Hey Team, Thanks a bunch for watching. Just a reminder, this list is not based on my opinion but on the opinions of many great folks on the subreddit r/rugbyunion. If you want to give your opinion on the greatest loosehead prop for the next vid in this series, head to www.reddit.com/r/rugbyunion/comments/x9oxh0/who_is_the_greatest_loose_head_prop_in_the/

@casper5545

Жыл бұрын

Love the vids mate!!! Big fan being Dutch and South African 🇳🇱 🇿🇦

@cosmicpuma1409

Жыл бұрын

The one thing we have a right to... Is our opinion. Great vid. Anything that gets people talking in a positive way, can't be bad🙌

@My1notyours0409

Жыл бұрын

Yeah you talking about someone's "backwards views" like it isn't there right to hold such an opinion and to completely misinterpret the entire situation is what's really disgusting. 1. I disagree with Isreal Folau completely on homosexuality and all views of Muslims, Mormons, Catholics and Christians alike. 2. Any person on planet earth has the right to keep there religious freedoms intact and have the aboslute right to express them Completely even if you don't agree with there literature. There are 1 billion + people on the planet that condemn homosuality due to religious beliefs. Because you and I disagree with those people does that give us the right to suppress them in any way? Violence unto another is something different but speech unto another is key to a functional society. No matter your views moron. 3. "Hate speech: is so misconstrued it's not funny. The Transgender community considers it Hate speech for a person to openly state they do not want to date a transgender person. Is that Hate speech? For which we have to get rid of? Am I a bigot and transphobic because I don't want to date a transgender person? Should I be minimized and condemned for these views? Honestly. If you don't like what someone has to say, ignore them. If they're not forcing you into a corner and or stoning you to death like in places of the middle east for being gay, then you have no right to take another person's right away and or shit on someone because of their religious context.

@My1notyours0409

Жыл бұрын

Absolute dog. Keep your disgusting comments to yourself.

@waratah08

Жыл бұрын

Have to disagree. Maybe the best over the past 25 years or so but that is it apart from JPR.

Blanco not being in the top 3 is wrong, I love Montgomery and Halfpenny but Blanco was era defining. Even Cullen, who was similarly gifted, had an international career that lasted half as long as Blanco.

@ericdavison6186

Жыл бұрын

Good words. And was a game changer.

@hankgoldenshaft

Жыл бұрын

I totally agree. As a kid growing up in NZ he was my favorite player, and his try to eliminate the Aussies in the inaugural RWC semi final was really one of the greatest team tries of all time.

@mybmw2876

Жыл бұрын

Has to be ahead of Latham surely as an ABs fan blanco would have me pooinng myself when ever got got near the ball in open play

@SuperEdge67

Жыл бұрын

Montgomery and Halfpenny shouldn’t be mentioned in the same sentence as Blanco or Cullen.

@mludsladiesgentlemen1774

Жыл бұрын

Sir Franky - I tend to view these top 10's as a collective group rather than a group that is ranked 10 to 1. Additionally it tends to only relate to people and players post beginning of the RWC. Let us not forget greats like Don Clarke, Andy Irvine, George Nepia, Roger Gould, Dusty Hare and the ultimate toe poker Brian McKechnie.

I’m a Bok supporter, but #1 is Cullen every time, what a legend!

@frontrowrugby

Жыл бұрын

Bok supporter here too but can't argue with Cullen at #1. He ripped us apart many times in the 90s.

Christian Cullen . A joy to watch.

Definitely Cullen #1, and Blanco should be top 3

@patanouketgersiflet9486

Жыл бұрын

Amen

Christian Cullen by far the best player I have ever seen

@gavinhenderson5862

Жыл бұрын

A contender, for sure.

@anchorpoint5871

Жыл бұрын

antoine dupont will change that..

@ShiNooBi1986

Жыл бұрын

@anchorpoint5871 if France win the World Cup, I might believe you...maybe

Cully was a special man...his running speed was deceiving,his step ridiculous and backing himself was legend...my ultimate player of all time! cheers

I'd swap Joubert and Montgomery's positions As a Kiwi I found Joubert a majestic runner in the mould of '87 RWC winning John Gallagher. IMO a far better FB the Montgomery

@ryanwaugh1

Жыл бұрын

Agreed! AJ was way ahead of Monty. Maybe the best Bok fullback in history

@mattybhoy6522

Жыл бұрын

Hard as nails aswell.

@hankgoldenshaft

Жыл бұрын

Yeah Joubert was a pleasure to watch at full flight, such a naturally gifted runner

@theroogie

Жыл бұрын

Andre Joubert, Christian Cullen and Matty Burke - no doubt

@austrobok2958

Жыл бұрын

No, for me Monty was number one. Better than all the rest!

Cully definitely number one, an incredible player who the whole world feared. No Gavin Hastings??!! He would easily be top 5

@raf4992

Жыл бұрын

His form was up and down and people only see the same you tube clips.. Bender was miles better all round.

@carnmarth1100

Жыл бұрын

Andy Irvine was also a fantastic running fullback and formidable goal kicker. The crowd always new something was on when he got the ball. He probably edges the great Gavin Hastings as my greatest Scottish fullback. World class, better than some on this list and I’m not Scots!!

@colingeddes2172

Жыл бұрын

Blanco for me, simply for his flair, he cud make a try scoring opportunity out of nothing.

@pieterniemandt1098

Жыл бұрын

Gavin Hastings was a British Lion. He was great.

@robstrickland166

Жыл бұрын

When you miss a kick from right in front of the posts, it relegates you to last place

JPR Williams a once in a generation player .

@JM-sq3ic

Жыл бұрын

Agree, he suffered from the time he played. Should but up there in the top 3.

@tommyhassan3545

Жыл бұрын

No 1 in my opinion

Don Clarke should be included in any top 10 fullbacks - the rules of the game were changed to limit his influence.

@megustalations6965

Жыл бұрын

He went on Reddit for the votes, so no surprises there. The Boot should have been top three for the influence he had on the game. A lot like Kel Tremain who won't even get a mention at flanker, but shaped the role of the modern flanker forever. Truly one of the all time greats of the game.

@stoneleighful

Жыл бұрын

A beast!

@brettwilkinson9529

Жыл бұрын

And the biggest kicker of the ball the game has ever seen.

I think André Joubert was the best fullback of all time

Good list full of amazing fullbacks but George Nepia of the 1924 All Blacks team known as 'the Invincibles' must be right up there for best fullbacks of all time. The Invincibles played a 32 match tour of the UK achieved a grandslam and won all 32 games. Nepia aged 19 at the time played in all of the games. Nepia is acknowledged as having invented the spiral punt and inventedf (if not popularised) the crash tackle. Denzil Batchelor (English journalist) wrote of him: “When I hear others debating who will play fullback for the Kingdom of Heaven versus the rest I turn to stone. It is not me to question of whether Nepia was the best fullback in history. It is a question of which of the others is fit to lace up his Cotton Oxford boots.” granted it was pre-most of the guys on your list, but he must be right up there. Interestingly he was not allowed to tour apartheid South Africa as he was Maori, coward racist NZRFU capitulated to SA race demands at the time, even though many Maori rugby men had fought for NZ and Britain in WW1.

@victorlloyd1131

Жыл бұрын

George Nepia Light years ahead of modern FBs. 32 games over a 3 month period playing in every game!!! I doubt if any FB since could match his kicking accuracy attacking brute force, crash tackling and straight out durability in those arduous very long tough tours.

@paturangistuart9098

Жыл бұрын

Definitely 1st on my list !

Too much emphasis seems to be being placed on the attacking aspect of fullback play. The first role of a fullback is to be the last line of defence. Therefore my vote (as an Englishman) goes to JPR, who, although not as fast as many of the other candidates, scored and assisted in many fine tries, put in tackles that knocked big men backwards and was rock solid under the high ball. The only weakness in his game was place kicking.

@moptopbaku6022

Жыл бұрын

Spot on!!!

My Uncle, who recently passed away, God rest his soul, was a class act when it came to Full Backs... His name was H. O. De Villiers and played for Western Province and the Springboks. Great vid, enjoyed it. Thanks.

@anthonyhewat9254

Жыл бұрын

What a legend! My first rugby hero

@cosmicpuma1409

Жыл бұрын

@@anthonyhewat9254 Hero is right. 🙌

@mvubu6823

Жыл бұрын

HO was a legend. Ahead of his time. Sadly just died

@williamweir1547

Жыл бұрын

A pioneer of counter attacking fullback play and with James Bond looks...respect from an All Black fan

@cosmicpuma1409

Жыл бұрын

@@mvubu6823 I know. God rest his Soul.

The guy has a name, if you had the temerity to put him on your list, the least you could do was call him by his name, whatever your feelings about him.

@alanmcdonald4423

Жыл бұрын

Too true. The poster show his ignorance and bias.

All "best of " lists are very subjective... but... as an Aussie... having Latham at 3 is ridiculous... he might have been good in attack but his late start to rugby showed through very clearly in his lack of courage in defence and under pressure.. throwing hospital passes to his team-mates in order to avoid taking the hit himself.... in my opinion... and, as I say.. all this stuff is very subjective... given a choice.. I would have put Matt Burke... great in attack... courageous in defence... and a pretty accurate goal-kicker.. Matt Burke over Latham any day...

@StretchFletcher

Жыл бұрын

I think you have a point here. But Latham had his moments

@davidjames5517

Жыл бұрын

Have to disagree. Latham had magic. Along with the full skillset, he was incredibly creative and wonderfully energetic. Bourke was good but never great.

Jason Robinson 2000-03 was absolutely electric... I'm not sure that's enough time to call him a top 5 of all time but he electrified audiences and booked marked it with a try and winners medal in the wc final 👌

@priehowell8825

Жыл бұрын

Definitely left wing for Robinson. He only played a hand full of games at full back

I’m a Kiwi, but boy it’s hard to see how Serge Blanco wasn’t at least number 2 if not number 1. Must not of been many French voting.

@carlhenry4623

Жыл бұрын

Bro Serge was a beast and the greatest of his time and i don't like to seperate those greats from their era. We shouldn't be defining them to a number. They are all legends and should be remembered as such

Andre Joubert! The Rolls Royce.

I don't want to cause arguments , but all these guys were generally on winning teams most of the time, where it is easier to be good. The ones I prefer are the ones who play for not so good teams but play out of their skin.

I don't agree with the order of all these players, but I do agree with Cullen at no. 1

I don't think anyone could have said it better about King Cullinan, he was and is miles above the rest. I am from from South Africa and he is my favourite player of all time. I've never seen a step like that, especially at full pace. He is an absolute legend. Great top ten.

@navinpatel5688

Жыл бұрын

Most exciting player to play the game

@graemebartmann7872

Жыл бұрын

Cullen ☝️🤣🤣🤣

@HighMaintenancePS

Жыл бұрын

That’s cool!

As an Aussie and someone who played fullback, albeit very poorly, I have no issue Cullen as number 1. But I would have Matt Burke before Latham. Burke was a better all round player. He wasn't quite as good after his shoulder injury, but he was very good. Latham was also average in defence, not a great passer, but was a great finisher. Interestingly, he only started playing rugby in his late teens.

@frankmachin5438

Жыл бұрын

Yeah i agree

@troystaunton254

Жыл бұрын

For me Matt Burke was the best all round back ever. He could comfortably be elite at 15,14,13,12,11,10. The guy was to rugby what Andrew ettingshausen was to rugby league who in 1992 nearly ended up being in the international team of the year at FB wing and centre.

Your list is modern day. What about the Golden Oldies? Gerry Brand still holds the World Record for the longest drop goal in history - dropped at Twickers. What a kicker. What a player. Percy Montgomery was the complete fullback. How many points did he score - tries, penalties, conversions? Cullen scored tries only. For me - Andre Joubert- undoubtedly.

Not sure fighting hate with hate is the solution. Enjoyed some of the old footage. My top 10 list would be quite different but Cullen is the best. Enjoyed the vid!

JPR is a legend and most famous initials in sport. BUT Blancho at 8 !!!! Not sure anyone could have him outside top 2.

As a Saffa I'd like to add a few honorable mentions if you don't mind: Matt Burke, Gavin Johnson, Gavin Hastings, Gysie Pienaar (Ruaan's dad), Jason Robinson and James Small who actually preferred playing fullback. Ps....best loosehead prop is Os du Randt ;-)

@megustalations6965

Жыл бұрын

Best scrummaging loosehead Os - agreed. He loses out on open play though.

@HighMaintenancePS

Жыл бұрын

I would have liked to see Small at fullback. Him and Lomu had great rivalry and great respect.

@tabou1

Жыл бұрын

I remember Andy Irvine was a wicked full back about 2 million years ago

@frontrowrugby

Жыл бұрын

It was great to see Juba and Percy on this list. Because Small played all his Tests on the wing we can't judge him as a Test fullback. Gavin Johnson was great but I think his versatility ultimately cost him. I still think he could have been a great Bok flyhalf.

@dutch5580

Жыл бұрын

@@frontrowrugby I remember him playing a test at 15 against either France or Argentina, can't recall. But he played a lot of provisional rugby at 15.

Serge Blanco definitely the best, followed by Cullen, Isreal Folau and Ben Smith. JPR and former Springbok Johan Heunis also in my top 6.

@johncrichton2474

Жыл бұрын

Brendan Moore from 1921 was HOT. Some great players mentioned already but my memory is fading!! Comon these lists are simply bullshit!!!

Blanco should be higher, I'd also have a spot for Andy Irvine, who possibly misses out owing to Scotland's modest record.

Serge deserves to be higher. He was on another planet good in attack and had a monster of a boot on him.

@brettwilkinson9529

Жыл бұрын

Didn't have that X Factor speed and was inconsistent in some of his play especially his kicking game.

Cullen was unlike anyone we saw play before he'd have more 100 metre tries than some people have tries in their career.

@DistractedSports

Жыл бұрын

One of a kind!!

@raf4992

Жыл бұрын

He has a selective memory on this one.. Cully was too hot n cold. Bender for the win my a mile...

@pndiku

Жыл бұрын

@@raf4992 based on international games only, didn't Ben from Accounts play almost as many games at 14 as at 15?

Cant argue with the players on that list, Blanco No. 1 for me, in fact he should be the top 3 😉

Cullen, J.P.R. , and Blanco at the top. Perhaps Rob Kearney or Gavin Hastings to replace Folau. I reckon Monty and Halfpenny round out my to 5. Good list and I look forward to the rest of the XV. Q. Are you going to do pre-lifting and post- lifting locks?

@LionOnSea

Жыл бұрын

good point - from an SA perspective it is even hard comparing Matfield to a guy like Andrews who played most of his tests pre-lifting. Both excellent in general play but how would Andrews have competed with better lifting support?

@sd3457

Жыл бұрын

Pre-lifting, Wade Dooley. So good they changed the laws of the game.

@gavinhenderson5862

Жыл бұрын

Suspect pre-lifting won't register, being too long ago.

Andre Joubert was instrumental in that 95 world cup win flawless under the high ball

Ben Smith tops my list, intelligent and lethal but Mils is up there too as is JPR Williams, oh but one or two the South Africans were pretty damned good too, and Blanco! lists are impossible!

Would argue cases for Gavin Hastings and Andy Irvine. Hastings was strong in every department (although sometimes a bit of a thumper when goal kicking) and his presence lifted the team. Andy Irvine was defining the running Fullback role before Blanco entered the scene. The law changes in the 80s & 90s would have really suited him. Would also give mentions to Roger Gould, Matt Burke, John Gallagher and J-M Aguirre. Lot of good guys on your list though and Cullen was the best of the 10 you chose imho.

Might say Burke and Jason Robinson unlucky to miss out? Maybe hastings too. IF and Smith maybe lucky to be in. Cant argue with Cullen.

@Fuzcapp

Жыл бұрын

Robinson yes, but Burke - no. He had major defects in defence and in attack he was a plodder compared to Cullen, Blanco, Gould, Robinson, JPR and Hastings. He was picked for so many caps because of his goalkicking, but I wouldn't put Matt Burke in the top ten Australian FBs - let alone in the world.

Andre Joubert was the man.

@merlin5420

Жыл бұрын

Nah he has been smoked by Wilson, Cullen, Lomu and Vidiri! As last line of defence he never ticked that box

@TOPG__

Жыл бұрын

@@merlin5420 doesn’t mean he wasn’t good

@mikezog1030

Жыл бұрын

@@merlin5420 There was nothing wrong with his defence. And he smoked those same people back.

Blanco should be #1 on this GOAT list for out and out fullback. Cullen, class all day long, makes the bench in my GOAT XV, as cover for the back three. Two missing for me: Gavin Hastings (Scotland) and Jason Robinson (England).

I’ve been watching rugby for about 45 years………best attacking fullback Christian Cullen……..daylight second.

@robstrickland166

Жыл бұрын

I've been watching for 55 yrs, JPR, Serge, Cully, daylight never heard of him

in my eighties and the best fullback i have ever seen playing was Bob Scott, hennie muller the celebrated south african no 8 said scott was the greatest footballer i have ever played against in any position, as did the irish great jackie kyle say similar accolades about him , scott never played a bad game ,never had an off game, when he was 50 during halftime in a test in auckland he placed the ball on halfway and with bare feet put it between the post, the old leather ball into the bargain, interesting to read about him, an amazing athlete, cheers Bruce Donaldson

Can't believe there was no suave Gav. Gavin Hastings.

Joubert was left footed Glad he's on the list.

Christian Cullen cutting through defences or JPR Williams smashing anyone who took him on, a good counter attacker too. These are my top two of all time! Some great players on that list, almost impossible to choose.

Blanco is the Greatest french rugby player of all Times and a serious GOAT pretender For me and many people Blanco is in the lineage of Wilkinsons, Lomu or Mccaw… Despite the talent of the top 3, it is not easy to take away the number 1 spot from Serge Blanco for all he has brought to rugby. Basically, he is the guardian of the French flair

Cullen, had the speed, guile, fitness and agility of a 80kg full back but the strength of a 100kg centre. I can't comment on players before 1994 (cause that's when I started watching rugby) but from then til now, I haven't seen a full back like Cullen.

Hi, you can't be serious 😂. Montgomery, Halfpenny, Folau, Latham, Smith ahead of Blanco ? really?? out of these 10, your top 3 should be JPR WIlliams, Blanco and Cullen and I don't really care in which order.

@ericdavison6186

Жыл бұрын

All correct. The TV coverage those days can't touch the present day kaleidoscope of angles etc but they played what was seen to be exceptional. 3 things ;) JPRs hair Cullen knees Blancos baggy shirt.

How many of the other 9 dropped a goal from their own half against NZ (with a leather ball) ?, Never lost against England? Cullen was good for his era, he'd have been carried off against JPR!

As a proud Welshman,I may be biased but JPR was the best fullback and was scoring tries when it was not the norm for fullbacks, and had a awesome defence.

@dezman56ford

Жыл бұрын

Helluva fullback, as I recall, he'd play with his socks down round the ankles which gave him that twinkle toe look while running, similar to Bruce Robertson the AB's centre.

@markjones464

Жыл бұрын

You have to be Stupid , the way he played So much Courage he never Kicked And under high ball his Bravery Was unbelievable , I said at the beginning He must been ,Stupid or Dumb he was Actually a Doctor , my brother Broke his Arm and he set it .

Ben Smith. Love him!

The Wallaby's Roger Gould from the 80's sticks in my mind. His touch-finding kicks were tremendous and often game turning and he was one of those guys who never looked fast but he was actually a giant rocket.

@dezman56ford

Жыл бұрын

And the guy was built like a brick outhouse, agree, should be in the mix.

@davepannekoek1562

Жыл бұрын

Goulds punting was unreal. That Aussie team with the stand close and quick hands from Ella, Hawker, OConner to put the wings and fullback in space was really special.

@Fuzcapp

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely agree. Gould's omission from this list makes me wonder about the Rugby knowledge of the people who put the list together.

@catinthehat906

Жыл бұрын

In my view Matt Burke was a better fullback than either Latham or Gould. He was the most capped and second highest scorer in Wallaby test rugby at the time of his retirement. He was also part of the squad that won the 1999 World Cup and the series win against the Lions in 2001.

@dezman56ford

Жыл бұрын

@@davepannekoek1562 That really was a magical team, weren't Michael O'Connor and David Campese also past members of that side? Some extraordinarily gifted players.

Christian Cullen..was the most gifted attacker by a long shot ..but Percy Montgomery had all the skills which made him the perfect fullback he was good in defence quick on his feet and had a a good kicking game and was a great goal kicker

Bro, we both may not agree with some of Folau's views but I think you should respect the rugby player enough to say his name. Using colloquial terms/language to oppose his views is a bit...childish bro Moving on...Joubert above Montgomery and Blanco should be top 3 Cullen definitely #1 but where was Robinson?

@Fuzcapp

Жыл бұрын

Especially with this plonker's own homophobic comments at 0:02 ...

@jefferyhitchmough1790

Жыл бұрын

Completely agree regarding Israel Folau. Leave the politics out of it. The comments took from what was otherwise a good video.

@stevenlurie1215

Жыл бұрын

Insulting a man over his religion is weak

Would love to have seen Israel Dagg in there. Slotted it perfectly when Muliaina went down and never looked like giving up his starting spot until injuries ruined his career. Man had all the qualities of a great fullback; monster punt, great kick return, solid aerial game, and good finishing. Probably didn't have the career to live up to all the hype but I really enjoyed him being on the team.

@paulcostello1807

Жыл бұрын

Israel Dagg out jumped them all under a high ball

Even Cullen said it They were doing at age 20 what Andre Joubert was doing at 35.

Ball boyed for Cullen at 7’s tournaments, and remember seeing him get the ball deep in his goal area and run under his own posts all the way to the other side and score. I was amazed but then he went on to do it again, the same in 15’s as well, it wasn’t a one off that I saw, it was an example of his MO, he made rugby look like a video game.

Glad to see Andre Joubert make the list. I'll never forget him playing through the '95 World Cup with a broken hand - like we said at the time: pain is temporary, glory is forever!

@frontrowrugby

Жыл бұрын

Juba was special. No doubt about it!

@mikezog1030

Жыл бұрын

Juba was better than any other players mentioned here.

@frontrowrugby

Жыл бұрын

@@mikezog1030 He was a truly special player. I actually interviewed him a few weeks ago for my own channel. Video goes up next week if you're interested.

I haven’t seen the video yet.....But it’s Cullen....every time He had it all, pace,vision,kicking game,chip,defence. He could run from anywhere. He saw the whole game in slow motion. I’m not a kiwi, but it’s Cullen. Go watch some videos 😀

What about John Gallagher best full back of all time

When i think Fullback. I think Andre Joubert.

@megustalations6965

Жыл бұрын

Way better than Percy. Surprised to see him so low in this list. I figured he'd be top five.

@priehowell8825

Жыл бұрын

Andre for me too. Best full back I've seen

@normanboxshall-smith9157

Жыл бұрын

H.O. De Villiers, best fullback ever!!

That sort of heading is always difficult to justify. I think they can only be judged fairly within their own era, plus or minus a bit. Obviously JPR hits the bull.

@johngdavies7689

Жыл бұрын

JPR changed the game.Before him fullbacks were entirely defensive. Don Clarke and Fergie McCormic etc were there to stop tries and kick goals. JPR chimed into the attack and with his power and pace gave teams effectively an extra man. Of course everyone does it now but he was the first.

JPR Williams ... 1974 Lions .... they kicked our arses

Fine All Black that Mils was, and one who never let the jersey down, he'd be having a good chuckle to himself that you've put him among the all time greats.

Cullen would've been in "The 10 Greatest wings of all time" video if Fozzie was the coach back then.

I have been thinking about this for a few days and trying to remember them all (shades of Frank Ifield - "when the angels ask me to recall the names of them all....) and I remembered Joe Kalam from 50 years ago - long before probably most of those who provided the numbers for this list were even born, and because they have only seen KZread vids of selected players may not even have heard of him. He was good, very good.

IMO BEN SMITH is the GOAT. You could just about have 15 NZ fullbacks in this list as we've had MANY great fullbacks who never got to represent the AB's or had very short stints. And Ben Smith is the best I ever saw and I saw Cullen. I would go Ben Smith, Cullen and Mills as the three best AB's ones and then a couple of overseas players and then the rest NZ reps. NZ produces the best fullbacks in the world end of story I mean FFS half our backline right now is full of them getting played out of position which is half of our problems atm. And Ben Smith should of been selected as our first choice FB a season or two earlier than he did he was clearly better than mills two or three years before he became first choice at the WC.

@rodeo4786

Жыл бұрын

I very much agree Cullen is so revered and rightly so but for me Ben Smith gets the nod and I'll add another name including notoriety Charles Piatau

@megustalations6965

Жыл бұрын

Ever watch a Super Rugby player in a club game. I watched David Smith, who was just okay for the Blues and Canes, against Grammar Carlton in Auckland. He carved the whole team like it wasn't even there - it was almost embarrassing to watch. That's what Cully did against international teams. He is one of the most gifted players I've ever seen on a rugby field. I'm sure if you polled Ben Smith's family even they would place him below Cully. He is one of the greatest rugby players to have ever laced up boots.

@ShiNooBi1986

Жыл бұрын

But did you see Cullen in his prime or since he started? His Defensive steel is underrated. He had xfactor that scared opposing teams. Ben was great but Cully is from a different planet

@austingtir

Жыл бұрын

@@ShiNooBi1986 I saw cullen from the start of his career. For the era's both these guys played in Ben Smith is the far more impressive player if you watch his highlights he was doing cullen like stuff against far better defence. And for defence watch the one where he gets past tuilagis fend and takes him down after tuilagi ran 3/4's of the pitch from a huge head start!! Ben Smith is the greatest allround fullback of all time thats my opinion. The guy doesnt get the credit he deserves, his tactical kicking was outstanding, his defence and attack. He was the absolute full package. Him and Kaino were the quiet achievers of that GOAT AB team.

@ShiNooBi1986

Жыл бұрын

@@austingtir Cullen could do all Ben could and more. It's not even close mate. Cully was an all round fullback in his pomp. You clearly didn't watch all the rugby matches if your talking about watching highlights Ben's probably not even top 5 AB fullback (Nepia, Don Clarke, Gallagher, Muliaina). Spent most of his time at 14 in Black mean Coaches and selectors had that opinion that there was a better man at 15. The Legends of the game and fans from diff countries respect Ben but they feared Cully

i am so glad he appeared on this list -was. becoming concerned as no mention on countdown -he was simply magic when uninjured and just naturally playing his running weaving game .A delight to watch and a game breaker.Well deserved # 1

As a fellow Kiwi, there was only one #1 and you did not disappoint. The Paekākāriki Express is the GOAT of this position. It was a crime when John Hart pushed him to centre to accommodate Jeff Wilson and worse so when John Mitchell dropped him all together. Watching Cully run the ball back must be rugbys version of watching Leonardo paint

How can you put any full back from Australia or New Zealand above Falou (Sparkles) I don't know I think you been watching NFL

Where is Jason Robinson ? His highlights make everyone look pedestrian. Nearly all of the highlights for “Sparkles” had number 14 on his jersey. Southern Hemisphere bias at its best. Blanco definitely top three.

Maybe some of you don't know what made Blanco even better: he smoked 40 a DAY!

That was fantastic

Cool Vid, can't wait for the rest of the XV. As a kiwi who's been watching rugby since the 80s, Shout out to Matt Burke & Gavin Hastings.

Ki ora (hope thats spelt right) These videos are fantastic. Keen to see which players complete the remaining positions!

@DistractedSports

Жыл бұрын

Almost Kia Ora. Thanks for the nice words my dude!

Superb way to avoid doing work on a Friday afternoon, Cullen was crazy good, Remember when Kirwan ran through Italy at the first world cup? Cullen did that to everyone all the time.

Two Wallabies fullbacks who gave the All Blacks fits: (1) Roger Gould. He possessed a massive, pressure relieving boot that broke the ABs forwards and won the Aussies the 1980 Bedisloe series. (2) Chris Latham, who deserves his ranking in this vid. Almost as effective a ball runner as Cullen, and the perfect fit for one of the GREAT three-quarter lines in possibly the greatest Wallaby team, Mortlock/Herbert, Ben Tune, Joe Roff and CL, with honourable mention to Matt Burke.

Been thinking about this for a few days, trying to remember them all (shades of Frank Ifield - when the angels ask me to recall the names of them all........) and I suddenly remembered Joe Karam. He was playing 50 years ago. Long before most of those who make their choices known were even born. They never saw him play, and probably have never even watched old videos of him. He was good. He was very good. He kicked in what was called "the old style" in the eary1970s - straight on with an upright ball and kick it with the toe. Even soccer players knew if you did that the ball would rise high and go straight. I only saw him play on TV, but I would put him in the top 10 of those I have seen - admitting I cannot go back beyond about 1960 and there could have been older players that would nudge out some of the modern ones I have seen.

Great fullbacks but has to be the Andre Joubert for me. Incredible balance and the complete fullback

From a South African, Definitely Christian Cullen. Never seen a better fullback before or since.......Probably the best backline player ever.

@jksinorbit

Жыл бұрын

Ja used to get “the fear” every time that bugger got the ball…

I more or less agree with the list, especially the n°1 spot...but where's Jason Robinson !!!???

@Xfactories

Жыл бұрын

Yeah. According to wikipedia 'he sidestepped past Australian fullback Chris Latham'. Boom.

@rabbitss11

Жыл бұрын

great player but he couldn't kick for toffee, a big minus for a FB in any era

@fabienthompson1648

Жыл бұрын

@@rabbitss11 for sure not good under the high balls and at kicking, but it would be a waste of the ball if he kicked it, it was so precious in his hands

Come on give us a seperate video for each number plus a coach ? got your self a series here

Serge Blanco b4 I've even watched this - PERIOD

H.O. de Villiers. Springbok fullback. Best fullback in the history of the game. He introduced the concept of attacking fullback play...!!

Cullen was simply brilliant.

There's an absolute bucket load of recency bias here. i won't help by confirming Matt Burke is comfortably better than half of your suggestions. Going slightly further back, but not enough to avoid my own criticism, Andy Irvine deserved a mention. And George Nepia. Obviously I never saw him play, but he's a legend for a reason.

Brilliant! “Sparkles” haha

The Folau writeup was hilarious! “Quickie…, gobbling…, gay old time” haha

Loved the sparkles mcfabulous segment.

Thanks for the 2 Saffas :)

I it laughable how Israel Falau has no right to his views but those yhat disagree with his views automatically self presume to be correct. I don't care what someone's sexual preferences are, that doesn't mean I agree with them, nor do I have to Can't win rights by taking it away from others

Was interested until your attack on"sparkles". Just because he made a stand you decide his dispicable. Good on him for making a stand.

Weird facts you've got. Joubert was left footed Percy was shocking at drop kicks Blanco should be top 3 with JPR for me. Cullen is my 1.

Seems to be a 10 dominated by professional/ modern era players (with the exceptions of Serge Blanco & JPR Williams). As many others have pointed out there is a dearth of mentions for the greats of earlier periods, on whose shoulders most modern 15's stand. I will admit to a bias based on what I watched as a youngster, but would modern fullbacks be expected to kick were it not for the examples of Dusty Hare, Gavin Hastings and Paul Thorburn (plus others). Was the attacking flair of Christian Cullen (who I readily admit could be the GOAT) a reflection/ development of that exemplified by Serge Blanco, JPR Williams and Andy Irvine?

That was pretty damn entertaining mate - well done despite your sloth tendencies - really appreciate it...

That intro joke made me subscribe lol

Rob Kearney not on the list is the only argument I have with the list. That and Blanco should be second. Great list and just got a new subscriber.

@paulcostello1807

Жыл бұрын

Kearney was solid he was not electric.

@davet6079

Жыл бұрын

@@paulcostello1807 Might not have been electric but he definitely was one of the most reliable FBs in rugby over his career.

When it comes to running alone, Christian #1, Mills #2. Cullen seems to float over the defense with ease, whereas Mills pierces through the defense like a bullet. Monday ngt - October 3, 2022.

Agree with the list except for maybe Campese? He was a genius and pioneer if nothing else. Could argue he wasn't much of a team man though. But you could also add in Joe Roff ?

@gregorygout

Жыл бұрын

He definitely would have been-but they played him both winger and fullback...so maybe he will be on the wingers list!

@chrisainge4192

Жыл бұрын

True. So many of the backline players from Aus and NZ of the last 40 or so years could play/ did play in almost every backline position except for scrumhalf

@Fuzcapp

Жыл бұрын

Campese was an absolute shyte FB. Alan Jones kept picking him there and Australia kept paying for it. A fullback has to be dependable, and Campese just wasn't dependable at all. A fullback has to be a confident tackler, and Campese lacked in defence. No doubt Campo will feature as an all-time winger but not as a FB. Your heart was in your mouth every time he had to do anything at fullback. But on the wing, with the safety of the side line to cover any mistakes - you were on your feet watching him

JPR WILLIAMS THE GREATEST FULL BACK NO DOUBT