The 2015 All Blacks were a magnificent squad who used the motivation of being the first team to go back-to-back in Rugby World Cups.
Many of the 2015 squad were in the 2011 side who beat France in a thriller at Eden Park for the final.
Just to show how good the 2015 side were, have a look at the reserves bench: Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Victor Vito, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett and Sonny Bill Williams.
Impressive.
The 2015 All Blacks beat Australia 34-17 in the final in London, with skipper Richie McCaw and others retiring soon after.
But how would they go against their 1995 World Cup compatriots?
Glen Osborne vs Ben Smith
Smith was the perfect package, who could fulfill all aspects of a fullback’s role. Not spectacular in the Christian Cullen style, but dependable.
One to 2015.
Jonah Lomu vs Nehe Milner-Skudder
Milner-Skudder was named in the ‘dream team’, along with Ben Smith, Julian Savea and Dan Carter. He had a brilliant tournament and showed off his devastating sidestep.
But only one result is possible here.
One each.
Jeff Wilson vs Julian Savea
This is a tough one, both at their peak, who would you choose? Physically, Savea was imposing and ‘The Bus’ was on time in the 2015 tournament. Wilson was a more classy, skillful player.
I will go with Wilson, but I await your thoughts.
Frank Bunce vs Conrad Smith
Two valuable players who will be remembered in years to come. Smith retired at the end of the tournament and used his lawyer experience to function as a player’s advocate.
Smith by a head.
Walter Little vs Ma’a Nonu
Nonu was widely regarded as one of the players of the tournament in 2015 and would be a unanimous choice here.
Andrew Mehrtens vs Dan Carter
After overcoming a raft of injuries, Carter finally got to perform at the highest level in a World Cup. It has all been said before about DC.
(Photo by Richard Heathcote – World Rugby via Getty Images/World Rugby via Getty Images)
Graeme Bachop vs Aaron Smith
Smith.
Zinzan Brooke vs Kieran Read
Read was at the peak of his powers in 2015. Brooke is one of the All Black greats with a ruthless competitive streak and the skills of a back.
Read’s record is impeccable with longevity and leadership his prime features. Read by a whisker!
Score update: six-two to 2015.
Josh Kronfeld vs Richie McCaw
Seven-two the 2015s!
Mike Brewer vs Jerome Kaino
Kaino was, how do I put it? Uncompromising.
Ian Jones vs Brodie Retallick.
In a previous article Retallick was the winner here, so the same applies.
Robin Brooke vs Sam Whitelock
And same here, Whitelock wins.
Craig Dowd vs Owen Franks
The dark art of propping fails me. This is a close one! Franks amazingly did not score any points in international rugby according to the trusted internet.
Dowd by a short head.
Olo Brown vs Joe Moody
Brown pips Moody by the narrowest of margins.
Sean Fitzpatrick vs Dane Coles.
Coles at his peak was, to use a David Tua error, “give me an O for awesome” player. But Fitzy wins this.
There you have it, a ten-five win to the 2015 side.
A combined side with 1995 is Smith (Ben), Lomu, Wilson, Smith (Conrad), Nonu, Carter, Smith (Aaron, if you are named Smith, chances are good of making the All Blacks!), Read, McCaw, Kaino, Retallick, Whitelock, Dowd, Fitzpatrick and Brown.
Replace with Christian Cullen and Colin Meads and you have the perfect team!
Colin Fenwick
Roar Rookie
Yes, I agree that many would be surprised to know that of his 46 test tries, 10 were against SA including scoring a brace 4 times.
Otago Man
Roar Rookie
A thinking man that.
Northandsouth
Roar Rookie
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Northandsouth
Roar Rookie
George Gregan was also tremendously successful with the: "I'll just grab your sleeve and hold on and wait for you to trip over me" technique.
Northandsouth
Roar Rookie
He really was Colin. SA rightly takes so much pride in Jonah never scoring but rarely fail in forgetting Christian became, and still is, the all time leading try scorer of all nations against the Boks while they were busy keeping the big guy out!
Northandsouth
Roar Rookie
Surprised the comparison wasn't with the 1996 side, the ironically named Incomparables. I get the WC angle but the series win in SA and unbeaten first Tri Nations? If you're going to compare great teams at least pick the greatest year in the lifecycle of each team - '96 were a superior crop to '95. If nothing else that would have even things a bit at 9-6 with a then unplayable Christian Cullen at 15. Marshall was also a revelation at 9, though obvs would still come second to A Smith.
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
And the second too, Haydn. Both of those referees made some questionabe decisions. However there is no getting away from: 1) probably the best organised rush defense the All Blacks had seen for some time... and... 2) the All Blacks couldn't close it out and couldn't play the referee out of the game...
sheek
Roar Guru
One Eye, That's true. I remember one try being scored while B.Smith was off, & indeed it could have been both their tries.
One Eye
Roar Rookie
Aus also score 2 tries while Ben Smith was in the bin in the 2nd half so that narrowed up what was looking like a bath for Aus.
One Eye
Roar Rookie
Have to agree with Otago Man here, Wilson was probably the best all round winger we have ever produced. If he was hitting his straps 10 years ago he would be a centurion with a massive outright lead on the try list for the ABs.
One Eye
Roar Rookie
Savea was past it by 2015 and lucky to get in the squad - he scored a few tries in the WC but most were laid on by Carter.
Malo
Guest
1995 was the greatest ever rugby side
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
:thumbup:
sheek
Roar Guru
Dusty10, I agree the 2015 WC final wasn't a shellacking, but from what I saw, the ABs only did enough to win. In other words, they didn't extend themselves. I regret to say the 2015 ABs would have beaten the best WBs, any of 1984, 1991, 1999 or 2003.
Dusty10
Roar Rookie
Completely agree, BF. I'd also say Zinzan at 8, daylight second. That drop goal alone was worth the price of admission, surely??
Dusty10
Roar Rookie
Wow that's a big call, Sheek. Clearly they were the best of that era, BUT... They beat a pretty poor Australian side in the WC final by 17 points. They were clearly better, but that's not a shellacking, and it probably should have been. And I mean that with the greatest respect to the WB team, who I think were doing as well as they could with the players and coach they had. I'd LOVE to see that AB team up against the WBs of 2000 -2002. Horan and Herbert vs Nonu and Smith, Gregan and Larkham vs Smith and Carter, Kefu and George Smith vs Kaino and McCaw. Looks pretty damn even on paper, doesn't it?
Otago Man
Roar Rookie
I don't have a preference myself. To me Z Brooke really nailed the N.8 spot from 1994 to his retirement. He was in the ABs set-up for 7 years before he got consistent selection and he figured out how to perform as the N.8 the team needed.
Faith
Roar Rookie
There's prime Read and old Read. Prime Read one of the best 8s. Then got that back injury ...
Faith
Roar Rookie
Lol Spew good one ...
Faith
Roar Rookie
The 1999 WBs and the 2003 Poms would however give them a run ...