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willems says...

I agree...Jonah is the best winger never to have scored against South Africa.

Posted 14:33 13th October 2009

cavandy says...

Interesting discussion. I think few who have seen Caucau play - or played against hin - would argue that he is the most talented winger of the professional era, probably in the history of the game. No one else has possessed his combination of speed, strength, eliusiveness, handling skill and reading of the game.

Whether or not that makes him the greatest will always be open to debate, given his unrprofessional attitude to the sport and his limited exposure to international rugby. This who maintain he never proved himself against the best, however. might want to review the number of times he left the leading international players of the day (Gregan, Larkham, Marshall, Tiquiri et al) in his wake during his time in the Super 14 and how he did the same to comparable European opposition when he moved to Agen in France.

While I would never wish to belittle Jonah's immense achievements and contribution to the game, I have to agree with mixedup that Caucau would have probaly come out on top if the pair had lined up against each other.

Posted 14:01 13th October 2009

mixedup says...

A couple of points.

(1) It is true that Kiwi's are not shy to acknowledge that another player is great, but will very rarely admit that the other player is better if there is an All Black is within sniffing distance. If the All Black is in the ball park - he is automatically better.

(2) For me a great player lasts beyond the first 2/3 seasons, especially when the other sides have sussed him out. SA showed the way and nullified Lomu by gang tackling him and at the same time slowing the ball down so much that the defence could reorganise. Caucaunibuca still continues to amaze with the things he can do (when he wants to) and there is very little the other side can do to nullify him - that is greatness.

(3) Lomu was great in the era of the macro wing where the game suited these behemoths but was not enough of a complete package to have always been great no matter the state of the game.

(4) Lomu lacked some essential qualities that a great wing must have (In my opinion) raw pace and situational awareness to know when 'it is on'. His reading of the game was too weak for me as was his his defence. One on one I'd have odds on Caucaunibuca beating Lomu rather than the other way around.

(5) For me the fact that Caucaunibuca played for Fiji should not be held against him. (George Best played for N. Ireland not exactly a soccer powerhouse!) Greatness in in the ability and the potential and his play in S14 and T14 prove that he is freakish in what he can do.

It is a great pity that we never saw more of him in internationals against the better international sides.

For me the right wings are the weak options here. Howlett was just a great finisher rather than a great wing. Lomu and Caucaunibuca would be my choices at wing.

What about throwing Campese and Kirwan (yes I know they just missed the pro era) into the mix. Hmmm... I think Caucaunibuca and Campese!

Posted 11:36 12th October 2009

kuzurebi says...

sure lomu was a legend.

but caucaunibuca was great also. maybe lomu at 11 and caucau at 14? why not a wing is a wing.

please your comments!

Posted 07:29 12th October 2009

piru says...

Mixedup

a great player needs a great attitude, Rupeni, as great as he was when he felt like it, did not have it.

Posted 01:49 12th October 2009

LieweHexie says...

Mixed Up! The problem with Caucau is that he didn't play enough test rugby. He only played six tests and he never played against South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, England or Ireland. If you don't play against the best you really can't expect to get the nod as the best in the professional era.

Posted 18:50 11th October 2009

wellwellwell says...

I don't believe there has been as much hype about any player in the professional era. The Boks respected him so much that they isolated and targeted him during the 95 World Cup final. Incidently to this day he has not scored against the Boks. The moment he ran over Mike Catt he was marked and I think this affected the All Blacks' game plan to some degree. An interesting stat is that the All Blacks only won 71% of their matches when Jonah was in the side, 46% of their Bledisloe Cup ties and 55% of their Trinations matches. All said and done though, a great player. I can't think of a more destructive player i.t.o. pure, raw ability. Maybe Caucau, but he never made an immediate impact like Jonah. Respect!

Posted 18:11 11th October 2009

efti says...

I would have liked one of the small wings to make the cut. What Dominici could bring to a game is unbelivable.

Posted 17:45 11th October 2009

brin says...

Lomu, in my opinion was a great attacking wing but his defensive play left something to be desired. Nevertheless I believe deserves the title as the greatest left winfer of the pro era to date.

Posted 16:56 11th October 2009

Markymark says...

I completely agree with "Mixedup"'s comments about Rupeni being as brilliant as he was, having watched him in the flesh playing for the Blues on many occasions & like George Best, he enjoyed a cold one (I remember George Best saying he was happy to be chosen as no.2 behind Pele, so the world has acknowledged his greatness).

As far as NZ'ers refusing to vote for non NZ, that's rubbish. Plenty of Kiwi's would have already selected "Campo" (David Campese, an Aussie!!) on one wing in their best ever world 15 (including me). Campo always did 5 beautiful + 1-2 sublime things to make up for that one c**k-up & we kiwis marveled at that goose step.

In NZ, we appreciate great rugby players from all around the world & the best are treated like kings when they are here. John Eals, Gavin Hastings, Serge Blanco, Tim Horan to name a few of the best, would all be shouted beers for the entire evening at any NZ rugby mad pub. Maybe it's because they are all good guys too & showed respect to our rugby tradition when they were here (they didn't refuse to say the words "All Black" when they toured). NZ'ers always get behind good international players, who are good guys.

Brian O'Driscoll is a deserved best ever no. 13 :-)

Posted 21:58 10th October 2009

jagshackleton says...

Def, would have liked to have seen Tana or Bunce up in the running.

The editor says.... Tana Umaga is on the list for inside centre. He played both, but we think his vintage years (as captain) where at 12

Posted 15:33 10th October 2009

Dukie says...

saw this coming lol

Unless someone was out of position no one was gonna touch this guy

Posted 12:13 10th October 2009

mixedup says...

Its amazing how the Kiwi's refuse to vote for a non-kiwi! Lomu was an amazing player but most of his talents (especially once players got used to him) ended up being utilised in creating gaps for the other runners by committing two or three defenders to tackle him. For me a wing needs to have true pace, power and the ability to create something from nothing on a regular basis. For me the best wing needs to be a genius and that was/is Rupeni Caucaunibuca. The man has the greatest physical attributes the greatest wing needs, it is just a pity that his temperament is so weak. Just imagine Rupeni Caucaunibuca playing for a top nation and what a legacy he would have left - it would be like George Best playing for Brazil! Sorry Jonah you are great but not the greatest.

Posted 12:12 10th October 2009

Markymark says...

Hey, I'm not trying to be selfish, as NZ already has Cullen, Lomu & Douggie selected in the 1st 3 places of the top 15 & O'Driscoll & Mortlock are worthy candidates, but surely Umunga should be battling it out in that top 4 & what's Will Greenwood doing there ?? He's not rated in NZ, but I'd give the English Gusgot when no. 12 rolls on.

Markymark

Posted 10:41 10th October 2009

ashley71 says...

lomu is a legend! partly responsible in getting me & countless others interested in this great sport...

Posted 09:21 10th October 2009

Trinats says...

Lomu is good enough to be an Aussie !!!

Posted 06:53 10th October 2009

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