The greatest: 40-31
40 Enrico Januarie
Age: 26
Position: Scrum-half
Franchise: Lions
Country: South Africa
It says a lot about the incredible depth of talent in South African rugby when they can have two scrum-halves in our roll of honour, but Januarie fully deserves his place as he demonstrated in the autumn Test series. His rival for the No.9 shirt, Fourie du Preez, was arguably the player of the 2007 World Cup but since he has been injured his absence has hardly been noted thanks to the form of this pocket rocket.
39 Rodney So’oialo
Age: 29
Position: No.8
Franchise: Hurricanes
Country: New Zealand
He doesn’t attract the same attention as his more illustrious team-mates, but the Hurricanes captain is an integral cog in the All Black pack. Not the biggest No.8 in the world, but his all-round ability at the base of the scrum, quick hands and willingness to grind out the hard yards make the All Blacks vice captain an influential and popular figure in the dressing room.
38 Conrad Smith
Age: 27
Position: Centre
Franchise: Hurricanes
Country: New Zealand
The one time law student has not looked back since scoring on his international debut against Italy in 2004 with his first touch of the ball. Nicknamed The Snake because of his priceless ability to exploit the smallest of gaps with a sudden burst of speed, Smith boasts an intelligent passing game and is the unsung hero of a prolific All Black backline.
37 Sebastien Chabal
Age: 30
Position: No.8
Club: Sale Sharks
Country: France
The most recognisable figure in the game, it is doubtful whether there is a more explosive impact player in Test rugby than L’Hommes des Cavernes (The Caveman). Comfortable anywhere in the back five of the scrum, Chabal’s physicality, aggression and love of the big hit - just ask All Black flanker Chris Masoe - mask the fact that he is also an intelligent, ball player with incredible natural strength.
36 Yannick Jauzion
Age: 30
Position: Centre
Club: Toulouse
Country: France
If we were compiling this list two years ago, the big French centre would have been comfortably sitting in the top 10, widely regarded as the world’s finest midfielder. The fact Jauzion is not is down to a decline in the pace which used to help him accelerate clear on those wonderful arcing runs of his, and the vagaries of French selection which has seen him line up with a different midfield seemingly every other week. Nevertheless as the heartbeat of mighty Toulouse, the elegant French centre is still a formidable attacking force. The legs might be aging, but the mind is every bit as sharp, and his ability to draw defenders and offload is still second to none. A decade in the French side is testament to Jauzion’s value.
35 Lote Tuqiri
Age: 29
Position: Wing
Franchise: Waratahs
Country: Australia
The big Fijian-born wing has had his problems since switching from league to union in time for the 2003 World Cup. On his day, however, Tuqiri is a proven match winner. Huge, quick, powerful and skilful – all givens for top-level wings. More to the point, perhaps, is the sense one gains of his sheer stage presence, the sense that he can, if he wishes, shape a match to his liking. Often he does.
34 Ryan Jones
Age: 27
Position: No.8
Region: Ospreys
Country: Wales
He only arrived on the international scene as a replacement on the Lions tour to New Zealand in 2005. An intelligent, powerful and destructive ball carrier, the 27-yearold No.8 was the obvious choice as captain of Wales and his inspirational leadership helped Wales romp to the Grand Slam this year. Hugely respected and a favourite for the Lions captaincy.
33 Sailosi Tagicakibau
Age: 26
Position: Wing
Club: London Irish
Country: Samoa
The best wing in the Premiership by a country mile last season, the rangy 6ft 4in Samoan first made his name on the sevens circuit, then announced his arrival on the international 15-a-side stage during the 2003 World Cup where he frightened the life out of England in the pool stages. Quick, without having the searing pace of a Habana or a Williams, Tagicakibau’s galloping, longstrided running style makes him impossibly awkward to tackle.
32 Nick Evans
Age: 28
Position: Fly-half
Club: Harlequins
Country: New Zealand
It would not be an exaggeration to say that were it not for the presence of a certain Dan Carter, Evans would arguably be the greatest fly-half of his generation. Instead, Evans’ sublime skills have made him an instant hero at The Stoop. Harlequins’ gain is the All Blacks’ loss, because Evans would have been a shoe-in to take over the No.10 mantle now Carter has decamped to Perpignan for six months. Evans is a superb all-round player who would walk into any other Test team in the world.
31 Joe Rokocoko
Age: 25
Position: Wing
Franchise: Blues
Country: New Zealand
A broken wrist has plagued his season, but the Blues wing is safe and secure at the top of the attacking pantheon. His World Cup might not have been too spectacular, but think, instead, of the damage he’s done in the past, on his own or in concert with fellow Kiwi-Fijian, Sitiveni Sivivatu. An incredible 43 tries in 50 Tests proves just how deadly a finisher he is but he is not simply a try-scoring machine. Strong going into the tackle and able to get the ball out or hang on till the big boys arrive, he is a fully-functioning cog in the All Black back-line machine. What he might do if he resists big money offers from Europe does not bear thinking about.
