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Best attackers and best defenders

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Sam Owen

Sam Owen

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I just wanted to see whom your best defenders and attackers are in rugby past and present. I cant believe it but when I thought about it most of mine are from NZ, I guess thats what happens when the only country you travel back and fourth from is NZ, no complaints though beautiful country.

Heres mine anyway Ive named 3 for each catergory:-

Best attacking runners..

1. Jonah 'Big Man' Lomu.

'He is generally regarded as the first true global superstar of rugby union. One of the sport's most intimidating players on the field, he has had a huge impact on the game.' -Wikipedia.

2. Christian 'The Paekakariki Express' Cullen.

'He is regarded by his countrymen as being the Greatest All Black Rugby Full Back of all time and the greatest All Black Back of his generation.' -Wikipedia.

3. John 'JK' Kirwan.

'Kirwan's record of 199 first class tries continues to be the New Zealand record for first class rugby.' -Wikipedia.

Best defenders..

1. Brian 'The Chiropracter' Lima.

'He has earned the memorable nickname of "The Chiropractor" for his shuddering hits in defence that supposedly rearrange the bones of the victim.' -Wikipedia.

2. Michael 'Iceman' Jones.

'He was once asked how a Christian such as himself could be such an uncompromising tackler. In reply he quoted a phrase from the Bible: is better to give than receive.' -Wikipedia.

3. Zinzan 'Zinny' Brooke.

Couldnt find anything on wikipedia that describes his defence so heres a clip..
 
You know you can add vids with a youtube link?

Anyway, of all time I'd go with.

Best Attackers:
1. Jonah Lomu: Was just a monster on his game. Went through everyone.
2. Christian Cullen: My favourite All Black. Ran around everyone scoring the best NZ tries.
3. Rupeni Caucaunibuca: In his prime, he was just amazing.

Best Defenders:
1. Jerry Collins: Hit every big man he played against and came better off. Collin Charvis, Schulk Burger, Sebastion Chabal etc. Still a monster hitter. Guessing he has more KO's than most pro boxers.
2. Conrad Smith: Never seen anyone with as good tackle techinque as Conrad Smit. Seems he never misses a tackle (last game being the exception).
3. Sterling Mortlock: I always see him as one of the best defensive centres around, in his prime. Tana Umaga is also brilliant like that.

It is pretty NZ bias, but it's my list so I'll embellish it if I want to, :).
 
Last edited:
nickdnz said:
You know you can add vids with a youtube link?

Anyway, of all time I'd go with.

Best Attackers:
1. Jonah Lomu: Was just a monster on his game. Went through everyone.
2. Christian Cullen: My favourite All Black. Ran around everyone scoring the best NZ tries.
3. Rupeni Caucaunibuca: In his prime, he was just amazing.

Best Defenders:
1. Jerry Collins: Hit every big man he played against and came better off. Collin Charvis, Schulk Burger, Sebastion Chabal etc. Still a monster hitter. Guessing he has more KO's than most pro boxers.
2. Conrad Smith: Never seen anyone with as good tackle techinque as Conrad Smit. Seems he never misses a tackle (last game being the exception).
3. Sterling Mortlock: I always see him as one of the best defensive centres around, in his prime. Tana Umaga is also brilliant like that.

It is pretty NZ bias, but it's my list so I'll embellish it if I want to, :).
Click to expand...

Yeah I tried to add one for Zinny because they had nothing about him on wiki about his defence.

Rupeni definately could attack made ie seem easy.
Jerry tackled with more bad intentions than tryint to get the ball back, definately one of the best.
Mortlock was just a champion rugby centre.
Conrad is like Phillipe Sella, Sela too was known for his reliable defence but neither are hitmen IMO but safe defence is heroic from a team mates point of view.
 
i'd have to say brian o'driscoll is one of the best attackers and defenders around. and jonny wilkinson is a savage defender, really is a savage tackler, he'll never back down from a tackle. saying that he does get injured a lot.
 
Attacking:
Jonah
Jason Robinson
Shane

Defending:
Brian Lima
Brian O'Driscoll
Andrew Bishop (If you ever see him miss a tackle ever you can chop my balls off)
 
Yeah O'Driscoll like Mortlock is good on both and Wilkinson probably tackles harder than any other 1st five Ive ever seen, too right munster2010.

Wasnt Jason Robinson just electric cyril?...he was awesome with the ball. Shane Williams just has one of the best displays of footwork.
 
Sam Owen said:
Yeah O'Driscoll like Mortlock is good on both and Wilkinson probably tackles harder than any other 1st five Ive ever seen, too right munster2010.

Wasnt Jason Robinson just electric cyril?...he was awesome with the ball. Shane Williams just has one of the best displays of footwork.
Click to expand...
He was brilliant. I just remember a try he scored against France in 2001 or 2002 where he collected the ball on their 22 and just smashed straight through the entire French line and went in under the sticks. It was awesome.
 
cheers sam, ya robinson was wicked. i'd love to see him playing for flyde next season, i think he could single handidly get them promoted to division 1 or whatever the next level up is.
 
cyRil said:
He was brilliant. I just remember a try he scored against France in 2001 or 2002 where he collected the ball on their 22 and just smashed straight through the entire French line and went in under the sticks. It was awesome.
Click to expand...
<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OMKV-qhNPso&amp;hl=en_GB&amp;fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OMKV-qhNPso&amp;hl=en_GB&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

That one
 
Best Attackers:
Jonah Lomu
Cullen
Jason Robinson
Caucau
In EA Rugby 08, BOD. Unstoppable.

Best Defenders:
BOD ( I remember on the 2005 lions tour when he performed a perfect chase-from-behind tackle where he used the tackled player as an anchor and spun around straight to his feet and over the ball, the commentators were saying how that was a perfect example if there was ever a coaching video on defence and tackling :P, his tackling was solid and what made his defense great was how he'd force a turn over as well)
Umaga
O'gara.. naaaht
 
Bullitt said:
<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OMKV-qhNPso&amp;hl=en_GB&amp;fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OMKV-qhNPso&amp;hl=en_GB&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

That one
Click to expand...

Is it just me or what? I can't see anything but codes up there..
 
Cullen
Caucau
Gerber
Robinson
Mortlock used to rip up SA defences in his prime

Can't say that I think anybody really stands out as a defender. Not head and shoulders above the rest. Maybe Lima is known as hard hitter but I won't go saying he is a defensive great that stands apart from the rest.
 

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