Over the years the Rugby World Cup has seen many heroic, tournament-defining performances from legendary flyhalves.
To cite possibly the greatest ever moment in any Rugby World Cup, the 2003 final was won with a perfectly struck drop goal by Jonny Wilkinson, sealing England’s only tournament win – and a first and so far only northern hemisphere triumph.
Today, the argument regarding who the best player to wear the number 10 for their nation is as controversial as it has been in a long time, as there is a plethora of quality, in youth and experience heading into this year’s World Cup.
5. Richie Mo’unga (New Zealand)
Despite his excellent, Super Rugby-winning season with the Crusaders, and the fact that he took the 10 shirt for the All Blacks away from Beauden Barrett, I’m still holding off calling Mo’unga a top-tier international flyhalf.
He simply does not matter to the All Blacks as much as the other players on this list to their respective sides. Not to mention, in a few of his recent matches, New Zealand have shown some uncharacteristic vulnerabilities. I need proof that he is truly deserving of replacing Beauden Barrett.
(Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)
4. Finn Russell (Scotland)
When they play their style of rugby, Scotland are a seriously fun team to watch, and at the centre of that game is Finn Russell. Intelligent with ball in hand, and with many skilled attackers to feed the ball to, Russell is sure to have a great World Cup and show the world his ability, especially with matches agains lowly pool opponents, which will likely promise plenty of open, attacking rugby.
3. Handre Pollard (South Africa)
Pollard is potentially the most in-form player on this list. With a revived South African side under Rassie Erasmus set to enter the tournament firing on all cylinders, the Boks playmaker has also found form. He can be a distributor with great passing and kicking, and he has the pace to score tries, with an unteachable rugby IQ to back it up.
In South Africa’s last Test in the Rugby Championship, Pollard broke point-scoring records in a thrashing of Argentina in which he racked up two tries of his own. I’m looking forward to watching him against New Zealand tomorrow.
(Photo by Mark Tantrum/Getty Images)
2. Johnny Sexton (Ireland)
The 2018 World Rugby Player of the year has a choice of two narratives at this World Cup. After a shaky opening to the 2019 Test season, Sexton and Ireland (because that’s how much the Irish gameplan revolves around their flyhalf) can find form and contend for a World Cup, with their main man being the brilliant playmaker and match definer that won him and Ireland their 2018 accolades.
Or, he can completely disappear and with him, Ireland’s hopes of a semi-final appearance. Keep in mind that they likely face New Zealand or South Africa in the quarters.
1. Owen Farrell (England)
This is perhaps the strongest an England side has looked going into a World Cup since 2003, and the most complete player on the squad, and perhaps in the world, is Owen Farrell. His athleticism and versatility give England options with Farrell that, for example, Ireland do not have with Sexton.
The English captain’s all-around consistency as one of the world’s best in attacking and defensive rugby are what gives him the nod as the best flyhalf on the planet leading into this World Cup.
Pundit
Roar Guru
The reality of the matter is that a mere scrumhalf pass from De Klerk is overhyped, if want to say that he is a playmaker, than how on earth is pollard unintegral. Im saying that any scrumhalf could make that pass and then be called 'a playmeker'. De Klerk is a distributor for forward ball, but please do note that pollard and le roux are both often yelling for phases while they check the line for thinning. Anyways for those haters, Pollard dazzled with great performances for the knockouts.
Pundit
Roar Guru
Post world cup by ages i think the debate is still rather valid at this point. In pollards last three games for sa, he made 29 passes and unleashed talent on the outside with long passes, ran 83m, had an 84% on the cards for tackling, a 77% kick rate which is rather solid when one of your games was 57%, and beat 8 defenders. He has got the deadly flat passing and as a playmaker it is rather rare, seeing as everyone these days just tries to mimic finn russell Farrell is praised for the flat ball he did against ireland in a pre-wc thing. lead up to the try. Good pass, but notice that he has to stop running before throwing the pass, which hints an inability to pass on the run. Pollard is equally capable of doing the same on the run. and his passes are further as well
OJ
Roar Rookie
Maybe Bluffboy
Don’t know mate.
OJ
Roar Rookie
Who was the guy saying how hopeless Naisarani was the other day ? How many tests has he played ?
OJ
Roar Rookie
Funny isn't it, All Black players, like Kaino as well, are given years to develop but if an Australian isn't amazing in his first few games, he's hopeless ! It's so shallow and obvious.
HenryHoneyBalls
Guest
Dont remember Sexton using shoulder charges in his tackle armory too much. Choke tackles yes but not so much the shoulder charge. Farrell definitely does though.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Not really. I still think Mounga would be my first choice 10. I didn’t really like South Africa’s tactics, but aside from a 5min stretch, they scored more points than the All Blacks. Sexton is probably the better player, but I don’t think he’s as fun as Pollard. I still think Ford is real quality. Scotland were atrocious, but I don’t think it is fair to blame Russell for that.
Beautifulgame
Roar Rookie
Mounga has had very few test in total and even less (5?) as starter in the new set up (probably forced due to Damian M's injury) but he is an outstanding 10 and schooled all other 10s in SR (including BB and Pollard) so let's see the top 5 ranking at the end of the RWC
One Eye
Roar Rookie
Has that order changed a bit now on reflection of the opening weekend?
One Eye
Roar Rookie
So, on reflection how is your view now? (I have not come back purposely to troll you! Someone replied to me on this thread and I just looked it up...)
Kirky
Roar Rookie
He sure didn't show it yesterday as he's obviously not a playmaking running 1st five! ~ that's Fafs job according to Erasmus' theory, Pollard is a goalkicker not much more than that!
Fox
Roar Guru
Funny Pollard was out played by Moúnga throughout most of the Super Rugby - he hits the lines better than Pollard and in more creative in attack. Pollard is a very good goal kicker and tactical kicker but Moúnga is hardly slouch in that area. Pollard is solid ten who rarely has a bad game but he does not have the natural flair of player like Moúnga nor his pace which is very quick.
How many tests has Richie played? Personally I think he still has to prove himself, he is very good, but needs to play a few more tests to prove he is as good as some rate him. I would certainly pick Pollard over Richie. Sexton isn’t yet in great form after injuries, Farrell reminds me of Butch James, tough good goal kicker and defensively much like Butch James was, controversial at times with cheap shot tactics. Of all the flyhalves in this RWC I expect Pollard to come out ontop. And for a long time he wasn’t very highly rated by me. Over the last season he has grown into probably the most versatile 10 out there.
adastra32
Roar Rookie
So Ford is not in the reckoning for Top 5 player for F/H and the player that is No 1 will not be in that position when England play. Has someone told Eddie?
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
OE, it could be my bias, but after Mounga, Pollard would be my first choice Southern Hemisphere 10 (Barrett would be my first picked back, but at fullback). In fact, I think I might pick Pollard over Sexton and Farrell too. Sexton has been injured and out of form this year, whereas Farrell is a very good player, but think he tends to pressure opponents into errors more so than directing a structured attack like Ford. I love Finn Russell, however. I wish he was an Aussie. Tremendous player when he is in form.
Harry Jones
Expert
For example, Rugby Pass has Sam Whitelock at 83 and RG Snyman at 90 on their ratings system. That's nutso ipso fatso. Sam is in our prestigious Top 50!!! Hahaahaa!
Harry Jones
Expert
Yes, and I think Rassie has some real tweaks for his NZ tests. On defence, the Bok wings shoot up beyond Bok 12/13 to create umbrella (Faf shoots up on the inside) and they do it every single time, so the young wings don't have to read. Pollard often plays sweeper, if he is not engaged in a ruck. Pollard plays at the breakdown. He also fields a lot of kicks. Remember the catch and line break at Wellington with the chip kick? He's not bad in the air and at the run-back.
One Eye
Roar Rookie
Fair shout Harry, I guess we'll find out a bit more in about 14 hours...
Harry Jones
Expert
Yes, I read it, after you referred to it. My problem with Ben Smith's analysis is: 1/ the headline was silly--"Why Pollard isn't in the Conversation about World's Best 10." Rugby Pass literally rates only three flyhalves ahead of him: Richie, Sexton, and Farrell. But when they compare Sexton to him, they have Pollard way above him (30 points) on attack. So, it just comes down to kicking. Also, Pollard is very physical; he makes dominant tackles, even on forwards. He's in the conversation. Is he the best? No. 2/ Ben says Pollard wasn't good in Super Rugby. He was in the conversation for player of the year, even in a so-so Bulls team. And he played a vital role there as captain. 3/ He analyses only scoring plays against the All Blacks as his yardstick, and dismisses two MOTM performances (one for the RC trophy, where Pollard scored over 30, including 2 tries, and 2 direct try assists) as irrelevant, but in the 16-16 game, it was Pollard who set Willie free with a no-look pass, which led to the Kolbe kick regathered by Hershel.