Another day, another couple of positions up for grabs in our greatest Wallabies team of the Super Rugby era.
After covering off the halves yesterday – although you can still get your vote in for the team’s 9 and 10 if you haven’t already – today it’s time to turn our attention to the centre pairing.
Australia have been lucky to have some truly excellent centres don the gold jersey since 1996, including a number of men who captained the Wallabies.
Starting with inside centre, and we have 1999 World Cup player of the tournament Tim Horan as one of the options, as well as his former partner – who played at both 12 and 13 – Jason Little.
Elton Flatley played a key role in the 2003 World Cup run, Matt Giteau seemed to play just about every position in the backline for the Wallabies but was lethal as a centre, Berrick Barnes played a good chunk of his Test career at 12, and Samu Kerevi was a powerful midfield contributor for Australia in recent years.
Little pops up again as one of the candidates at no.13, and vying with him for the outside centre spot are Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, as well as former captain Stirling Mortlock and his predecessor, World Cup winner Daniel Herbert.
Keep in mind that we’re only taking into account a player’s performances during the Super Rugby era, so don’t count Little and Horan’s contributions before then – say, for example, the role they played in winning the 1991 World Cup. We know, it’s hard to forget that pass by Horan, but that’s for another argument – like who the greatest World Cup player of all time is.
Anyway, let us know who you think the starting centres should be in this Wallabies side, and check back in tomorrow to finish off the starting XV with the outside backs.
Matt
Guest
He may have but him never even attempting to pass the ball never gave us chance to see
Purdo
Roar Rookie
:laughing:
SD
Guest
I guess you missed the part where he said Latham and Michael Foley. NSW never beat those two when they played.And the Brumbies have always been a better team than the Waratshs since 1996. That is where all of the good/GreatNSW players go.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
Jez, thanks for the timeline.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Last test in 2002, last games for Qld in 2003 and first game for Perpignan in 2004 from what I can see. I'm not actually arguing this is why he left but it feels about as sensible as 'he kept Mortlock out of the position until 2002' when Mortlock hadn't been playing 13 for the Brumbies in that period.
Targa
Roar Rookie
Overall there weren't many tries scored in 91 though. Even the All Blacks hardly scored any in that tournament. Scotland surprisingly scored the most points in that tournament- random stat.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
One try against in whole tournament vs USA.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Very interesting call wizard. I also have seen Hodge as Mortlock-lite. But he has not had a chance to develop at 13 yet. I like Lucas as well but have not seen him as a Horan yet. JOC skill be blocking him at 12 for a while. PS I don’t think Horan and Mortlock ever played together?
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
OOP Thanks for that link Some fantastic memories, and vivid explanation of my love for SM in the 13 jersey. Herbert or Little may have been a better 13 (as some say) but for mine Mortlock is the best rugby player to have played 13 for us. So many big names he made to look ordinary in that clip (and big bodies he made to look small). Of course Herbert would have an impressive highlight reel, but Mortlock wins the 13 in my team for all round rugby attitude and game winning determination.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
More than one NZer talked up AAC as our best 13. I believe he could’ve been but he was of too much utility value to be picked there enough to develop into a CSmith. Herbert may have kept Mortlock out of the 13 shirt but when I think of names for the centre’s daylight shines on Horan, then on Mortlock (knowing that he started on the wing, but became a 13 and our first picked back at his peak). The mould for 12 has been made, for mine, by Horan. The 13 by Mortlock.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
I've just been reminded of someone with all the talent to be on this list but none of the consistency. It's being reported that Kurtley Beale has signed for Racing 92.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
Interesting you should mention physical presence. Herbert and Little were about the same playing weight, 15 stone. Herbert a more concentrated shape, Little broader in the shoulders, narrower in the hips. Herbert could make a half break and feed support, Little could ghost through a half break. Tried to find stats for '99 World Cup re: tries allowed by Wallabies, not enough resources but I think very few. We remember that tries against in '91 was 1. Fairly solid defence, particularly at 13, the most difficult position to defend. I've chosen Little over Daniel Herbert, but it's a split hair. Interesting point, it was Anthony Herbert, Daniel's older brother, who was the third centre taken in '91.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
Sure you could argue about Herbert at 28? Isn't that when he accepted a French contract...and opened the door for Mortlock?
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
Sorry to disagree PeterK. You'll find my reasoning later in a reply to Brett.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
No Brett, you were right to begin with. The question is about quality not longevity. I think it is only right for these "cross-over" players to be judged on their career. The game was the same pre- and post 1995, it's just that for some of their games they played "for the love of the game" and later they were paid. Otherwise it's like saying an exceptional player whose career was cut short due to injury, or moving to the NH, Mowen as an example, should not be considered due to the brevity of their career no matter their class.
Shamrock
Guest
I cannot believe this is even a conversation. If anyone can point me in the direction of a better balanced centre pairing of Horan and Little I will give up the game. I played 1st XV with Dan Herbert for 2 years. He is absolutely in the conversation. I love him as a player and bloke. But who would not give their left nut for a Horan/ Little painting right now?
The Late News
Roar Rookie
loose would be easy. Forward..much more difficult!
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Love your work TWAS! You jest non?
The Late News
Roar Rookie
sorry. I got sucked in to the horan and little combo. my bad. but wow they were awesome !
Busted Fullback
Guest
If you'd seen Little at training without a shirt on, which I did in 1995, you would have seen just how solid he was. His body shape was different to Daniel Herbert, wider shoulders and narrower hips, but both weighed about the same, 15 stone or so in "the old money". They played with what appeared different attitude in that Little could easily take half a gap where Herbert could make a gap, again due to different body shapes.