or some of the greatest?I know very little about rugby ,i just recognize when some muscular macho men with egg-like ball in their hands,blood in their face,fire in their eyes,standing against each other ,a very tall goal post on either side,,,that this game is called rugby,,,and i am not talking about that american rugby which seems like a dumbed down version of rugby.....
just wanted to know from the fans,,,,who is regarded as the greatest,,,or most popular rugby player in the rugby world? while doing some little search,,,it came to my knowledge that rugby was an ametuer game till 1996,,,,,,So anyway who u guys think is the greatest rugby player????? Or such Thing really non-existent in the game of rugby as it does in other sport such as cricket,,,,where sometime you get confused whether its a team or individual sport!!!!.....in cricket and tennis forum ,among fans there is huge concern over making other people believe that this player is the greatest, no that player is the greatest,that batsman is the better one,,that bowler is magnificient,,that spin bowler is better than that one,,he was the better swing bowler,,,,,,,Bradman vs Tendulkar ,,,Tendulkar vs Ponting,,,,Vs lara,,,,,,Warne vs Murali,,,,kallis vs sobers,,WG grace vs mohammad yousuf and so on and on.....and people get very passionately behind supporting their player as if the sport was some individual sport..........
I am also very passionate fan of football,,,and there is fair bit of comparison in football also such as ronaldo vs messi vs roony ,,,,,pele vs maradona ,,,,,,etc etc all very well known sports personality in sport world....
Is there such scenario in Rugby too? Or Is it purely team sport with little individual spotlight?????
discuss!!!!!!!!!!
Who is the greatest rugby player?
posted on 22/5/11
Colin Meads, Michael Jones spring to mind...so too does Christian Cullen.
Mark Ella was always magic to watch. Jonah Lomu changed the meaning of 'running back' and was one of the greatest, most devastating players ever to play rugby.
posted on 22/5/11
I have always believed that John Eales was the best all round rugby player i have seen.
Mark Ella was electric Line, i could have watched him all day.
posted on 22/5/11
The names you mentioned were in the amateur era They could`nt live with any of todays players.
THAT is a very debatable question forwards perhaps in locks.But at Hooker,front row,loose forwards.IF the amateur era players had the modern advantages.Health regime,lightweight plastic covered balls,designer boots,sports medicine.etc.The could easily live with the players of today,THEY played 80minutes,not subbed after 50,have energy drinks bought on every ten minutes.They were physically hard,especially the SH forwards,not gym monkeys.When they got injured they stayed on as long as they could walk.By your definition players like Fitzy,the Ellas,Campese,Lomu,Micheal Jones,Meads,Edwards .John,Bledynn Williams ,Peter Jackson,Tony O`Reilly ,Eales,would not be successful today.O`Driscoll,I rate Umaga,Mannie Roux,Conrad Smith ,ALL better than him.It is a matter of opinion.BUT mine is an informed one I have at least watched all those stated[except A.C.Wallace of course.]
posted on 22/5/11
Alan, did you see Barry John play?
posted on 22/5/11
Rakish Brigand ,yes many times he was good,part of a great welsh side.Also with the Lions.I thought Mike Gibson was even better but that`s just my opinion.
posted on 22/5/11
Alan,
fair play mate. but here is my opinion. your talking through your back side.
Claiming your opinion is informed. nonsense. your opinion is an excuse to try and win a debate that does not exist.
I have an opinion no less valid then your own and neither your nor mine have any bearing in the grand scheme of things as nobody cares about your opinion or mine.
Opinions, drop in the ocean but show a little respect for others. u will find yours carries far more weight that way.
posted on 23/5/11
Gareth Edwards is regarded very highly and often wins polls for 'Best Player' etc.
However, in Rugby, one could argue for 15 'Best Players', one for every position on the pitch. As the players are so diverse in their roles on the pitch but each has their very important part to play.
:o)
posted on 23/5/11
Dingbatman,how am I talking out of my backside?as you correctly state.Your opinion is as valid as mine.IF you really want an opinion informed or not.THERE is NO greatest player or ever will be.Every era throws up it`s heroes,if you shine in a great team.You get he`s good but look who he`s playing for.Or he would be so much better with a stronger team.Laws change,styles change there is no constant.Todays game has no relation to the one I played for good or ill.Superfit players who last 60 minutes at best.Squad players given shirts they have`nt earned as a reward for being in test squad.Capped by given a run on 5minutes from timein a won match.But you`re right it is just my opinion.
posted on 25/5/11
Some really good shouts here but, I'm afraid, you've all missed the obvious. There was, is, and always will be only one Willie John McBride!
posted on 5/6/11
Plenty of candidates: Mike Gibson, Colin Meads, Jack Kyle, Gareth Edwards, Jean Prat etc. It's hard to say. Best players of professional era: McCaw, Carter, Eales, Campese and O'Driscoll.