I'll throw Umaga at 12. Think he ticked every box you can fill. Devastating tackler, prolific try scorer (more tries then John Kirwan. He scored 36 tries), very accurate passer, hard and fast runner, great leadership and vision. The only thing he lacked was an amazing kicking game, however I still think he is the greatest centre (though we'll put him at 12 not to upset the Irish who are hard over O'Driscol) in the professional era. I'd rate him above other quality centres such as Frank Bunce and Joe Stanley. That being said i realise that I could be bias, but from an honest point of view a World XV without Umaga seems flawed.
for me it would be (I swear I am trying not to be bias).
1. Os du Randt (no other legendary looseheads of the same status)
2. Keith Wood (over Fitz as a player)
3. Carl Hayman (greatest tight head I have ever seen play)
4. Ian Jones (Made locks what they are today in my opinion, athletic, mobile and great lineout jumpers in the modern system of lineouts)
5. Martin Johnson (Greatplayer an captain, heavy worker)
6. Richard Hill (the following name was added as to not start a debate, however Michael Jones and Jerry Collins diserve a mention as well as Francois Pienar)
7. Richie McCaw (Greatest openside flanker in history, maybe the first AB to reach 100 caps, unless Mils keeps on form)
8. Zinzan Brooke (Lawrence Dallaglio was also good).
9. Joost van der Westhuizen (Gregan was also amazing if not better in my opinion).
10. Daniel Carter (Wilkinson, Mehrtens, Larkham, Spencer all were good but Carter seems to be the total package)
11. Jonah Lomu (Most devistating player on his game the world has seen)
12. Tana Umaga (Because he can't be put in 13 as I'll be abused)
13. Brian O'Driscol (Because he is very good and rates all most as high as #12 on the list)
14. Rupeni Caucaunibuca (not really a 14, but he should be on the list. David Campese was very good, and was the greatest winger of the time, however Caucau seemed to be the most naturally talented.
15. Christian Cullen (Greatest try scorer in rugby in my opinion. Could run around anyone on a field)
16. Smit (Because it is bias me picking Fitzpatrick)
17. Jason Leonard (because it is bias me picking Olo Brown)
18. John Eales (Matfield was the other candidate)
18. Jerry Collins (that's right, I put him on the list! Michael Jones and Francois Pienar also were amazing players, but Collins is the hardest hitter I have ever seen, so I'll add him)
19. George Gregan (above Justin Marshall and Byron Kelleher, however those two I beleive unbiasly deserve mention)
20. Johnny Wilkinson (Because despite not having as a convincing career of consistant brilliance of that of Mehrtens, it would be bias to pick Mehrtens)
21. Tim Horan (Very good player, so I unbiasly pick him)
22. David Campese (because he was awsome, Jason Robinson, Doug Howlett, Rokocoko, Underwood, Jeff Wilson all could have been picked)
I didn't choose players pre professionalism because I find it too difficult to make a comparison between todays players who I've seen more of, however in order not to get into another argument about professionalism vs pre-professionalism players, I'll say that some could have been in the squad today.
As you can see by the consistant comments on the unbias nature of this post, it is clearly the ONLY team anyone could possibly pick and be correct, because despite what you may think, there is a right and wrong anwser, and this one is right.
