BradMoran says...

My team is based on what these players accomplished in the "Professional Era" hence the exclusions of legends who didn't play a prominent role in this era such as Sean Fitzpatrick, Michael Jones, Zinzan Brooke, David Campese, Jeremy Guscott and what not.

1. Os du Randt. Runners-Up: Jason Leonard & Tony Woodcock

2. Keith Wood. Runners-Up: John Smit & Raphael Ibanez

3. Carl Hayman. Runners-Up: No one comes close.

4. Martin Johnson. Runners-Up: Bakkies Botha & Fabien Pelous

5. John Eales. Runners-Up: Victor Matfield & Paul O'Connell

6. Richard Hill. Runners-Up: Owen Finegan & Jerry Collins

7. Richie McCaw. Runners-Up: Josh Kronfeld & Neil Back

8. George Smith. Runners-Up: Lawrence Dallaglio & Colin Charvis

9. Fourie du Preez. Runners-Up: George Gregan & Joost van der Westhuizen

10. Dan Carter. Runners-Up: Jonny Wilkinson & Andrew Mehrtens

11. Rupeni Caucaunibuca* Runners-Up: Jonah Lomu & Bryan Habana

12. Tim Horan. Runners-Up: Tana Umaga & Matt Giteau

13. Brian O'Driscoll. Runners-Up: Matthew Burke & Stirling Mortlock

14. Doug Howlett. Runners-Up: Jeff Wilson & Joe Roff

15. Christian Cullen. Runners-Up: Chris Latham & Jason Robinson

*Lack of discipline and health problems got in his way of reaching his full potential, but easily the best winger I've ever seen play.

Please tell me what you think of the line-up.

Posted 10:54 16th November 2009

gdm8 says...

1. O. Du Randt 1.

2. S. Fitzpatrick

3. C. Hayman 3.

4. J. Eales 4.

5. M. Johnson 5.

6. P. Spies

7. R. McCaw

8. Z. Brooke

9. J. Van der Westhuizen

10. D. Carter

11. J. Lomu

12. T.Horan

13.J. Guscott

14.J. Wilson

15. C. Cullen

Posted 12:17 13th October 2009

DuncanB says...

Jerry Collins? come on guys. I think youv been fooled like all blacks coaches consistently have been by the fact hes just huge....he nowhere hill. In fact watch him be schooled by croft and Moody at the weekend, his mention anywere in this list is a joke

Posted 12:02 09th October 2009

Springbok says...

This list is a farce

Posted 03:37 04th October 2009

bradstock23 says...

You can always spot the Safa's posting on these comments!! Seem to be consistently surprised when any SA rugby player isn't acclaimed the best ever.

To say that Johnson and Hill were only good for two or three seasons is an amazing statement. And Johnson walks all over Botha! Still i do think Joost should be in at scrum half and that a way could be made to fit Johnson and Matfield in together! Players that good could work it out! Dallaghio was a great player but maybe Brooke offered more. Very tight decision though.

Don't know enough about the argy prop to comment on him but Du Randt may deserve that spot out of the people i've seen.

So swap those few around, convince either Jonno or Matfield to play 4, and i agree on the whole. Caucau for me had it on his day so going on talent and outrageous ability he would be in, however if you were actually picking as a coach and wanted a safer option then Lomu would be your man.

People calling for Gregan must be having a laugh as all he was is a deluxe Peter Stringer. Offered very little as a threat around the base of the scrum and i think i can count on one hand the times i saw him make a break. Du Preez and Phillips (if he keeps going) will also be up there challenging for the sh berth one day.

Posted 11:29 01st October 2009

bluelion says...

cjmboot: There's no mistaking you're a Kiwi. I don't think anyone implied a DK was Zinzan's finest moment. It is an example of a player displaying talents beyond the norm for his position. That freakish skill and confidence that separates the world class from the true greats. A prop that side steps, A second row with a pin point clearing kick, an 80kg half back with a knock-out tackle. That turn in a game that makes it exciting.

The greats are those who are arguably the best at their position AND display ingenuity, other talents, passion, leadership, energy, strength.

A no.8 with a 40m DG in a WC semi. Its great moment that happens to be delivered by a great player.

And let's be clear, the more we can big-up ZB the quicker Lol gets vanished. So get on board.

Posted 15:29 30th September 2009

boks19952007 says...

The southern hemisphere has dominated rugby in the pro era and therefor should hold the majority of possitions on this list. O'Driscoll and Johnson are probally the only two standouts from the North that are worth a mention. I know that sounds cocky, but the Northern guys have done nothing on the international scene other than England for a couple of years. Even then, they fell apart horribly once they got their job done. O'Driscoll has stood the test of time and is still arguably one of the best centers around, but even Johnson and compatriots from the all conquering England team where only good for two maybe three seasons. My world 15 would be picked from guys that where not only the best in their position as some point, but those that stayed near the top for an extended period. If you take that into account, I can genuinly only think of O'Driscoll from the North. I think PR should maybe have spent a bit more time thinking about this one before blurting out this team. It's close, but by no means the best.

Du Randt 94-2007 HAS to be there. Two world cups as well???

Posted 10:35 30th September 2009

dougM says...

Cannot believe some of these! The following do not deserve to be there: Doug Howlett, Tana Umaga, Rupeni Caucaunibuca, Gus Pichot, Lawrence Dallaglio, Richard Hill, Rodrigo Roncero. And these are the obvious ones! Over and above these there are still 1 or 2 which are a close call.

Posted 09:49 30th September 2009

jmanngod says...

they are all good players - you could make a case for any of them. You could make a case for others as well. I'm aware this is all post 1995... Obviously Fitzpatrick was a better ..everything than Smit - But Smit has had longer in the pro era so probably deserves the nod. Ditto Dallaglio vs... well almost any other #8.

A good list - Lomu over Caucau though. Caucau is freakishly good - but really...better than Lomu? That's the only change I'd insist on.

Posted 07:27 30th September 2009

Rhino says...

Can I make a point that seems to have been a little forgotten in the excitment, if you have John Eales in the pack, you don't need a goal kicking fly half (or goal kicking back at all). That is the difference between "Nobody" Eales and the Botha/Matfield combo (although if you were voting for the best combinations of the professional era that would be very difficult to beat).

I think this really needs to go to a position by position poll.

Come on PR lets have a proper voting pole! Once and for all lets settle this!

Posted 01:33 30th September 2009