David Campese snubs Springboks great for All Black who ‘changed rugby’ in STACKED all-time Rugby Championship XV
Split with Eben Etzebeth, Jonah Lomu and David Campese.
With the Rugby Championship almost upon us, Wallabies legend David Campese will be back at Planet Rugby to offer his predictions and insights.
Ahead of the first weekend, he caught up with James While to give us his Dream all-time XV of Rugby Championship stars.
“I think the first thing I have to say is I could have picked 10 players in each position, such is the quality of performers available. But this is my team and I’ve chosen the guys I enjoyed watching the most, and in a couple of instances, feared the most when I played against them,” he declared.
“I make no apologies if I’ve offended the odd fan or nation here or there – this is my team – but let’s hear yours in the comments below!”
The team
15 Chris Latham (Australia): Big, solid and uncompromising, Chris gets the nod over Christian Cullen and Andre Joubert, two men I loved and hated facing in equal measure. Chris played a fair few more games than the others over the years and I like a traditional aerial full-back and Lath is about the best there is in that role.
14 Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa): The best one-on-one finisher around and someone who lights up stadiums and fan debates in equal measure. His size allows him to do things others cannot. Others that always impressed me include Joe Rokocoko, Doug Howlett and Ben Smith (whether at 15 or on the wing) but Cheslin is my choice and I know that will surprise many.
13 Conrad Smith (New Zealand): One of the best enablers I’ve ever seen. He’s the man that selflessly creates for others around him and he did so against the very best. A shout-out to Jaque Fourie, another great provider for others.
12 Ma’a Nonu (New Zealand): Some might be surprised to see me select Ma’a over my old sparring partner Tim Horan, but Horan missed a lot of Tri-Nations games due to knee issues. Nonu and Smith were also a wonderfully balanced partnership, although I’d also like to shout out Jean de Villiers, a consummate footballer and brilliant defender for the Boks.
11 Jonah Lomu (New Zealand): How could I leave out Bryan Habana, the Rugby Championship’s top try-scorer? Well, whilst he changed the way South Africa attacked, Jonah changed rugby. It’s that simple. What more can I add to the many words written about the big fella? He is arguably the most important player in the history of modern rugby, he’s a great mate and this is my pick and I’m going with Jonah.
10 Dan Carter (New Zealand): Not as clear cut as you might imagine; I really wanted to select Henry Honiball here, as he was one of the best orchestrators of a backline I’ve come across, but Carter just has that complete skillset. A shout out to Nicolas Sanchez too, a Puma great.
9 Joost van der Westhuizen (South Africa): Du Preez, Pichot, Smith, Gregan – you could pick any of those and be very content. But Joost had the X-factor of producing something amazing from nothing. Probably the most unpredictable player I’ve ever faced and a man I loved and respected greatly.
Legendary pack
8 Kieran Read (New Zealand): He just slides in here ahead of Zinzan Brooke and Toutai Kefu for his sheer athleticism and aerial brilliance. For me, alongside Parisse, Kieran is the best eight of all time, although I must also mention Duane Vermeulen, a double world champion and outstanding back-rower.
7 Richie McCaw (New Zealand): The easiest pick of all – it says something about him that he’s fourth in the all-time try-scorers in the Rugby Championship and he’s a flanker! A shout-out to George Smith and Reuben Kruger, but McCaw is the best in the business bar none.
6 Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa): A tireless man mountain who simply evaporates anyone who comes near him, he’s matured into the complete blindside flank. Others that always impress me include Jerome Kaino, also a double world champion like Du Toit, and from Los Pumas, the biggest human in rugby, the granite-like Marcos Kremer.
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5 John Eales (Australia): He may have straddled the amateur and pro eras, but he was one of the most skilled players I’ve had the fortune of playing with. For sure, Victor Matfield and Sam Whitelock are in the debate, but having spent many years playing with John I can assure you that Nobody was indeed perfect!
4 Eben Etzebeth (South Africa): He beats his predecessor Bakkies Botha to the shirt. The epitome of belief and abrasion, he’s not given enough credit for his rugby IQ which you’ll often see in some amazing defensive reads. A shout-out to Brodie Retallick, an icon for the Kiwis.
3 Carl Hayman (New Zealand): At his best, the most destructive tighthead I’ve ever seen. There’s a queue of brilliant Saffers behind him including Vincent Koch and Frans Malherbe. A mention for Owen Franks too, not quite the best scrummager, but a menace in the loose.
2 Bismarck du Plessis (South Africa): This was always going to be a green shirt for me and it was just a case of choosing from Bismarck, John Smit and Malcolm Marx. But Bismarck was a force of nature and his ability over the ball or carrying in support set him apart.
1 Marcos Ayerza (Argentina): This is NOT a booby prize for Los Pumas, it’s an honest pick. Speak to Adam Jones, Carl Hayman, Nicolas Mas or Owen Franks and ask them the best loosehead they played against and they will say Ayerza with absolutely no hesitation. Harsh on the three greats, Os du Randt, Tendai Mtawarria and Tony Woodcock, but ‘El Toro’ was technical perfection and the best scrummager of the lot.
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