The best of the best... we select world rugby’s top 30
OVER the last month, we have witnessed some of the game's leading players lock horns in the southern hemisphere, resulting in an epic drawn Test series between the world champions New Zealand and the cream of British and Irish rugby.
A number of Warren Gatland's tourists enhanced their reputations against the previously unstoppable All Blacks, while others failed to deliver on the big stage.
So, who are the best players on the planet at the moment?
New Zealand have long been the dominant force, but did Beauden Barrett underline his status as the golden boy of the game?
Where does Jonathan Davies now rank after his player-of-the-series performance for the Lions?
Wales stalwarts Alun Wyn Jones and Sam Warburton have been major influences for their country and came through strongly in the series, but is it enough to put them alongside the world's elite?
There are some high-calibre players we have had to leave out, but our team of rugby writers, after much debate, take a stab at best 30 players gracing the game at the moment...
1. BEAUDEN BARRETT (NZ)
THE bill-topper going into the Lions series, Barrett didn't manage to steal the show, but still provided enough moments of individual brilliance to underline his status as the game's most exciting talent – remember that one-handed pick-up in the first Test? His goal-kicking was the Achilles heel, but he is the first name down on anybody's world XV and gets our vote as the best in the business.
2. KIERAN READ (NZ)
A TOTEM of New Zealand rugby, who led the world champions impressively during all three Tests. Defied a six-week injury absence to produce a monumental display in the opening Test against the Lions and edged his No 8 battle with Taulupe Faletau.
3. MARO ITOJE (ENGLAND)
LIVED up to the hype against the All Blacks — athletic, dynamic, intelligent and mature way beyond his years. Tipped as the game's next's millionaire player. The Saracens lock has the rugby world at his feet.
4. BEN SMITH (NZ)
CONCUSSION issues ended his tour prematurely, but Smith remains one of the finest on the planet. A proven try-scorer who, is blessed with a knack of making the right decisions at the right time.
5. BRODIE RETALLICK (NZ)
A TOWERING presence in the opening encounter against the Lions, the 2014 world player of the year continues to set the second-row bar mightily high. Powerful and aggressive in the contact, Retallick also possesses a smart off-loading game.
6. DANE COLES (NZ)
NOT seen so far this summer because of a worrying head injury, but has revolutionised the hooking role with his ability to throw out passes any three-quarter would be more than happy to put his name to.
7. OWEN FARRELL (ENGLAND)
THE European player of the year after guiding England and Saracens to more silverware, Farrell didn't hit the heights many had anticipated in New Zealand, but he held his nerve when it mattered in front of goal. He'll be back wearing the Lions shirt in South Africa in four years' time.
8. JONATHAN DAVIES (WALES)
THE Lions player of the series, Davies seems to develop super-hero powers once he pulls on the famous red jersey. Having also spearheaded the Scarlets to PRO12 glory, Foxy is in the form of his life.
9. ISRAEL FOLAU (AUSTRALIA)
THE shining light in an underperforming and underwhelming Aussie side. Folau is imperious in the air, glides across the turf and has great passing skills. Rugby poetry in motion.
10. CONOR MURRAY (IRELAND)
TOOK on Aaron Smith for the title of the world's best scrum-half and probably nicked the decision on points. His tactical kicking was a major weapon for the Lions all series, holding off the challenge of Osprey Rhys Webb. A pivotal figure for Munster and Ireland — both are different teams when Murray's not there.
11. BILLY VUNIPOLA (ENGLAND)
THE spearhead of England's surge to successive Six Nations titles, injury robbed Vunipola junior of a tilt at Lions glory this summer. The Saracen is a fearsome carrying force and still only 24.
12. SONNY BILL WILLIAMS (NZ) LIONS fans will argue otherwise, but it was a crying shame we didn’t see the full Sonny Bill repertoire during the Test series. An enigma to some, there isn’t a better off-loader in the game than the former rugby league star.
13. TADHG FURLONG (IRELAND)
ONE of the finds of the last 12 months, the Leinster and Ireland tight-head dropped anchor at the setpiece and was also a muscular presence in the loose, particularly in the epic final Test in Auckland. The best tight-head in the game?
14. AARON SMITH (NZ)
LIKE Barrett, the Highlanders halfback wasn’t the attacking weapon New Zealanders had hoped to see during the series, but Smith remains an integral cog in the All Black machine with his slick delivery and eye for the gap.
15. SERGIO PARISSE (ITALY)
YOU just couldn’t have a debate about a best in the world list without a nod to the Italian talisman. Parisse turns 34 in September, but remains an irrepressible force with his one-handed off-loads a thing of beauty.
16. LEONE NAKARAWA (FIJI)
A RAMPAGING second row with basketball-style handling skills, Nakarawa embodies all that we love about Fijian rugby. A clip of the match-winning try in the recent qualifier against Pacific rivals Tonga sums up the former Glasgow favourite’s ability. Wales beware. 17. EBEN ETZEBETH (SOUTH AFRICA) THE giant lock was handed the Boks’ captaincy for their final Test against France and could be given an extended run at the helm. Has taken on the strongman role in the South African engine room from Bakkies Botha. Much of South Africa’s hopes of competing with the All Blacks in the Rugby Championship will revolve around the 6ft 8in enforcer.
18. FACUNDO ISA (ARGENTINA)
THE decision of Isa to sign a bigmoney deal with French powerhouses Toulon is a massive blow to the Pumas, who have a policy of only picking home-based players for Test rugby (apart from World Cups). Crashes over the gainline and hits hard, Champions Cup opponents will be on alert.
19. BERNARD FOLEY (AUSTRALIA)
NICKNAMED “The Iceman” for his coolness under pressure at key moments, the fly-half was one of the stars of the 2015 Rugby World Cup and is now firmly established as the Wallabies’ pivot, providing an exciting runner option together with an astute kicking game.
20. SAM CANE (NZ)
THE player who was handed the toughest job in rugby, filling the void left by the retirement of All Black great Richie McCaw. Will never reach the same heights as one of the game’s icons, but the apprentice has turned into one of the leading opensides in Test rugby, highlighted by his combative first Test display against the Lions.
21. SAM WHITELOCK (NZ)
HE AND Retallick have long established themselves as the best second-row pairing in the game. The Crusaders skipper puts in the graft, but like so many All Blacks forwards, is comfortable with the ball in his hands and is a rampaging sight in the loose.
22. TAULUPE FALETAU (WALES)
OVERCAME an injury-ravaged season with Bath and Wales to be one of the Lions’ most consistent performers in New Zealand. Made more tackles, metres, breaks and beat more defenders than any forward on the trip.
23. MICHAEL HOOPER (AUSTRALIA)
SENSATIONAL at the World Cup in tandem with David Pocock, Hooper is a tenacious presence at the breakdown and a lively openside link around the park. Only 25, but has already pouched 68 caps.
24. KURTLEY BEALE (AUSTRALIA
BACK in Australian rugby after a season with Wasps as one of the highest paid players in the Aviva Premiership, the enigmatic Wallaby has been one of the most exciting attacker players in Test rugby. Has had his brushes with officialdom, on and off the field, but on his day is a mesmeric playmaker.
25. LOUIS PICAMOLES (FRANCE)
THE No. 8 appeared to be carrying France single-handedly during the 2017 Six Nations and enjoyed a colossal season with Northampton, combing power with a subtle offloading game. Will be rampaging around the Top 14 with Montpellier in 2017-18.
26. AGUSTIN CREEVY (ARGENTINA)
THE experienced hooker and captain has been at the heart of the Pumas’ emergence as a global force. Combines the traditional Argentinian virtues of a strong set-piece game with a dynamic engine in the loose. His handling skills saw him dubbed ‘Sonny Bill Creevy’ by the fans of his old club Montpellier.
27. WESLEY FOFANA (FRANCE)
YOU could hear the wails from Paris to Clermont when Fofana was ruled out of the 2017 Six Nations with a damaged Achilles. A classy midfield runner with a mesmeric side-step, Fofana has lit up European rugby for club and country. 28. ISRAEL DAGG (NEW ZEALAND) STARTED all three Tests against the Lions and when you consider the calibre of back-three player left on the sidelines during the series, that speaks volumes for how highly the Crusaders star is rated by Steve Hansen. A potent counter-attacker, can leave defenders rooted by a blistering sidestep. 29. ALUN WYN JONES (WALES) NOT for the first time in his illustrious career, the Wales captain silenced the doubters in New Zealand. Joined an elite band of players who have been in winning Lions teams against New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. One of the country’s all-time greats, whose powers show no signing of waning.
30. STUART HOGG (SCOTLAND)
THE Six Nations player of the tournament for successive years, Hogg was in pole position for the Lions No. 15 Test shirt until his unfortunate collision with Murray which ended his tour. A devastating counter-attacking threat.