8: Brent russell

If Gio Aplon was the original Kolbe, then Brent Russell was the original Damian McKenzie. He flitted between the Sharks and Stormers and between fullback and first-five. Like Aplon, he was relatively tiny and survived at this level on his speed and awareness.

He could disappear on a defence, though, and he was willing to make something happen. anything and everything in a rugby field. He’s as good a tackler as you will see – capable of crushing big men. He wins turnovers and he ploughs over the top of players with his famous leg drive. But the thing about Ardie Savea, is that he is also massively creative and innovative. There have been times when he has dummied to kick, sidestepped, swerved and taken off. He can throw miracle passes and pick the ball up off his toes. He can run never thought of angles, pick support lines that see him coast through defences and he will do it all at times no one thought would be a good idea until he made it work.