Good article on it on Planet-Rugby. Here's the article:
*We got into an argument here at PR about this a while ago. Not much came of
it, as there were things like Lions tours to concentrate on.*
But with the Tri-Nations done and dusted and the November Tests and
Heineken Cup still some time away, we figured we'd throw this debate open to
the public: What has been the greatest international XV since 1995, the year
when it was not only the grass that was tainted with green in the world of
rugby.
A great XV from the past ten years. Think of the choices! Do you pick Carter
or Wilkinson? Hayman or De Villiers? Gregan or Van der Westhuizen?
We are willing to bet that not a single one of you will agree with us on the
results of those - and other - choices in the side, but here it is - think
back to some of these players and enjoy!
*15 Christian Cullen (New Zealand)* - Nobody has yet mastered the art of
surreptitiously slipping into an attacking line and then tearing out of it
for a score like the former Hurricane and Munsterman. Unbelievable pace was
hidden in this long and languid stride that left you gaping every time.
*14 Doug Howlett (New Zealand)* - The record Super 14 try-scorer, New
Zealand's record try-scorer... that's the kind of guy you want on the wing
*13 Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)* - Europe's rugby statesman finally added the
Heineken Cup and a Grand Slam to an already-impressive list of achievements
last season. Good enough to re-invent his game after age sapped his pace, he
has become one of the all-round greatest ever.
*12 Tana Umaga (New Zealand)* - Ironic, considering his partner is the man
who accused Umaga of crocking him out of a Lions series with a spear tackle.
But it's the same Umaga who rushed to Colin Charvis' aid when the latter had
been knocked out on New Zealand turf, and who once famously responded to a
refereeing call of heavy no-arm tackling: "we're not playing tiddlywinks
here mate!"
*11 Rupeni Caucaunibuca (Fiji)* - How can you leave out Jonah and Bryan
Habana, never mind Shane Williams or even Christophe Dominici!? But the
Fijian with the flawed temperament did things on a rugby field that nobody
else will probably ever do. Just put his name into You Tube and watch.
*10 Dan Carter (New Zealand) *- a three-way tie between Carter, Wilkinson
and Stephen Larkham if we were honest. But the team needed a goal-kicker as
well as a playmaker, so Carter's total points were just higher than the
other two. The greatest ever?
*9 Gus Pichot (Argentina)* - Again, how do you leave out Gregan, who has the
most Test caps of any player, or the scintillating Joost? But Pichot brought
qualities to scrum-half play, so often in adversity and so often with the
extra responsibility of leadership through the adversity, that neither of
the others had. We always wonder what his talents would have done for a team
like New Zealand, but his rugby is so responsible for Argentina's accession
to senior Test status that we'd not have it any other way.
*8 Lawrence Dallaglio (England)* - Another close-run thing, with Sergio
Parisse snapping at Dallaglio's heels, but the Italian's blotted
disciplinary copybook - we know Lol is no angel, but he never gouged - saw
him relegated to second. And let's face it, would you not like to go into
battle with Dallaglio on your side?
*7 (openside) Richie McCaw (New Zealand)* - Undoubtedly the greatest
exponent of openside play there has been. George Smith deserves a mention,
and maybe Heinrich Brussow will eclipse McCaw in a few years, but until then
the All Black captain is in a class of his own.
*6 Richard Hill (England)* - The most unsung of all English rugby heroes,
but he'd have it no other way. If you didn't see him much, it was he was
forever at the bottom of the ruck, putting limb and digit where others
feared to put but many trod...
*5 Martin Johnson (England)* - The biggest, darkest and most brooding of the
driving forces behind England's World Cup win. We reckon the moment when he
hoisted Bill was the first time he had smiled on a rugby pitch! Now bringing
that menace to England's national team, Johnno takes the captain's armband
in this team as well.
*4 John Eales (Australia)* - This one will have Saffers everywhere raging;
how can we leave out Victor and Bakkies? Because Johnno's meaner than
Bakkies, and because Victor was not nicknamed 'Nobody' as Eales was (because
Nobody's perfect), despite his obvious talents. We felt Eales offered
perhaps just a little more grunt. We're now running for cover...
*3 Carl Hayman (New Zealand)* - This one was much easier. Hayman has been
peerless at tighthead for some time now - New Zealand still miss him.
*2 John Smit (South Africa)* - Has now won every honour going in the game
except for the Super 14. We know he plays tighthead now, but for a solid
anchor in the scrum, an extra dose of leadership and some pinpoint line-out
throwing, Smit's the man - just edging out Rafa Ibañez.
*1 Rodrigo Roncero (Argentina) *- The Argentine beefcake was so close to
being our player of the 2007 Rugby World Cup after a series of stellar
performances. Discipline remains an issue, but you'd be hard-pushed to find
a number one in the world who has contributed so much so regularly to his
team's loose play.
*We got into an argument here at PR about this a while ago. Not much came of
it, as there were things like Lions tours to concentrate on.*
But with the Tri-Nations done and dusted and the November Tests and
Heineken Cup still some time away, we figured we'd throw this debate open to
the public: What has been the greatest international XV since 1995, the year
when it was not only the grass that was tainted with green in the world of
rugby.
A great XV from the past ten years. Think of the choices! Do you pick Carter
or Wilkinson? Hayman or De Villiers? Gregan or Van der Westhuizen?
We are willing to bet that not a single one of you will agree with us on the
results of those - and other - choices in the side, but here it is - think
back to some of these players and enjoy!
*15 Christian Cullen (New Zealand)* - Nobody has yet mastered the art of
surreptitiously slipping into an attacking line and then tearing out of it
for a score like the former Hurricane and Munsterman. Unbelievable pace was
hidden in this long and languid stride that left you gaping every time.
*14 Doug Howlett (New Zealand)* - The record Super 14 try-scorer, New
Zealand's record try-scorer... that's the kind of guy you want on the wing
*13 Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)* - Europe's rugby statesman finally added the
Heineken Cup and a Grand Slam to an already-impressive list of achievements
last season. Good enough to re-invent his game after age sapped his pace, he
has become one of the all-round greatest ever.
*12 Tana Umaga (New Zealand)* - Ironic, considering his partner is the man
who accused Umaga of crocking him out of a Lions series with a spear tackle.
But it's the same Umaga who rushed to Colin Charvis' aid when the latter had
been knocked out on New Zealand turf, and who once famously responded to a
refereeing call of heavy no-arm tackling: "we're not playing tiddlywinks
here mate!"
*11 Rupeni Caucaunibuca (Fiji)* - How can you leave out Jonah and Bryan
Habana, never mind Shane Williams or even Christophe Dominici!? But the
Fijian with the flawed temperament did things on a rugby field that nobody
else will probably ever do. Just put his name into You Tube and watch.
*10 Dan Carter (New Zealand) *- a three-way tie between Carter, Wilkinson
and Stephen Larkham if we were honest. But the team needed a goal-kicker as
well as a playmaker, so Carter's total points were just higher than the
other two. The greatest ever?
*9 Gus Pichot (Argentina)* - Again, how do you leave out Gregan, who has the
most Test caps of any player, or the scintillating Joost? But Pichot brought
qualities to scrum-half play, so often in adversity and so often with the
extra responsibility of leadership through the adversity, that neither of
the others had. We always wonder what his talents would have done for a team
like New Zealand, but his rugby is so responsible for Argentina's accession
to senior Test status that we'd not have it any other way.
*8 Lawrence Dallaglio (England)* - Another close-run thing, with Sergio
Parisse snapping at Dallaglio's heels, but the Italian's blotted
disciplinary copybook - we know Lol is no angel, but he never gouged - saw
him relegated to second. And let's face it, would you not like to go into
battle with Dallaglio on your side?
*7 (openside) Richie McCaw (New Zealand)* - Undoubtedly the greatest
exponent of openside play there has been. George Smith deserves a mention,
and maybe Heinrich Brussow will eclipse McCaw in a few years, but until then
the All Black captain is in a class of his own.
*6 Richard Hill (England)* - The most unsung of all English rugby heroes,
but he'd have it no other way. If you didn't see him much, it was he was
forever at the bottom of the ruck, putting limb and digit where others
feared to put but many trod...
*5 Martin Johnson (England)* - The biggest, darkest and most brooding of the
driving forces behind England's World Cup win. We reckon the moment when he
hoisted Bill was the first time he had smiled on a rugby pitch! Now bringing
that menace to England's national team, Johnno takes the captain's armband
in this team as well.
*4 John Eales (Australia)* - This one will have Saffers everywhere raging;
how can we leave out Victor and Bakkies? Because Johnno's meaner than
Bakkies, and because Victor was not nicknamed 'Nobody' as Eales was (because
Nobody's perfect), despite his obvious talents. We felt Eales offered
perhaps just a little more grunt. We're now running for cover...
*3 Carl Hayman (New Zealand)* - This one was much easier. Hayman has been
peerless at tighthead for some time now - New Zealand still miss him.
*2 John Smit (South Africa)* - Has now won every honour going in the game
except for the Super 14. We know he plays tighthead now, but for a solid
anchor in the scrum, an extra dose of leadership and some pinpoint line-out
throwing, Smit's the man - just edging out Rafa Ibañez.
*1 Rodrigo Roncero (Argentina) *- The Argentine beefcake was so close to
being our player of the 2007 Rugby World Cup after a series of stellar
performances. Discipline remains an issue, but you'd be hard-pushed to find
a number one in the world who has contributed so much so regularly to his
team's loose play.
