He's slept on by a lot of newcomers to the sport because he's not really a highlight player, outside of a couple of crazy moments. He's not especially fast or strong, but his rugby IQ made up for all that and then some. He saw things that other people just didn't see, and I don't just mean offensively. For all his tries and genius passes, there was an equally brilliant tackle or defensive read. He just had no weaknesses(outside of managing to get smacked in the head every week). I hope rugby doesn't forget just how incredible this guy was
At 2.35 that is Paul Jeremiah O'Connell one of Munster's and Ireland's greatest heroes and the current forwards coach of the Irish national team, fun fact comedians make Chuck Norris jokes only because they are afraid to make fun of Paul O'Connell
Outside centre is more like a defensive back, big and strong, smart and aware, brilliant decision making. SBW and Ma'a Nonu would have been centres as well.
Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, and Ma'a Nonu probably have him beat for accolades. But yeah, he was an all-timer... him and Nonu would've made one of the most potent midfield partnerships imaginable.
