The 15th installment of my Greatest Ever series is here!
In this series I will look at the greatest talents to grace various sports. This time I continue to look at Rugby Union, and, following my "Top Ten Centres of All Time", I will look at the top ten players ever to play on the wings.
This was another tough one to narrow down to just ten. Wingers are often the main attacking threat and top try scorers in the team. Often either big and strong or exceptionally fast, or sometimes even both, a great winger on his day can be incredibly difficult to stop.
10. Shane Williams (WAL) - The little Welsh magician just makes it in at number ten. He defied all the odds when he first came onto the international scene, with claims that he was too small. At just 5'7 and 11 stone the claims weren't completely unfounded.
However, Williams let his feet do the talking, and his deceptive running, fantastic side-step and sheer speed have elevated him to hero status in Wales. In 58 caps for them he has become his country's top try scorer ever, chalking up 215 points in the process.
He has appeared in one British and Irish Lions test on the 2005 tour to New Zealand.
9. Gerald Davies (WAL) - Originally a centre, when Davies was switched out to the wing he quickly established himself as a Welsh rugby great. He was a key part of the all-conquering Welsh Rugby side of the 70s.
In 46 tests, Davies managed to score 20 tries for Wales. He was also part of two Lions tours, in 1968 and 1971. More recently he has been named manager of the Lions team that will tour South Africa in 2009.
8. Jason Robinson (ENG) - He was known as "Billy Whizz" for his incredible pace and for his trademark sidestep. One on one, Robinson is as good as anyone. He is one of few players to have excelled in both Rugby Union and Rugby League.
In his 56 test matches in an England shirt, he scored 30 tries, including the only try in the 2003 World Cup final, which England would go on to win. He has been selected for two Lions tours, winning five caps and scoring two tries.
7. Joe Rokocoko (NZ) -
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3 months ago
Personally I think Jeff Wilson was a better all-round player than Lomu, I know alot of people would disagree though.
3 months ago
vincent clerc deserves a mention, purely electrifying
3 months ago
all-round, yeh i would probably agree with you sean, wilson had more skill etc. But Lomu had probably more pace and more strength. Again I thought who would I want in my team. Lomu just had to be in there.
3 months ago
Nice list Barney. I personally thought Joe Roff was Australias greatest ever winger, though Campo was awsome, Joe just had it all. Roff was big, fast, strong, he was a great kicker and scored lots of tries. When the Lions toured Australia, he made a real difference. When Roff played against Lomu i felt the Wallabies would be ok. Campo played mostly before the birth of pro rugby too. Good read.
about 1 month ago
personaly i feel that Caucau should be mentioned here.....sheer pace and speed.....no one can match this man one on one
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