@@shanecollins3811 Nonsense. It was Manie being a general that won us the very slippery must win opening game against Scotland - a Man of the Match performance. Look at the Ireland test that we lost in the RWC and compare it to the Loftus test a couple of weeks ago. If anything, we had an advantage at Loftus because we had key players back (Malcolm, Pollard), we had home field advantage at altitude and Ireland were missing some of their best in Sexton, JGP, Hansen, Keenan. Very similar territory, possession and running metres for both games, 25% more kicks from hand in Pretoria. But the most telling statistic is the difference in our fullbacks play... In the RWC, Damian was at fullback and passed the ball twice; in Pretoria, Willie was our fullback and passed the ball SEVENTEEN times. You only have to look at the early try by Kurt Lee Arendse to see Pollard passing the ball to Willie (looking very clumsy in doing so - I swear he has an injury that none of us know about because his passing is terrible!) and Willie distrbuting. Pollard is not the midfield general, Willie is, which is why every time in the RWC when Pollard came on as a sub, Willie was not far behind him. The only exception was the final but the weather was so poor that we were never going to play expansively - the All Blacks tried and it cost them the title, but not because of Pollard who, credit to him, slotted his four kicks, but missed 9 out of 17 tackles in a game we won on our defence. Much is it may hurt, go and watch the second Ireland test again, and see if we had a backline after Willie left the field. Willie is our playmaker and Rassie said as much in the press conference. Despite his perfect kicking record in that test, Pollard cost us the game with errors - kicking the ball dead from the restart (ultimately leading to 3 points to Ireland), butchering an overlap on the outside by firing a pass at Cheslin's shins, killing an attacking move by chipping the ball down the fullback's throat for an easy mark and the final nail, kicking the goal line drop out straight at Connor Murray, resulting in the first drop goal. And that is without even acknowledging that we were not going anywhere as a backline. That's your midfield general? When last did he do something that warrants the accolade? When you are done watching the second Irish test, go and watch what happens when he comes on against France. Just look at how often Willie is standing in that channel and taking the ball as first receiver, except when we need to kick. Willie makes Pollard look good and while I love both of them as players and for what they have given us over the last 10 years, it is time to bring in the new boys.
@@jacqloockhe’s good but he lives in DuPonts wake. Pollard kicking the ball back to Ireland last test resulted in the score that won the test that showed his control is not what you think it is.
Hi Tim, Thank you for this. I can't wait every day for the new video. In the end, after the number 15/full back video, please show the match day fantasy 23 that will consist of all your number ones and two's. That will be an unbelievable team. Regards Braam.
Big. Match. Temperament. The biggest skill in any sport. The be-all, end-all. Good, old-fashioned grit. Nobody, in the history of Springbok rugby exemplifies this more than Handre Pollard. His record is downright frightening. Two world cups. One third place finish. 9 knockout matches. 8 victores. He has been our talisman for victories in New Zealand. In Australia. In France. In England. Is he the most talented? The fastest? The strongest? No... But he has a will of iron and has ice water pumping through his veins. There is no better player for the big moments in rugby today.
Pollard isn't even top5 in the world. People often say "who would you pick for a RWC final?" And honestly if I'm a springboks coach I'll pick Pollard, but if I could pick anyone in the world Pollard wouldn't be my first option. Hell, even in Montpellier he was replaced by a 22 year old Paolo Garbisi and most Leicester fans would rather have George Ford back
@@joaofigueiras1106 To each his own. I know there are more exciting flyhalves, not just in the world but here in South Africa as well. If you are ranking using that metric, yes, I agree there are other that I would put above him. I am a massive fan of Owen Farrell, for instance. Also, a big fan of George Ford. Love Finn Russel. And how can we not just Mackenzie for that smile of his alone?? But delivering on the big stage is what sets him apart for me. Time and time and time again, we have a close game and it's that man with the steely eyes and calm disposition who breaks the heart of nations. It's the big moments that he lives for and thrives in. That's why he is my personal #1 for now and in my all-time Top 5. On another note, how did you enjoy that Portugal test??
@@hanoitripper1809 Yeah. Obviously it's difficult to say that a certain team would have won a competition in any given year, but... Naas Botha, Danie Gerber, Morné/Karel Du Plessis, Jaco Reinach, Uli Schmidt, Tiaan Strauss... That's at least a top contender
Crowley is a good player and still very green yet he still steered Ireland towards another 6n win so really a dream start for him. He's still learning. To be at number 5 is a huge compliment to him. Personally I already like him more than johney sexton mainly because he doesn't seem like a whinger....yet.
One of Andy Farrell's biggest mistakes was not bringing him on v N. Zealand with 20 minutes left. Ireland had the All Blacks pinned in their own half but just couldn't get any forward momentum because Sexton's tank was empty. Still, even as a Munster fan, no. 5 is far too high a ranking.
Totally agree!!!! He has a great high kick with a lot of hang time that realy puts pressure on opponents! Wish i had a dollar for every ball that faf de klerk just donated to opposing team by misguided kicking!
Thanks Tim it’s another great video. The Liebbock Pollard question is interesting. It questions the choice made to pick Liebbock so often… I agree that Garbisi probably deserves a spot in there.
Thank you Tim! Preach brother, preach! I've been saying this to the Manie fan club since Manie started playing for the Boks. I will take Pollard over Manie Libbok every day of the week, and twice on Sundays. Pollard is the best.
Hello. As I follow very closely TOP 14 I would have put Jalibert even behind Smith and MacKenzy. As you said, he is pure talent, the kind of player that turn a game upside down in some minutes with a couple of inspired move. But the best players have big impact in hard and decisive games and it seems that he really has problems to do so. And again this year in CC and Top 14 (he was slightly injured) he did not deliver what was needed when his team was in the darkest place. On the other hand it looks like Ntamak came back even stronger than before... For me he should be number one of the ranking, he played his first match of the season the 30th of march, 3 months after he won it all.
Yes, I agree with this. I love Jalibert at his best, but he doesn’t seem to handle the pressure. Based on his Top14 performance, Ntamack will be number 1 soon.
He’s a great fly half but so far has not been the difference in any team on winning anything to be one of the best 10s he needs to show he can make the difference of winning or losing.
@@christiaandutoit1094 When he’s good he’s very good. In terms of pure talent he’s right up there. But about 50% of the time he basically just switches off and is invisible. And that’s why he’s never fulfilled his potential, both for club and country.
That’s a good suggestion - would be an interesting list I think. Some of the usual suspects have had odd years for kicking and there’s some new names that definitely deserve to be in a Top 10.
I think that we'll get some clues as to Pollard's future during the Rugby Championship. I thought that he struggled in the Ireland series, and if he can't adapt to what is seemingly a more free-flowing game plan, we could see Manie and/or SFM overtake Pollard as the starting flyhalf.
If you want someone to kick a penalty then Pollard may well be your man, but even when he is playing behind a dominant pack he is just not very good at steering an effective offense. The lack of tries that the Boks manage to score against top quality opposition is largely down to him as leader of the attack. If you put Russell, Ntamack or Crowley and others on your list behind such forward dominance they have the flair and nous to to go about unlocking a defence - Pollard for all his qualities is just not one of those players
As a kiwi I think you’re spot on. Hopefully d Mac after this year is top 5. If Richie Mo’unga was still playing where would you have him? I would have him 4th.
Glad to see Manie Libbok still hanging in there. He's gotten a lot of flack following his low kicking average, but in open play there's still plenty magic to be had. Couldn't agree with Tim more on that one. Hopefully the pressure of the up-and-comers vying for the 10 jersey will boost him to his full potential rather than see him fold. Rooting for you, Manie. Release your hounds!
Manie has always struggled with goal kicking, and pressure games. That is why he left the Bulls and the Sharks. He was simply not good enough. I do not see Manie going to the world cup in 2027, not with Pollard and Sacha there. If they take 3 flyhalves, maybe... but there are guys like Masuku that wants that jersey as well.
@@Alias-gy3tz The last comment of yours I replied to, started with the "Haters will hate...". And yet looking down through this page, all I see is you hating on Manie. Frustrating as he may be at times, he obviously does have BMT or Stormers would not have gotten to where they have for the last 3 years. Or put another way, you either trust Rassie or you don't, and as I said earlier, Rassie himself rates Manie higher than Pollard in all aspects but kicking.
While I want to debate a few players position or inclusion, that list at least shows just what a problem area nz has at 10. Telling that the current options are struggling to push for selection. And agree on Jalibert. Im a UBB fan so see a lot of him. Lotsa raw talent, needs to step up his game mgmt
@@AbeHopwoodwhat am I missing about smith? I see flashes but it seems very frantic, I’d say he is undersized. I’m no expert so it’s probably my lack of knowledge so I’m asking genuinely
@shyloevans9241 you likely just don't watch england play much. Defence is not hus strongest I will admit as he's a bit small, but he has made some amazing try saving tackles, but his main thing is his attacking and his playmaking. I try and watch every match I can and smith is definitely a highlight
Rest of the world will love it if Lebbok stays for SA. How many times does someone need to crumple under pressure, it's not like SA lacks other talents.(I'm not talking just about goal kicking either)
I would pick Finn Russell Owen Farrell Jack Crowley for the lions. Finn Russell and Jamison Gibson-Park woukd be a box office pairing. Conor Murray and Owen Farrell off the bench would epic.
That's the big question hanging over Leinster & Leo Cullen heading into the next URC season. Andy Farrell has made up his mind apparently about Frawley.
Its always hard to compare fly halves because of such varied styles. Do you want a game opener like Russell or Smith? Or a momentum dominating kicker and positional player like Ford or Pollard. Think Pollard and Ford being so high shows what style wins. If the list was simply the best players who play 10, Dmac would be v near the top
@Camcolito shhh don't tell the Europeans that they think that if you have a good highlight montage and look flashy while playing then your the greatest to ever play Maybe that's why they've only got a 10% win rate in world cups. Fundamental misunderstanding of how to win Tbh I do think that Smith is underrated though
@@Forest9528 Why turn it into a north-south thing? Plenty of overrated flashy players in the south also. All I'm saying is that flair players tend to be overrated.
I think you're being a butt harsh on Sinks, although I understand why. When originally selected for England and playing at Quins his scrummaging was fine. But it went downhill when he moved to Brizzle and continued on the same trajectory. Too much emphasis on the other stuff and not enough on scrummaging maybe. Or maybe Bomb is a really good scrub coach?
Stormers coach Dobson will remain loyal to Manie and continue with Sasha FM at centre , fullback or wing ..Bit harsh judging Manie on his goalkicking ..It's not a must for a nr 10 to be a great goalkicker ..As a creative playmaker Manie is terrific ..
Love the channel and Podcast every Monday morning for 11 seasons! Agree Garbisi as someone mentioned. Not sold Libbok is the best 10 at Stormers let alone 6th in world . Can do some amazing stuff but...Glad you recognise what many SA fans don't, Pollard is the man if you want to win the WC tomorrow. We would not have won the last 2 WC without him. Libbok plays and we lose in QF and Semis. Possibly the most underrated player in SA...still!!!
Pollard did not have the wherewithal to to avoid kicking the ball directly back to the Irish who in turn scored the winner from a DK So yes best kicker in the world not sure if he’s best 10. I don’t believe he controls games but he does control the scoreboard in many games.
I keep reading these selections and wonder how it is that NZ manages to even be ranked in the Top 10 teams considering how lowly rated so many of their players are by some critics.
Selectors do the multi-talented ballers an injustice by picking them in different positions every other game instead of their best position; D-Mac, Sasha FM, Willemse, B Barrett, Marcus Smith etc. Western Province is already playing young JC Mars on the wing instead of fullback. D-Mac would be in the top 5 fly halves if he played there all the time.
Feel like you've robbed Marcus a bit there, Tim! I think his performances and ability to control the game for club and country have put him as firm England starter and potential lions player! Polly is class, don't see him as close to being the best fly half in the world!
Have to say Tim, I think you got this one wrong. AS a Saffer, Pollard is not the best 10. I'd say he's probably 6th or 5th at most. I'd take Marcus Smith, Jack Cowley, or Dmac over Pollard any day of the week.
@EggchasersRugby As a Saffer if you ask me who we would rather face if we were playing England tomorrow I'd be happy to see Ford at 10. He's a great player no doubt though.
I’m not sure that Pollard sure be one. I think it is quite telling that Rassie didn’t really want to start him at the World Cup but was basically forced into it because Libbock’s goal kicking was so bad.
@@EggchasersRugby I hear you Tim. But my issue with Handre is not his goal kicking prowess but the misfires in almost every other aspect of the role he is supposed to fulfill. The Ireland tour to SA was a good example - if Lowe had not kept that ball in play, if the TMO had not called back Lowe's try, Springboks would have lost that test because of Handre. Second test, the minute Willie went off, Springboks had no backline at all and therefore never looked like coming close to scoring. Handre certainly was number 1, but I do not believe he should be there now. Agree to disagree.
The problem with your argument is one, Handré didn’t make the initial WC squad because he was injured and second, it’s quite difficult to say anything negative about his WC appearances (back 2 back WC champion fly half) or his games against Ireland. This guy has been the general and / tour talisman of the most successful and dominant international rugby team for the past 5-6 years. What more does this guy have to win to earn the respect or adoration he deserves. Honestly speaking, which international team would he not start in, please name one.
@@enriquenelson7184or, put in a different way, 9x knockout games. 5x one score finishes. 8x victories. Beat New Zealand in New Zealand. Australia in Australia. France in France. England in England. There are very few players in the history of test rugby that seizes the big moments quite like he does.
Im not disputing your choice but i think its a bit of a sad state if Pollard is the best 10 in the world, as hes not someone i would particularly enjoy watching in attack.
You seldom overrate your Englishmen (to the contrary…) but George Ford is not the 4th best Test flyhalf. He’s third best English 10 for me - would bet that Finn Smith will be your man in ‘27 because the bigger the game the better he plays. Ford and Marcus not so much. But I may be wrong.
Would have Crowley below Libokk , Smith , D Mac as he does not have the running threat of those guys - may be Ford is a little high as well . All subjective as we are all biased with country / club
Look to be in the top 10. You have to be a fine player and Crowley is a fine player. He may manage a game better than the 3 guys but does nor possess the running threat of Libbock , D Man and Smith ( few do ) .
I would have Marcus Smith higher, I really like offensive minded 10s like him and Jalibert (although France doesn't need that type of 10). I would definitely have Pollard lower. He is a truly amazing kicker, and that matters a lot, but not nearly as much as scrummaging for a prop. Pollard is not better than Russell, or even N'tamack, at anything other than goalkicking.
Farrel is defo the best 10 but the problem is he doesn't play internationally at the moment and I'm not sure he'll be allowed to be picked. If he is allowed he definitely will though considering his dad is the head coach of the lions next year and I'm sure big faz would love to have his son there with him
@@AbeHopwood Are you really suggesting that Andy would select Owen even if he knew he wasn't even the second or third best choice simply because of family.
@drinkingup2157 no? He would pick farrel because he's the best 10 in the world. Him being family is why it's even better for Andy. Not only does he get a world class player, he also gets his son
@drinkingup2157 people that don't rate him highly are just fools. There's a reason he's been on 3 British and Irish lions tours and hundreds of rugby legends praise him to be an absolutely class player. Paul oconnel and Adam Jones for example, who have both been in a lions tour with him, praised how good of a player, but also how good of a leader he was
Even as a Scot, I feel 2 for Russell is ultimately a bit generous. He’s incredibly talented, but way too often (especially against tough opponents) he becomes invisible. In the 6N this year, even as captain, that was very definitely the case in a few games. Ultimately there is a reason he only has one piece of silverware to show for his talent, despite plenty of opportunities. At the very least I’d have him below Ntamack. Marcus Smith I think deserves higher than 8 - he can be a complete game changer at points.
@@joaofigueiras1106 He’s played for plenty of good teams in his time, and the Scotland squad in his latter years has arguably been the strongest it has been since the 90s. He’s had opportunities.
@@Zveebo and? What silverware did Pollard win without south Africa? Only a challenge cup. When they won the Top14 he was already on the bench because he was replaced by Garbisi. And sure, this Scotland team is the best since the 90s, but this is also the best Irish team ever, and arguably the best french team as well. He never missed the Top14 playoffs and got to a champions cup final and somehow that's bad
@@EggchasersRugbyBarrett named at 10 for NZ just hasn’t played there. However he has played there in last 12 months so why has he been left out of this? To be fair both Barrett and D- Mac have played a hybrid role over last 12 months so both slotted in at 10 at times. Barrett’s skill probably only matched by Finn Russell maybe you have Barrett at 15?
No issues with this list, except I’d swap Russell and Ntamack. If I can pick any 10 for a big high pressure game, I’d be picking Ntamack over Russell every time. Honestly, I’d probably pick Ford or Crowley ahead of him too come to think of it, which makes the Lions selection a very interesting question.
@@marelizemeier he was the best player on the pitch when the Lions played South Africa in the third test and i'm not sure Russell has ever played against Fiji. How many calcutta cups has he won for Scotland? Before he arrived on the scene Scotland barely scored a try in those games never mind win them. Lazy opinion to say he only shows up in the easy games.
Just can't agree with you on Libbock. A great player - definitely. Top 10 - he makes too many errors in big games to warrant inclusion. Plus he's average at best from the tee. He can be fantastic and on his day he's a joy to watch but he has cost both the Stormers and S. Africa at times with some absolutely ridiculous brain farts. Likewise, Finn Russell at no.2 Sure he's a game changer. When on song he knows no peers. He puts everyone else, Pollard included, in the shade. But, and this is a very big but, he goes missing - a lot. Brilliant v England & Wales, anonymous v Ireland and God awful v Italy. When the really big games ( exception the Calcut Cup) come around he goes awol. Marcus Smith should be higher. I disagree with you on Ford playing in November. If England really want to move forward they have to invest and have trust in their youth. Marcus Smith has proven himself. He's the man for the future (with Finn Smith as no. 2).Ford is very good and deserves his ranking but he's 31. Can he do the job at the next world cup.
Hi Eggchaser! Once again I agree with you… with one HUGE exception: Finn Russell. I think he’s the most overrated player on the pro circuit. Sure he has flashes of brilliance with his hands, but his very flat game is too predictable. With his feet, he’s good but not great… And the problem is the defense… he’s really a too bad defender to be number 2. I think he is below Ford or Crawley, who clearly has better potential.
Frenchman here, so no positive bias towards Crowley. But the 3 you picked should not be above J. Crowley. For many, the future of the Irish squad was a little in the air up to a point after Sexton ( whom I didn't like but finished strong both in the 6N and world cup) retired. In the end, Ireland had a good 6N and a good tour in SA, and Crowley hasn't skipped a beat. He is the clear number 1 at 10 for Ireland, he took over for Sexton very nicely and he's very young. No way he's below the 3 players you picked, he has few weaknesses in his game unlike them and unless something earth shattering occurs, he's here to stay for quite some years
A penalty that shouldn't have been given to SA was the difference in the World Cup final. Wayne Barnes knew prior to the kick being taken that it wasn't a penalty, but wouldn't rescind it. 2nd time the AB's have been shafted by Mr. Barnes at a World Cup. And the AB's still got to within one point of the Boks with 14 men for most of the game ( What sort of privilege does Kolisi operate under?) with the worst coach we have had in the professional era. So don't say that Jordie Barrett not getting his kick over was the difference. Pollard is bang average for an international first-five.
@@Corneliusclewsbury Lets face it, the AB's are simply better than you. Look at the win-loss ratio in the neutral ref era. It's enough to make you resort to steroids. Ohhh...you already did. Then we had "if you can't beat them, bite them". How did that work out? And now, with a proper coach of the AB's, you're about to get your arses handed to you. Then the Springboks can go "We want to play in the Northern Hemisphere because we can't win in our own back yard - Boo Hoo". Just like your Super Rugby franchises. Looks like you'll just keep crying and crying.
The AB's stole the 2011 world cup. First they made sure that the Boks were eliminated in the QF by Bryce the Kiwi cheat, then the French got robbed in the final.
Only got 6 starts at 10 in his whole NZ career. Hard to put him higher when he's not really played 10 at international level. The picture will change over time.
@@EggchasersRugby what about BB, how many starts has he had at 1st five? I'm certain he will be co-acting 10 for the ABs over the RC. Surely he should have made this list??
@@Alias-gy3tz I just pulled up some stats: Beauden Barrett (Age 33, 123 tests, 734 points, 43 tries) 56 starts first five-eighth, 27 at fullback, 40 as substitute. 56 starts at first five?? I think he's actually had 126 games now... but anyhow, clearly he's a 1st five and a VERY good one??
As a Saffa, I agree, Libbok should not be on the list. Pollard however has won 2 World Cups, and a B&I Lions tour in the past 6 years. He also makes the list for the top 20 highest paid rugby union players in the world. He has been on that list consistently.
Yep. Mo'unga was number 1 last time, but since he's no longer eligible for international rugby, he's off the list for the time being. Same situation with Jack Willis and Shannon Frizzell on previous lists.
Pollard simply cannot be #1. He continues to be one of the most overrated player in the modern era. Wow. The sooner Sacha Feinburg is fully integrated the better for SA
so many good fly halfs. In terms of natural talent I would say Ntamack, Marcus Smith and DMac...yes above Finn Russell. I think Jack Crowley has the potential to be the best overall 10 on the list in tems of talent amd game management.
What an awful way to decide the best flyhalf... he was a busdriver nothing special a steady saet of hands that kicked goals. put pollard in the england, scotland or french team and he would be considered average or bad tbh. Safe set of hands wich is ideal when south africa has a 15 that was magic and a pack that would eat everyone else alive. In no world is pollard 'the best'. The best in the world doesnt put in the drivel he put in for tigers, or get dropped multiple times in a cycle. Who would I want at 10 in a world cup final? Not him, he is perfect for how south africa played, but any other nation, mouga, farrel, ford, russel etc... give me them any day. Best lists arent who plays for the best team lists, pollard would not win a game on his own, or even if his pack was struggling, that says a lot when plenty on this list and some that missed out would have their team in with a chance.
