Even 10 years ago the Aussies by themselves had three in the backs, Mortlock, Larkham and Gregan. Now one is hard pressed to find 3 dominant backs in the game.
My list of dominant players would be Dagg, SBW, Mike Phillips( even if he is a jerk) , Franks, Bismarck, Etzebeth, McCaw.
Add Dan Carter and swap Mike Phillips with Genia and you're all good!
Moz I disagree on Philips, but Carter is must to that list and possibly Perisse
Its down to tighter defences, attackers struggle to make and impression these days
Guess Phillips favour over Genia is to do with size yeah? He slows his own teams counter attacks as well as not having that desire to attack, I would rate Youngs and Care above this show pony!
No I meant I disagree with Philips being on the list. I'd have players like JP ahead of Philips. He is a good player, less effective these days
Ah my bad, I would have Habana on that list even if he is getting old but then again he a year younger than Carter and has just shown his worth with a good season in 2012.
Carter is good. He's actually great. But is he really dominating? From what I've seen he doesn't dominant games.
Mozart
If that list was compiled in 2011 - I would have had Carter and McCaw very near to the top of the list. I have watched them with keen interest last year and there is a notable decline in performances of both in 2012. I think the age problem is setting in slowly but surely.
I think Phillips is a misprint - I think he is not on par with the rest. Parisse should however, be considered.
Phillips' try in RWC 11 semis was brilliant.
58 min: TRY! Wales 8 - France 9 (Phillips) Now then! Bit of magic from Phillips has completely turned this match around! He peeled blind from a ruck and Pape fell off the tackle, allowing Phillips to scoot over untouched for the score.
He score a fine try against Ireland in the QF as well.
I also thought he substantially outplayed F du Preez on the Lions tour. And honestly I have not seen him outplayed by a direct opponent. He is the closest thing to Joost in the game today, a scrummie who scores tries. Behind a Bok pack he'd be devastating.
Mozart
Phillips is a good player - but he cannot be described as outstanding baed on one or two tries he scored. Performances like that should be sustained over years and that is not in evidence.
You made the mistake of saying De Jongh is tops because he scored 1 try in nearly two years on CC level - and you must admit he is way too poor to be an international level player
Well I thought the phrase...I have not seen him outplayed by a direct opponent.... covered that. But I see your commenting on Phillips was just a ruse to get at de Jongh. That CC try must have really hurt!
Mozart
The De Jongh try did not "hurt" me at all - it was merely quoted an example of how misleading scoring of a try like that can be. I accept that it badly hurt the Sprinboks in the games he played in for them though.
When Phillips was on his best form, he was brilliant and did outplay Fourie Du Preez in that Lions tour, but that form he had was only temporary.
His passing has always been sub-standard and he is way too slow behind the rucks. I have seen many of his direct opponents outplay him.He does display some magic now and then, but cant be rated as a dominating player.
Then again, he is very strong and doesnt get man-handled by the forwards.
Would defenitely add Carter to the mix.
Parisse, Halfpenny, Dagg, SBW, Read, Carter, O’Connor, Habana, Bastareaud, Jamie Roberts, O’Connell,
Bastareaud bwhaaaahaaa..........man that confirms your rugby ignorance
You have to be kidding - this bloke is useless, had not played for France for over 2 years for a reason and was nowhere to be seen in his return to test level 2 weeks ago. A fat bloke out of his depth at centre.
O'Connell is not even the best lock in the NH.
Its been years since Jamie Roberts made an impression
Halfpenny has made no impression for over a year
JP dominates more than Habana does these days
You really are an inbred moron are'nt you ...
I'm not going to get into a lengthy argument with you that'll span for weeks on end.
Your complete ignorance has been shown so many times already ... there's no need for me to prove, once again that your head is well and truly lodged up your backside.
Enjoy the view ... it's the only one you have.
Keep it short dimwit, talk us through Bastareaud being a dominant world player - there is ignorance and then we are served up this gem........man you are a card......easy pickings
On the contrary Sapp, Halfpenny just won the MOM against France in an excellent display. A game where Phillips also shone:
Mike Phillips made a break straight up the middle to give Wales early field position in the second half and France were soon guilty of being off their feet at a ruck, allowing Halfpenny to add his second penalty and edge the visitors ahead for the first time.
And Habana was our player of the year, so it seems odd that you think JP dominates more these days. In fact JP missed the whole 4N last year. I know you wanted to drop him, but Habana is still at least as good, and probably has a higher work rate.
Well having watched the match you will have noted that Halfpenny had to do very little in order to win that MOM and the reality is that he has made very little impression over the past season or two and is NOT a dominant world player.
JP was our best back last year. At the time I called for Habana's head he was in poor form, he recovered that form to his credit.
Philips is a good player but no longer a dominating world player
I actually watched that match against France as well....and I have to say I thought Halfpenny was excellent in his general play.
Moz we are talking dominating world players, Halfpenny is anything but. He is a good player but wont start at 15 for the Lions - Foden is a better player
