Team of the year? Pfft, there’s no fun in that. Team of the decade? Now we’re talking.
With the 2010s drawing to a close, it’s time to dig into who should make the Test rugby XV of the decade – and that’s exactly what we did on the latest episode of Game of Codes, with more than a little help from Geoff Parkes.
The format was simple: Geoff and editor Daniel Jefrey had ten minutes to pick our side: five minutes for the forwards, five for the backs. When there was a disagreement – and there were a few – they each had to convince the other, else host Matthew Petherick would choose for us.
Listen to how the selection meeting played out in the player below!
The team we ended up with was unsurprisingly dominated by All Blacks, with nine Kiwis making their way into the side, while their were two players each from South Africa and Wales, and one apiece from Ireland and France. Alas, not a single Wallaby made the cut – although there were a couple who were firmly in the discussion before being eventually overlooked.
The Roar’s Test rugby XV of the decade
1. Tendai Mtawarira (RSA)*
2. Dane Coles (NZ)*
3. Tadgh Furlong (IRE)*
4. Brodie Retallick (NZ)*
5. Alun Wyn Jones (WAL)
6. Thierry Dusautoir (FRA)*
7. Richie McCaw (NZ)
8. Kieran Read (NZ)*
9. Aaron Smith (NZ)
10. Dan Carter (NZ)
11. Bryan Habana (RSA)
12. Ma’a Nonu (NZ)*
13. Conrad Smith (NZ)*
14. George North (WAL)
15. Beauden Barrett (NZ)
*Denotes consensus pick
Because there’s every chance there’ll be just a little bit of disagreement with the XV we ended up with on the show, we want you to vote for your team of the decade in the form below, and we’ll compare the two sides later on.
You can listen to the entire episode at the Game of Codes homepage, and be sure head to subscribe and review on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever else you get your podcasts.
DC
Guest
Without delving too much into the archives - he was dominant in basically every game he played in '09
Neil
Guest
Best team I could come up with.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
The question wasn’t which was the best combo, it was the best player in position and Goodhue is a better all round 13 than C. Smith ever was. Having good organizational skills isn’t enough, it can be learned and his skills weren’t unmatched, Giteau was as good. Same goes for Dagg, at his best he could do anything B. Smith could while having athleticism and x-factor that Bender couldn’t match.
Cgull
Guest
Very hard to split some positions as there are so many champions
Baylion
Roar Rookie
FdP was past his best when he initially retired from test rugby in 2011. So too Matfield
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
TK has many of the same issues unfortunately, which is why I Hope Petaia overtakes TK. TK’s a better offloaded though, more powerful, better defender. Which is why the last two Wallabies coaches preferred him to AAC at 13.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
He never did so in any team
Paul D
Roar Rookie
" He was essentially a third winger rather than a typical centre, he wasn’t a link man" What does that make Kuridrani then??????
piru
Roar Rookie
But he also couldn’t / wouldn’t pass. He was essentially a third winger rather than a typical centre, he wasn’t a link man I always felt he had no faith in the players around him - why would he? They were different every week.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
But he also couldn’t / wouldn’t pass. He was essentially a third winger rather than a typical centre, he wasn’t a link man. Very strong defensively and running the ball though. Was hugely valuable from 07-13
Pinetree
Roar Rookie
Bok Beating B@stard Beauden Barrett! I believe it was coined by Harry himself.
Kane
Roar Guru
How come none of you lunatics have selected Folau as captain?
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I actually think Bismarck may be the best tight 5 player of the professional era. He was as good at the breakdown as most top class 7s, the strongest scrummaging hooker of the professional era, pinpoint line out thrower and one of the hardest tacklers I've ever seen. Lack of discipline at times was his one real weakness, but all enforcers have to. play on the edge by their very nature.
KiwiHaydn
Roar Rookie
Surely you jest. Goodhue better than Conrad? Dagg better than Bender? Please. Just because Conrad wasn’t the quickest or the strongest, his combination with Nonu and organisational skills were unmatched. Bender, well it’s a debate between him and Cullen as GOAT AB fullback for mine. Clinical, reliable on attack and defence, exceptional finisher and all round good guy.
KiwiHaydn
Roar Rookie
But who would you pick if it was Smith v Cullen? (Obviously not for this time period)
Long
Guest
Props - Tony and Franks Kev Mealamu - 2 Locks - Eztb n Ratellic 8 - Read 6 - Kaino 7 - McCaw Folau -wing b Smith - fullback Jane - wing Centres - Ma’a/Conrad Dan Carter - 10 (BB - reserve) Aaron Smith - half
Bill Manson
Guest
Very hard choices...
piru
Roar Rookie
Can someone please direct me to BOD's best games so I can take a look? I feel like I've missed something as I don't ever recall him dominating a game or making a clutch play with the game on the line. Many whose opinions I respect think otherwise so I'd like to make sure I'm not being unreasonable / uninformed.
Crash Ball2
Roar Rookie
Warburton would have faced him at provincial level with the Cardiff Blues against either the Newcastle Falcons or Toulon over 5-6 seasons. Technically didn't play against Hayman in international matches. But Hayman was absolutely test standard for many of those years.
Really
Guest
Falou is the best FB hands down, run out the game by numptys