![]() The 5. 0 greatest rugby players of the professional era. So, as Richie Mc. Caw, hangs up his boots, where does he rank in terms of the greatest players of the professional era? Find out as rugby correspondent Simon Thomas assesses the contenders in the wake of the Rugby World Cup and counts down from 5. THE 5. 0 GREATEST PLAYERS OF THE PROFESSIONAL ERA5. Martyn Williams (WAL)Mr Consistency. Man of the Match time and again for club and country. A footballing openside, this popular and highly respected centurion went on three Lions tours. Will Genia (AUS)One of those players who, at his peak, could win a game single- handedly, either with his own sniping breaks or by putting others into space. A real pocket dynamo scrum- half. Alun Wyn Jones (WAL)Now with 1. Test caps to his name, the Ospreys second row has grown into an inspirational and talismanic figure and would feature in most people. Julian Savea (NZ) (Photo: Getty Images)Yes, I know he. Scott Quinnell (WAL)After a short spell in league, returned to Union when the game went open. One of the most effective ball- carrying No 8s in the world, he was like a one- man pack for Wales at times. ![]() Tana Umaga (NZ)A great reader of the game, the Hurricanes centre was the focal point of the New Zealand back- line for years and a hugely successful skipper, winning 1. Gary Teichmann (SA)This Rhodesian- born No 8 captained South Africa to a record 1. Test winning streak in the late 1. ![]() Bok and Amber revolution at Newport. Rob Howley (WAL)Rob Howley. Shone brightly despite spending much of his Test career behind a beaten Welsh pack. Confirmed status as a world class scrum- half with the Lions and won Wasps the Heineken Cup. Will Greenwood (ENG)A tall, stylish and astute centre who had a particular penchant for scoring tries against Wales. Two Lions tours, but his finest hour was lifting the World Cup with England in 2. Joe Rokocoko (NZ)The Fijian- born wing boasts a remarkable strike rate, having scored 4. Tests. Bakkies Botha (SA)Bakkies Botha. The second row enforcer in South Africa. Rounded off his career with three European Cup wins with Toulon. Carl Hayman (NZ)We just hadn. ![]() ![]() At 6ft 4ins and 1. Otago powerhouse was a man mountain in the All Blacks pack ahead of a lucrative move to Europe. Juan- Martin Fernandez- Lobbe (ARG)Look for the ball and the Pumas back rower is certain to be somewhere in the vicinity. Thierry Dusautoir (FRA) (Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images)Produced one of the individual performance of modern times when he made an eye- popping 3. France. World player of year in 2. Jean de Villiers (SA)A hard- running centre who has also shown himself able to do all the pretty stuff. The king of the interception, he scored 2. Test tries and proved a fine leader of his country. On his way to Leicester. Adam Jones (WAL)His record speaks for itself. The scrum cornerstone of three Grand Slam winning teams and the Test tight- head on two Lions tours. A true legend of Welsh rugby who has also been one of the game. Conrad Smith (NZ)Nicknamed The Snake because of his ability to slither through the smallest of gaps and strike with a sudden burst of speed. Brought fluidity to the All Blacks midfield with his intelligent passing and vision. Scott Gibbs (WAL)Responsible for one of the great moments in Welsh rugby history, with his Wembley try against England in 1. Lions image with his dumping of Os du Randt two years earlier. A wrecking ball centre. We handle a wide range of commodities and package designs. Contact 24 Hour Fitness regarding: Feedback, Questions, GroupX Classes, Group Exercise, Website, Newsletter and your membership. Back to the Beach for Flamingoes. The Flamingoes headed to Swansea on the weekend, looking to defend their Beach Rugby Wales title. With both Natalie Walsh and Keeley. Get more from your membership at 24 hour fitness in Irvine, CA. State of the art training & fitness center. Get your free pass now. Justin Marshall (NZ)Some players talk the talk, some walk the walk. Justin Marshall could do both. Backed up his chirping by running the show for the All Blacks in an 8. Test career ahead of a high- profile spell with the Ospreys. Percy Montgomery (SA)Percy Montgomery. Test days appeared to be over when he joined Newport in 2. World Cup, excelling at 1. Doug Howlett (NZ)A star sprinter as a schoolboy, once clocked a personal best of 1. Used his speed to great effect in his rugby career, scoring a record 4. All Blacks. A wing with a high work rate and strong defence. Stephen Larkham (AUS)Australia attack coach Stephen Larkham. A converted full- back, the elegant Larkham proved a worthy successor to Michael Lynagh as the Wallaby outside- half. Pulled the strings to great effect during Australia. Gethin Jenkins (WAL) (Photo: Huw Evans Picture Agency)Has revolutionised the role of the loose- head prop. Like an extra back rower with his ability over the ball and his defensive work- rate. The medal haul for club and country says it all. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Find the latest business news on Wall Street, jobs and the economy, the housing market, personal finance and money investments and much more on ABC News. Google is compensated by these merchants. Payment is one of several factors used to rank these results. Tax and shipping costs are estimates. You are now subscribed. Check your email for your coupon code. Vous comptez maintenant parmi nos clients inscrits. Surveillez vos courriels pour l. Matt Giteau (AUS)Blessed with enormous natural ability, has been able to turn his hand to scrum- half, fly- half and centre. Test career seemed over when he headed off to win three European Cups with Toulon but returned to sparkle at this autumn. Jason Robinson (ENG)Jason Robinson. Known as Billy Whizz, this former rugby league star proved a hugely successful convert to Union. A lethal runner from full- back or wing, he was a nightmare to mark in one- on- one situations. Had a knack of scoring memorable tries on the big stage. George Smith (AUS)The scourge of the Lions at the age of 2. Wallabies before he was 3. An absolute pest and nuisance at the breakdown, made a living out of slowing down or stealing opposition ball. Still going strong with Wasps. Richard Hill (ENG)Richard Hill. The ultimate players. Did all the unseen, grafting work and just got on with his job in unassuming fashion, putting his body on the line. Able to excel right across the back row, he was a pivotal figure on two Lions trips and an England World Cup winner. Christian Cullen (NZ)Just about the most exciting player in the world game for a few years in the late 1. Nicknamed the Paekakariki Express, he had a remarkable strike rate, scoring 4. Tests for New Zealand, with his elusive running and pace from full- back ripping sides apart. Schalk Burger (SA) (Photo: Getty Images)One of the most physical flankers in the game, he was dubbed a . Came back from injury and life- threatening illness to enjoy an immense international swansong at the recent World Cup. Lawrence Dallaglio (ENG) (Photo: Huw Evans Picture Agency)Went from being a schoolboy chorister to one of the most formidable physical presences in the game of rugby. Had it all in his prime - pace, power, aggression, pride and a steely mind- set. A Lions series winner, a World Cup winner and a trophy magnet with Wasps. John Smit (SA)One of the great captains of the professional era. Led South Africa a record 8. Tests, guiding them to victory at the 2. World Cup, a series triumph over the Lions in 2. Tri- Nations titles. A teak hard performer in his own right, mainly at hooker, but also at prop. Fourie du Preez (SA)South Africa's Fourie Du Preez runs in to score the winning try against Wales. Any aspiring scrum- half should watch this man in action. A master tactician, with a great kicking game, he was the lynchpin of the South African team that won the World Cup and defeated the Lions. Then came back from injury to excell once again at the 2. Welsh hearts. 1. 7. David Pocock (Australia)A worthy successor to Richie Mc. Caw as the most influential player in world rugby, either at 7 or 8. There is simply no- one better in the game over the ball. He is just perfectly built for the role and when he locks himself onto a tackled player, there is no moving him. A fascinating character off the field too. Zinzan Brooke (NZ)A dynamic ball carrier, this Kiwi No 8 also had better kicking and handling skills than some fly- halves. Heaped the ultimate indignity on England in the 1. World Cup semi- final, landing an audacious drop goal from 4. Jonah Lomu. 1. 5. The Irish second row was certainly blessed with special rugby powers having been one of the world. A three- times Lions who captained the tour of South Africa in 2. Victor Matfield (SA)Dubbed the best centre in South Africa for his love of running with the ball in midfield, this ultra athletic second row has also been a supreme lineout technician. Man of the Match in the 2. World Cup final, he came out of retirement to serve the Springboks once more after a three year break. George Gregan (AUS)A talkative figure on the field, was responsible for one of the great on- field jibes, taunting the All Blacks with the words . Born in Zambia, this complete scrum- half won a whopping 1. Bryan Habana (SA)Bryan Habana. Anyone who races cheetahs in his spare time is likely to be reasonably rapid and the Jo. Further trophy triumphs followed with Toulon and he. Martin Johnson (ENG) (Photo: Action Images/Andrew Budd)A player who led by example and the kind of man you would always want alongside you in the trenches when the chips are down. Would never ask someone to do something he wouldn. Holds the unique distinction of having captained the Lions on two tours, including the triumphant 1. South Africa, while he will always be remembered as the man presented with the 2. World Cup, which England won in Sydney. As well as being an inspirational leader, the Leicester lock was also a formidable player in his own right. A rock like presence in the tight, whose rugby motto was if in doubt, go forward. Jonny Wilkinson (ENG) (Photo: Getty Images)In some ways, you could argue Wilkinson has been the epitome of the professional era. He has set new standards in terms of dedication and an almost obsessive pursuit of perfection. In fact, only Dan Carter has scored more in Test rugby, with Wilkinson having garnered 1,2. England and the Lions. His finest hour, of course, came in 2. World Cup. The fact he landed it with his weaker right foot speaks volumes for his hours and hours of diligent practice. Bowed out on a high, earning two more trophies with Toulon. John Eales (AUS)Legendary Aussie captain John Eales lifts the trophy in 1. Nicknamed . One of a select band of players to have won two World Cups, skippering Australia to glory in Cardiff in 1. Captained the Wallabies 5. Test career, establishing himself as one of the most respected figures in the game. He was also very much a one of a kind as a player. Mr Rose was sent into anaphylactic shock and was temporarily paralysed while he helplessly watched the snake slither close to his two young sons (pictured with him, inset). The builder had seen the so- called 'crack' adder, which hides between rocks, under his two- year- old son Sebastian's pushchair on Hounslow Heath last Saturday. But when he tried to shoo it away the reptile bit him on the finger and he quickly fell very ill. The adder, which is the only venomous snake living wild in the UK, continued to thrash around near his boys Sebastian, two, and Lincoln, three, as Mr Rose collapsed. He said: 'I was paralysed, my blood started to clot and I couldn't speak, I was foaming at the mouth'. Welcome to Walgreens - Your Home for Prescriptions, Photos and Health Informationat the corner ofhappy & healthy. Return to My. Prime. Due to inactivity, you'll need to go back and start the process from the beginning. Return to My. Prime.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
November 2017
Categories |