Inspired by Peter Darrow’s article about the best All Blacks since 1970, I thought it would be fun to put together a team comprising the best players I have seen
I hope that Roar readers, in the Christmas spirit, will respond with their own personal favourites. This is obviously personal and subjective, and I limited the list to players who I have had the privilege of watching over the many years that I have followed this wonderful game. So here it is – including contenders who narrowly missed out.
Fullback
Contenders include Christian Cullen, Gavin Hastings, HO de Villiers, Gysie Pienaar, Serge Blanco, Chris Latham, Jason Robinson, Tom Kiernan, Andy Irvine and Percy Montgomery. But the best, from the incomparable 1974 British Lions team that went unbeaten in South Africa, was the brilliant, mercurial and yet utterly reliable JPR Williams.
Wings
Jan Engelbrecht, Gert Muller, JJ Williams, Grant Batty, Joe Roff, Syd Nomis, Gerrie Germishuys, Bryan Habana, John Kirwin, Jeff Wilson, Bryan Williams, Gerald Davies, Doug Howlett, Rupeni Caucaunibuca, Ray Mordt and David Campese all stand out. But the obvious first choice is Jonah Lomu. And on the other wing (although he normally also played 11 but he is too good to leave out) I would have Carel du Plessis, described by the great Bill McLaren as the prince of wings.
(AP Photo/Ross Setford)
Centres
Tim Horan, Jason Little, David Duckham, Ma’a Nonu, Frank Bunce, Mannetjies Roux, Joggie Jansen, Glen Ella, Ian McGeechan, Tana Umaga, Brian Lima and Philippe Sella all stand out but my picks go to Danie Gerber and Brian O’Driscoll.
Fly half
I’ve been privileged to watch so many greats. Mark Ella, Michael Lynagh, Piet Visagie, Barry John, Naas Botha, Phil Bennett, Henry Honiball, Grant Fox, Jonny Wilkinson, Stephen Larkham, Joel Stransky, Jean-Patrick Lescarboura, Andrew Mehrtens and the magnificent Dan Carter.
However, recognising that most of my choices are controversial – I told you this was subjective – for this pivotal position, I have made perhaps my most controversial choice: Hugo Porta. Absolutely imperious, he always seemed to have so much time. I watched him playing for a rebel South American side, behind a losing pack, almost single-handedly beat the Springboks in 1982, scoring 21 points.
Scrum half
I never saw Ken Catchpole but his reputation demands a mention here. Of those I saw, brilliant players include Dawie de Villiers, Sid Going, George Gregan, Joost van der Westhuizen, Aaron Smith, Nick Farr-Jones, Matt Dawson, Fourie du Preez and Terry Holmes. But the absolute standout has to be Gareth Edwards – remember his try for the 1973 Barbarians against the All Blacks? And, although it was obviously a great team effort, he was a major reason the 1974 Lions were unbeaten in South Africa.
Number eight
Although small in stature, the South African Tommy Bedford was magnificent. Other players I remember as being outstanding include Mervyn Davies, Toutai Kefu, Brian Lochore, Kieran Read, Imanol Harinordoquy, Wayne Shelford, Lawrence Dallaglio, Duane Vermeulen and Morne du Plessis. But the most exciting number eight was Zinzan Brooke.
Openside flanker
Jean-Pierre Rives, Jan Ellis, Michael Jones, Fergus Slattery, George Smith, François Pienaar and David Pocock were all outstanding. But here I’ve chosen perhaps not the best player in his position, but the greatest leader the game has known: Richie McCaw. He also gets my pick as captain.
(Photo: AFP)
Blindside flanker
Roger Uttley, Piet Greyling, Jerry Collins, Owen Finnegan, Schalk Burger, Ruben Kruger and Richard Hill come to mind but Ian Kirkpatrick stands out from the crowd.
Locks
This choice is easy and I’m not even going to mention other contenders – not even Willie John – because there are two who are simply head and shoulders above the rest: Colin Meads and Frik du Preez.
Props
Tendai Mtawarira, Os du Randt, Richard Loe, Owen Franks, Mof Myburgh, Hannes Marais, Cian Healy, Jason Leonard, Syd Millar, Carl Hayman, Robert Paparemborde, Jannie du Plessis and Tony Woodcock were all individually great players but I’ve gone for a combination who were responsible for subduing a monster Springboks back in 1974: the British Lions’ ‘Mighty Mouse’ Ian McLauchlan and Fran Cotton.
Hooker
Bobby Windsor, Gys Pitzer, John Smit, Uli Schmidt, Keven Mealamu, Bismarck du Plessis, Dane Coles, Agustin Creevy, John Trollope, Keith Wood, Phil Kearns, Brian Moore and Malcolm Marx were all superb but my vote goes to Sean Fitzpatrick.
Of course there are many great players who I have left off this list and I’m sure that my choices are worthy of criticism. But here is the team comprising the greatest players I have personally watched. Some may be out of position but they were too good to leave out.
My team
15. JPR Williams
14. Carel du Plessis
13. Brian O’Driscoll
12. Danie Gerber
11. Jonah Lomu
10. Hugo Porta
9. Gareth Edwards
8. Zinzan Brooke
7. Richie McCaw (C)
6. Ian Kirkpatrick
5. Frik du Preez
4. Colin Meads
3. Ian McLauchlan
2. Sean Fitzpatrick
1. Fran Cotton
WallabyJ
Roar Rookie
Was going to mention that you lost me right from the beginning by not mentioning Burke as one of the greatest fullbacks to play the game.
NDacre
Roar Rookie
Lloyd Walker at #12
Taetjo
Guest
Tana Umaga was way better than Brian O'Driscol.
Anibal Pyro
Roar Rookie
As an argie, Hugo Porta was magical. Annually our club goes to BA to play friendlies with Banco Nación, Hugo's club. He always teach something to the kids. Once he told the coaches a talk with Mandela. Hugo said to Madiba that he lost so much more than he had won. Mandela replied, I never lost. I won or at least I learned.
piru
Roar Rookie
Mortlock we can agree on - definitely ahead of BOD
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
Or so legend has it :silly:
piru
Roar Rookie
Disagree, Smith was the subtle foil to Nonu's bombastic running game
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
Eales should be in there, he was a dual World Cup winner and captained the Wallabies during a period when they dominated the World. He was a player whose great achievements were only pipped at the post by that Kiwi 7, who coincidentally had his international debut the year that Ealesy retired. His inclusion should be without question. Mortlock should be on the shortlist at 13 too.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
Smith? He was the bloke Steve Hanson replaced at half time in the 2015 World Cup final, after which the game went wide open, wasn't he? He could have been replaced with any of a number of 13s from NZ or around the World in that team and the All Blacks would have still gotten the same result. Nonu deserves a mention though, for pipping Giteau as the best 12 since Horan.
Kabous123
Roar Rookie
Interesting choices. Obviously written by a fellow Saffer. Notable that no Wallabies are included. I’ll be crucified for this, but John Eales (in stead of Frik du Preez) is a must in my best 15. As lock, AND as captain. And Tim Horan would make my selection as well.
Busted Fullback
Guest
Very enjoyable read, thanks. Tim Horan at 12 would make anyone a better 13 than they already were. But here's a suggestion for the old-timers, Mike Gibson from Ireland at 13, a man whose longevity and ability across the whole backline should be acknowledged. And on the wing, an Australian whose test career was far too short, but was the most balanced runner I have seen, Michael O'Conner.
piru
Roar Rookie
You spelt Nonu and Smith wrong in the centres
Englishbob
Guest
Depends what era that team was playing in, meads wouldn't get through 80 minutes of modern refereeing and tmo. Kaino is the best blindside I've ever seen Parisse at 8 Tim Horan at IC or Sella Carl Hayman or Du Randt at L.H Carter at ten, capable of the best performance(lions 2005) and most consistent over the longest period. Locks, too many to pick from, now that Etzebeth has a RWC medal I'd probably pick him and Retallick and dare anyone to tell me a single flaw in that partnership. Still all of those players were a pleasure to watch.
sheek
Roar Guru
Carlos - I stand corrected.
Harry Jones
Expert
It’s the Wallaby Exception!
JohnnyOnTheSpot
Roar Rookie
Agree with that Sheek. Modern players are also playing a different rule-book, are professionals... there are more than a few "old-school" players who would most likely "school" more than a few of the current crop....
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
Not true.
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
A petulant post, DJ. And you have not got your facts correct, as Hanibal points out below. Unkind treatment of someone who is good enough to write an interesting article.
MitchO
Guest
I'd pick Horan at 12 because I love his toughness and contribution to the team. But that is not too scientific. I started watching rugby just before Horan's time and so it was towards the end of Sella's. I know Carter started in the team as a 12 so to be fair to him he have stayed there if he wasn't such a great 10. Johnny Wilkinson should also be mentioned. Not because he was the best 10 but because he was a guy anyone would love to have in their team and if you needed to win a game you could always wheel him out and go for the points. Ben Tune may not be the greatest winger but I never saw him have a problem with Jonah and that has to be a claim to fame.
MitchO
Guest
I liked Sella at 12 but would have gone for Tim Horan. He won Australia a rugby world cup when he was sick as a dog and after coming back from a knee injury which was supposed to end his career. Clearly an insanely tough man with all the skills required of his position. No disrespect to Sella I just saw more of Horan play and loved his reading of the game and toughness.