Player of the decade

[Zakar]

No arguments with Sexton but Dusatoir feels like a token European nomination. It's not even like he won loads, a grand slam in 2010 and that's it.

2011 RWC?

[Jay Cee Gee]

No arguments with Sexton but Dusatoir feels like a token European nomination. It's not even like he won loads, a grand slam in 2010 and that's it.

2011 RWC?

Shameful.

[brat]

Beauden Barrett for me. More exceptional moments than anyone else in the last decade. McCaw and carter toss up for the previous decade

For me it’s not about exceptional moments -it’s about the players influence on the game - winning the game for their team

On that basis mccaw is light years ahead of anyone on that list - arguably the most influential player/all black of all time

An example is that we wouldn’t have won the 2011 rwc without him, even on one foot

[Tehui]

McCaw, McCaw, McCaw.

There is daylight between him and the rest in this time period.

[towny]

Beauden Barrett for me. More exceptional moments than anyone else in the last decade. McCaw and carter toss up for the previous decade

For me it’s not about exceptional moments -it’s about the players influence on the game - winning the game for their team

On that basis mccaw is light years ahead of anyone on that list - arguably the most influential player/all black of all time

An example is that we wouldn’t have won the 2011 rwc without him, even on one foot

Sure he was. But in this decade, he hasn't been the most influential AB. Not close. If he didn't play, the ABs were just as good. When Retallick didn't play......

[towny]

McCaw, McCaw, McCaw.

There is daylight between him and the rest in this time period.

He retired in 2015 and his best years were Before 2010. How can you say that he was Daylight ahead of anyone else from 2010-2020? It's simply not true.

You guys are so desperate for Richie to win a Little online poll….. maybe a psychologist could get to the bottom of this neediness.

[Tehui]

McCaw, McCaw, McCaw.

There is daylight between him and the rest in this time period.

He retired in 2015 and his best years were Before 2010. How can you say that he was Daylight ahead of anyone else from 2010-2020? It's simply not true.

You guys are so desperate for Richie to win a Little online poll….. maybe a psychologist could get to the bottom of this neediness.

He lead his team to two World Cups. That's one for each testicle.

[Jay Cee Gee]

McCaw, McCaw, McCaw.

There is daylight between him and the rest in this time period.

He retired in 2015 and his best years were Before 2010. How can you say that he was Daylight ahead of anyone else from 2010-2020? It's simply not true.

You guys are so desperate for Richie to win a Little online poll….. maybe a psychologist could get to the bottom of this neediness.

The decade is 2010-2019 so he played 6 of 10 seasons, that's plenty for consideration. I agree his best rugby was before 2010 so he can be player of the previous decade too.

[ZuluBoy]

No arguments with Sexton but Dusatoir feels like a token European nomination. It's not even like he won loads, a grand slam in 2010 and that's it.

He's been handed the wooden spoon thus far in the poll. He played very well though in the 2011 WC final and lead his team by example.
McCaw stretching the lead in the poll now
From a SA point of view surprisingly P-S du Toit got 4 votes thus far as he only played in the 2019 WC still at the start of his intnl career

[Punter15]

Jimmy Gopperth.

[EverReady]

The Russian bots out in force

[mr bungle]

McCaw, McCaw, McCaw.

There is daylight between him and the rest in this time period.

He retired in 2015 and his best years were Before 2010. How can you say that he was Daylight ahead of anyone else from 2010-2020? It's simply not true.

You guys are so desperate for Richie to win a Little online poll….. maybe a psychologist could get to the bottom of this neediness.

Who’s your pick, mental case?

[PornDog]

McCaw, Carter, Dusatoir and PStD only really had an impact on a small part of the decade. As far as that works for me you have to half their influence before considering them. At that McCaw and Carter are probably still contenders, but in reality its between Sexton, Retallick, Read and Barret.

With that criteria I think it has to be Read.

[Jay Cee Gee]

McCaw,...only really had an impact on a small part of the decade.

Played most of the decade, but ok.

[PornDog]

McCaw,...only really had an impact on a small part of the decade.

Played most of the decade, but ok.

I know he has that famed invisibility cloak, but what?!?!?

[Tussock]

McCaw,...only really had an impact on a small part of the decade.

Played most of the decade, but ok.

I know he has that famed invisibility cloak, but what?!?!?

Slight exaggerations from both sides... but half of the decade where he led & won 2 WC's would not be considered a small part or most of the decade.

[PornDog]

McCaw,...only really had an impact on a small part of the decade.

Played most of the decade, but ok.

I know he has that famed invisibility cloak, but what?!?!?

Slight exaggerations from both sides... but half of the decade where he led & won 2 WC's would not be considered a small part or most of the decade.

TBF its selective quoting from JCG. Okay, I could have left out the word "small" (where I was talking about 4 players not just Ruchie), but immediately after that I clearly said you would have to half their influence before considering them - and I still said Carter and himself would be in with a shout. He's just doing his full on Kiwi precious routine!

[Jay Cee Gee]

McCaw,...only really had an impact on a small part of the decade.

Played most of the decade, but ok.

I know he has that famed invisibility cloak, but what?!?!?

2010-2015 = 6 out of 10 seasons.

[Jay Cee Gee]

McCaw,...only really had an impact on a small part of the decade.

Played most of the decade, but ok.

I know he has that famed invisibility cloak, but what?!?!?

Slight exaggerations from both sides... but half of the decade where he led & won 2 WC's would not be considered a small part or most of the decade.

No, most as in the majority of the period in question.

[CrazyIslander]

McCaw wasn't the best player for the All Blacks at that time.

[Tussock]

McCaw,...only really had an impact on a small part of the decade.

Played most of the decade, but ok.

I know he has that famed invisibility cloak, but what?!?!?

Slight exaggerations from both sides... but half of the decade where he led & won 2 WC's would not be considered a small part or most of the decade.

No, most as in the majority of the period in question.

Ok, agreed.

[Tussock]

McCaw wasn't the best player for the All Blacks at that time.

Probably the most important player for the All Blacks though... primarily for his leadership.

[Yer Man]

I’m disappointed there is no Quade Cooper option.
Also, isn’t there a PR Henson rule?

This!

[CrazyIslander]

McCaw wasn't the best player for the All Blacks at that time.

Probably the most important player for the All Blacks though... primarily for his leadership.

He was captain but this is player of the decade not captain. As I've posted before these four were better over the period:
Read
Retalick
A. Smith
Nonu

[Mog The Almighty]

McCaw wasn't the best player for the All Blacks at that time.

Probably the most important player for the All Blacks though... primarily for his leadership.

He was captain but this is player of the decade not captain. As I've posted before these four were better over the period:
Read
Retalick
A. Smith
Nonu

McCaw also insisted on rocking that bleached-tip 80s-flat-top right into the 2010's. Brave style choice, but looses a few points just for that in my books. Not very becoming of a rugby man really.

[PornDog]

Richie McCaw was twice the player that Kieran Read was

That's effectively what you're saying, and I disagree!

[franch fan]

Richie McCaw was twice the player that Kieran Read was

That's effectively what you're saying, and I disagree!

And I also hugely disagree.
Mccaw was obviously great but despite obviously not getting to his level, you see many backrowers with his skills (poacher, incredible workrate, playing at the edge of the law).

Whereas you very rarely see backrowers and even less a number 8 with the handling skills and rugby brain in open play of Kieran Read.
He really was one of kind.

[mr bungle]

McCaw wasn't the best player for the All Blacks at that time.

Probably the most important player for the All Blacks though... primarily for his leadership.

He was captain but this is player of the decade not captain. As I've posted before these four were better over the period:
Read
Retalick
A. Smith
Nonu

McCaw also insisted on rocking that bleached-tip 80s-flat-top right into the 2010's. Brave style choice, but looses a few points just for that in my books. Not very becoming of a rugby man really.

McCaw never had frosted tips. Now Justin Marshall on the other hand...

Still does

[Mog The Almighty]

McCaw wasn't the best player for the All Blacks at that time.

Probably the most important player for the All Blacks though... primarily for his leadership.

He was captain but this is player of the decade not captain. As I've posted before these four were better over the period:
Read
Retalick
A. Smith
Nonu

McCaw also insisted on rocking that bleached-tip 80s-flat-top right into the 2010's. Brave style choice, but looses a few points just for that in my books. Not very becoming of a rugby man really.

McCaw never had frosted tips. Now Justin Marshall on the other hand...

Still does

No, McCaw definitely did, at least at one stage. I think he tried to keep it "natural looking" so it wasn't so obvious.

[mr bungle]

Well, find a pic of it. If he did, there’ll be a photo.

[Ghost-Of-Nepia]

Well, find a pic of it. If he did, there’ll be a photo.

Mog has it stored on his desktop, right next to his "Prop positioning for dummies" PDF.

[eldanielfire]

Isn't it telling that many of us will point out that many of the biggest name nominations for player of the decade probably had a better period in the decade before? Or only really lasted the first half of this decade having established themselves in the previous one?

[Rugby2023]

He did cheat a lot, which is unbecoming of "the player of the decade"

So you're saying it can't be a forward then?

But can it really? The best backs are just better rugby players, they can do most things back-row forwards can do but on top can do things most forwards can only dream of, and they are infinitely more skilled, possible exception of Parisse (who actually wouldn't be a bad call for player of century).

[eldanielfire]

He did cheat a lot, which is unbecoming of "the player of the decade"

So you're saying it can't be a forward then?

But can it really? The best backs are just better rugby players, they can do most things back-row forwards can do but on top can do things most forwards can only dream of, and they are infinitely more skilled, possible exception of Parisse (who actually wouldn't be a bad call for player of century).

Likewise there are things forwards can do that backs can only dream of. Look at most rucks, slowing ball down successfully, maul sacks, lineout calls and of course scrummaging. It's not just doing them, but being able to execute over a game, if backs attempted the tackle counts forwards do they would be subbed off way earlier for exhaustion.

[Mog The Almighty]

Well, find a pic of it. If he did, there’ll be a photo.

That is ridiculously easy.

I'm not saying he's not a good rugby player just because he rocked a frosted tips 80s flat top his entire career, Im just saying his stylistic choices were questionable for an alleged hard rugby man.

Maybe he's a big Vanilla Ice fan or something, I dunno. All the power to him, if nothing else it's brave.

[Rugby2023]

He did cheat a lot, which is unbecoming of "the player of the decade"

So you're saying it can't be a forward then?

But can it really? The best backs are just better rugby players, they can do most things back-row forwards can do but on top can do things most forwards can only dream of, and they are infinitely more skilled, possible exception of Parisse (who actually wouldn't be a bad call for player of century).

Likewise there are things forwards can do that backs can only dream of. Look at most rucks, slowing ball down successfully, maul sacks, lineout calls and of course scrummaging. It's not just doing them, but being able to execute over a game, if backs attempted the tackle counts forwards do they would be subbed off way earlier for exhaustion.

I highly doubt backs are dreaming of maul sacking, lineout calls and scrummaging. (wings used to run the lineout). The likes of O'Driscoll and D'Arcy were as good over the ball as a backrow forward and that was just one element of their game, BOD in particular could break the line at will, chip-chase, pass, kick, captain, score tries and everything else, Wilkinson's tackle count was often above most backrow players (not to mention he could ruck, pass off both hands, kick with both feet and run the line). They were just so much more able than even the best forwards, and every bit as influential on other levels. Parisse I say is the exception, he was a forward who could do it all, even in a poor team.

[MrDominator]

Sexton should be nowhere near that list.

Bottle merchant of the first order.

[MrDominator]

The likes of O'Driscoll and D'Arcy were as good over the ball as a backrow forward and that was just one element of their game, BOD in particular could break the line at will, chip-chase, pass, kick, captain, score tries and everything else, Wilkinson's tackle count was often above most backrow players (not to mention he could ruck, pass off both hands, kick with both feet and run the line). They were just so much more able than even the best forwards, and every bit as influential on other levels. Parisse I say is the exception, he was a forward who could do it all, even in a poor team.

To be fair, BOD would have lost a footrace against most props for the last ten years of his career.

[UncleFB]

Well, find a pic of it. If he did, there’ll be a photo.

That is ridiculously easy.

I'm not saying he's not a good rugby player just because he rocked a frosted tips 80s flat top his entire career, Im just saying his stylistic choices were questionable for an alleged hard rugby man.

Maybe he's a big Vanilla Ice fan or something, I dunno. All the power to him, if nothing else it's brave.

That's the light hitting his head you trolling numbskull.

[Kahu]

Well, find a pic of it. If he did, there’ll be a photo.

That is ridiculously easy.

I'm not saying he's not a good rugby player just because he rocked a frosted tips 80s flat top his entire career, Im just saying his stylistic choices were questionable for an alleged hard rugby man.

Maybe he's a big Vanilla Ice fan or something, I dunno. All the power to him, if nothing else it's brave.

Aren't you bald?

Frosted tips look great on young spiky haired guys