Did World Rugby get their team of the decade right?
Wales’ Jonathan Davies and New Zealand’s legendary captain Kieran Read were both notable omissions
Credit: Getty Images
Note: This article was originally posted on January 10, 2021.
On December 7, 2020, World Rugby announced their Team of the Decade and to say it caused a bit of controversy would be an understatement.
While I appreciate it was a tough task creating this XV, I think the powers that be at World Rugby maybe relied on big-name power and nostalgia a bit too much. Many of the players on this list enjoyed their best rugby in the previous decade and perhaps the new generation of emerging talent wasn’t showcased enough.
We at The Flanker thought we could give it a better crack, with the criteria based on a range of factors including longevity, talent and titles won during the 2010s. We’ll explain our decision if we have a different pick, while we’ll throw some notable mentions if we agree with World Rugby’s choice.
Kapeesh? Then let’s crack on.
1.Tenda Mtawarira (RSA)
Tenda Mtawarira retired from international rugby after the 2019 Rugby World Cup final.
CREDIT: Gallo Images
‘The Beast’ has been an absolute mainstay of international rugby during the previous decade and will go down in the history books as one of South Africa’s greatest players - particularly after 2019’s World Cup victory. Now plying his trade in Major League Rugby for Old Glory DC after 117 caps, the 5th most of any prop ever, he is fully deserving of his spot.
Notable mentions
Mako Vunipola has developed into the perfect modern-day prop, Gethin Jenkins was still effective for Wales well until his 30s while Cian Healy could well have pushed Mtawarira were it not for a spate of injuries over the last 10 years.
2.Bismark du Plessis (RSA)
Another gnarly front rower, du Plessis was the best in his position for certainly the first half of the decade (as well as being subject to perhaps the worst refereeing decision of the decade in 2013) Did he have the sustained longevity to make it on our list however?
The Flanker’s choice: Guilhem Guirado
The talismanic France captain looked beleaguered by the end of his captaincy but it was through no fault of his own. Was excellent in a mediocre French team throughout the decade and it is a real shame he can’t mix it up with the golden generation currently making their mark.
The longevity of Rory Best and Stephen Moore was also considered while Dane Coles, like Healy, could have made the cut but for injuries.
3. Owen Franks (NZ)
Despite his shock omission from the 2019 World Cup squad, Franks’ performances over the course of the decade cannot be denied. Alongside big brother Ben, he was key to the All Blacks’ back to back World Cup triumphs in 2011 and 2015, and the 100-cap tighthead deserves his place on World Rugby’s list.
Other contenders
The talismanic Martin Castrogiovani and Adam Jones are well worth a mention for their contribution this decade while Dan Cole, often derided by some, was a mainstay for England under Martin Johnson, Stuart Lancaster and Eddie Jones.
4.Brodie Retallick
World Rugby Player of the Year in 2014 and six separate selections to World Rugby Team of the Year this decade gives you a fair impression of how good Retallick is. A sensational defender and line out operator who had consistently developed his ball carrying.
Retallick, given his young age, still has an enormous amount in his locker. A deserved inclusion.
Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock have played over 50 times together for New Zealand in the second-row.
CREDIT: Phil Walter/Getty Images
5.Sam Whitelock
Another two-time World Cup winner, Whitelock and Retallick in the second row went together as well as fish and chips for New Zealand. The leadership he has demonstrated for both the All Blacks and Crusaders is invaluable to both teams. Maybe not as eye catching as Retallick, but just as important.
Other contenders
Where to start? Alun Wyn Jones and Eben Etzebeth are extremely unlucky to miss out while Maro Itoje would probably make a team based on the second half of the decade. Throw in the likes of Victor Matfield, Courtney Lawes, Jonny Gray and this shows the quality of second-rowers at work this decade.
6. David Pocock
Maybe the best pure ‘jackler’ of all time, there was a time where Pocock was perhaps the greatest player alive. Injuries put his place at risk, however, and there was another Aussie this year who just edges out Pocock on this list for us.
The Flanker choice: Michael Hooper
The other end of the ‘pooper’ combination, Hooper has been a standout player through a mixed decade in Australian rugby. Even when they were playing poorly, Hooper never seemed to falter and he edges his back-row brethren to the blindside spot.
7. Richie McCaw (NZ)
When you become the first man to lift the William Webb Ellis Cup twice in a row, you get in the team of the decade. Arguably played his best rugby in the 2000s, but that can’t take away how important McCaw’s contribution was this decade.
Barely in playing shape, he dragged New Zealand to break their World Cup bambino in 2011 and led them onto dominance never seen before in 2015. A legend of the game.
Other contenders
Sam Warburton would have pushed both of these two hard for a place had he not been unlucky with injuries, while the bigger ball carriers like Jerome Kaino, Sean O’Brien and Justin Tipuric had fine decades too.
8. Sergio Parisse
Has there ever been a player more important to one nation? Parisse is Italy’s greatest player of all time and almost the sole source of a good thing for the Azzurri this decade. However, despite his heroics, there is one man who deserves this place a bit more than the Toulon back rower.
The Flanker’s choice: Kieran Read
It can’t be understated just how good Read was. Just watch his performance in the Rugby Championship game against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2013. Has a skill set equal to Parisse, while doing all the other things needed from a number 8. Two World Cups, three Super Rugby titles and 24 test tries are clear evidence of Read’s inclusion on the list.
9.Conor Murray
Perhaps the trickiest position to choose from, Murray’s case is a good one. Recent form shouldn’t make people forget how precise and brilliant the Limerick man can be. At his All Black beating best, he sniped, box-kicked and passed better than most. One player grabs this spot ahead of him however.
The Flanker choice: Aaron Smith
Although his form went south after some ‘snekky’ incidents, Smith’s brilliance was consistent throughout the decade. Now New Zealand’s most capped scrum-half, Smith was critical to the All Black’s 2015 World Cup triumph plus the Highlanders unlikely Super Rugby success that year too. The trickiest choice on this list.
10. Dan Carter
Another tough decision on this list. Much like McCaw, Carter starred mostly in the previous decade but his ability is unquestioned and his crucial drop goal in the final of the 2015 Rugby World Cup will live long in memory. With injuries and retirement hampering him however, his successor takes this spot.
The Flanker choice: Beauden Barrett
Chosen early on in his career as a utility back, Barrett matured into the world’s best 10 with a sustained period of brilliance at club and international level.
You come for the brilliant line breaks, ridiculous speed and 32 test tries but stay for the quickest mind in international rugby and an underrated kicking game. Stepping out of Carter’s shadow is hard - but Barrett managed it.
11. Bryan Habana
Alongside the previous pick, this feels like a choice made with the last decade’s exploits in mind. Although Habana was impressive this decade, he was the force he was during the 2000s although he must be commended for matching Jonah Lomu’s RWC try-scoring record in 2015.
The Flanker’s choice: Julian Savea
Although his second half had a lot to be desire, Savea was near unplayable until 2016 and gets in our team. 46 tries in just 54 appearances for the All Blacks is a frankly ridiculous record, coupled with his ability to put defenders on their backside. Savea should be remembered for just how destructive he was when he was truly on form.
12. Ma’a Nonu
This is where the list really kicks into gear on the nostalgia front. Nonu was again a key member of the 2011 and 2015 World Cups but was a diminishing force for most of the decade. Rather than a player who played well in the first half of the decade, the spot should go to someone who consistently delivered.
The Flanker’s choice: Owen Farrell
The evolution of Farrell since his international debut in 2012 has been a joy to behold. The metronomic placekicking and game management has now been coupled with a rugged (sometimes to the extreme) defensive game and precise passing ability to become the perfect all-round rugby player.
13. Brian O’Driscoll
Despite becoming a centre-flanker hybrid unlike anything we had seen before in rugby, O’Driscoll’s time was certainly during the noughties despite his fantastic efforts early this decade. World Rugby should have instead chosen a man who has been consistent throughout the decade.
The Flanker’s choice: Jonathan Davies
Davies was named Lions’ player of the series in their 2017 tour of New Zealand.
Credit: Getty Images
As brilliant now as he was when he broke into the Wales team at the 2011 World Cup, Davies has been perhaps the most consistent player this decade despite injuries. His performances during the 2017 Lions Tour in new Zealand will live long in the memory and is a bona fide Wales legend.
14. George North
Another controversial choice, but this time North does deserve his place in this team for the sheer longevity of his career. A veteren of three World Cups aged just 28, North broke onto the scene as a precocious, destructive force. Injuries and concussions may have dampened his ability somewhat but he has remained a consistent try scorer over the past 10 years.
Notable mentions
Jonny May was the other standout winger of this decade - with a circuit line of All Blacks like Nehe Milner-Skudder and Rieko Ioane just not having the longevity to get on the list. Meanwhile, Anthony Watson, Jack Nowell, Adam Ashley-Cooper and JP Pietersen have had their impressive moments.
15. Ben Smith (NZ)
The fullback was equally adept on the wing during his spell with the All Blacks, but wherever he played he was world class. Not the most powerful or pacy outside back, Smith was a deceptively elusive runner with a fantastic kicking and high ball game. Smith rightfully deserves the fullback spot.
Notable mentions
Stuart Hogg and Israel Folau have been consistent performers throughout the whole of the decade while Leigh Halfpenny’s contributions towards Wales during the 2010s cannot be understated as well.
What do you make our of all alternative choices? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter and in the comments.