Noddy’s turn.

Fullback: Serge Blanco – probably my hardest selection this one.  Blanco edged it because he has that mystical aura about him, probably because I was a young and impressionable lad when watching him. Plus I was at Ballymore when he scored that 100m cracker back in 1990.  Backing up: Christian Cullen – silky smooth

Wing: Ben Tune – no one gave me a greater thrill to watch. I remember hearing about him as he came through colts and have just loved watching every minute of his passionate and committed play since.  Thrilled I was there to see his last game in Brisbane and his intercept try. Backing up: Jonah Lomu – demolition man.

Outside Centre: Frank Bunce – the appeal began when he played for Samoa back in the 91 RWC.  Selfishly it was good when he ended up playing for the All Blacks as it meant we got to watch him a lot more. Backing up: Phillepe Sella – the French flair.

Inside Centre: Tim Horan – another of those players we heard so much of about before he reached the big stage.  Just did some simply brilliant stuff for the Reds and Wallabies.  That 99 RWC performance was dazzling, as was his efforts to even play again in 1995.  Backing up: Brett Papworth – brilliant step.

Wing: David Campese – it’s a cliché, but you just never knew what to expect when Campo came into play.  I still can’t understand how he scored the try he did against the ABs in the RWC Semi of 1991. Let alone be basically untouched. Summed him up perfectly. Backing up: Ian Williams – lightning speed.

Flyhalf: Michael Lynagh – a fantastic career all up, but again I have to go back to the 1991 RWC and this time to the quarter final against Ireland.  The composure and strategic foresight he displayed to tell his team how they would win the match and then execute to perfection is just awe inspiring. Backing up: Mark Ella – wonderful hands.

Scrumhalf: Steve Merrick – an odd one I guess. A two-test ‘wonder’. But it’s a great story. Us back from a disappointing RWC still struggling to replace Farr-Jones, Slattery just retiring and neither Gregan nor Payne standing up. Out from the bush we pluck Steve Merrick. Then just as the game goes professional, with telephone number salaries being thrown around, he says “no thanks, I’d rather be driving my trucks”. Fantastic story.  Backing up: Nick Farr-Jones – what a pass.

Number 8: Wayne Shelford – as teenagers, all my mates and I were shit scared of Buck.  Just watching him do the haka we couldn’t believe anyone would want to play against him afterwards.  Backing up: Zinzan Brooke – superb skills!

Openside: Simon Poidevin – this is the type of guy you needed to take on Buck. My earliest memories of rugby are of a blood soaked Poido running around the SCG in those fantastic addidas three stripe jerseys throwing himself at the next All Black charge. Backing up: George Smith – freaky ability.

Blindside: Willie Ofahengaue – I saw, I believe, his first ever rep game. For Sydney against France back in 1990. He did some monstrous hits. Within a month (or so) he was touring New Zealand with the Wallabies and the next year was a World Champion. Quiet as hell off the field; just hell on it. Backing up: Scott Gourley – he could’ve been a super star!

Lock: John Eales – I don’t think there is anything more that I can say about this man.  Favourite moment was probably for the Reds v the Blues when he jumped up and caught a penalty goal attempt in front of the goal posts and then booted it back 45m down field into touch. A freak. Backing up: Abdel Benazzi – the mongrel in the pack

Lock: Garrick Morgan – he only had a short time at the top before selling out and going to league, but shees he was fun to watch.  I think his peak was 93, and he was a bit of a shooting star, but they tend to shine brightest.  Backing up: Tim Gavin – had to fit in him somewhere.

Prop: Ewen McKenzie – I just loved his head down, bum up attitude.  He really was the cornerstone of the Wallaby scrum and success in the early 90s and his highlights tape would be fairly non-eventful, but it was the vital to the World Champions. Just loved the few times we got to see him run. Backing up: Steve McDowell – everyone’s kung fu fighting!

Hooker: Keith Wood – how could anyone not love this guy? What an amazing presence he had in the game. Not just by his appearance, but by his workload and skill set displayed.  But not a glory boy, he really got dirty and got amongst it.  A fantastic leader. Backing up: Phil Kearns – a fat boy athlete.

Prop: David Sole – First really noticed him in the 1989 Lions team where he was such a hard nosed character, but also fairly so.  Unlike others in the team.  Just had that typical Scottish determination, which another favourite Tom Smith took over subsequently.  Backing up: Enrique Rodrigez – that tackle!

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