Favourite Players

[DuncTheDoodle]

You don't really need a reason, but does anyone have an favourite professional players? A common question is Football magazines with a target audience of up to 12, but not one bandied about much in Rugby Union. And I'll assume that the likes of Ed Fairhurst are on your list automatically, so don't bother.


I tend to have a bit of a bias towards the backs, down to being one, but my list would read off a bit like this:

Wales-
-Adam Jones
-Duncan Jones
-Shane Williams
-Gethin Jenkins
-Ryan Jones
-Tavis Knoyle (A lot down to getting to shout "TAV!" randomly)
-Aled Brew

Non-Welsh-
-Tommy Bowe
-Brian O'Driscoll
-Stephen Ferris

-Tom Croft

-Vincent Clerc
-Cédric Heymans
-Maxime Medard

-Martin Castrogiavani

-Chris Patterson
-Sean Lamont
-Chris Cusiter

-James O'Connor
-Quade Cooper

-Piri Weepu
-Conrad Smith
-Dan Carter has his moments, too.

It probably shouldn't be that long, but it is. I wanted to narrow it down, but couldn't decide who to cut. (Except Ben Youngs. He went straight away.) Feel free to lay it out as you like. Top 5, list like mine... Whatever. Or justify why you love Arthur Ellis so much but support Agen through and through.

 

[alexrugby]

Shane shines on arena

 

[best_fullback]

I would say...

My favourite player currently is Berrick Barnes.

Others favourites include:
- Schalk Brits
- Bruce Reihana
- James Hook
- Thierry Dusautoir
- Tom Croft
- David Pocock
- James O'Connor
- Simon Shaw
- Tommy Bowe
- Gethin Jenkins

Wilkinson is in by default.

 

[markshaw]

Ranger

 

[King_D'Arcy]

Irish:
The KING!
Tommy Bowe
Jamie Heaslip
Sean O'Brien

Non-Irish:
Gethin Jenkins
Sergio Parisse
Ben Youngs
Simon Shaw
Tom Croft
Dan Carter
David Pocock
Rocky Elsom

 

[coonor]

Irish:
Stringer
Heaslip
Ferris
Bowe
BOD

Non Irish:
Croft
Foden
Parise
Elsom
Pocock
Nacewa
S. Lamont

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Tom Croft: The most universally liked rugby player?



Mark Cueto,
Olly Barkley,
Chris Robshaw,
Tom Croft,
Riki Flutey



Tommy Bowe,
David Pocock,
Bradley Davies,
Jamie Heaslip,
Robbie Fruean,
Adam Ashley-Cooper,
Drew Mitchell,
Willem Alberts

 

[King_D'Arcy]

Tom Croft: The most universally liked rugby player?

He just seems like a good bloke. I'd like to have a pint of bitter with him!

 

[alex]

Matt Dunning isn't on anyone's list?

 

[lynam1104]

Irish:
Jamie Heslip
Tommy Bowe
BOD
Ferris

Non Irish
Quade Cooper
Will Genia
David Pocock
Rocky Elsom
Dan Carter

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

SA
Andries Bekker
Juan Smith
Heinrich Brussouw
Gio Aplon
Juan de Jongh
Tiaan Liebenberg
Fourie du Preez (only with a green jersey LOL)
Guthro Steenkamp

non-SA
Sergio Parisse
Imanol Harinorduquy
Cedric Heymans
Francois Trin-Duhc
Shane Williams
Adam Jones
Philipe Contepomi
Tatafu Polota Nua
Kurtley Beale
Chris Jack
Robbie Fruean


Dislike
Phil Waugh
Luke Watson
Bakkies Botha
Matt Giteau
Andrew Sheridan
Mike Philips


Hate
Stuart Dickinson

LOL, I see SA players are generally not likeable.

 

[lynam1104]

I was about to put my dislike as see Bulls/Blue Bulls but I decided against it to avoid a **** storm.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I was about to put my dislike as see Bulls/Blue Bulls but I decided against it to avoid a **** storm.

LOL, you guys don't even play the Bulls! Universally hated.

 

[lynam1104]

In the supper 15 I support the Reds and they have Botha and Matfeild two player I hate the most.

 

[nickdnz]

Umm, from past All Blacks it has to be Tana Umaga, Christian Cullen and Jonah Lomu. From current All Blacks it's with out a doubt Conrad Smith and Hosea Gear. I play prop, so Carl Hayman has to be right up there. There are many, many players I like both in NZ and overseas, so I don't think I'll name all of them.

 

[ikaraoglan14]

6 nations:
From France: Mathieu Bastareaud, Vincent Clerc, Maxime Medard, Clement Poitrenaud, Imanol Harinordoquy, Thierry Dusautoir, Lionel Nallet, Thomas Domingo, William Servat.
From England: Ben Foden, Marc Cueto, Chris Ashton, Matt Banahan, Dave Stretlle, Ben Youngs, Courtney Lawes, Tom Palmer, James Haskell, Tom Wood, Nick Easter, Tom Croft, Alex Corbisiero, Dan Cole, Dylan Hartley, Andrew Sheridan, Wilko, Danny Care.
Anywhere else: Richie Gray,Max Evans, BOD, O'Brien, Earls, Bowe, Kearney, Wallace, Healy, Shane Williams, Warburton, Lydiate, Bradley Davies, Jamie Roberts, Adam Jones, Mathew Rees, Parisse, Masi, Castrogiovanni, Zanni, Canale.....

 

[lynam1104]

So you love everybody?

 

[ikaraoglan14]

yep

 

[gagawar]

GEO:
Mamuka Gorgodze
Davit Zirakashvili
Gregory Labadze
Davit Kubriashvili
Irakli Machkhaneli
Giorgi Shkinin
Davit Kacharava
Ilia Zedginidze

Other:
Bryan Habana
Francois Steyn
Shane Williams
Schalk Burger
Pierre Spies
John Smit
Cory Jane
Bakkies Botha
Jonny Wilkinson
Dan Carter
Ma'a Nonu
Mils Muliania
Jason Robinson
Jonah Lomu

 

[Blitz]

Favorites; South Africa
- Heinrich Brussow
- JP Pietersen
- Frans Steyn, at 12
- Kabamba Floors
- Gio Aplon
- John Smit
- Victor Matfield
- Juan Smith
- Butch James
- Fourie Du Preez
- JL Potgieter
- Bakkies Botha
- Willem Alberts
- Morne Steyn

Favorites; New Zealand
- Ma'a Nonu
- Conrad Smith
- Mils Muliaina

Favorites; Australia
- David Pocock
- Nathan Sharpe
- Berrick Barnes
- James O'Connor

Legends
- Joost Van Der Westhuizen
- Os Du Randt
- Frik Du Preez
- Daniel Gerber
- Daniel Herbert
- Tim Horan
- Andrew Mehrtens
- Jonah Lomu
- Christian Cullen
- Chris Latham
- Andre Joubert
- Breyton Paulse

Dislike
- Adi Jacobs
- Juan de Yawn (lol)
- Bismarck Du Plessis
- Andre Pretorius
- Earl Rose
- Conrad Jantjes
- Andries Bekker
- Richie '7 final warnings' McCaw
- Luke Watson
- Phil Waugh
- Mike Phillips
- Chiliboy Ralapelle
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