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Paddy Jackson > sextonAgreed. That or Johnny Sexton.
Paddy Jackson > sextonAgreed. That or Johnny Sexton.
Interesting.Agreed. That or Johnny Sexton.
Interesting.
DC, for me, was GOTE fly half of his era (2005-2015). JW a close second.
Sexton's main era (2016- 2023). Other contenders: Pollard, Barrett, Mo'unga, Farrell. For me Sexton has to win the RWC to cement himself as GOTE. But then Pollard has already won one already and if Boks win 2 in a row under his guidance as fly-half then I think he would defo take GOTE.
I was joking DC then Sexton for me. Sexton has only played one QF of a world cup for reasons mostly outside his control (bad coach and injury). Essentially basing his career on one match v the All Blacks in a faltering set up is nuts.
Overlap in eras between DC and Sexton. Post DC era Sexton is up against a different set of Fly halves in the GOTE debate IMO. Injury, coaching etc is part and parcel of the sport. His body hasn't held up when it mattered most and under the most pressure. Look at DC and how he pulled his body through the 2015 RWC even though he'd injured his knee. Of course coaching is not in his control, but his position does give him the most control on the field.
And his career will be judged on combo of club and international and not just a the RWC. RWC would be the cherry on the top of an incredible career.
Compare someone like BOD and Conrad Smith. There is an argument BOD is the GOTE of 13s. But he only played in a QFs of RWC and one Lions series win. But CS won two back to back RWCs, one series win v the Lions and formed the best midfield combo of his era with Nonu, in conjunction with his longevity at RG every top. CS the greater 13 of his era for me.
I had this debate with @Which Tyler who is very against team achievements when judging a player (we were talking about Russell). I'm somewhere in the middle.Overlap in eras between DC and Sexton. Post DC era Sexton is up against a different set of Fly halves in the GOTE debate IMO. Injury, coaching etc is part and parcel of the sport. His body hasn't held up when it mattered most and under the most pressure. Look at DC and how he pulled his body through the 2015 RWC even though he'd injured his knee. Of course coaching is not in his control, but his position does give him the most control on the field.
And his career will be judged on combo of club and international and not just a the RWC. RWC would be the cherry on the top of an incredible career.
Compare someone like BOD and Conrad Smith. There is an argument BOD is the GOTE of 13s. But he only played in a QFs of RWC and one Lions series win. But CS won two back to back RWCs, one series win v the Lions and formed the best midfield combo of his era with Nonu, in conjunction with his longevity at RG every top. CS the greater 13 of his era for me.
Individually and skill wise I would agree. But we are talking of "Greatness" not most skilful.Smith v BOD isn't a debate as far as I'm concerned, BOD was a better rugby player, Smith was a vital cog in the best team to ever play the game but Smith, Carter, Nonu and a whole host of back three players were just as good or better players than him. He achieved a whole lot of nothing at club level.
Individually and skill wise I would agree. But we are talking of "Greatness" not most skilful.
I look at 2007 when for some strange reason Henry selected Muiliana at 13 for the RWC. That was a great ABs team which were favourites to win the RWC. Play a proper 13 and ABs win the next two world cups. Still, Smith has 2 World Cup winners medals to show whereas BOD has none.
Club game is important and all and that is one side of the coin to judge a player's Greatness in their era. No doubt Sexton ticks this.
Six nations is equivalent of an annual Euros. But
For me RWC is still the pinnacle of the sport. Can't class Sexton as GOTE if he doesn't steer Ireland to one in his career.
In NZ Conrad. In Ireland BOD.I see where you're coming from but I think you're a bit lost in the sauce. "Greatness" - whose name is more recognisable? BOD or Conrad Smith....
FTFY.In NZ Conrad. In everywhere other than NZ BOD.
Well that's your correction not mine. I suspect they rate Conrad more in Aus and SA as well more than BOD.FTFY.