Best Rugby Player Of All Tine
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Best player as many have said is an impossible question but if I had to give it an answer, it has got be to Lomu at his peak.
No one I have ever seen could dominate a game the way he could. I watched a rerun of the ’95 semi on ESPN the other day. What a performance!
If you take all the attributes of a rugby player – pace, power, strength, skill, agility, aggression, defense, rucking, mauling etc etc, his would be possibly be the only name you could put a tick in every box (with the poss exception of kicking). I am sure he could have played as an international backrow, center and of course wing.
As far as the spirit of rugby is concerned look what the guy has gone through and still made a comeback. Why? Because he loves to play rugby. Read what happened when he and Johnson went to see Matt Hampson in rugby world the other day. A further testament to his character.
Yep all in all I think you have to put him top of the pile.
No one I have ever seen could dominate a game the way he could. I watched a rerun of the ’95 semi on ESPN the other day. What a performance!
If you take all the attributes of a rugby player – pace, power, strength, skill, agility, aggression, defense, rucking, mauling etc etc, his would be possibly be the only name you could put a tick in every box (with the poss exception of kicking). I am sure he could have played as an international backrow, center and of course wing.
As far as the spirit of rugby is concerned look what the guy has gone through and still made a comeback. Why? Because he loves to play rugby. Read what happened when he and Johnson went to see Matt Hampson in rugby world the other day. A further testament to his character.
Yep all in all I think you have to put him top of the pile.
Lions Tour to SA '97. Why did it have to be Guscott with the drop goal?!!! It almost makes you wish that we had lost!!!
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Brian o'Driscoll.
No explanation needed.
No explanation needed.
JGriffin - "The outright winner was the ref who blew himself inside out."
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http://incoherenttwaddle.blogspot.com/
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Hi outwide.
Wood - might well make the best ever British & Irish team, but Sean Fitzpatrick edges him out.
Gibson - very good shout, undoubtedly one of the best ever centres / FH.
BOD - nope, obviously a very good player but I wouldn't put him in that 'legendary' category occupied by Sella and Gibson.
Pam
JPR or Blanco at FB, very tough call.
Edwards - yes, he was the best ever, wasn't he ? Just brilliant.
Wood - might well make the best ever British & Irish team, but Sean Fitzpatrick edges him out.
Gibson - very good shout, undoubtedly one of the best ever centres / FH.
BOD - nope, obviously a very good player but I wouldn't put him in that 'legendary' category occupied by Sella and Gibson.
Pam
JPR or Blanco at FB, very tough call.
Edwards - yes, he was the best ever, wasn't he ? Just brilliant.
Made this team up from when I first got into rugby circa '91 World Cup, so apologies for the greats like Gareth Edwards etc not included.
1. Steve McDowell
2. Sean Fitzpatrick (C)
3. Olo Brown / Phil Vickery (can’t choose between them – anybody any ideas?)
4. Martin Johnson
5. John Eales
6. Michael Jones.
7. Richie McCaw
8. Zinzan Brooke
9. Joost Van der Westhuizen
10. Daniel Carter
11. Va'aiga Tuigamala
12. Philippe Sella
13. Brian O Driscoll
14. Jonah Lomu
15. Serge Blanco
I know it is a bit New Zealand looking but I found I could not leave any of them out.
1. Steve McDowell
2. Sean Fitzpatrick (C)
3. Olo Brown / Phil Vickery (can’t choose between them – anybody any ideas?)
4. Martin Johnson
5. John Eales
6. Michael Jones.
7. Richie McCaw
8. Zinzan Brooke
9. Joost Van der Westhuizen
10. Daniel Carter
11. Va'aiga Tuigamala
12. Philippe Sella
13. Brian O Driscoll
14. Jonah Lomu
15. Serge Blanco
I know it is a bit New Zealand looking but I found I could not leave any of them out.
Lions Tour to SA '97. Why did it have to be Guscott with the drop goal?!!! It almost makes you wish that we had lost!!!
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Re:
mightymouse wrote: ↑Thu Aug 24, 2006 12:25 pm As a scotsman - always happy to see brilliant rugby - even happier to listen to commentry from the one and only legend - Bill Maclaren - without doubt the best ever commentator in any sport anywhere - The greatest! and a Scot!
Looking back at posts before my time on this forum, I spotted the above.
I have to say that his commentating would always get me excited about the games he did. What a loss he was, and no one has got anywhere near his knowledge and enthusiasm since.
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Re: Best Rugby Player Of All Tine
I remember watching and reading a few players like BOD suggesting that in terms of pure talent and genius Caucau was the best they’d ever seen.
Shame he couldn’t do it for a longer period of time at the top level. More of a shame he never got on the plane from Fiji to come to Tigers when it was all set up for him.
We might have seen him over the course of a season or two and had something truly special.
Shame he couldn’t do it for a longer period of time at the top level. More of a shame he never got on the plane from Fiji to come to Tigers when it was all set up for him.
We might have seen him over the course of a season or two and had something truly special.
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Re: Best Rugby Player Of All Tine
DeadlyDunc wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 1:07 am I remember watching and reading a few players like BOD suggesting that in terms of pure talent and genius Caucau was the best they’d ever seen.
Shame he couldn’t do it for a longer period of time at the top level. More of a shame he never got on the plane from Fiji to come to Tigers when it was all set up for him.
We might have seen him over the course of a season or two and had something truly special.
I remember that. It was a real shame. Top quality player, and we missed out.
Re: Best Rugby Player Of All Tine
Just opened up this trail and not looked at any responses. If the name Gareth Edwards isn't first of the team sheet then well.......not matter what the stage, no matter how high the odds, the man always had another gear, to rise above absolutely everyone else.
AND a fantastically modest guy to this day.
AND a fantastically modest guy to this day.