likes of Retallick, Whitelock, Mostert, Ezebeth, plus a few others running around in Super Rugby, remembering that Retallick, has been a World Rugby player of the year,& his work rate, is unbelievable. As I said,before, I didn't think much of Itoje's whilst he was touring NZ with the B&I Lions, & then again, we do know that their success overall, was not that great, as they only had a 50% winning record. Even playing the under strength Super teams, they had the same percentage. How's you cat, anyway? Is he still advising you?
Tooly
Roar Rookie
I've looked into a blank space the mind of Chekko . 1 Hooper 2 Foley 3 Folau 4 Coleman 5 Kepu 6 Douglas 7 Robertson 8 Nau 9 Moore 10 Kerevi 11 Genia 12 DHP 13 Hodge 14 Beale 15 Simmons 16 McMahon And yes that's his world rankings .
Tooly
Roar Rookie
I like a work horse in the second row Launchbury in this and Sam Carter here . Up the guts , predictable , strong , good defenders and no BS this allows the posers to do what they do best ; pose , and the knuckles heads to pretend that they are tough and hand out a few cheap shots and penalties .
Fionn
Guest
I wasn't aware the question was 'who has dominated the most at the international stage', I thought it was asking who the top 30 rugby players were.
timber
Guest
Samu Kerevi? You're having a laugh. When has he dominated on the international stage?