Which player has your nation missed the most since he retired?

First topic message reminder :

Even though I am a daffodil snniffer I want to talk about England. For me, they are the rugby nation that has suffered the greatest from the retirement of one player.

WILL GREENWOOD.

Their midfield has suffered no end without him & I have yet to see a player who can be as good as he was or bring out the best in Tindall. Many players have come and gone in the 12/13 channel over recent years but many have failed to excite or live up to expectation. I am excited to see more of Manu Tuilagilagigigiali, but I fear he will be mainly used for his bulk rather than overall talent. I also think that at some stage Wilkinson & Flood will start in the same backline to try and bring some creativity into it. I wouldn't know who to play where as neither Flood or Wilko have had consistent time at 12 for a very long time.

I think something like this would be a good shot in midfield:

10. Flood
12. Wilko
13. Tuilagi

I would rather see Wilko at 12 as he can time the pass better than anyone.

The best players i have seen from New Zealand, obviuosly since 1995.

Carl heyman, Sean fitzpatrick, McCaw, Marshall, Carter, Umaga, Lomu and cullen.

The best from Oz, Eales, Gregan, Larkham, Little, Horan, Latham.

The best from SA, Os du Randt, Vicki, Bakkies, Juan Smith, Andre Venter, Joost, Henri honiball, Jaque Olivier, Andre joubert, Habana

HURLEY_BURLEY wrote:Eirebilly - you mean 'nobody' !
He was phenomenal alright.

A 2nd rower who is also the team's kicker!!!

HURLEY_BURLEY wrote:

Kiwireddevil wrote:

HURLEY_BURLEY wrote:What about NZ ?
Would you swop your current back three for Lomu, Cullen & Wilson? AWESOME !

They were, but to be honest the biggest gaps in NZ are at hooker since Fitzpatrick and halfback since Graeme Bachop.

You serious about Bachop? I remember his brother Stephen coaching us in school for a stint. Nice chap.

Yep. No Kiwi half-back since has been able to claim "best in the world" status. Marshall and Kelleher were good but not great, and since then ...

Yeah his pass was awesome. It's been a long time since we had a bullet thrower at 9. I mean Tonu'u had the best pass in the world but he was rubbish at most other things hence him not playing more than a handful of Tests.

majesticimperialman wrote:The one player who i have not missed since he retired from rugby union is Gareth Thomas.

Now i have nothing against him personaly, but every time he scored a try and he ran behind the post "TAPPING HIMSELF ON THE HEAD" ..Yes he realy got to me.

Not a Cardiff City fan then ?

Kiwireddevil wrote:

HURLEY_BURLEY wrote:What about NZ ?
Would you swop your current back three for Lomu, Cullen & Wilson? AWESOME !

They were, but to be honest the biggest gaps in NZ are at hooker since Fitzpatrick and halfback since Graeme Bachop.

That's what I said.

Also there are a few wingers I'd swap in for Lomu.
Umaga at his best, Howlett, Kirwan, may be even Dagg.
Just imagine Dagg, Cullen, Wilson.

I think I would mess my pants.
oh may be a bit too much just then