Who do you think is the best rugby player to ever live is?

Question

Who do you think is the best rugby player to ever live is?

Answer 1

This is a question that can hardly be answered objectively. Being an old dog, I have seen quite a few great players over the years. It would not be fair to choose one player as the best ever. The best in their positions could be a better option. If I were to choose Earth's best team ever to play agains Mars it could look like this: (current players excluded)

15. Christian Cullen (NZ)

14. Gerald Davies (Wales)

13. Danie Gerber ( SA)

12. Philippe Sela (Fr)

11.Tony O'Riley (Ire)

10. Cliff Morgan (Wales

9. Gareth Edwards (Wales)

8. Hennie Muller (SA capt)

7.Jeane-Pierre Rives (Fr)

6. Kel Tremain (NZ)

5. Frik du Preez (SA)

4. Colin Meads (NZ)

3. Ken Gray (NZ)

2. Sean Fitzpatrick (NZ)

1 Chris Koch (SA)

And if I had to help Mars choose a team it could be:

JPR Williams (Wales), David Campese (Aus) , Jeff Butterfield (Eng), Mannetjies Roux (SA), Brian Williams (NZ) Naas Botha (SA), Ken Catcpole (Aus), Zinzan Brooke (NZ), Jan Ellis (SA), Ian Kirkpatrick (NZ), Benoit Dauga (Fr), Willie-John McBride (Ire, capt) Graham Price (Wales), Gys Pitzer (SA) Ian McLauchlen (Scot)

Answer 2

Colin 'Pinetree' Meads - without question.

Best I've seen live is Jeff Wilson. Amazing ability to read a game, and a skill set you would not believe if you never saw him play.

Answer 3

For my money it has to be Buck Shelford.

Undefeated as captain

The best most respected captain of any sports team ever.

He could command his players respect and the publics adoration.

Bring Back Buck.

I saw a bring back buck sign at the Titans Vs Warriors game - classic

Answer 4

Jonah Lomu without a doubt, and thats coming from a Springbok.

Answer 5

its impossible to say rely cos best forward has to of been zimzam brooks cos he had such awesum basic skills for a forward

but backs has probs gota jonah lomu, he took rugby 2 a hole new level

and dis is frm an red roses boy

Answer 6

I have been watching rugby since my late father took me to Lansdowne Road for the 1963 All Blacks match. Recently with two rugby-mad sons and a tolerant wife I have been watching even more , including Super 14 on sky and old matches on ESPN. The game has changed so much that when I watch a classic game like 1973 All Blacks v Baabaas with my sons they are horrified at the amateurish shambles. The one player who stands out from the old games is Gareth Edwards. It is hard to define why but my best guess is simply awareness. He seems at least obe step ahead of everyone else on the pitch and I am convinced he would be as good now as he was then.

Answer 7

it has to be jonah lomu orthe exceptionally talented brian habana and im neither a springbok or a kiwi

im english thru and thru

jonah changed the game - for the better and that is excatly what brian habana is doing at the moment in years to come people will be comparing wingers to the idol that is habana

Answer 8

you cant have this question without including Old Pinetree Colin Meads. Without a doubt THE best player to play the game. Could bloody near play any position on the field.

Answer 9

there is really no one best player. due to the increasing technology being brought intothe game like new jerseys and balls its really hard to compare. by far the best playmakers in the history of Rugby Union would have to be Tim horan and Jason little

Answer 10

Not possible to say.  As with all sports, rugby has changed a lot over the years.  The games from years ago do look slow and less coordinated than the modern ones, but the players were amateurs who had real jobs outside of playing.  And we drank a lot of beer!  The best that you can do is consider who was the best against his peers.  Also, it is easy to pick a back versus a forward as backs are more visible compared to forwards.

Would a 2008 team beat a 1975 team?  Almost certainly.  But that is not the point.  You have to beat the team in front of you.

That being said, Gareth Edwards was an absolute master of the game, as was JPR Williams, and this is from an Englishman!  Also, Graham Mourie (All Black) was as good a leader as there was and a darn good flanker.

Answer 11

I think everyones agreed there's only 1 player above all others, with respect to all great players who played the game with passion and pride over the years.  Michael Jones is the only player who has no peers in his prime, played the games in a unique way.  He's got the balance, both on and off the field.  His whole attitude towards the game made him the best ever rugby player to wear the No.7 jersey. The think about this guy is his great determination about the game regardless his no Sunday game even, if its mean he'll get drop from the team.  He's a game breaker, a try scoring machine, a ball carrier, a good inside and outside centre, an agressive tackler, etc...

Answer 12

New Zealand and Samoa's Michael Jones is the best player ever in my opinion.  He was the most complete open side flanker to ever play the game.  He scored the first ever try in a world cup, he was probably the most punishing tackler of all time  and he is still a very respected man off the field today.

Michael Jones is also a christian and some classic dialogue was when South Africas Francois Pienaar said of Jones "I don't know how a man can call himself a christian and tackle with such ferocity."  to which Michael Jones replied "the bible says that it's better to give than it is to receive."  Classic!