Top 5 - Rugby Players of a Generation

A hero has faced it all: he need not be undefeated, but he must be undaunted - Andrew Bernstein

In my relatively short life watching sport (10-13 years) I have been more than fortunate enough to witness some truly extraordinary sporting events. These spectacles could never come to fruition however, if it were not for some incredibly tremendous players who continue to raise the bar in their respective sports. So this is my tribute to them....next up is rugby.

5. Victor Matfield
Vicotr Matfield was without doubt a totemic figure, at the heart of the South African team for over a decade.  Certainly he is one of the best forwards of the professional era. Matfield has won three Super rugby titles, two Tri Nations as well as succeeding at the 2007 World Cup.

A majestic lineout specialist, the 6ft 6 giant made his debut for the Springboks in 2001, where he went on to make over 100 caps for his country.

More often than no,t Matfield wreaked havoc on his opposing hookers and second rows. A supreme athlete, Matfield however was immensely skilful. His grace in the air was something to behold. He had the toughness of a heavyweight boxer allied with the panache of the most gifted out-halves.

A hugely influential player, Victor Matfield was at the forefront of one of the most successful teams of the professional era. In South Africa they pride themselves on producing hard, top quality forwards and without doubt that is something Victor Matfield was and more.

4. Richie McCaw
The lynchpin of the New Zealand pack for over a decade, the openside flanker is only short of being knighted at this stage of his career. The superb flanker has an all conquering CV to his name.

Since making his debut against Ireland in 2001 McCaw has amassed seven Tri Nations titles, four Super rugby titles, as well as leading his country to their Holy Grail, the World Cup. Added to all this he has won the IRB World Player of the award on no less than three occasions.

McCaw is undoubtedly a hugely skilful and athletic player but he is famed for his bravery, leadership and intelligence on the pitch. He epitomises everything good about the modern rugby and this is clearly highlighted by his reluctance to play abroad so as he could represent his native New Zealand to the best of his ability. He is the ultimate flanker, the one who you will often find at the bottom of one ruck getting trampled on like Mufasa was in the Lion King. The next play he will be the one making the big carry or a seismic hit.

Any rugby player who gets capped by New Zealand is always going to be someone of special quality. To be capped over 100 times and score 19 tries in the process will no doubt go down as one of the all time greats.

3. Shane Williams
A two time Grand Slam winner and Lions tourist, Shane Williams has undoubtedly been one of the most exciting players of the last decade. This is merely portrayed by his staggering 58 tries in 87 appearances for Wales.

It was the sensational manner of these tries however which separated Williams from his peers. Many will remember the stunning team try against Australia which he commenced and finished with aplomb as well as when he left Bryan Habana for dead in the summer of 2008.

Added to all this, Williams has scored hugely integral tries in the biggest of games for Wales. His try against England in 2005 set Wales on the path to Grand Slam glory. Furthermore, he carried Wales to another Grand Slam in 2008 scoring tries against Italy, Scotland, the winning try against Ireland as well as a decisive try against France in the final game of the championship.

Indeed his performances that year earned him the IRB World Player of the year and whilst he may not be number one on this list many will remember the dimunative wizard for his monumental performances and mesmerising actions.


2. Dan Carter
The highest points scorer of all time, Dan Carter is even one of the most renowned All Blacks of all time. The man oozes class and composure. The 30 year old has four Super Rugby titles to his name with the Canterbury Crusaders whilst he has also amassed six Tri Nations as well as being apart of the famous World Cup winning squad.

Indeed it was Carter's injury which left New Zealand in a frenzy for the duration of the World Cup and for good reason too. In his 85 appearances in an All Blacks jersey he has amassed a staggering 1,250 points including 29 tries.

He made his debut in 2003 and whilst he had made some eye catching performances, it was 2005 where Carter truly shot to glory. For all the shortcomings of Clive Woodwards 2005 Lions, Carter was simply irresistible. He put on a virtuoso performance in the second test where he scored 33 points against the bewildered Lions.

From there on he never looked back and has expertly conducted the All Blacks orchestra like Mozart ever since. His passing is crisp and he when he gets a sniff of making break he knows when to go.

At his best he was an eviscerating out half who devastated all around him. At his worst he merely toyed with the opposition with the coolness and class of a cucumber in a bucket of ice. He is truly one of the all time great rugby players and he is not finished yet.


1. Brian O'Driscoll
Unquestionably Brian O'Driscoll is one of the greatest players of the professional era. He possesses a vast range of qualitites. From his early days he was renowned for his elusiveness and pace. As his career progressed he became more dynamic and powerful. Added to that he is now a hugely clever player and his defence is second to none.

In a glittering career the outside centre has two Heineken Cups and a Magners League title for Leinster. He has starred in three Lions tours and he was also at the forefront of Ireland winning their first Grand Slam in over 60 years. But to merely list his honours would only tell half the story of O'Driscolls career.

His nous for making game changing plays is more than a little scary. He has a list of plays longer than the Great Wall of China. This was first portrayed when exploded onto the scene against France in 2000, where he scored a hat-trick which led Ireland to their first success in Paris since 1972. He also scored the winning try against Les Bleus the following season.

That however was only the start, an appetiser for things to come. In the summer of 2001 he was majestic on the Lions tour of Australia where he also scored an exceptional individual try in the first test. In 2004 he led Ireland to their first Triple Crown success since 1985 where he scored three tries in that particular championship.

2005 was another memorable year for O'Driscoll. Many will remember where he was infamously taken out of the first Lions test against New Zealand but, it was also a year where he did his utmost to lead Ireland to their Holy Grail, the Grand Slam. Having secured victories against Scotland and Italy, O'Driscoll scored the winner against England, whilst another mesmeric try against France nearly stole what would have been an undeserved win.

Two more Triple Crowns followed in 2006 and 2007 but the 2007 World Cup was a disaster for Ireland who travelled to France with great expectations. Though O'Driscoll performed well, the aftermath seemed to have drained him. In 2008 he appeared to be a shadow of his former self whilst injury also seemed to be affecting him.

In 2009 came his piece de resistance, his renaissance. Grand Slam glory, scoring four tries in five games, as well as particularly heroic displays against England and Wales. A maiden Heineken cup followed where he scored the decisive try against arch rivals Munster whilst he also scored a drop goal in the final. A final which Leinster happened to only win by three points.

Meanwhile, on the 2009 Lions tour both he and Jamie Roberts wreaked havoc on the Springboks whilst his seismic hit on the gigantic Danie Roussow will live long in the memory of those who witnessed it. That following season O'Driscoll made a huge tackle on Zane Kirchner in the dying moments to seal success against South Africa whilst he also scored a try in the last minute to clinch a draw against the Australians.

Since then he has led Ireland to success against Australia in the 2011 World Cup whilst he is on the precipice of a third Heineken cup success, providing Leinster can see off Ulster in this year's finale. He plans on making a fourth Lions tour in 2013. He has yet to win a test series for the Lions but you would not bet against him adding that that honour to an already glorious CV.