Greatest Rugby Player

[capowable]

He DID ask for the players around the table. I think these guys are just hysterical together.

[MobKnowledge]

Gavin Hastings deserves a mention.

[jrwright80]

zinny, most talented player , could play anywhere

[timogesbase]

It was actually martin johnson who won player of the century two in 2009

[mizofan]

Gareth Edwards was the greatest.

[TDaViEzZ1994]

@mizofan defo, but they were talking about the greatest in a world cup

[TDaViEzZ1994]

@mizofan i agree, edwards any day. but they were talking about the greatest player in a world cup

[Tehui1974]

This English host is an annoying little cunt

[toasting]

some bloke just mentioned Lathem in the same sentence as Lynagh Cullen and O'driscoll.

funny

[prac2]

Eales. Best by far

[faithlegg]

Brian o'driscoll?best center in the world atm?

[220467NZ]

it always struck me that he was a dirty player who made up for his lack of skill by trying to upset others - a spoiler. He was also pretty good at stabbing the last England manager in the back by saying that there was a lack of team spirit at the last world cup. Now he is spoiling the whole team by being a crap manager

[somerandomer]

@220467NZ

"a dirty player who made up for his lack of skill by trying to upset others - a spoiler"

those sorts of players don't captain world cup winning teams and winning lions tours.

[somerandomer]

felt a bit sorry for johnson. he seemed a bit hurt when everyone picked him out as the dirtiest player. ive never thought he was as bad as everyone else has. always struck me that he was as like any other second row, until someone did something to him, then he'd lash out

[OMCZ123]

@somerandomer johnson was never a dickhead he just didnt back down to confrontation which is how you want players to be and he had some skill but also a brillianty brain

[somerandomer]

@OMCZ123

agree with that. scott quinnel once said that if johnson asked him to run through a wall he would do it, but it would be easy because there would be a big hole where johnson had just run through it aswell.

[dropperwazoo]

Sella triple speed at 1:08 is just amazing

[thegreatnative]

in terms with running with the ball in hand.

JONAH LOMU

[mizofan]

i've been watching since the 60's, and these have most impressed: Gareth Edwards Michael Jones Colin Meads Barry John Mark Ella David Campese Jonah Lomu John Eales Serge Blanco Zinzan Brooke Richie McCaw.... Gareth Edwards was the complete player, with pace, power, a great try-scorer, controlled games with his kicking and tactical know-how, won on Lions tours of NZ and SA, central to Wales' grand slam teams- the Pelé of Rugby.

[jkino78]

what about Lynagh, Burke, O'Driscoll, Cullen, Lathem? I'd have them all before McCaw or Lomu. Lomu was a little 1 dimensional for me. Nice list though

[jkino78]

..and lets not forget Van der Vesthausen, maybe the best no.9 after Edwards

[janswanepoel]

Jonah Lomu was a fine player who captured the world's imagination. But was he the best ever? Not by a large margin. I'll give one simple statistic to back this up: he never scored a try against the Springboks in 12 tests. Truly great players - Michael Jones, Campese, Zinzan, Eales, Martin Johnson, Dan Carter - shine against all opposition in all types of playing conditions. Running over Mike Catt doesn't make you great, gents. (Did enjoy that moment immensely, though.)

[RedBullgivYaWings]

I see your point that Habana scored the same as Lomu so you think he is just as good. But the difference was for Habana you would sort of need someone to set it up (most of the time). Lomu you could just chuck him the ball let it roll on the floor and do all this slopy shit and he would pick it up and score. If you watch video's of him you will see what I meen they just give him a shit ball n he scores.

[RedBullgivYaWings]

They matched for the most tries. But while Habana was playing he had no issue's. Lomu was playing while he was seriously ill.

[wrenchyify]

Bryan habanna he matched lomu in the record with the most tries in a world cup and hes got loads of skill and vision

[moomooman137]

bryan habana is shit compared to lomu, all he has is pace and average ball skills and an average step, he needs people to set him up then he runs down the line (most of the time) and he's a bad tackler, havce you seen habana crunch somebody? ever? no. didn't think so.

[jkino78]

Don't know about skill and vision, I think he's all pace...not a small thing but I don't see him off-loading like Campese or any of the truely great backs.

[jdw7890]

how can everyone leave out gareth edwards he scored the best try (with help )of all time and he was the best, george greagan is up there but watch him play and you will see what i mean

[MrBodyboarder64]

i understand how u guys all pick lomu, but no offense, he wasnt that skillfull, he was just big and very fast, in rugby there is never a star player, of coures there are some that stand out, but its a team game

[thecallan0007]

Jonah Lomu is the greatest. but size wise it would have to be George Gregan.

[maorionly]

greatest player ever........tighthead prop

[maccy809]

greatest player ever, the one and only lomu

[eskimosandcrates]

Greatest backs Lomu/Campese/Barry John/Mark Ella, greatest forwards McCaw/Brooke/Eales, greatest captain Martin Johnson. Rugby is not a game that allows the nomination of just one player as the 'greatest'. The job descriptions, even in the backs, are very different.

[BroomeBlocker3]

Maybe with ball in hand, defensively he is one of the worst players ever, never really did any work in the rucks or mauls either. I agree with eskimosandcrates, hard to pick one single player, however best captain ever easily goes to John Eales, retired with A full trophy cabinet, every possible trophy/shield/cup that Australia could hold they held when he retired.

[maccy809]

he is not poor defnsively

[UHtiger]

jonah lomu

[ulumboeli]

mamuka GORGODZE !!! just watch his maches in montpelie he is STRONGEST and BEST PLAYER EVER !!

[thedread85]

greatest player???....JONAH LOMU.

[Vulcanshield]

Gareth Edwards!

[kilnostart]

Johnny wilkinson

[rwc20071]

Stirling mortlock!

[93elmes]

Gareth Edwards by a country mile

[SouthStags88]

that was useless,they just talked about each other.

[megalania62]

Thats because the question was "Who is the greatest player around this table!!"

[tnsandland]

Without doubt it has to be Nat Lofthouse.

[Huggi9]

Has to be Rupeni Caucaunibuca

[mrgod06]

best player ever is daniel carter

[mutanturtle]

jomu lomu

[mkwapower]

I agree with back row man. The ZINNI ZANNY was special. He was unlucky not to win a second world cup in 95, coz the Boks were lucky.

I am Bok supporter..

[gangster2triggaz]

no best in da world is ither johnny becux he make ppl around him play beter when hes on or jason robinon or richard hill becuz of his natural skill

[scarletsfan91]

r u english by ne chance?

[dennyh86]

theycallmedubey... haha... as if O'driscoll wud be ur first pick in your fantasy XV lol.

[FREASHoffDAshelf07]

bro the best in the world is easily michael jones

[theycallmedubey]

O Driscoll

miles ahead of the rest

[bverlin]

none of them r good [except zinny] johnah lomu and christian cullen are da best

[retinalprosthesis]

But when Eales and Zinny were on the same field ultimately the aussies would win?

[WELLBRAN]

Back slapping program...and pointless. Not one picked a player outside the studio, or for that matter out of their era..daft.

[ejg28]

Thats because he says'whos the best player around the table', not best ever

[WELLBRAN]

OK, even so, a daft idea/concept for a TV program, that was my main beef.

[backrowman]

Zinni, a number 8 who can slot a 50 yard drop goal. Nuff siad.....

[badboymike81]

The Ice Man - Mike Jones!

[TheMoose4433]

Joel Stransky

[tekinoztralia]

campo... eales

[AllBlacksFan78]

come on...Zinny is the Best Ever. no debate about it.