The independent of the UK has released a list of the top 50 rugby union players on the planet. Without wasting too much of your time, here is the list.
1. Richie Mccaw (NZ) 2. Juan Martin Hernandez (ARG) 3. Dan Carter (NZ) 4. Sergio Parisse (ITA) 5. Victor Matfield (SA) 6. Matt Giteau (AUS) 7. Shane Williams (WAL) 8. Bryan Habana (SA) 9. Schalk Burger (SA) 10. Juan Smith (SA) 11. Jean de Villiers (SA) 12. Mike Blair (SCO) 13. Ma’a Nonu (NZ) 14. George Smith (AUS) 15. Pierre Spies (SA) 16. Stirling Mortlock (AUS) 17. Fourie du Preez (SA) 18. Vilimoni Delasau (FIJ) 19. Paul O’Connel (IRE) 20. Luke Mcalister (NZ) 21. Nili Latu (TON) 22. Tony Woodcock (NZ) 23. Brian O’Driscoll (IRE) 24. Nathan Sharpe (AUS) 25. Thierry Dusautoir (FRA) 26. Mario Ledesma (ARG) 27. Jean-Baptiste Elissalde (FRA) 28. Mils Muliaina (NZ) 29. Martyn Williams (WAL) 30. Bakkies Botha (SA) 31. Joe Rokocoko (NZ) 32. Nick Evans (NZ) 33. Sailosi Tagicakibau (SAM) 34. Ryan Jones (WAL) 35. Lote Tuqiri (AUS) 36. Yannick Jauzion (FRA) 37. Sebastian Chabal (FRA) 38. Conrad Smith (NZ) 39. Rodney So’oialo (NZ) 40. Ricky Januarie (SA) 41. Lee Byrne (WAL) 42. Andrew Sheridan (ENG) 43. Patricio Albacete (ARG) 44. Sitiveni Sivivatu (NZ) 45. Felipe Contepomi (ARG) 46. Aurelien Rougerie (FRA) 47. Ali Williams (NZ) 48. Adam Ashley-Cooper (AUS) 49. Euan Murray (SCO) 50. John Smit (SA)
This list can be verified by visiting http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/the-50-best-rugby-players-in-the-world-1331516.html?action=Popup&ino=1, which has been my source of information.
A lot of issues jump to mind when I view this but of greatest significance to me is the fact that the top ten comprises of 4 South Africans, 2 New Zealanders, 1 Australian, 1 Argentinian ,1 Italian and 1 Welshman.
There are many other talking points which I am sure the bloggers on this site will do justice to and this should make for an interesting debate. It must however be stressed that this is not my opinion but the opinions of journalists who work for the Independent.
What are your thoughts?
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18 comments
Manny says:
Jan 22, 2009
Can Ricky Januarie please please please be removed from that list!!!!!!
Guru says:
Jan 22, 2009
I am shocked ny Pierre Spies being number 15!!
Ron says:
Jan 22, 2009
My first thought when looking at this list is: what have they based this on? For me, how can you compare someone like Victor Matfield to Ma’a Nonu? For me I would like to compare like-to-like e.g. McCaw and Burger and clearly based on the list McCaw is miles ahead of Burger.
The IRB player of the years was not named too long ago and Shane Williams won it and in this list he is coming in at number 7.
Pierre Spies is at 15 and you have So’oialo at 39!!! What rubbish is that??
And where is the Beast in that list? Top 50 and he can’t make it!
Guru says:
Jan 22, 2009
Ron, I sense some serious bias there. A player does not make the top 50 by virtue of wearing the silver fern
Regarding McCaw ve Sckalk, I never disputed but contrary ton what you have been insisting on, Sckalh, according to this list is head and shoulders ahead of George Smith who is at number 14.
Ron says:
Jan 22, 2009
I will not jump into the Burger vs George Smith debate, that is for you and Manny. Yet again I seriously question the criteria for this list.
But if we want to look at the silver fern Guru, there are 12 silver ferns in that list and only 9 Boks! Infact 8 Boks… what Januarie is doing on that list I have no idea!!! Januarie ahead of Beast…hell no! And Victor coming in at number 5 he is the best placed Bok, so is he the best the Boks have to offer, i do not think so.
In my opinion, Jean de Villiers is the best of the Boks but then he is only 5th out of the Boks.
Manny says:
Jan 22, 2009
I think this is to do with a general assessment of how good a player is in his position. Similar to the IRB player of the year where you can have players in different positions being compared. But clearly this assessment is one taken over the entire careers of these players and not just one season.
Which is why I ask…..Ricky January???
Guru says:
Jan 22, 2009
Let’s try and put this into perspective, based on this list, the world XV would be :-
1)Tony Woodcock
2)Mario Ledesma
3)Euan Murray
4)Paul O’Connel
5)Victor Matfield
6)Juan Smith
7)Richie Mccaw
8)Sergio Parisse
9)Mike Blair
10)Juan Martin Hernandez
11)Shane Williams
12)Jean de Villiers
13)Ma’a Nonu
14)Vilimoni Delasau
15)Mils Muliaina
Now that really makes this list questionable.
Manny says:
Jan 22, 2009
Eish……maybe I’d put Carter / Giteau at 10…but otherwise I’d actually have to say that looks a pretty decent team
Ron says:
Jan 22, 2009
I would say I agree with Manny, just the number 10 position is questionable. And looking at the XV, there is no Australian!! So its a good selection!!
Guru says:
Jan 22, 2009
In fact, Hernandez is a flyhalf/fullback so i guess he could be moved to Fullback and then Dan come in at flyhalf.
That would make the backline good but the world Xv tight five according to this list is very weak in my eye. This team would lose simply coz their tight 5 would be eaten for breakfast.
Zinzan says:
Jan 23, 2009
What about Rupeni Caucaunibuka ?
Ron says:
Jan 23, 2009
Good point Zinzan! I am not sure where the guy is playing, last I heard he was actually meant to be playing for the Stormers, but if he is still playing somewhere then he has to get a mention. My guess is he is in the ‘rugby bin’ and not playing anymore. He certainly gave us some great memories!
BP says:
Jan 26, 2009
haha Rupeni ‘i missed the plane’ Caucau? that oke is one of the most talented players but also unfortunately one of the most erratic and unreliable….
regarding that top 50 list….januarie possibly made it with his match winning try against the all blacks in dunedin, as much as i hate it, it was a brilliant try and worthy of a few accolades, its a pity for SA that he didnt continue that form throughout the year….
i dont know how habana and du preez are so high in the list after their shockers, and mils had a great year at fullbakc in my opinion….
BOD’s form has been on a slow decline for the last couple of seasons so i find it a surprise he’s so high on the list….jean de villiers was SA’s best player by far this year and comes in on the list at 11th, behind out of sorts matfield, habana, juan smith (schalk deserves his place), so you know this list is not a true reflection of last year
shane williams surely shouldve topped the list after winning the IRB player of the year award…he scored some scintilating tries this year including dazzling the boks in SA
brando says:
Sep 20, 2009
FOURIE DU PREEZ at 17??
that right there kills the credibility of this shortlist as he is without doubt the top player active at the moment.
In terms of fulfilling his duties in his position he gets 20 out of 10 and not to mention there isn’t a more rounded footballer at present with the ability to determine the outcome of a game single-handidly.
time to re-shuffle the list there.
BP says:
Sep 21, 2009
thanks for that brando, this list was back in january, and i think without doubt fourie du preez should be at least in the top 5, if not number 1.
brando says:
Sep 21, 2009
doh!
*note to self…check dates before jumping on the bandwagon in future..lol
blake says:
Sep 23, 2009
where is rohnan o’gara he is sick
BP says:
Sep 23, 2009
you mean the guy who lost the 2nd lions test single handedly? mmm dont think he’d deserve to be ni the top 50 pal