The GOAT 15

Below is former English captain Martin Johnson's All-time World Cup 15.

MARTIN JOHNSON'S ALL-TIME XV:

15: Serge Blanco (France)
14: Joe Roff (Australia)
13: Philippe Sella (France)
12: Danie Gerber (South Africa)
11: Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)
10: Jonny Wilkinson (England)
9: Gareth Edwards (Wales)
8: Wayne Shelford (New Zealand)
7: Michael Jones (New Zealand)
6: Richard Hill (England)
5: Colin Meads (New Zealand)
4: Frik du Preez (South Africa)
3: Jean-Pierre Garuet (France)
2: Sean Fitzpatrick (New Zealand)
1: Jason Leonard (England).

Not to be outdone, three of the Dropkicks have come up with their own 15s. Note we’re not a fan of Roman numerals here so it’s 15 not XV.

Mike’s All-time-hating All-time 15

I hate all-time 15s!

If you ask me (and we did – Ed.), a team from today would destroy the older teams. Today's teams are not necessarily more skilful (although with today's larger population base, I'd say there are more skilful players per team than there used to be), I think they'd just monster them with size. Today's professional athletes are bigger, faster, and stronger. I'd say the only place yesterday's teams would be able to compete or be better is in intelligence.

Having said that, here is an all-time 15:

15. Christian Cullen (no contest here; sorry all you Blanco lovers)
14. David Campese (he's usually a left winger, but I think he'd be able to handle the right side ok. Just beats out John Kirwan)
13. Philipe Sella (he was that good)
12. Danie Gerber (he was that good too; although Mike Gibson was pretty good too)
11. Jonah Lomu (it's scary to think what he could have done if he'd ever been 100% fit)
10. Jonny Wilkinson (Dan is potentially better, but Jonny's won a World Cup; Barry Johns was good too)
9. Graeme Bachop (terribly under-rated)
8. Zinzan Brooke (beats out Buck because he's a more complete footballer)
7. Michael Jones (another cut down by injury and his Christian beliefs)
6. Dean Richards (only because I can't think of anyone better)
5. John Eales (hands down a special player)
4. Colin Meads (can't go past him)
3. Kevin Skinner (the enforcer)
2. Sean Fitzpatrick (no contest)
1. Carl Hayman (bit of a big call as I think he still has a way to go, but the best in the world at the moment plus see my reasoning above re today's professional athletes = all class)

Dom’s No-Talking-Just-The-Best 15

15. Cullen (hands down our best attacking weapon)
14. Goldie Jeff Wilson (Pace, smarts, confidence - complete package)
13. Bunce (Not the quickest, but the smartest and hardest tackler of his generation)
12. Tim Horan (complete midfield back)
11. Lomu (at his best, unstoppable)
10. Fox (kepping it warm for Dan, but best tactical kicker, and could take the hit)
9. Gregan (113+ tests, multi world cup winning, head and shoulders above the rest)
8. Buck (Leader, uncompromising)
7. Jones (Possibly the best footballer ever)
6. Pienarr (Bit like Sideline, number 6s dont stand out for me, but another great leader)
5. Eales (Excellent allround athlete)
4. Pinetree (His nick name's Pinetree FFS!)
3. Olo Brown (Strong silent, let his rugby do the talking)
2. Fitzy (The best)
1. An Argentinian (they make the best front row scrummagers)

Hadyn’s Statistical Demolition 15

15. Andrew Gavin Hastings (227 points in World Cups)
14. Rory Underwood (just really for a point of difference otherwise it would’ve been Campese)
13. Daisuke Ohata (world record try scorer, more than Campo)
12. Brian Lima (four freakin World cups!)
11. Jonah Lomu (such a legend)
10. Jonathan Peter Wilkinson OBE (he’s got a frickin’ OBE!)
9. George Gregan
8. Zinnie
7. Richie McCaw (and I’ll tell you why, despite not having the World Cup stats this guy has every other match notched up. It is rare not to see him leading tackles, first to the breakdown and turnovers. If I’m allowed, at least, one rugby machine in my team, I pick Richie.)
6. Pienarr (because I just don’t know any others)
5. Did somebody say John Eales?
4. Colin Meads (I got yer legends right here!)
3. Jason Leonard (23 matches including a very important one in 2003)
2. Sean Fitzpatrick (what am I, nuts?)
1. Jacobus Petrus “Os” du Randt (nothing like a big South African monster in the front row)

Noizy’s Last Minute Refinement 15

Same team as Dom but with Mehrts in for Foxy, Zinny in for Buck, and Os Du Rant in the front row.