It’s officially World Cup day! God, it feels good to say that.
Set your early alarms and have your jersey out and ready for the tenth iteration of the Rugby World Cup, with the mother of all openers kicking off tonight between host nations France and the All Blacks.
In the build up to this day, we’ve been counting down the fifteen players and head coach who you have determined to be the greatest to ever represent Australia at the Rugby World Cup, from its first iteration in 1987 through to 2019.
The selection process consisted of whittling down from a longlist of over 150 players and coaches to a shortlist managed by our panel of experts Brett McKay, Jim Tucker and Christy Doran, in an special episode of the Roar Rugby Podcast.
Fans debated player positions and who was included (or indeed, who wasn’t), with the key marker for many coming down to the success achieved at the World Cup, not just down to sheer athletic ability. Voting lasted the length of the 2023 Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup series, with thousands of votes tallied.
Now, finally, we can present to you The Roar’s Greatest Wallabies Rugby World Cup XV, powered by ASICS, the Official Performance Apparel and Footwear supplier for the Wallabies.
HEAD COACH: ROD MACQUEEN
The meticulous planner, the tactician, and one of the greatest rugby minds Australia has ever produced. Rod Macqueen won with 59.3% of the vote, followed by Bob Dwyer and Eddie Jones.
His approach to put aside ego for the greater good of the team and bring the assistant coaches and players actively on board to drive the Wallabies’ tactics played a crucial role in the Wallabies second World Cup triumph in 1999, a moment and a team that has Australian rugby fans have held on to for two decades.
Read our full special on Rod Macqueen here.
Tony Daly scores a try in the 1991 World Cup final (Photo by Phil O’Brien/EMPICS via Getty Images)
- LOOSE HEAP PROP – TONY DALY
Our most hotly contested position, Tony Daly won with 26.5% of the vote, closely followed by Dan Crowley and Richard Harry.
The black sheep in a lethal front row that won the 1991 World Cup, Daly was a popular member of Bob Dwyer’s team. Following tackling trauma sustained during his school years, rugby proved to be an escape, and Wallabies teammates rallied around when he became involved in the Survivors & Mates Support Network (SAMSN), helped contribute to his redemption.
Read our full special on Tony Daly here.
Phil Kearns (Photo by Getty Images)
- HOOKER – PHIL KEARNS
A figure that always provokes a colourful response (and it certainly did with you guys), Phil Kearns won with 54.1% of the vote, followed by Stephen Moore and Jeremy Paul.
Seen by some on both sides of the Tasman as possessing an arrogant trait, there was no denying his competitive spirit and desire to win. That translated into his life off the field, playing a pivotal role in bringing Bill back to Australian shores in 2027.
Read our full special on Phil Kearns here.
Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie walks off the pitch following warm-up during The Rugby Championship match between Argentina and the Australian Wallabies at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas on October 4, 2014 in Mendoza, Argentina. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
- TIGHT HEAD PROP – EWEN MCKENZIE
One of a select few who both represented and coached at the national level, McKenzie won with 42% of the vote, followed by Sekope Kepu and Taniela Tupou.
It says a lot that despite being closely followed by two of the stronger players of the modern Wallabies era, Link still stands out. Alongside Daly and Kearns, he was the pre-eminent tighthead prop in one of the Wallabies’ most successful eras. As a coach, he led the Reds to their 2011 Super Rugby title, and coached the Wallabies for 22 tests.
Read our full special on Ewen McKenzie here.
Dan Vickerman, Australia, during the teams national anthems before the South Africa V Australia Quarter Final match at the IRB Rugby World Cup tournament. Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand, 9th October 2011. Photo Tim Clayton (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
- SECOND ROW – DAN VICKERMAN
Many commenters on The Roar noted this was their heart pick, and it was clear Big V is well loved, winning with 41% of the vote, followed by Justin Harrison and Rod McCall.
A 63 test veteran and Super 12 winner, Vickerman was a student of the game: the ultimate second rower who knew how to hit rucks and decode lineouts. Many have noted that he would have been a deadly combination with his fellow second rower pick.
Read our full special on Dan Vickerman here.
Australian captain John Eales (C) and his teammates celebrate after winning the 1999 Rugby Union World Cup final against France. Australia won the final 35 to 12. (Photo by Franck Seguin/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)
- SECOND ROW – JOHN EALES (CAPT)
Winning his contest for second row by the largest margin, John Eales has been argued by Roar commenters as being THE Wallaby. It seems to be the case, with him winning the number five position with 94.3% of the vote, followed by Nathan Sharpe and James Horwill. He was also the landslide winner for the Captaincy, winning with 77.9% of the vote, followed by Nick Farr-Jones and George Gregan.
It’s hard to argue why: a two-time World Cup winner, multiple Bledisloe Cup winner, and a man at the centre of the greatest moments ever in Wallaby gold. 1999 at Millennium Stadium still lives long in the memory for Australian fans.
Read our full special on John Eales here.
(Ross Setford/Getty Images)
- BLINDSIDE FLANKER – OWEN FINEGAN
A result that surprised quite a few, Owen Finegan won with a slender 30.8% of the vote, followed by Willie Ofahengaue and Simon Poidevin. It says a lot about Willie O that he came second both here and in the contest for Number Eight, such was the versatility of him as a player.
Finegan takes the chocolates, scoring the winning try in the 1999 World Cup final over France, highlighting his strong campaign in Australia’s second World Cup triumph.
Read our full special on Owen Finegan here.
George Smith. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
- OPENSIDE FLANKER – GEORGE SMITH
With some recent legends of the game in David Pocock and Michael Hooper talking the silver and bronze respectively, it’s hard to deny how many great loose forwards Australia has produced over the years. It says even more then that despite the competition, George Smith still has a stranglehold on this position, winning 57.2% of the vote.
Richie McCaw named him as one of the five players he least liked playing against. Enough said.
Read our full special on George Smith here.
Toutai Kefu gets clear of the Romania defence to score the first try (Photo by Steve Mitchell/EMPICS via Getty Images
- NUMBER EIGHT – TOUTAI KEFU
Kefu is still a very beloved figure in Australian rugby, winning with 70.4% of the vote, followed by Willie Ofahengaue and David Lyons.
It wasn’t just because of THAT try in 2001, but for his strong showings during the 1999 World Cup, which included a full match performance in the final and for his famous hattrick against Romania.
Read our full special on Toutai Kefu here.
George Gregan representing the Wallabies at the 1999 Rugby World Cup. (Photo by Dave Rogers /Allsport/Getty Images)
- SCRUM-HALF – GEORGE GREGAN
Many of Australia’s best have run out with the Number 9 on their back, so it says a lot that George Gregan won with 62.8% of the vote, followed by Nick Farr-Jones and Will Genia.
One of the finest players to come out of the capital, ‘Guv’ left an indelible mark on Australian rugby and their World Cup fortunes, and also delivered one of the best ever sledges made against the All Blacks. Four more years, indeed.
Read our full special on George Gregan here.
Stephen Larkham against South Africa in the semi-final of the 1999 Rugby World Cup. (Photo by Ross Setford/Getty Images)
- FLY-HALF – STEPHEN LARKHAM
It seemed almost inevitable that if Gregan was taking scrum-half, his Brumby team mate would complete the halves combination. Stephen Larkham won with 71.2% of the vote, followed by Michael Lynagh and Quade Cooper.
While Lynagh provides stiff competition, the World Cup era can be divided into the time before Bernie, and the time when Bernie opened up how the Wallabies played, and indeed, could play.
Read our full special on Stephen Larkham here.
David Campese of the Wallabies in action during a Rugby Union test match between Wales and the Australian Wallabies at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Australia won 28-9. (Photo by Getty Images)
- LEFT WINGER – DAVID CAMPESE
Yes, we hear you. There is a lot of debate around whether Campo played more on the right or left wing. Regardless, any team without him would be inaccurate, because in 1991 he was everywhere for the Wallabies on the field. It was reflected in him winning with 56.3% of the vote, followed by Joe Roff and Marika Koroibete.
Easily the most discussed member of this team in the comments, his maverick energy and style became synonymous with how the Wallabies play: exciting, forward thinking rugby, played with a ‘she’s-only-with-him-cause-she-hasn’t-met-me-yet’ style of confidence.
Read our full special on David Campese here.
Tim Horan, one of the Wallabies’ greatest World Cup players. (David Rogers/Allsport)
- INSIDE CENTRE – TIM HORAN
An icon of the Nineties Wallabies, Tim Horan easily won with 80.1% of the vote, followed by Matt Giteau and Elton Flatley. So strong a hold that Horan has on this position, commenters started to imagine how good a combo the Wallabies might have had, had Horan been paired with the pick at Outside Centre.
Our expert Jim Tucker nailed it succinctly when he wrote in our special that ‘there were few positions in The Roar’s Greatest Wallabies RWC XV that took two seconds for a voting decision. It took a single second to ink in “T Horan”.’
Read our full special on Tim Horan here.
Stirling Mortlock runs to score Australia’s first try in the 2003 semi (Photo by Manuel Blondeau/Photo & Co./Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)
- OUTSIDE CENTRE – STIRLING MORTLOCK
There is plenty of competition for Outside Centre, and it says a lot about the quality of the ‘Interceptor’, Stirling Mortlock, that he won with 54.1% of the vote, followed by Jason Little and Daniel Herbert.
Despite being known for that semi-final try, Mortlock was responsible for some of the best moments in Wallaby gold of the Noughties. Let’s all imagine for a moment that he and Horan, at peak form, ran on the field together. Lethal.
Read our full special on Stirling Mortlock here.
- RIGHT WING – BEN TUNE
Ben Tune’s time in Wallaby gold left a huge impact on the team, winning with 51.1% of the vote, followed by Adam Ashley-Cooper and Wendell Sailor.
Hard as nails, and scoring an impressive twenty-four tries in forty-seven matches for the Wallabies, it was such a shame we didn’t get to see Tune repeat his ‘99 heroics in 2003, as injuries denied him a selection chance. We always have Cardiff, though.
Read our full special on Ben Tune here.
- FULLBACK – MATTHEW BURKE
Saving one of the greatest for last, Matthew Burke won with 54.8% of the vote, followed by Chris Latham and Israel Folau.
Viewed as the man whose boot guided Australia through the 1999 World Cup campaign, Burke had ice in his veins and could always deliver. More impressively though, he caps off a team that is still fondly remembered.
Read our full special on Matthew Burke here.
And with that, you have your team, powered by ASICS, the Official Performance Apparel and Footwear supplier for the Wallabies. Thank you to the thousands of rugby fans who voted!
Will we see the 2023 Wallabies write their own history and etch themselves into Australia rugby folklore come the end of October? The time for talking is over: it is now time to play.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Swords are drawn :rugby:
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Although I didnt participate I watched the selections with interest . Actually I felt that out of all tier 1 countries a greatest ever Wallaby team probably the easiest pick .Most positions picked themselves especially in the backs . Did feel Farr Jones ( geez I rated him ) to be unlucky ..Also I would have gone Bob Dwyer over McQueen as coach , but that is honestly splitting hairs . The most interesting thing about the panels final selection is that most of the final picks played together at some stage ..Testimony to that era of Aus rugby dominance …
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Oh no doubt there are a few unlucky not to be listed but man for man a truly outstanding team and coach
sheek
Roar Guru
Nick, Well done by the selectors, an impressive effort. I have 2 minor exceptions at #6 & #13. I would prefer Pocock & Little. But that’s a minor quibble. Finegan went to the same school as me, so I ought to be thrilled about that! Instructive that not a single player from the past 10 years makes the starting XV & only 5 in the 2nd team & 6 in the 3rd XV. The Wallaby talent has sadly dropped off in the past 15 years. So in other words, if we were picking an all-time Wallaby XV, there would unlikely be a single player to appear in the past 15 years, bar George Smith. Compare this to the rugby league 2008 team of the century & Jonathon Thurston & Cam Smith would be key contenders for the all-time team, & Greg Inglis & Billy Slater not far behind. Or the all-time cricket XI where Steve Smith & Pat Cummins would at least be 2nd XI contenders.
Khun Phil
Roar Rookie
An excellent team,but I think there could still be an argument over a few positions.There were some pretty good ones missing out eg Roff,Little,NFJ,in the backs and possibly some discussion around the front row,but I would be happy for them to run out this year if at their peak!
taylorman
Roar Guru
Virtually a team that picks itself. Some memories there???? Gidday Roarers, back for the comp. :thumbup:
Tom G
Roar Rookie
1-15 no argument.. coach even more correct, best we’ve had by a country mile
Gags
Roar Rookie
What a great team. Gee we produced some great players over a long time period. What’s happened?
Davis Mukuha
Roar Rookie
Great team…but clearly our best is behind us if there is no player from the better part of the last decade.