World XV: The General

Picking 'the general' - or flyhalf - for the Ultimate World XV and best ever Bok flyhalf will be the most difficult decision so far.


For the Boks, Morné Steyn has played 50 Tests followed by Butch James (33 Tests an unsung hero at the 2007 World Cup), Naas Botha (28 Tests) and Henry Honiball (26 Tests).


For many Naas Botha will be the obvious choice.


He was a general and dominated games with his great kicking abilities and tactical brain.


Botha could distribute (although many Blue Bulls outside backs playing with him would ask: "When did that ever happen?") and scored two awesome tries against Auckland on the 1981 New Zealand tour.


He would have struggled in the modern game, as his defence is even worse than Quade Cooper's and he would not have taken on the gainline.


Other notable Bok flyhalves include Hansie Brewis, Piet Visagie, Keith Oxlee, Bennie Osler, Joel Stransky and although Handré Pollard has only played in seven Tests to date, could become the greatest of them all.


My choice is Henry 'Lem' Honiball.


Picking the World's best No.10 …. where do we start?


The Kiwis will tell you straight, look no further, it is Dan Carter! Grant Fox was a similar flyhalf ala Naas Botha, while Carlos Spencer deserve a mention.


The Aussies will be divided between Stephen Larkham, Mark Ella and Michael Lynach.

 

For England it has to be Jonny Wilkinson.


To be honest he would be my second choice. He had BMT and who would forget winning the 2003 World Cup with a drop-goal of his weaker foot.


His defence was also top notch.


Hugo Porta, the Puma wizard, has done extremely well playing in weaker teams; he single-handedly beat the Boks in 1982 in a Jaguars jersey.


Ollie Campbell and Johnny Sexton would be Irish candidates.


The proud Welsh will tell you it has to be Barry John, Jonathan Davies or Phil Bennett. Bennett is my pick by the smallest margin over Wilkinson.


Teams so far:



 

 

Vote on polls for your flyhalf choices.

 

Best Bok 10

Best World no.10 ever