George Smith

MajorRage

Wins the uk players player of the year. At 35.
 
That's outstanding. 
 
I do find it amazing that he was only once nominated for the IRB player of the year, and a shame he retired from international rugby much earlier than he needed to.

Catogrande

He's been giving a weekly masterclass in reading the game, timing your involvement and making good decisions under pressure. He's been an absolute steal for Wasps. Great player. You sort of think that if it hadn't have been for McCaw then people would be talking about Smith a lot more as the outstanding 7 of his generation.

Crucial

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Catogrande" data-cid="579088" data-time="1463042545">
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He's been giving a weekly masterclass in reading the game, timing your involvement and making good decisions under pressure. He's been an absolute steal for Wasps. Great player. You sort of think that if it hadn't have been for McCaw then people would be talking about Smith a lot more as the outstanding 7 of his generation.
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I agree but that is also another feather in Richie's cap in that he saw off such and amazing challenger.

barbarian

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Catogrande" data-cid="579088" data-time="1463042545">
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He's been giving a weekly masterclass in reading the game, timing your involvement and making good decisions under pressure. He's been an absolute steal for Wasps. Great player. You sort of think that if it hadn't have been for McCaw then people would be talking about Smith a lot more as the outstanding 7 of his generation.
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Pocock had a part to play in that, too. If he wasn't so good then George would have received a few more 'SOS' calls like he did against the Lions, and probably would have slotted straight back in once the 60 cap rule was passed.
 
His career was probably cut 3-4 years short simply because we didn't really need him.

Siam

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="barbarian" data-cid="579095" data-time="1463044285">
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Pocock had a part to play in that, too. If he wasn't so good then George would have received a few more 'SOS' calls like he did against the Lions, and probably would have slotted straight back in once the 60 cap rule was passed.
 
His career was probably cut 3-4 years short simply because we didn't really need him.
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You're right Barbarian, no disputing but it does look wrong writing or saying that about Smith
 
Christ he was good for the Wallabies, a mighty player. Every time yellow beat black, that bugger had a huge hand in it.
 
Certainly open side in the unsung greatest XV

kiwiinmelb

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="579091" data-time="1463043041">
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I agree but that is also another feather in Richie's cap in that he saw off such and amazing challenger.
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When you think about it , during Richie's career , Australia have had 3 very good 7s , in Smith , Waugh and Pocock

nzzp

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="579104" data-time="1463045659">
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When you think about it , during Richie's career , Australia have had 3 very good 7s , in Smith , Waugh and Pocock 
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Well, 2 1/2 anyway ... one was a midget.

nzzp

Back to Smith though - an outstanding player. Just an incredible 7, well rounded and read the game so well. Had it all I think - better than the Pooper for me. If he'd hung around, he'd have been neck and neck with McAwe for legends in the international game.
 
Why did he leave, anyway? Got the pip with politics?

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Siam" data-cid="579100" data-time="1463045066">
Certainly open side in the unsung greatest XV</blockquote>
 
Not sure that he was so unsung. He certainly received his fair share of plaudits. I wouldn't be measuring his popularity or the fact other teams feared his ability on IRB awards or nominations. 
He was a phenomenal player and still doing the business. He was a cheat though

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="nzzp" data-cid="579107" data-time="1463045950">Back to Smith though - an outstanding player. Just an incredible 7, well rounded and read the game so well. Had it all I think - better than the Pooper for me. If he'd hung around, he'd have been neck and neck with McAwe for legends in the international game. 
Why did he leave, anyway? Got the pip with politics?</blockquote> 
Deans wanted to start Pocock

Provincial Stalwart

Waugh looked like Rocky Dennis from the movie " mask ". Not a bad player though. Any relation to the cricketers?

barbarian

No

Crucial

Smith >Pocock IMO 
Pocock is a good fetcher but Smith was as good and his game reading much better. Pocock is a one trick pony.

NTA

Its a pretty good trick...

Catogrande

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Provincial Stalwart" data-cid="579112" data-time="1463046366">
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Waugh looked like Rocky Dennis from the movie " mask ". Not a bad player though. Any relation to the cricketers?
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Someone on here once said "Waugh has a face like a smashed crab". This has stayed with me for many years and I don't think will ever go away.

Catogrande

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="579109" data-time="1463046200">
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Not sure that he was so unsung. He certainly received his fair share of plaudits. I wouldn't be measuring his popularity or the fact other teams feared his ability on IRB awards or nominations. 
He was a phenomenal player and still doing the business. He was a <strike>cheat</strike> No7 though :)
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Semantics I know but...

booboo

If there was one player and one player only that I (being the guru of rugby talent judging that I am) felt even for a brief moment could be in consideration for being momentarily everso slightly as good and maybe not worse than Richie McCaw it was George Smith. 
I think he suffered from the NSW obsession with Phil Waugh who was a much lesser player and the need for the Wobs to pander to the NSW media to include him. They were IMO (refer guru statement above) not as good playing Smith and Waugh together and should have just picked the better player (much the same as Pooper).

NTA

In their youth, they were probably more equal. But once Waugh starting packing on muscle he lost a lot of his effectiveness.
 
Never rated him as captain material either.

antipodean

George Smith is the most talented openside flanker Australia has ever produced. Pocock looks like a fucking donkey in comparison to this bloke.
 
He encapsulated the hard work of Poidevin, the speed over the ball of Pocock and the running game of Hooper.

SidBarret

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="nzzp" data-cid="579107" data-time="1463045950">
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Back to Smith though - an outstanding player. Just an incredible 7, well rounded and read the game so well. Had it all I think - better than the Pooper for me. If he'd hung around, he'd have been neck and neck with McAwe for legends in the international game.
 
Why did he leave, anyway? Got the pip with politics?
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I remember Smith coming back from an injury in around 2007 (?) and really looking old and skinny.
 
I think his body just needed a break and Japan was very good for that.

The Silver Fern

George Smith