The Greatest: Round 1: Shortlist for the 7 shirt (VOTING ENDS 23/12/12)

The openside thread.

Please post below picking ONE and one only from this list of referee-avoiding, ball slowing tricksters:

Thierry Dusautoir, Jean-Pierre Rives (France), George Smith, Simon Poidevin, Phil Waugh (Australia) Michael Jones, Richie McCaw, Josh Kronfeld, Waka Nathan (New Zealand), Jan Ellis, Ruben Kruger, Piet Grayling, Schalk Burger (South Africa), Finlay Calder (Scotland), Wavell Wakefield, Neil Back (England), Fergus Slattery, David Wallace (Ireland), John Taylor, Martyn Williams (Wales),Thierry Dusautoir (France), Peter Winterbottom (England).

Top three go through to the vote for the teamsheet.

Will update the OP to make up for any glaring omissions.

Players above in no particular order.

Notes:

1. Rules here:
https://www.606v2.com/t38622-the-greatest-introduction-the-rules

2. Previous threads here:
https://www.606v2.com/t38631-the-greatest-round-1-shortlist-for-the-1-shirt#1745446

https://www.606v2.com/t38632-the-greatest-round-1-shortlist-for-the-2-shirt#1745455

https://www.606v2.com/t38633-the-greatest-round-1-shortlist-for-the-3-shirt#1745464

https://www.606v2.com/t38634-the-greatest-round-1-shortlist-for-the-4-5-shirts

https://www.606v2.com/t38635-the-greatest-round-1-shortlist-for-the-6-shirt#1745502

3. Please note that voting for the shortlist will end at midnight on Sunday 23 December.

Richie McCaw, this one should be no contest.

McCaw, although in an actual XV you would probably try and squeeze in Michael Jones too.

Sorry, can't decide. Jones and McCaw streets ahead of the rest.

Richie McCaw

McCaw

McCaw, although Ellis and Greyling have great reputations, can't vote for them as haven't seen enough.

Kronfeld for moi, but I accept that the masses will go for McCaw or Jones.

John Taylor.

If only for sentimental reasons as I can remember his kick against Scotland in 1971 as if it were yesterday!

McCaw

McCaw

I really like kronfeld and Slattery and calder was an absolute nuisance but sadly McCaw cannot be topped.

Richie McCaw

McCaw.

No I mean Jones.

Err make that McCaw



Richie it is (sorry Iceman)

Michael Jones

Capt McCaw aye

I’ll never forgive myself but McCaw has surpassed Michael Jones as the best ever NZ player (and by default the best player ever) so....McCaw

RuggerBoy wrote:John Taylor.

If only for sentimental reasons as I can remember his kick against Scotland in 1971 as if it were yesterday!

As The Great Bill McClaren said in commentary ' licking from for him the correct touchline'

Michael Jones... just pips it for me.

Michael Jones. In previous votes I have gone with Richie McCaw but after watching a couple of older games recently I think Jones just edges it.

Rives - just to be different.

As monumental in his day as McCaw is now

Richard McCaw, although it breaks my heart not to have Dusatoir in the backrow can we include him in the blindsides please?

Michael Jones

McCaw, although I would probably have Magne or Kronfeld in my all-time XV.

Michael Jones

Wallace

Jones

The role of the modern day number seven as we know it is the creation of Michael Jones, Richie McCaw has not developed or taken the position any further during his time as an All Black, He just happens to be the best skipper and leader of men in International rugby that happens to play in the Number 7 jersey.

Is there a possibility that many of those that are choosing McCaw over Michael (the iceman) Jones didnt really see Michael play ??

Very, very possible Laurie.

Despite McCaw's World Cup, I'd still plump for Jones as being the most skilful, era-defining player.

Rives

Richie McCaw needs to become our 6 but even then Michael Jones had more versatility. But as the Iceman was from Auckland and Richie is good, honest Canterbury grain and salt of the earth it pains me to say Michael Jones. But know in your heart Richie that you embody the spirit and enterprise of Canterbury and together we will rule the world.

Never saw Jones play, so it'll be McCaw for me

Michael Jones

Jones at 6 McCaw at 7. Michael Jones is the best player ever in my poxy little world and the only one who could touch him at 7 is McCaw.

I saw both, was unfortunate enough to see Jones charge towards my direction into a ruck and go down horribly. Won't forget the hush that went over Athletic Park that day in a hurry. The guy was just gifted.

I go for Ritchie McCaw,BUT Kel Tremain as THE finest Tight/loose forward.
Michael Jones at 6 or 7 runs them close.
Bill Clark of the 1953 side was the best flanker around then.

Richie McCaw

Kronfeld

Interesting to note that Mr Murray 'Zinzan' Brooke, who played alongside both Jones and Kronfeld, when selecting an all time XV, went for Josh Kronfeld.

I'd rather Jones at 6 and Mccaw 7 and Jones is in this list so he misses out to Mccaw.

Have to say Burger? that is shocking!

Hmmm, McCaw I think.

McCaw

Michael Jones

McCaw

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Richie McCaw needs to become our 6 but even then Michael Jones had more versatility. But as the Iceman was from Auckland and Richie is good, honest Canterbury grain and salt of the earth it pains me to say Michael Jones. But know in your heart Richie that you embody the spirit and enterprise of Canterbury and together we will rule the world.

You know he's really an Otago boy don't you?

Michael Jones

nganboy wrote:

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Richie McCaw needs to become our 6 but even then Michael Jones had more versatility. But as the Iceman was from Auckland and Richie is good, honest Canterbury grain and salt of the earth it pains me to say Michael Jones. But know in your heart Richie that you embody the spirit and enterprise of Canterbury and together we will rule the world.

You know he's really an Otago boy don't you?

Yes but living in Canterbury is what made him great. Just like Merths.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:

nganboy wrote:

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Richie McCaw needs to become our 6 but even then Michael Jones had more versatility. But as the Iceman was from Auckland and Richie is good, honest Canterbury grain and salt of the earth it pains me to say Michael Jones. But know in your heart Richie that you embody the spirit and enterprise of Canterbury and together we will rule the world.

You know he's really an Otago boy don't you?

Yes but living in Canterbury is what made him great. Just like Merths.

And the McCaw family farm was on the north side of the Waitaki ... tecnically South Canterbury

He went to Otago boys though didn't he? Irrelevant though as the move to Christchurch made the great man. For all the rest there's Mastercard.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:He went to Otago boys though didn't he? Irrelevant though as the move to Christchurch made the great man. For all the rest there's Mastercard.

And Sam Harding (who pipped McCaw for most age group sides) went to Chch Boys. Fair trade IMO

I got given McCaw's book for my birthday (will be doing a review soon, once I retrieve the book, I left it at Asbo's place in Devon on Sunday). When Richie was 12 his Dad suggested "you'll enjoy your rugby more if you get a bit fitter". Richie started doing a 10km run every 2nd day ...

Pete C (Kiwireddevil) wrote:

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:He went to Otago boys though didn't he? Irrelevant though as the move to Christchurch made the great man. For all the rest there's Mastercard.

And Sam Harding (who pipped McCaw for most age group sides) went to Chch Boys. Fair trade IMO

I got given McCaw's book for my birthday (will be doing a review soon, once I retrieve the book, I left it at Asbo's place in Devon on Sunday). When Richie was 12 his Dad suggested "you'll enjoy your rugby more if you get a bit fitter". Richie started doing a 10km run every 2nd day ...

With good reason too KRD – did you see the picture? He was pretty hefty as a child!