Greatest Ever: Rugby Union: Top Ten Fly-Halves Of All Time

Barney by Senior Writer Written on August 12, 2008
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The third Welshman in a row, Barry John is widely considered to be one of the greatest fly-halves ever. And had he not retired at just 27, then I'm sure he would've gone on to top this list.

His partnership with Gareth Edwards was one of the most devastating half-back partnerships in International rugby history. Nicknamed "The King" for his pure quality, John went on two Lions tours, in 1968 and 1971, winning five caps and surely would've added to that and his 25 Wales caps had he not retired so early.

In 1997 John was inducted into the International Hall of Fame.

 

2. Hugo Porta (ARG) - The man who almost single-handedly carried Argentina through the 70s and 80s, Porta is another regarded to be perhaps the best fly-half of all time. However, he wasn't tested against the very best regularly, and so can only get second on this list.

He won 58 caps for the Pumas, captaining them 34 times, including during the first ever Rugby World Cup in 1987. He is still widely regarded as the country's greatest ever player and is a member of the International Rugby Hall of Fame.

 

1. Jonny Wilkinson (ENG) (pictured) - Yes, my number one is Jonny Wilkinson. I can see myself getting a bit of stick for this one, but I just couldn't decide who to put at number one, so I thought, who would I like to have at fly-half in my all time team? Well, here is your answer.

If you count both national and Lions points scored, Wilko is the top points scorer of all time, with 1,099. And, had it not been for an almost four year absence after the World Cup Final, he would be streets ahead of second place Neil Jenkins.

In 2003 he was the best player in the world, but since that drop-goal he has been blighted with injury problems. He is a solid tackler, a good passer and one of the most accurate kickers in the games history, be that from conversions, penalties or drop goals.

No-one has scored more points, more drop-goals or more Rugby World Cup points than Wilkinson, and he is the only player to have ever scored points in two Rugby World Cup finals. He averages 14.5 points a game which, after 70 England caps and six Lions caps is a fantastic record, and is more than anyone else on the list of leading rugby union test scorers.

This and that drop-goal in 2003 is enough to make him my greatest fly-half of all time.

 

Coming soon - Top 10 Centres of All Time

 

 

Other articles from this series include:

Top Three Loose Head Props of All Time

Top Three Hookers of All Time

Top Three Tight Head Props of All Time

Top 10 Second Rows of All Time

Top 10 Flankers of All Time

Top Five No. 8s of All Time

Top Five Scrum Halves of All Time

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written on August 12, 2008 History

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