The best 3 players in the world by position: The World Class 45 - #13 Outside Centre

1. Loose-Head Prop https://www.606v2.com/t70475-the-best-3-players-in-the-world-by-position-the-world-class-45-1-loose-head-prop
2. Hooker https://www.606v2.com/t70476-the-best-3-players-in-the-world-by-position-the-world-class-45-2-hooker
3. Tight-Head https://www.606v2.com/t70477-the-best-3-players-in-the-world-by-position-the-world-class-45-3-tight-head-prop
4/5. Locks https://www.606v2.com/t70478-the-best-3-players-in-the-world-by-position-the-world-class-45-4-5-locks
6. Blindside https://www.606v2.com/t70481-the-best-3-players-in-the-world-by-position-the-world-class-45-6-blindside-flanker
7. Openside https://www.606v2.com/t70484-the-best-3-players-in-the-world-by-position-the-world-class-45-7-openside-flanker
8. Number 8 https://www.606v2.com/t70485-the-best-3-players-in-the-world-by-position-the-world-class-45-8-number-8

9. Scrum Half https://www.606v2.com/t70488-the-best-3-players-in-the-world-by-position-the-world-class-45-9-scrum-half
10. Fly Half https://www.606v2.com/t70490-the-best-3-players-in-the-world-by-position-the-world-class-45-10-fly-half
11. Winger https://www.606v2.com/t70492-the-best-3-players-in-the-world-by-position-the-world-class-45-11-winger
12. Inside Centre https://www.606v2.com/t70495-the-best-3-players-in-the-world-by-position-the-world-class-45-12-inside-centre

I seem to recall a good poster called Pete defining his best players in the world in each position at the end of every year and I thought I'd try and bring it back somewhat.

So, a little caveat....I've not watched as much rugby as I would have liked this year so I may be a bit off in some of my suggestions....I'm sure we can have a nice sensible discussion though, as we always do! I also may have a slight English bias, go easy on me Welshies.

The criteria:

I'm selecting world class players......when I say world class, you have to be in the top 3 in your position. I'll possibly look to do 5 for locks/wingers due to different styles and sides.

#13 Outside Centre

We're finally reaching the end you'll be glad to hear! Today we have the outside centre (is there many other names for this position?)....the defensive lynchpin of the backs. I'm always being told 13 is the hardest position to play in the backline.....granted this is usually from guys that play there, but it's subtle differences deserve some respect. Do you rush or stay? If you come out of the line at the wrong moment you tend to look rather silly. Some of the greatest players of all time in this position (I'm thinking BOD, Jamie Noon etc) became much more defensively minded through their career...almost playing like flankers by the end. Saying that, a bit of gas helps and nothing looks better than a sweet outside break gliding past the opposition backline.

An interesting article explaining the differences between inside/outside centres: https://www.balls.ie/rugby/hell-second-five-eighth-153182

Semi Radradra

The Pacific Islands are the hot bed of top class centres......especially outside centre and I'm picking my favourite as the first choice. Radradra looks like he's made of granite and hits like it too. He's quick, strong and has a fantastic offload that just opens up defences at will. I knew he was good, but I didn't realise how good until he came to the Premiership where I got to see him most weeks. One of the highest paid players in rugby, when he's on fire, he's worth every penny.

Lukhanyo Am

Regarded as the best defensive centre in world rugby, Am has had a great few years. When he plays, the 13 channel is just a no go area. Not only is he able to slow opposition attacks down, his jackling skills are up with the best opensides in the game. But....he's so much more than that and it's a shame we're not seeing it that much on the International scene. He can mix his game up.....he can run hard, he cuts good line and is straight line quick. Throw in an impressive offload and you have a pretty good candidate for the 13 spot.

Manu Tuilagi

I know I know.......I'm going to get it for this one, but check the caveat above, I'm biased. Tuilagi is the epitome of a world class 13. When he's fit and firing, England are transformed as a team because opposition sides are afraid of what he can do. His all round game has developed over time (and injuries) and he's not quite as explosive as he used to be, but he's still such a player. For a start, he can pass now and he doesn't jump out of the line as much. What we really want to see though is Tuilagi having a small amount of space to work in....then he's off.

Notable mentions...........Virimi Vakatawa, Chris Harris, Gaël Fickou, Jack Goodhue.

From a defensive point of view Am is without equal, from a consistency level Am is without equal. Radradra is more powerful without a doubt, So is Tuilagi, but Radradra is not as great defensively and Tuilagi not as skillful and injury prone.

Am has deft touches, offloads and skills on attack that may sometimes not be seen enough of due to his teams game plan, but I would not hesitate in selecting him over anyone else.

Bit of a toss up between Radradra and Am. Gone for Am as he's played consistently well across the internationals defensively. Shame he plays fo South Africa as you feel he'd offer a whole load more going forward than they allow him to.

Old Man wrote:From a defensive point of view Am is without equal, from a consistency level Am is without equal. Radradra is more powerful without a doubt, So is Tuilagi, but Radradra is not as great defensively and Tuilagi not as skillful and injury prone.

Am has deft touches, offloads and skills on attack that may sometimes not be seen enough of due to his teams game plan, but I would not hesitate in selecting him over anyone else.

Not really much choice here, and frankly, not sure how close it is. Am it is. And that is a shame because Rugby can benefit with more and better mid-field players. That does nothing to take away from Am, though.

Not spent enough time watching Am to see what level he is at. For SA, he benefits from having De Allende (who seems like a strong defender) next to him and was excellent during the Lions tour.

Radradra is excellent going forward and a lynchpin at Bristol and Fiji. Teams set out their stall to deny him space and to stop him getting the ball away making the game easier for those around him though unfortunately the talent that does surround him can sometimes be lacking.

Tuilagi is an also ran here due to his injury problems. Harris is the best Northern Hemisphere (NH) defensive centre whilst Vakatawa is probably the best NH attacking 13. Goodhue is good, though not overly sold on him being in a category above Ringrose and Slade. There is a lot of good OC's with a gulf between the top two and everyone else.

The Clermont OC (Nayaquelvu?) looked excellent for Fiji in a game I saw him in and has a long history for Clermont but I have little to go on whether he has the consistency to be in the conversation.

I’d put Joe Marchant ahead of Tuilagi if only Eddie would let him play OC on a regular basis.

I have gone for Am based on who's available. But Vakatawa on form is a force to be reckoned with and would be my choice outside the 3 available.