Top Flanker of all time

Playing on the flanks of the scrums, hence the name of their position, flankers are often the most agile forwards, and usually the biggest hitters. There are two types of flanker - blindside and openside, so called for the side of the scrum they go. As with props, these positions are similar, but different enough for few players to be able to play effectively in both.

Not usually seen as the glamorous positions (kickers, wingers, SH and Full backs get those honours), but still an incredibly physical and important position to play in any team.

But who do you think has excelled in this position over the years - vote for your favourite of all time.

Although my favourite Welsh player over the last few years, Martyn Williams comes second to Pienaar in my books.

I've gone with Richie McCaw, he always gets away with more than most others on the field. For me a flanker needs to push the letter of the law to the limit and McCaw plays the ref like nobody else.

Combine his tireless workrate and physical presence with this - and you have a near perfect flanker imo.

I've gone for Richard Hill. Just on my memories of him as I was growing up watching rugby. Just such an incredible player with a phenomenal workrate.

McCaw and Pienaar would have been tied in 2nd for me.

I'ev also gone for McCaw.

McCaw has never won a world cup.... and for me that's the benchmark of brilliance.

Pienaar for me.

Ive also gone for the 'silent assassin' Richard Hill.
A big hitter with excellent support play. Its a shame he got injured in the 2003 world cup and missed a few games but was outstanding in the final against Australia.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:McCaw has never won a world cup.... and for me that's the benchmark of brilliance.

Pienaar for me.

I find that a strange benchmark. So if somebody as good as Pienaar (or better) played for a country like Italy, regardless of how good they were you wouldn't consider them brilliant?

For my money, performing well in a poor team is better than performing well in a good one. (I'm not saying that is something McCaw has done!)

No Rives, No Skrela

No Mick Skinner, Winterbottom, Neil Back, Moody.

No Dallaglio

No Mourie, John Jeffries

Guess I'll have to go for Michael Jones

None of the above, John Jeffrey

Agree with most of Davie says, except Moody (really?) and Dayglo was an 8.

McCaw for me as I never had the chance to really see the Iceman play.

Hobo wrote:As with props, these positions are similar, but different enough for few players to be able to play effectively in both.

But the same poll for openside and blindside? Massive difference in what I'd pick both, can you compare Betsen to Back, Ferris to McCaw?

Draigoch wrote:Agree with most of Davie says, except Moody (really?) and Dayglo was an 8.

McCaw for me as I never had the chance to really see the Iceman play.

I reckon I saw him play both No 8 and blind side. He may even have played a few times at 7. Would you really say 8 was his prime position?

That was my first thought when I saw Davies post - Dalaglio was an 8 foremost.

Without a doubt a number 8. A real traditional 8 - a massive ball carrying threat.

Mccaw for me. He would be one of the first players on an all time 15 for me. I cant think of a player who causes so much grief for the opposition team and supporters. Teams spend so much time trying to nulify him and they almost always fail.

Hobo wrote:That was my first thought when I saw Davies post - Dalaglio was an 8 foremost.

Well that's what I was questioning given that his Wiki page says flanker or number 8 and was capped at all three back row positions

Another vote for McCaw (with Michael Jones worth an honorable mention). Been the best now for at least the last 6 years and it doesn't matter how the game or more importantly the laws change and are interpreted, he is still significantly the best in his position and the most important player on every team that he plays in (even including a certain D. Carter).

I agree with others that an separate open side and blind side vote would have maybe worked better. At blind side I would defiantly put Richard Hill top with Jerry Collins (circa 2005 Lions series) second.

I've just cast my vote for Fergus Slattery. An absolute nugget of a player.

Has to be francois pienaar for me, a hard man and a great captain. shame he fell out with sarfu and was never picked again. But for winning the world cup and helping to unite a nation he is the best.

Jones as tge trailblazer of what we now consider the standard SH open side.

I think Calder and Jeffrey should be on your list.

Ridiculously tough choice. Voted Michael Jones as he set the standard as an open and could play much wider than the competition and was also World class on the blind side as well.

Richard Hill a close, very close, second.

Just out of interest, my old man (who could play a bit in his youth) said Waka Nathan was one of the best he's ever seen...

Either side for me it would be Michael Jones - the man was a monster, adept (masterly even) at every facet of the backrow game, and as hard as nails. Truly a once in a lifetime player.

Hill was a magnificent 6 and tops my list for mere mortals!

McCaw is fantastic and does everything right. But Jones did it beautifully.