World's Second Best Flyhalf?

[TRF Mr Fish]

I think it's pretty unanimously agreed that the top first five/flyhalf in the world is Dan Carter. Less agreed upon is who is second best behind him. Out of interest, I'd like to see what the forum's views are on the matter.

So, who do you think is the second best first five running around, and why?

For me, it's got to be NZ's next cab off the ranks, Aaron Cruden. He's got great all round play, is probably one of the greatest creative players in the world, and rarely has a poor game. His goal kicking is probably his weakest point, but even last year for the Chiefs his percentage was still among the best in the competition in Super Rugby.

 

[nickdnz]

I'd go with Aaron Cruden as well - though I like Nick Evans. Maybe sound bias but meh, I genuinely believe it.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Ah Nick Evans was one I should've included in the poll - yes he's been very good for the Quins in the last few years. Such a shame he left our shores

 

[admartian]

Right now? Bernard Foley/Patrick Lambie.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Well, I meant consistently, not just on current form.

But even still, I'd hardly say either of those two have performed to Cruden's level so far this season

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I'm bias here but as Nick said its what I believe, Johnny Sexton, he's led Leinster to two Heineken cups and it showed how much Ireland needed him when he was injured during the 6n.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Nick Evans, easily.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

I'm bias here but as Nick said its what I believe, Johnny Sexton, he's led Leinster to two Heineken cups and it showed how much Ireland needed him when he was injured during the 6n.

The reason I can't pick Sexton is that he's never performed against NZ, and rarely does so against any of the SH teams.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Though I am very excited to see Lambie have an extended run at 10 and am willing Goosen's bones to become adamantium so can get a chance as well to string a few games together without getting crocked.. I have to say it probably is Evans IMO. At least ITO consistency. Cooper if on form and if you can keep him out of the way on defense. A lot of ifs though.. I guess I'd rather go with Evans, Cruden, Lambie and a whole host of others first if I were a selecctor.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Evans.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

If you read the Northampton Saints Forum many would have you belive that Stephen Myler is the 2nd best FH in the world....which is absolutely wrong but it made me laugh people think that.

Seriously though i definately think Nick Evans, his standard of play in all areas is excellent and he has so many different skills he uses when he plays. Sexton is a very good player and would probably be in the top ten but Evans has just constantly been up there.

A question for you. Why do the Southern Hemisphere create such amazing backs all the time and the North Hem create amazing forwards? I don't want a debate on which is better i'm just curious as to whether the most talented people in the NH get pushed to being a Forward and the opposite in the SH?

Strange question i know, was just muller it over the other day.

 

[Tony Manx]

Think it is a mute argument really but if one has to discuss this it is somewhat amazing that Nick Evans is not listed in the above poll yet Michalak and Wilkinson are?

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

If you read the Northampton Saints Forum many would have you belive that Stephen Myler is the 2nd best FH in the world....which is absolutely wrong but it made me laugh people think that.

Seriously though i definately think Nick Evans, his standard of play in all areas is excellent and he has so many different skills he uses when he plays. Sexton is a very good player and would probably be in the top ten but Evans has just constantly been up there.

A question for you. Why do the Southern Hemisphere create such amazing backs all the time and the North Hem create amazing forwards? I don't want a debate on which is better i'm just curious as to whether the most talented people in the NH get pushed to being a Forward and the opposite in the SH?

Strange question i know, was just muller it over the other day.

Personally, I don't see there being a lot of glory in being a forward I guess kids run around thinking they're Jonah Lomu or SBW, because the way they play is so interesting. Backs tend to be well known for breaking the mould, whereas forwards are more heralded if they do all the core jobs really well. There are only so many ways you can push a scrum etc., whereas offloading is a whole other ball game. Of course that wouldn't explain why the NH focus on better forwards - I guess it's just a cycle (best players are forwards, so kids aspire to be forwards...). Just my thoughts though.

That being said, I don't think the SH produces any fewer amazing forwards than the north. Most of the AB's top team players (especially the older guys) could rightly claim to have been the best in the world in their position at one point in time.

Think it is a mute argument really but if one has to discuss this it is somewhat amazing that Nick Evans is not listed in the above poll yet Michalak and Wilkinson are?

I think the 'someone else' option has been unofficially adopted as Nick Evans

Mistake on my part, I was mainly putting the (arguably) top players from each country up, and then some. Forgot about Evans because he's not in frame for selection, whereas the others all are!

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Apart from Evans I'm also a bit miffed at you, Invictus, for leaving out Goosen. But you do get points for not listing Elton Jantjies (sadly there are some in SA who would)!

 

[William18]

I reckon Johan Goosen is pretty close to 2nd. He will be in a few years at least. I haven't seen Nick Evans play in years so can't comment much on him. I don't really rate Sexton though - he seems to do the basics very well but doesn't take the ball to the line much. Once again, I don't watch him much.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Apart from Evans I'm also a bit miffed at you, Invictus, for leaving out Goosen. But you do get points for not listing Elton Jantjies (sadly there are some in SA who would)!

This isn't a 'who will be best' poll This is about the here and now. Otherwise I would've included McFaddon, Barrett etc. too.

 

[dullonien]

If Evans is being judged on club form alone, then it's only fair to compare that to Sexton's provincial form only. Sexton has been majestic for Leinster for a number of years, and get's my vote. This is the problem with comparing players that play internationally to those who only play at club level, the step-up is vast and some players who excel at club level can struggle at international, or at least take a while to fully settle.

Pretty sure the excuse of not performing against the SH teams was used for Shane Williams for a number of years. The problem there is that when the rest of the team is struggling, it's difficult for individuals to stand-out.

Biggar should probably be on the list. I'd have him ahead of a number of those on there such as Michalac, Steyn, Wilkinson and Cooper, Especially now that he's translating his regional form to the international stage.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Evans isn't being assessed on international form because he's not in a position where he can be... That being said, he seems to have improved since heading overseas in 2007, when he was arguably the second best flyhalf in the world anyway. But yes, it's hard to compare international and club form.

I was tempted to include Biggar, but I didn't think anyone would really vote for him. I can actually see people making (bad) arguments for Michalak etc., but not so for Biggar. Not because he's worse than the others, but simply because no one is fanatical about him.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

The reason I can't pick Sexton is that he's never performed against NZ, and rarely does so against any of the SH teams.

Meh, S.A 09, Australia 11 (ball in hand) and 2nd test vs NZ 12. With Leinster he is a more impressive player than Evans with Quins.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Personally, I don't see there being a lot of glory in being a forward I guess kids run around thinking they're Jonah Lomu or SBW, because the way they play is so interesting. Backs tend to be well known for breaking the mould, whereas forwards are more heralded if they do all the core jobs really well. There are only so many ways you can push a scrum etc., whereas offloading is a whole other ball game. Of course that wouldn't explain why the NH focus on better forwards - I guess it's just a cycle (best players are forwards, so kids aspire to be forwards...). Just my thoughts though.

That being said, I don't think the SH produces any fewer amazing forwards than the north. Most of the AB's top team players (especially the older guys) could rightly claim to have been the best in the world in their position at one point in time.


I think the 'someone else' option has been unofficially adopted as Nick Evans

Mistake on my part, I was mainly putting the (arguably) top players from each country up, and then some. Forgot about Evans because he's not in frame for selection, whereas the others all are!

When i was younger i aspired to be Lawrence Dalaglio & Martin Johnson, now i look at the current crop of players and aspire to be like Ali Williams & Lauchberry and players like that. I never wanted to run fast i wanted to run into people. I guess it might be down to the individual but i notice that the NH backs just don't seem to play to that high of standard! Maybe i'm jeleous that the current english backs don't really have the skills to make it into the a local club side!