Best player you've seen in the flesh

need assistance

Although I'm sure this has been done before, am unable to find a similar thread. Who is the best player you have seen in the flesh playing. Putting aside all provincial, national and recent success glasses.

Brian O'Driscoll has the most complete game, attacks the line like a panther striking and in defence if he tackles a man he'll always remember it. Also can turn over the ball with the swager of a seasoned pickpocket.

However, although as an Irish supporter he has given me more reason to dislike him than like him, the best player of the modern game I have seen play is Johnny Wilkinson.

He redefined the 10 spot, fearless kicker and when it came to the hard yards never found wanting. His all round game was and I hope will be again superb.

So I ask who is the best player you have witnessed in your time going to games etc.?

themont85

Thats a toughie for me, really is. I've been to loads of big games-Lions tests 1 and 2 2005, World cup quarters France/NZ, 80% of all ireland home games for the last 10 years and a good few HC games. I can't really say pre 2000 of the games i saw aside fro, maybe Lomu's NZ games in 95 and 99 which stick the brain for some reason:). I suppose BOD, McCaw, Wilkonson and Carter would be the best 4 i've seen live in the flesh. Bod i've seen the most and seen the various amount of unbelievable things he's done on the pitch. But I suppose i would have to plump for Carter in 05 vs the Lions Test 2. I dont think Ive witnessed a more complete performance from a player in my life. He was outstanding in that game, his performance was the greatest ive ever witnessed. Thus far in his career he has hit such high peaks with very few lows.

ScholesyIsGod

Its impossible to pick one id say any one of,

Francois Pienaar, George Gregan, Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Scott Quinnell, Keith Wood, Peter Closhessy, Paul O' Connell, Brian O' Driscoll, Lawrence Dallighio, Richard Hill,.

chupacabra

Not an easy question to answer. Probably McCaw or the pairing of Matfield and Botha, those guys are imense beyond words.

anonymous_joe

O'Driscoll or Parisse...

john concannon

Matt Giteau or Shane Williams would be the foreigners

Brian O'Driscoll at home

Podge_irl

Brian O'Driscoll at Lansdowne Road against Munster in 2007 (?). It was the first game after the semi-final and he clearly had a point to prove. He was a beast in the tackle, flooring O'Connell at one point and scoring two tries. He was like a man possessed. It was so clear that he was a proud Leinster man and wanted to make amends and I've rarely felt better about the Leinster team after a match. He was unreal that game.

corny

Not necessarily the best performances i've seen when in the flesh but i'm sure in the future i'll tell anyone that wants to listen i saw Ritchie McCaw and Daniel Carter play.

Of course BOD too.

Agent Smith

keith wood or Drico

il gatto

O'Discoll or (gasp) O'Gara. O'Driscoll for all the obvious reasons. O'Gara, even though his game has faults, he does some very special things. I went to the Argie game last Nov and even though he had a poor game (by his standards) he scored a drop goal, set up Bowe with a lovely crossfiel kick and even hit some rucks (:D). When he's really on song, he's brilliant. And he is remarkably immune to injuries. He's not Daniel Cater, but that's just not his style.
We all (well most of us) bitch about him sometimes, but by god we'll miss him when he's gone. Not complete, but if we had a lesser flyhalf who couldn't rack up points like him, Irish rugby would be in a much worse place. It's some achievement to be the 6Ns record points scorer, the Irish record points scorer and the HEC record points scorer. Even Chris Paterson's much vaunted boot is a couple of hundred points behind O'Gara even thought the Scot has a few more caps.

Maccattack

I've seen Wally Lewis, Mal Meninga and now Billy Slater.

Slater is probably the best fullback the world has ever seen.

corny

Maccattack wrote: »

I've seen Wally Lewis, Mal Meninga and now Billy Slater.

Slater is probably the best fullback the world has ever seen.

Wrong forum. Slater is beyond words sometimes though.

evil_seed

1) Tim Horan, 2) Carlos Spencer, 3) Victor Matfield, 4) Stephen Jones

toomevara

Serge Blanco, an absolute, genuine genius. Rugby's Pele. I shudder to think how good he'd have been in the professional era (if he could have put up with the discipline, and lack of Gauloises)....

But really all of us, who've been lucky to see BOD play in the flesh over the last few years have been blessed...one of the greatest players ever to grace a pitch in either code, and we will, all of us, bore our grandkids to death with tales of watching him play...

barnesd

BOD, Carter or McCaw.

louthandproud

Best Performers I have see in the flesh.

Francois Pienaar V Munster '99ish -> even though Munster won by a point with a last minute try in the corner converted by ROG.

BOD In Paris v France ->The 3 tries.

Keith Wood especially enjoyed him playing for Garryowen when he first made senior, the excitement he created was amazing, you just knew there were great things ahead, even if I was a Shannon boy.

Richie McCaw

Dan Carter

POC

Johnny Boots.

David Campese

Mick Galwey-->My rugby hero.

subfreq

Lived in NZ during the 90's and the following players were simply unbelievable when they broke into the AB's Jeff Wilson, John Timu, Tuingamala, Michael Jones and Christian Cullen.

Probably Jeff Wilson pips it for me. He was a genius. I was also at the game in Dunedin when Cullen ran through the entire Scottish team to score a try. Unbelievabel stuff.

Webbs

Backs
1. Gareth Edwards 2. Phillipe Sella 3. C Cullen

Forwards
1. JP Rive 2. M Johnson 3. R. Paparemborde

Showing my age here, but these were all players that excited me when I watched them, they may not all have been the best in their positions (though not far off), but that wasnt why I picked them, more the lift they gave the crowd more often than not when they were involved in the play.

jdivision

Richie McCaw

Macsimus

Didn't get to see him in the flesh but if i had a time machine it'd have to be Lomu v Eng in 95?

What an animal...crying shame he got sick :mad:

couerdelion

Maccattack wrote: »

I've seen Wally Lewis, Mal Meninga and now Billy Slater.

Slater is probably the best fullback the world has ever seen.

Agree that they are/were great players.

I'll add Andy Gregory, Shaun Edwards, Ellery Hanley, Jonathan Davies, Jason Robinson and Martin Offiah.

John Bentley was also a great dual code player. ... went on to represent the Lions.

I've also seen BOD and the rest of the Irish team too

Amabokke

need assistance wrote: »

Although I'm sure this has been done before, am unable to find a similar thread. Who is the best player you have seen in the flesh playing. Putting aside all provincial, national and recent success glasses.

Brian O'Driscoll has the most complete game, attacks the line like a panther striking and in defence if he tackles a man he'll always remember it. Also can turn over the ball with the swager of a seasoned pickpocket.

However, although as an Irish supporter he has given me more reason to dislike him than like him, the best player of the modern game I have seen play is Johnny Wilkinson.

He redefined the 10 spot, fearless kicker and when it came to the hard yards never found wanting. His all round game was and I hope will be again superb.

So I ask who is the best player you have witnessed in your time going to games etc.?

Christian Cullen, Jonah Lomu, Gareth Edwards, Danie Gerber, Blanco, BOD,

Luckycharm

Backs- Ella, Campo, Lomu, BOD

Forwards- Wood, Zin zan brooke, Eales

holly1

My Grandad!!!
He played for Ireland in gods time,captained Ireland and scored the winning try to beat wales and win the triple crown,1898 I think.
Never saw him play never actully met him but grew up listining to all the stories from my father,he was very proud of him.

buck65

Luke Mc Alister
Paul O Connell

Amabokke

buck65 wrote: »

Luke Mc Alister
Paul O Connell

:eek:

athtrasna

The first and strongest contender to spring to mind is Keith Wood. He exuded such passion and determination and motivation as well as talent, you could feel it in the air even when they were warming up.

Others in the running - Jonah Lomu, Rob Howley, Scotts Gibbs and Quinnell, Neil Jenkins, BOD, Paul O'Connell, Gregor Townsend and Emile NTamack. A motley crew, but all players with something a little special. Most of them are from the early days of professionalism....we do have great players now but it's different.

LostinBlanch

Non Irish - Serge Blanco, Eales, Campese.

Irish - BOD

tughfc

had the pleasure of shaking jonah lomu's hand when he played ireland in landsdowne. The size of his hand was just unbelivable!!

also shook percy montgomerys hand and he gave me his socks very slick moment indeed!!

Serenity Now!

Mark Ella. A flippin' genius and probably the most skillful back I've ever seen.

Serenity Now!

Maccattack wrote: »

I've seen Wally Lewis, Mal Meninga and now Billy Slater.

Slater is probably the best fullback the world has ever seen.

Joey Johns

Stick_man

Ritchie McCaw, but the greatest performance was probably O Connell against England at Croker in 2007, He took second-row play to a whole other level that day and has matched it this year.

barnesd

Stick_man wrote: »

Ritchie McCaw, but the greatest performance was probably O Connell against England at Croker in 2007, He took second-row play to a whole other level that day and has matched it this year.

Ah here, you must be joking. He was good but he wasn't that good.

Stick_man

barnesd wrote: »

Ah here, you must be joking. He was good but he wasn't that good.

My opinion he was, name your player or shut up.

anonymous_joe

Stick_man wrote: »

My opinion he was, name your player or shut up.

Relax there.

I think one person whose probably been amazing when I've watched him at times has been Contepomi. I think it's easy to look past him when naming the world's best, but he's certainly one of the best out-halves or inside centres of recent years.

He really is fantastic at times.

maxxie

percy montgomery

jank

Been watching a lot of the Crusaders this season but I have been un impressed with McCaw. OK he has been injured since round 3. Maybe I was expecting too much of him.

Anyway me... I dont know actually. Seen alot of these players mentioned above which I have seen but not really in big matches or many big performances

Matt Giteau impressed me when he played for the Force as did Ma'a Nonu for the 'canes.

I think the player who blew me away most so far is Lelia Masaga. Man that boy can fly and he has some step on him aswell. He ran past Kade Poki
for a try as if he didnt exist. Expect him to be an All-black this winter <- Kiwi time!

Going to see the Crusaders take on the Bulls tomorrow. Habanna and Mattfield are back for that game so it should be a good one!

Webbs

Stick_man wrote: »

Ritchie McCaw, but the greatest performance was probably O Connell against England at Croker in 2007, He took second-row play to a whole other level that day and has matched it this year.

People who took second row play to a whole other level are the likes of Colin Meads, John Eales, Martin Johnson. POC is a class second row but at the moment is definitely behind those 3

crisco10

tricky question, I mean do I list the best player whom I saw play or the player I have seen play the best?

For instance, I saw Lomu play but that was in a BaaBaas game where he was alright but not great. Same could be said for when I have seen McCaw, Carter or Larkham play.

The player who's performances live in the stadium I have most admired is BOD. (Unsurprisingly as a Leinster Ticket Holder). When I think of all the things I have seen him do, the pass to himself against Ulster, the hat trick against Agen while puking, countless steals on the ground, his many trys for Ireland. In terms of bleating on in my old age about players I have seen, I think BOD will be THE one.

Keith Wood also deserves an honourable mention, its more that I started going to matches regularly from about 99 onwards and Woody was becoming quite crocked at that stage. Although, he did provide some stunning moments, England in 01 springs to mind!

aussiegirl1

Michael Lynagh, Tim Horan, Daniel Herbert, Jason little, chris latham, Ben Tune, drew mitchell, berrick barnes, Quade Cooper.

Favourite has to be John Eales - a true leader on and off the pitch.

crisco10

aussiegirl1 wrote: »

Michael Lynagh, Tim Horan, Daniel Herbert, Jason little, chris latham, Ben Tune, drew mitchell, berrick barnes, Quade Cooper.

Favourite has to be John Eales - a true leader on and off the pitch.

lol "aussie girl" picks 9 aussies! :p

redmca

Webbs wrote: »

Backs
1. Gareth Edwards 2. Phillipe Sella 3. C Cullen

Forwards
1. JP Rive 2. M Johnson 3. R. Paparemborde

Showing my age here, but these were all players that excited me when I watched them, they may not all have been the best in their positions (though not far off), but that wasnt why I picked them, more the lift they gave the crowd more often than not when they were involved in the play.

I am surprised that the "older" contributors have failed to mention Mike Gibson. He had all the attributes of BOD while playing generally in far weaker Irish teams. The NZ press reckoned he was the best back they had ever seen after the '71 Lions tour.

I was present in Twickenham in '74 when he scored 2 tries. The entire stadium rose to give him a standing ovation after the 2nd one !! His Irish career spanned from about '64 to '79.

TarfHead

What about Best Player you've .. ever played against ?

I have the curious distinction, for an undistinguished career, of having played against 2 members of the 1987 NZ RWC team.

In 1983 I played against the London Irish u19s who fielded John Gallagher at full back (well, I can't be sure he was on the pitch, but he did play for them that season so I'm claiming it as being true ).

A few years later I got a 40 minute run against Benneton Treviso who fielded Craig Green in the centre.

I'm sure I feature strongly in their reminiscences :rolleyes: !

I also got lamped by Noel Mannion in the first minute of my Senior XV debut against Corinthians in Glaway.

Webbs

TarfHead wrote: »

What about Best Player you've .. ever played against ?

I have the curious distinction, for an undistinguished career, of having played against 2 members of the 1987 NZ RWC team.

In 1983 I played against the London Irish u19s who fielded John Gallagher at full back (well, I can't be sure he was on the pitch, but he did play for them that season so I'm claiming it as being true ).

A few years later I got a 40 minute run against Benneton Treviso who fielded Craig Green in the centre.

I'm sure I feature strongly in their reminiscences :rolleyes: !

I also got lamped by Noel Mannion in the first minute of my Senior XV debut against Corinthians in Glaway.

Neil Jenkins at Youth level, he hardly got a finger layed on him all game. probably my best was though was JPR Williams think he was about 50 at the time, but to be on the pitch with such a legend still gives me goosebumps

corny

The thread title followed by berrick barnes!:eek:

aussiegirl1

crisco10 wrote: »

lol "aussie girl" picks 9 aussies! :p

Crisco - I go with what I know !

crisco10

aussiegirl1 wrote: »

Crisco - I go with what I know !

Suppose given the thread title, it makes sense! You would tend to go to games of your home nation.

Re: Mike Gibson, I think what makes him not be mentioned much is that a lot of people who would hav seen him wouldnt frequent boards.ie

rugbynut

Best, toughest and hardest player to pull on an Irish jersey - Colm Tucker