AB all time pro-era XXIII

[MN5]

@Gunner said in AB all time pro-era XXIII:

@Tim said in AB all time pro-era XXIII:

Starting forwards

Everything easy to pick except the props.

1 Woodcock
2 Fitzpatrick
3 Hayman
4 Retallick
5 Whitelock
6 Kaino
7 McCaw
8 Brooke

9 Smith
10 Carter
11 Ralph
12 Nonu
13 Umaga/C Smith
14 Wilson/Howlett/B Smith
15 Cullen

I’m a bit triggered but the left wing being nicknamed cart horse cos cart horses are strong.

[Nepia]

@mariner4life said in AB all time pro-era XXIII:

Woodcock
Fitzy
Brown
Whitelock
Retallick
Kaino
Richie
Zinny
A Smith
DC
Lomu
Nonu
Bunce
Wilson
Cullen

Piss easy. Would beat any other nation by 30 points

Next

Shit, I think I agree with you 100%. Something is wrong ....

[taniwharugby]

@mariner4life said in AB all time pro-era XXIII:

Woodcock
Fitzy
Brown
Whitelock
Retallick
Kaino
Richie
Zinny
A Smith
DC
Lomu
Nonu
Bunce
Wilson
Cullen

Piss easy. Would beat any other nation by 30 points

Next

Only change I'd consider would be Conrad for Bunce, but I'd not argue too hard with it.

[Nepia]

@taniwharugby said in AB all time pro-era XXIII:

@mariner4life said in AB all time pro-era XXIII:

Woodcock
Fitzy
Brown
Whitelock
Retallick
Kaino
Richie
Zinny
A Smith
DC
Lomu
Nonu
Bunce
Wilson
Cullen

Piss easy. Would beat any other nation by 30 points

Next

Only change I'd consider would be Conrad for Bunce, but I'd not argue too hard with it.

Bunce, Umaga, Smith - TBH I wouldn't quibble over any of those three being selected.

[Cantab79]

1. Woodcock

2. Coles

3. Franks

4. Retallick

5. Whitelock

6. Kaino

7. McCaw (c)

8. Read

9. A. Smith

10. Carter

11. Lomu

12. Nonu

13. C. Smith

14. B. Smith

15. Cullen

[sparky]

1. Woodcock

2. Fitzpatrick

3. Owen Franks

4. Retallick

5. Whitelock

6. Kaino

7. McCaw (c)

8. Read

9. A.Smith

10. D.Carter

11. Lomu

12. Nonu

13. C. Smith

14. Wilson

15. Cullen

16. Coles

17. Moody

18. Brown

19. Thorn

20. Cane

21. Marshall

22. Spencer

23. B.Smith

[sparky]

Could have easily picked Carl Hayman, M.Jones, Z.Brooke, A.Mehrtens, B.Barrett, Umaga, SBW and F.Bunce. Fantastic players all. We really have been had some amazing players in the last 25 years.

[Tim]

I will post the 1993 Auckland vs Lions game when I get home. That was a very good and in form Lions team, but Brooke and Fitzpatrick were so dominant after the first 30 minutes, and that was how they continued. Also see the First super rugby final.

[Chester Draws]

Sam Whitelock is a great player. But no way is he an all-time great. He never dominates like Retallick. When he doesn't play you don't see that much difference -- unlike most of the players listed. When Rettalick is absent a team really notices.

I would pick Ian Jones a million times over him. Lineout master and superb athlete.

Actually, I'd pick Brad Thorn over him too. Not flashy, but a much more physical presence.

There's a few locks who played for money that I suppose aren't pro era like Gary Whetton that are much better too. Andy Haden for you oldies.

[akan004]

@Chester-Draws Downvote

[mariner4life]

Ian Jones is so overrated

[Tim]

[Tim]

@Tim Funny watching this game how many Lions' entries in front and from the side of the ruck.

[Tim]

Auckland reply after the penalty try.

[gt12]

@Chester-Draws said in AB all time pro-era XXIII:

Sam Whitelock is a great player. But no way is he an all-time great. He never dominates like Retallick. When he doesn't play you don't see that much difference -- unlike most of the players listed. When Rettalick is absent a team really notices.

I would pick Ian Jones a million times over him. Lineout master and superb athlete.

Actually, I'd pick Brad Thorn over him too. Not flashy, but a much more physical presence.

There's a few locks who played for money that I suppose aren't pro era like Gary Whetton that are much better too. Andy Haden for you oldies.

Please see here (timestamp 1:25.17):

[Victor Meldrew]

@Tim

I'd have to include Olo Brown with Zinny & Fitzy.

[Victor Meldrew]

@mariner4life said in AB all time pro-era XXIII:

Bunce

Close, I know, but I'd have Conrad ahead of Bunce. His rugby smarts were on another level.

[booboo]

@sparky said in AB all time pro-era XXIII:

Could have easily picked Carl Hayman, M.Jones, Z.Brooke, A.Mehrtens, B.Barrett, Umaga, SBW and F.Bunce. Fantastic players all. We really have been had some amazing players in the last 25 years.

Mehrts is a stretch over DC.

BB for the bench though.

[booboo]

@gt12 said in AB all time pro-era XXIII:

@Chester-Draws said in AB all time pro-era XXIII:

Sam Whitelock is a great player. But no way is he an all-time great. He never dominates like Retallick. When he doesn't play you don't see that much difference -- unlike most of the players listed. When Rettalick is absent a team really notices.

I would pick Ian Jones a million times over him. Lineout master and superb athlete.

Actually, I'd pick Brad Thorn over him too. Not flashy, but a much more physical presence.

There's a few locks who played for money that I suppose aren't pro era like Gary Whetton that are much better too. Andy Haden for you oldies.

Please see here (timestamp 1:25.17):

I upvoted because I assume you refer to the lineout steal. I haven't watched the video

[gt12]

@booboo said in AB all time pro-era XXIII:

@gt12 said in AB all time pro-era XXIII:

@Chester-Draws said in AB all time pro-era XXIII:

Sam Whitelock is a great player. But no way is he an all-time great. He never dominates like Retallick. When he doesn't play you don't see that much difference -- unlike most of the players listed. When Rettalick is absent a team really notices.

I would pick Ian Jones a million times over him. Lineout master and superb athlete.

Actually, I'd pick Brad Thorn over him too. Not flashy, but a much more physical presence.

There's a few locks who played for money that I suppose aren't pro era like Gary Whetton that are much better too. Andy Haden for you oldies.

Please see here (timestamp 1:25.17):

I upvoted because I assume you refer to the lineout steal. I haven't watched the video

That's the way of the Fern.

(and you're right)