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What does a player have to do to be considered the best in the world? Rugby has quite a conundrum when trying to select such a player. Each position requires different skill sets and body sizes.
It’s unfair to expect a prop to keep up with the speed of a winger, as it would be unfair to expect a fullback to scrum against an opposition pack tipping the scales at 900 kilograms.
Rugby is unique as it allows for all players of all sizes to have a go, so how do you consider a world’s best?
What are the requirements to be draped in this honour?
Is it the ability to score tries? It can’t hurt and the more points that are scored the more likely a player will be selected. It makes the player more of a danger in open field, drawing in defence and creating space in other parts of the park.
Is the ability to tackle and stop attacking plays important? One of the fundamental skills in rugby is to tackle. It’s a simple job that all players have to master and a missed tackle can allow for a player to break the line and get into space.
If a player is dominant in the tackle this increases the psychological edge over the other team and they becomes a feared defender. Not a bad label to have in rugby.
Is it important to assist in try scoring opportunities? This skill and ability has become more and more important in the modern game of rugby. The offload in a tackle has created countless headaches for teams and puts the defensive line under extreme pressure, but this skill isn’t as easy as it seems.
There have been a few masters of this skill that have allowed gaps to open for support players to exploit. Even the little grubber kick behind the defensive line is considered an assist and players that can place a kick for a teammate to follow onto is valuable.
Is the attribute of strength important? Without a solid set piece of forward platform, the back line has a difficult task to formulate an attacking play. The best forwards tend have a very successful back line and this isn’t by accident.
A strong pack and versatile loose forwards create a different dimension in attack for a team, but the really fit and quick blokes are put up into the world best ranks.
With these criteria and more, what does make a player a world best player?
Try scoring ability, tackling, versatile loose forwards, strength up front, assisting ability and leadership are all brought into the thought process.
Since 2001, the IRB Player of the Year award has gone to a forward seven times – granted Richie McCaw took three of those awards – and the rest were given to the back line. Five awards were given to players with a number nine or above.
So the awards for player of the year, which can be translated as the best player in the world, is even between different positions on the field. The Southern Hemisphere teams have taken the most, which is a reflection of the trend of rugby.
Each player that was awarded the gong had shown exemplifying attributes in leadership, skill and overall presence. But this again brings up the question, what makes a player the best in the world?
There have been recent articles that have compared the three in-form fullbacks: Israel Folau, Willie Le Roux and Ben Smith. Each player possess subtle differences in their skill set but they have a common goal.
Israel Folau has been the Wallabies’ find of the decade. He earned his stripes in the tough NRL ranks, playing from a young age and breaking records on his way through to the top.
Folau has been part of championship teams and won the State of Origin series with Queensland. He was later lured by a huge cash incentive to play AFL where he would have honed his aerial and kicking skills, even though it was for a start up club that barely made it off the bottom of the table.
After two years, he was released from his AFL contract and was recruited by the Waratahs. He has since been influential and is easily a first pick for Wallabies fullback.
Willie Le Roux has made a name for himself with the Cheetahs and caught the attention of the rugby world. Even though he plays for a mid-table table, his rugby ability has earned him a call up into the Springbok squad.
Over the past 12 months, he has become better and more dangerous. His aerial skill is superb and fearless and his tactical open field plays creates pressure on the defence.
Ben Smith is one of the best finishers in world rugby. He spent most of his career on the wing, able to score tries at the end of some phenomenal All Black work, but coach Steve Hansen had other ideas and shifted him to fullback.
He hasn’t disappointed with his speed and scramble defence, and he is difficult to beat. In the second England Test, he managed to chase down a breakaway Manu Tuilagi and draw out a penalty. He can only get better over time and with the correct coaching.
These three players can be considered the best in their positions but does their work overshadow other players?
The general press agree that Le Roux and Smith were key components in their respective sides’ victories in recent Tests, but what did the other players do?
The rest of the back line were good enough to read and play off their playmakers and the forward packs allowed for the space to be created by pushing the opposition onto the back foot.
Would it be the same consensus if the forward packs were weak or the back lines misread the plays?
A great player, and one that could be considered a world best, needs so many different attributes to gel. Whether it be speed and skill with the boot, crushing defensive tackles or solid and calm leadership up front, the players that show a collection of these can then be considered a world best.
There is no one world’s best rugby player as it is impossible to determine in a sport that requires 15 players with different skills and sizes, but there can be a world best in a particular position.
These positions will always be debatable and there is never a clear answer. The team may change from week to week. But one thing is for sure, even the best player in the world needs a great team to make them excel.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.