Shaun Edwards team of the decade
Not sure about some of the selections - northern hemisphere bias (which he acknowledges) but here's Shaun Edwards' team of the decade (4 each from NZ, SA & England, 2 from Australia and an Irishman):
Time for some fun. We could be talking about how the breakdown is getting mucky again or who goes into 2011 as Heineken Cup favourites. But instead why don't we pick a team who show off the best of the past 10 years? To qualify a player has to have been around for the bulk of that decade, been valuable to both his club and his country and, finally, that he's a good bloke. It's a team I'd not only like to coach but be more than happy to be with socially.
15 Mils Muliaina This guy ticks most of the boxes. Made his Super Rugby debut in 2001, his international debut against England in 2003 and 92 Test caps later is getting better and better. Quick and incisive, a key part of the All Blacks' counter-punching game. Also considered: Percy Montgomery, who set a few records for the Springboks, and Josh Lewsey, who would definitely make the bench because of his versatility.
14 Jason Robinson I'm biased but he is the only northern-hemisphere player to score a try while winning a World Cup final. Run close by Doug Howlett, whose All Black career ended ridiculously early, as he continues to prove with Munster.
13 Brian O'Driscoll Announced himself with a stunning hat-trick against France in 2000 and continues to shine. He has 107 caps, one grand slam and four triple crowns with Ireland, a Heineken Cup with Leinster but it's not until you work with the man that you realise just how good he is. Others considered: Yannick Jauzion, of France and Toulouse, and the former Australia captain Stirling Mortlock.
12 Tana Umaga One of the most liked and respected men in rugby – despite the incident with O'Driscoll in 2005 – and still going strong even though he was New Zealand's player of the year at the turn of the decade. He made his Super Rugby debut in 1996 but at the age of 37 the former All Black captain just signed on with the Chiefs for next season. Also considered: Matt Giteau and Mike Catt, who joined Bath in 1992 and ended as the oldest player to play in a World Cup final.
11 Bryan Habana World Cup winner and a great club man who helped turn the Blue Bulls from a joke into the best province in the world but he was run close by Shane Williams, veteran of 75 Tests with Wales and his country's leading try scorer. In the grand slam side of 2008 he represented 50% of Wales's offence but it's the global title that gives Habana his edge.
10 Dan Carter Should it be Carter or Jonny Wilkinson? Difficult. Each the best on his day but Carter's Super Rugby record with his province, Canterbury, and his stand-out performances against the 2005 Lions with the All Blacks – one of the best sides I've ever seen – tip the argument.
9 George Gregan Anyone who plays behind an Australia pack for so long deserves anything that's going. Gregan survived and flourished 139 times, winning the World Cup in 1999, and was also a considerable force with the Brumbies in Super Rugby from 1996 onwards, winning the title in 2000 and 2004. The competition was fierce – Byron Kelleher, Rob Howley, Matt Dawson and Justin Marshall – but Gregan gets the shirt.
1 Os du Randt Winner of two World Cups – in 1995 and 2007 – which makes him special and the most capped Springbok forward when he retired after beating England in Paris three years ago. Typically Jacobus Petrus du Randt, a farmer for most of his career, lasted all 80 minutes. Heir apparent: Gethin Jenkins of Wales and Cardiff Blues.
2 John Smit Another of the 2007 Springbok front row and the inspiration for his team. If South Africa are to defend their title, Smit will have to be fit and well and not playing tighthead – an experiment which didn't work. Also considered: Keven Mealamu of New Zealand and the former France and Wasps captain Raphaël Ibañez who "retired" in 2003 but was still around and doing great things in 2008.
3 Phil Vickery Not too many tighthead props last the course but Vickery, despite injuries, made two World Cup finals and picked up the Heineken Cup and Premiership titles after moving to Wasps. One of those guys who can lift a side who feel they've given everything.
4 Simon Shaw Again the Edwards bias may be showing through but I would argue that for the 10 years in question Shaw would be the man packing down behind the tighthead. Brad Thorn has flirted with rugby league, Fabien Pelous and Bakkies Botha would be there or thereabouts but remember Martin Johnson retired halfway through the decade.
5 Victor Matfield Never seen anyone better in the lineout. Ben Kay and Paul O'Connell are up there but Matfield is the best. Remember the seven steals against England in the 2007 final?
6 Rocky Elsom Difficult but I put the Australia captain a short head in front of the Springbok Schalk Burger, because of his heroics during Leinster's winning Heineken Cup campaign two seasons ago. Richard Hill, like Johnson, was not around for half the decade.
7 Richie McCaw You can't look past the All Black captain but George Smith and Serge Betsen have their followers.
8 Lawrence Dallaglio Simply the best captain I have ever known and one of those guys who was in at the start of my coaching career. Two World Cup finals, two Heineken Cups, four Premiership championships and a couple of Anglo‑Welsh cups says it all. Ticks all the boxes.
