First let me say that this is a team of my
Favourite players. Do I think they are the best players in each position, no!
Are some of them playing out of position, probably! Would this team get a new
hole ripped by any decent internal team, yes!
I’ve simply picked the players that have made me turn on the telly (for
good or bad reasons). Where the decision was close I’ve picked a runner up,
where I didn’t feel it was that close I’ve listed worthy mentions
15: Christian Cullen (New Zealand)
Sensational freak! Magic on attack, at his prime seemed to have more pace,
acceleration and strength than any other back playing the game. Favourite player
of all time!
Runner up - Chris Latham (Aus) – the man can turn a game. Great asset for
the Aussies, they will miss him badly when he is gone (like they currently are)
14: Rupeni Caucaunibuca (Fiji)
The Human keg! Very exciting player (I’m talking the Auckland version) to
watch. His body shape didn’t seem to lend itself to the sheer pace and balance
that the man had, but somehow he managed! Shame that his off field antics
limited his game time on the international scene!
Worthy mentions - Jason Robinson (Eng), John Kirwan (NZ), Wendy Salior
(Aus)
13: Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)
I know, I know – for most Kiwi fans he shot himself in the foot with the whole
‘I could have died incident’. But before that, and since, what a fantastic
player – one of the players that opposition need to have a specific game plan
for. Good on defence and magic on attack – shame he isn’t an AB!
Runner up - Stirling Mortlock (Aus) - (don’t need to look any further than last
weekend). Is a real danger man for Aus, and a great player for never giving up.
Like Latham, Aus are really going to miss him when he’s gone!
Worthy mention - Tana Umaga (NZ)
12: Ma Nonu (NZ)
I’m talking the S12 version here (not the AB or S14 version, as he’s been pants
lately), when he first arrived and (along with Tana) was tearing opposition
defences apart. Very exciting on attack and made every game he played in
potentially exciting!
Worthy mentions - Luke McAlister (NZ), Aaron Mauger (NZ)
11: Jonah Lomu (NZ)
Ask any English supporter and you’ll find out why he’s in my team. Unstoppable
in his prime!
Worthy mentions - Joe Rokocoko (NZ), David Campese (Aus),
10: Carlos Spencer (NZ)
Some of the things he did on attack were simply magic. It’s unfortunate that he
lost the ABs as many games as he won for them. He was unique in the way that he
played the game. Always prepared to try his hand, and it made great viewing!
(was never happy with him in an AB shirt, but didn’t seem to mind him playing
for Auckland J)
Worthy mentions - Andrew Merthans (NZ), Larkham (Aus), Dan Carter (NZ)
9: George Gregan (Aus)
One of the best competitors that the game has seen! I’m longing for the day that
we beat Aus in a RWC game, and seeing the look of disappointment on his face
(last chance this year lads). This is the man that people love to hate (other
than the Aussie fans). Another player that Aus are really going to miss.
Runner up - Bryon Kelleher (NZ) – had the ability to get up Gregans nose, and is
great in the Haka!
8: Dilalio (Eng)
Hard man of the game, brilliant ‘follow me lads’leader (not the best captain)
and someone that I enjoyed watching.
Worthy mentions - Rodders (NZ), Kefu (Aus), Luaki (NZ), Zinzan Brooke (NZ)
7: Josh Kronfeld (NZ)
How much effort did this man put into every game! When the game was over (or he
was subbed with time to go) he always looked like he hardly had the energy to
walk of the park. A true legend!
Worthy mentions - George Smith (Aus), Richie McCaw (NZ), Michael Jones (NZ)
6: Jerry Collins (NZ)
Not many players in my team for their defence, but can’t leave out big Jerry.
Everyone seems to know who Jerry is, and players seem scared of him at times.
Worthy mention - Schalk Burger (SA)
4 & 5: John Eales (Aus) and M Johnson (Eng)
Why separate them. Both fantastic leaders, and neither Aus or Eng would have
been the same without them. Both had a major impact on their teams results when
they hung up the boots. I like seeing the ABs tested against the best possible,
and these two fit into that category!
Worthy mentions - Robinson (NZ), Matfield (SA), Williams (NZ), Gibbs (NZ)
3: Bill Cavubati (Fiji)
Any man that can manage to lug a 160+kg frame around the paddock deserves to be
in any team (and I’m not going to argue with him)..!! Wasn’t a great player –
but one huge b’std!
Runner up - Carl Haymen (NZ) - Carl is in this team due to my enjoyment at
watching the NZ scrum push back all and sundry! Besides, he’s such a tall b’std
for a prop....
Worthy mentions - Olo Brown (NZ), Os du Randt(SA)
2: Keith Wood (Ire)
For some reason Keith just appealed to me. He seems like a man that would be
great to share a pint with after the game.
Runner up - Sean Fitzpratick (NZ) – the best ‘rule bender’ and ref manipulator
in the game bar none! (Gregan tries, but isn’t even close to being as
successful)
1: Kees Mews (NZ)
Easiest choice in the team! No one does the Haka the justice that Kees does!
It’s the Haka that has the missus watching the games with me, she buggers off
when the Haka is over! Kees was also great at sniffing out the try line!
Worthy mentions - Tony Woodcok(NZ), Ollie Le Roux (SA)
Email YOUR favourites to
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to BartMan via the Fern forum
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