The XV's Team of the Decade

As this decade comes to a close it seems remiss to pass up the opportunity to throw The XV's 10cents worth into the team of the decade debate. The criteria for selection were as follows;
i) Iconic moments and stand out performances were preferred to overall consistent performance throughout the decade
ii) Selection was based on both club/provincial achievement as well as international
iii) Winners were generally preferred for bringing that ethos to our side
iv) The side is merely a best 15 players, not necessarily involving the best balanced side possible for selection
An impossible task for a decade that contained some truly iconic moments but here’s our XV. Your thoughts, as always, are much appreciated!


Loose Head Prop

The prop positions have been problematic. The unnatural physicality required to succeed at the position have meant props often rotate not only from game to game, but within the 80minutes themselves. Injuries are frequent and career shelf-life perhaps shorter than in other areas of the field because the position has evolved more than any other in the decade. Props were expected to do progressively more than just secure scrummage ball; rucking dynamism, athletic ball carrying and increased tackling productivity were demanded in conjunction with the solid set play basics. France has excelled beyond all others in producing this prop utopian of brute force and classy dynamism but none, domestically or internationally has effectively stood out from the others enough to win through. Not one has truly dominated the decade. The versatile Gethin Jenkins was a strong consideration on both sides of the front row. 5 Lions test caps and 2 Grand Slams support the explosive performances from his 2003 debut to the end of the decade. Never less than phenomenally hard working in the loose, and at his best, destructive in the scrum with a touch of class with ball in hand Jenkins was hard to overlook. But after much agonizing Martin Castrogiovanni was the selection.
Whilst ostensibly a tight head his work in the loose is second to none and the transition would not daunt him. If “Castro” (as he prefers to have emblazoned on his shirts) was a movie, the poster tagline would read ‘where old world meets new’. With his caveman hair and beard, and socks rolled down is he smashes another scrum with almost worrying glee he is a throwback in both appearance and attitude. Yet, the youth team basketball players confident handling, surprising pace and impressive try scoring record make him the benchmark for modern day prop forwards to aspire to. Man of the Match in Italy’s maiden Six Nations victory, Castro is also perhaps this side’s symbol of the progress of Italian rugby in the decade, which culminated this autumn in a staggering 80,000 people heading to the San Siro to watch the national side take on the All Blacks. With domestic medals (2005 Italian League title, 2 Guinness Premiership titles and Anglo-Welsh cup) to back up his popularity and impressive performances in a struggling national side Castrogiovanni is the complete package.

Hooker

Hooker is perhaps the most controversial selection in the side. In other sides dotted about the various sports blogs and publications South African World Cup winning Captain John Smit has been the consensus choice. His name was strongly debated in regard to he XV’s team. A CV containing not only a World Cup win but a brace of Tri-Nations titles and a Lions Series victory are certainly not to be shunned. But I have always felt Smit has been somewhat carried by those around him, his leadership, rather than his play have kept him in good sides. There is no doubt at the end of the decade he was a poor second to Bismarck du Plessis in the race to be springbok hooker and in a straight fight for the hooking jersey in Clermont he finished second and returned home after just one year in France. It is the man who won that jersey who takes the hooking birth in this outfit, Argentina’s Mario Ledesma. The rise of Argentinean rugby in the noughties is probably the success story of the decade. Beaten World Cup semi-finalists by the end of the decade and Tri-Nations rugby to look forward to from 2012, “Super Mario” epitomized the thrusting new force in World rugby. A stand out front row forward in a Top 14 not short on such a commodity Ledesma is a worthy choice.

Tight Head Prop

As was mentioned in the loose head section, Gethin Jenkins was again considered for this position but in the decade of big scrummagers no one quite did it like All Black Carl Hayman. Rugby’s highest paid player racked up 45 All Black caps in a side that dominated World rugby between World Cups, before heading to Newcastle in 2007. Leading a very young Falcons side with aplomb and still seen as so integral to the national teams’ success, that tireless efforts are being made to ensure his return for 2011 World Cup back home. The premier prop in world rugby full stop.

4&5. Lock

The Second Row was another congested area of not only stand performers but massive leadership also. The decision in the end became fairly straightforward but those left out would grace any side. Honourable mentions need to go to Simon Shaw, so often the forgotten man in the decade but a tight forward of genuine skill and to say the biggest hearted Lions tourist of all time may not be stretching the point. Made up for lack of England caps by filling his domestic trophy cabinet. The mountainous Fabian Pelous of France and Stade Toulousain. Huge club success, Six Nation triumphs as captain of his country and finished his international career as third highest capped Test match player of all time. The most recent Lion captain, Paul O’Connell, also falls in to the category of the unfortunate. In domestic rugby Munster redefined what the club was and where it stood in rugby conscience; the province can be widely referenced in the success story of the Heineken Cup. As an integral part of this success alone O’Connell is a worthy candidate, before looking at his role in the resurgence of the Irish national side climaxing in the end of the long wait for the Grand Slam. But in the end 2 influential World Cup winners could not be overlooked. Victor Matfield was imperious both for South Africa on their way to World Cup glory and for the Blue Bulls dominance of the latter part of the domestic decade. The World’s best lineout forward, with an insatiable appetite for work if the Lock slot really is the “engine room” of the team, then this side is in no danger of breaking down. Matfield is almost a mark II of his partner in this side, England’s World Cup winning captain Martin Johnson. In a game increasingly played by giants Johnson was still able to be physically intimidating to his opponents. As revered by fans as he was respected by colleagues, Johnson was the heartbeat of the English ‘invincibles’ of the early part of the decade, with domestic success only adding to his legend.

Back Row

The back row was at ones stage fairly fluid in this side with guys shuffling from their traditional positions to be accommodated. In the end however, the back row has taken on an orthodox look with an abrasive ball hog 6, a fetcher and harasser at 7 and physicality, both carrying the ball and defending at 8. Martyn Williams of Wales deserves mention in the open-side debate. Wales’ 2 Grand Slams of the decade were built around a string of man of match performances by Williams, and his ability to help revitalize welsh rugby post 2007 World Cup disappointment deserves huge praise. As does another fine Lions Tour, and his huge class in the face of farce in the Heineken semis. The ignominy of a missed penalty shootout goal should never be bestowed on another in this coming decade. However, it was impossible not to select the All Black captain Richie McCaw(C). Very probably the best back row forward ever to play the game McCaw’s game is as near perfection as possible. Try scoring; support running, turnovers, slowing ball and enormous tackling have made him the most respected player currently playing the game. The only player ever to win the IRB World Player of the year twice, personally, domestically and internationally McCaw is one of the games most decorated players. In fact a World Cup is all that is missing to befit his talents in the new decade. The statistics that as Captain Richie McCaw has a win percentage of 90.9% in Test matches and 90% as a player in his 70 Tests is almost unparralled in professional sport. For these reason McCaw is also the captain of our side.
At blind side, whilst Serge Betsen was considered, England World Cup winning duo Neil Back and Richard Hill battled it out. Back would obviously be out of position but with McCaw already at 7 it felt Back was still impossible to ignore. The personification of ‘never give in’ Back is one of rugby’s great success stories. Success both internationally and domestically as well as ruck time skills comparable to McCaw made him appealing but Hill just got the nod. Powerful and destructive defensively(there was no better goal line defender in the game) but the complete opposite with ball in hand Hill gives the side that little bit more going forward in terms of offloads and support running. His never say die attitude would be highly valued in any dressing room.
The third of the England World Cup back row Lawrence Dallaglio is our NO.8. Sergio Parisse of Italy was his nearest rival, a fine player but with nothing like Dallaglio in terms of honours. Dallaglio proved time and again that in the biggest games he could be the difference. The 2003 World Cup final against France he pounded the fringes to get Wilkinson on the front foot to dominate the game. Parisse has obviously not been afforded such opportunities internationally but at club level he is arguably part of the worst offending underachievers in Europe, bags of talent for little return, and where Parisse has not been able to make the difference even in a good side. It made me question whether he really has that elite level in him. Perhaps Stade and Sergio will shine in the new decade but in the past Dallaglio more than took his opportunities. Undermined at times by his own big mouth and silly transgressions off the field, on it Dallaglio was a leader vocally and in his actions. If something was going wrong he would take responsibility with a thumping run or man handling a maul. A try scoring machine in the Six Nations there has not yet been anyone to come close the England 8 carrying from the base of the scrum (although Pierre Spies may well be that man in the coming decade). A prominent gambling firm even ran spread bets titled ‘Larry’s Carry’s’ such was Dallaglio’s ball carrying proficiency. Old fashioned powerful No.8 play is still the bed rock of the game; it enables the backs to play on the front foot and opens up the game. If there were Dallaglio’s in the modern game we certainly would have a more open style of rugby, his explosiveness harnessed to his raw power and positional nous have remained the bench mark for good number eight play.

9. Scrum Half

George Gregan’s Test cap milestone of 139 set in this decade is a truly remarkable feat. Two Super rugby titles and a World Cup final appearance as captain strengthened his claim to be in this team. But neither his performances nor successes matched up to his achievements in the 90’s. Australia were a poor third in the southern hemisphere for most of the decade particularly toward the end of Gregan’s career and his subsequent failure in Europe in Toulon suggest that this was a decade we saw then end of a player who was once great, but not enough in this decade to warrant selection. Matt Dawson and Fourie du Preez got World Cup medals but neither were quite impressive enough to make this side. The 9 jersey goes to former All Black Justin Marshall. People may now think of Marshall as something of a “has boots will travel” but his honours, recognition and longevity make him the scrum half of the noughties. Voted into the 2003 RWC team of the tournament (ahead of Dawson and Gregan who made the final) Marshall had an extraordinary decade. Spikey, creative and amazingly committed in defence Marshall wrapped up domestic titles in both hemispheres. He was also part of the All Black team between World Cups, and particularly during the ’05 Lions series whitewash, that were by far the best in the world. And Marshall has proved he wasn’t just carried by a good side, he made the players player of the year shortlist in his first season in England, even though his side Leeds went on to be relegated. Still leading by example in Saracens remarkable early season form in the Premiership, Marshall is one of the best examples of consistent top level performance throughout the decade.

10. Fly Half

Ronan O’Gara’s feats for Munster in particular over the decade must be admired but in reality this was a 2 horse race. Daniel Carter, the All Black star, IRB International Player of the year for 2005 and his predecessor in 2003 England’s two time World Cup finalist Johnny Wilkinson. Probably the hardest selection in the side there was little to pick between them. Both technically have all the skills; with Carter outshine Wilkinson running the ball and vice versa on defence. Two of the best goal kickers of all time and superb out of hand the side would lose or nothing from one being selected above the other. I finally went for Wilkinson on the basis that in those clutch moments he had got his team through. On the biggest occasions Johnny has been able almost through force of will to drag the England side through. Successive World Cup semi-finals read like master classes of big game management and that extra time drop goal showed the nerve of a true champion. Sometimes there are some skills that just cannot be measured; there are just simply some people in this world that are winners. Johnny Wilkinson is one of those.

12. Inside Centre


Tana Umaga. In the era of the huge battering ram centre the original and best was never surpassed. The first man of Pacific Island origin to captain the All Blacks Umaga was not only a terrorizor of defences but an icon. More subtle than a lot of big centres since Umaga could step off both feet and broke tackles for fun with a brutal hand off, as his 36 Test match tries bear testament to. Equally intimidating defensively he was also a true sportsman, and was awarded the Pierre de Coubertin award for outstanding sportsmanship, after stopping play to check on the welfare of an unconscious Colin Charvis in 2003 Test vs. Wales (although Brian O’Driscoll may dispute his sportsmanship). Will Greenwood, for his imaginative, see it play it style of back play so missed in the modern game deserves mention.

13. Outside Centre

If Fly half was the hardest decision, this was the easiest. No on defined the 2000’s in rugby terms more than Brian O’Driscoll. From his scintillating try for the Lions in Brisbane 2001 right through to his 4 tries in 5 games and subsequent player of the tournament accolades in the 2009 Irish Grand Slam O’Driscoll stood out throughout the decade. A first ever Heineken Cup winners medal with his beloved Leinster and another outstanding tour as Lions vice captain in South Africa proved the post World Cup doubters wrong and returned to world eating form. Like an extra back row forward defensively and throughout the decade with pace and imagination to tear apart the most stubborn defences O’Driscoll is a mantra to how rugby should be played; with passion but clam, valiant defence and even more fearless attacking. Years from now we are all going to be privileged enough to say that yes we saw one of the greats, and yes he was that good.

Wing

Shane Williams sparkled in Wales Grand Slams and their valiant ’03 World Cup showings against New Zealand and England. It will be for the good of the game if he can recapture the form that punctuated the middle of the decade, but I’ve gone for 2 southern hemisphere wingers. New Zealand’s Joe Rokocoko and South Africa’s Bryan Habana. Both are obviously blindingly quick, but there have been plenty of fast men who haven’t wracked up the same number of Test tries (81 between them in 117 Tests). Both are deceptively strong, read the game well and have fantastic feet and awareness to finish moves off. Habana’s threat on intercepts has changed the way teams think about defending with the outside fast rush style he has adopted. Rokocoko’s spins and turns brought a new way of avoiding tackles and creating space. Fans love finishers and we have 2 of the all time best strike rates in the game.

15. Full Back

Chris Latham would get an honourable mention, his lines of running and counter-attacking skills from the 15 position have sadly not been bestowed on many of our full backs right now. It is 2003 RWC adversary though Jason Robinson who gets the final spot in the mythical dressing room. An icon as the first black England Rugby Union captain he was the stand out success story in the decade of rugby league converts. Where others failed, Robinson’s explosive acceleration and dancing feet meant he beat more tacklers than any other back in the early period of the decade. His kicking and positional play came on vastly throughout his career, but it was his running that brought crowds to their feet every time he touched the ball. The game so desperately needs these x-factor players if it is to capitalize on the huge progress in interest it has managed to generate in this decade. It is for this reason that Jason Robinson is The XV’s Full Back, a reminder of what the game must rediscover if it is to continue successfully in the next 10 years and beyond.

1.Martin Castrogiovanni
2.Mario Ledesma
3.Carl Hayman
4.Victor Matfield
5.Martin Johnson
6.Richard Hill
7.Richie McCaw (C)
8. Lawrence Dallaglio
9.Justin Marshall
10.Johnny Wilkinson
11.Joe Rokocoko
12.Tana Umaga
13.Brian O'Driscoll
14.Bryan Habana
15.Jason Robinson