Strong call..
Slattery vs Jones isn't a strong call.
Small Paul for Ireland, that's a strong call... although worryingly enough I'm beginning to come round to that thinking.
Strong call..
Slattery vs Jones isn't a strong call.
Small Paul for Ireland, that's a strong call... although worryingly enough I'm beginning to come round to that thinking.
Of all time.......
1.Tom Smith
2.Keith Wood
3.Jeff Probyn
4.Wade Dooly
5.Ian Jones
6.Richard Hill
7.Michael Jones, far and away....how amny other players have set their own schedules for the All Blacks?
8.Dean Richards
9.JVH
10.Barry John
11.Shane Williams
12.Tim Horan, There is no other.
13.BOD
14.Tony Underwood
15.JPR Williams
More north than south but F%$£ it
Most of that I'd go with. I think Jason Little would compete with Tana for the 12 shirt and im not saying that cos of 05. Not 100% about Rockoko either but can't really think of anyone else at this moment.
Edit: Just wondering, was Little in the pro era? I'm not 100% sure now I think of it. If not then ignore that bit
Well, he was but he didn't really play inside centre. Tim Horan was always the star inside centre (who many rate above Umaga). I personally think Umaga was just amazing,
All time
17. Jason Leonard - World Cup winner in 2003, most caps for a forward. Very good prop who could play both sides of the scrum if needed.
Jones was a brilliant 7 but not the first proper openside they've been there for decades. e.g. Slattery and there's many more.
Shane Williams was another option I considered. Certainly deserved a spot in terms of longevity of performing well but didn't have quite the same strike rate as some of the other players.
Try scoring rate:
Joe Rokocoko: 0.68
Rory Underwood: 0.55
Jeff Wilson: 0.73
Shane Williams: 0.66
Doug Howlett: 0.79
You're probably right overall, but I wanted to add a little something regarding Shane's strike rate. It's up there with the best, but I'd also like to know how many more tries he directly created. Off the top of my head, without any research I wouldn't be surprised if he set-up almost as many as he scored (if not more), for a wing that's quite increadible. I can remember countless times when he'd recive the ball at 1st reciever and greate a gap for someone simply by fixing defenders, or by creating an overlap himself to put in the winger or fullback. Parkers try v the All Blacks in 2003 is an example, or Stephen Jones' against England in the next match. I would honestly love to know a rough number for his overall try-assists.
I'd probably have him in or around an all time 15, but then I'm biased. I struggle to think of many other professional wingers who have been as consistently good throughout their careers, because as you say Rokocoko's form has dipped considerably, as has the likes of Habana. Howlett is the other who was consistently excellent throughout his international career. Caucau simply wasn't around for long enough, despite his enormous talent. Wilson is another I can't really criticise. Shane's had plenty of poor games, I haven't forgotten that, but usually not long runs of poor games. And even in his poor games, he manages one or two moments of magic. Lomu is a certainly on the other wing btw.
As I said, biased.
1. Stephen Ferris
2. Rory Best (line outs improved despite the abuse he got beore the world cup his breakdown as improved and is now a world class hooker)
3. Stephen Ferris
4. Sean O'Brien(he is sorta tallish I'm sticking to the run through even one theme)
5. Stephen Ferris
6.Stephen Ferris
7. Jamie Heaslip (Lineout jumping , lost his pace looks more to be a seven now , I said this a while ago any people were like "he is an 8 -_-" now loads of people seem to agree its crazy)
8.Stephen Ferris
9.Brian O'Driscoll
10. Stephen Ferris (due to his recent improvement with passing was gunna pick O'Brien cause he has a better boot but after he killed a try against bath it would just be madness )
11. Stephen Ferris
12. Stephen Ferris
13. Brain O'Driscoll
14. Stephen Ferris
15. Stephen Ferris (good under high ball and will always make the yards)
He is pretty awesomeI get the impression you're not the biggest of Ferris fans?