NUMBER EIGHTS - Greatest XV Ever - voted by 606v2

Same same but for number 8s now. If your option is not there, click other and tell us what you would like added and it may be done. The person you state will be counted anyway. Enjoy, this is reasonably topical given poor Merv the Swerve's passing away. I know that e.g. Meads also played several other positions so I've put these people in each category.

Zinzan gets it for me

Me too, as it happens

Whilst i was close to going for Zinzan or Buck (it would have been Buck)...i had to actually pick Parise.

He's continuously up there as the best in the world in a woeful side....imagine what he would have done in a cracking team. Got the lot ability wise.

Alun Pask

What a list! That's more awesome than any of the other positions so far. I don't see how you can choose.

It's missing Murray Mexted, though. John Scott was pretty good, too, although maybe not in that league.

Taffineastbourne wrote:Alun Pask

Fair shout

Merv - 2 Grand Slams, 3 Triple Crowns, 2 winning Lions series playing in the 8 Tests. 46 internationals (Wales & Lions), only ended on the losing side 9 times.

Alot of good 8 in that lot.

ZinZan

Dallighio

Harinodoquy

Realy are spoilt for choice to be honest.

Fair play that's an incredible list - when I saw the title I thought it would be fairly easy but my god there's so much talent I just can't choose one!

Zinny the best with the man he replaced being the hardest. You can't help but wince when you get that image of sprig on nuts in your head.

Mervyn Davies gets this even though he is at the forefront of our minds

Dayglo in his pomp was unstoppable (even with 5 Welshmen on his back), incredible player perhaps never to be surpassed. As a pundit he stinks! Can`t have everything!

Zinzan or Buck Shelford for me so I went for Buck as zinzan seems to be getting the accolades.

Despite the sad news about Merv this morning I wouldnt put him in the top three as Meads would probably be my choice. It says a lot for NZ Back row play that they have so many no 8s who have defined the position in their era.

Zinzan for me, just quality but there are some real talents on that list.

Strangely I saw Zinzan having a beer outside the stadium in paris last weekend, no idea what he was doing there...

Just has another look at the list,

Might even include Dean Richards. Sergio Parisse.

Cannot pick one indivdual, to be overall best.

Zinzan Brooke. No question about it.

Got to be Buck for me.

Despite the sad news of the passing of Merv the Swerve I have resisted my heart and gone with Buck Shelford.

Zinzan without a doubt

Buck Shelford..I would say the toughest International Number 8 ever but also the most successful All Black captain ever.

Even with all those non New zealanders listed above there was no room /consideration for Greg Cornelsen???
The only International rugby Number 8 ever to score four tries in one test against the All Blacks,and at eden Park.I bet a lot of those named above wish that they could claim that achievment.

Im waiting for the cries of anguish from all black fans when we get to the openside position and tehy have to choose between Michael Jones and Richie McCaw.

Good work Chequered.

Before Biltong comes on and gets upset, I should mention that there is a genuine Saffer legend missing from that list - Gary Teichmann.
Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe also worth an honourable mention.

The Pinetree was a 5 through and through so I will vote for him as lock and not as an 8.

Has to be Zinzan for me - 58 tests for New Zealand, 17 test match tries (at the time a record for a forward) and three drop goals. Rewrote the rule book on the 8 skillset.

eirebilly wrote:Zinzan gets it for me

+1

What about Paul Arnold who Wales used as the number 8 forward V England at Cardiff in 1991 in order to help give Wales more lineout options from the back of the lineout?

gboycottnut wrote:What about Paul Arnold who Wales used as the number 8 forward V England at Cardiff in 1991 in order to help give Wales more lineout options from the back of the lineout?

Your being sarcastic right? Best in the world?

Can we add Ben Morgan ?

Not yet, Gregor, the title is best EVER.

What about former Scottish Number 8 Derek White who played during the Scotland Grand Slam season of 1990, and also the now TV rugby pundit Eddie Butler who used to both play for and captain Wales at the number 8 position during the 1983/84 season.

aucklandlaurie wrote: Even with all those non New zealanders listed above there was no room /consideration for Greg Cornelsen???
The only International rugby Number 8 ever to score four tries in one test against the All Blacks,and at eden Park.I bet a lot of those named above wish that they could claim that achievment.

Hi ya Laurie. I was at that match after being allowed to train with the Aussies at Williams park Manukau rugby club as schoolboys- fetching balls and things.

After that training I was certain the Aussies were going to win- as you would being so close to all this talent.

Little did we know that this was the test that launched the oz style we see today still in that 30-16 win over the ABs. Still remember kenny wrights sidestep via keith quinns call in replays.

Cornelson was really just in the right place for his four tries and didnt really last long as no. 8 for oz.

Hi taylorman
I probably wasnt serious in stating that Cornelsen was the best no.8.ever but what he did that (I was also there,number 3 stand.) day was in one game play the almost perfect number 8 game ever,and therefore I thought he deserved to be on the list.

Yeah figured that. Actually left the ground thinking hed got 3. One of the memorable tour matches alright. 79 france at eden park with the flying french... 81 Boks which you went to...I was skiing that day and when we got back to the chateau the pub was shut for some reason. About a hundred of us refused to let a guy who had it on radio leave till the match was over.

Cheetahs just scored an amazing after the clock team try to beat the rebels. Amazing.

Loved watching Buck Shelford. Some very good 8's in that list.

Buck just didn't have the complete skill set while Zinny took the position to a new level.
Still Zinny never came close to having the Mana that Buck had.