The best 3 players in the world by position: The World Class 45 - #15 Full Back

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
13. Outside Centre https://www.606v2.com/t70498-the-best-3-players-in-the-world-by-position-the-world-class-45-13-outside-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.

#15 Full Back

You'll be as glad as I am to hear that we've come to the end of me spamming up the International rugby board. Before I leave though, there's the small matter of the best full back....

When I used to play, we'd just stick the guy with the longest kick at 15. If he could do anything else it was a bonus. In the pro game, some of the basics had seemingly been forgotten about and wingers/playmakers were shoe horned in at 15 (I'm thinking more England and English clubs). Thankfully, we're seeing a real return of proper old fashioned full backs (Barrett, Steward etc) who catch a ball then smash it 50m down the park. This is what I want from my fb....guys that can smash the basics and then provide an attacking threat on top of this (Daly....you don't have a chance my son).

Charles Piutau

Perhaps a forgotten man somewhat for non-viewers of the English Premiership, but trust me.....this guy is still absolutely dynamite. He basics are solid, perhaps better than what he gets credit for, but King Charles really comes alive with ball in hand. Watching Piutau in full flow is a joy to behold....he jinks, he accelerates, he's just impossible to nail down sometimes. When you pair up his insane counter ability with a keen rugby brain, you have some player.

Stuart Hogg

With his beautiful flowing locks and his crazy stepping....Hogg eases himself into the top 3. Hogg has it all really, there's not much else to say. He's been incredibly consistent for about 30 years now.....with a slight slip perhaps this season for Club and not reaching the peaks he would have liked for the Lions. He's like the modern day William Wallace for Scotland at times, dragging the standards up to meet his....a cracking player.

Jordie Barrett

Ok, this one might upset a few. This 3rd choice was a real tough one and any of the notable mentions could easily fit in the position. Barrett at 24 and almost 40 caps....just has a bit more cash in the bank though and sneaks in. Barrett rules the air.....(Steward is going to steal this I feel), at 6'5" and 100kg, he's almost lock-esq in his stature. But to his credit, he's quick....he has excellent hands, a monster boot and a excellent rugby brain. It would be interesting to see if King Charles would have kept his spot if he had of stayed....


Notable mentions.......Hugo Keenan, Melvyn Jaminet, Brice Dulin, Freddie Steward, Liam Williams, Damian McKenzie, Willie Le Roux.

Willie le Roux had a poor year, only thing notable about him, sadly.

Steward impressed, the little I saw of him, Jaminet as well.

Agree OM, le Roux only just made the cut on the notable mentions.

Steward has been a real revelation, but a little early to be talking about him as world class I feel.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Agree OM, le Roux only just made the cut on the notable mentions.

Steward has been a real revelation, but a little early to be talking about him as world class I feel.

I think that is something that’s sensitive to the quality of the competition. If we’re talking about the three best players in a position right now, then it makes a difference whether there are established players who have been consistently excellent, or those established players are dipping in form or undergoing a changing of the guard.

It’s not been a vintage year for fullbacks, and it’s reflected in your choices. One is no longer playing international rugby, one is not an automatic pick for his country and one isn’t even an automatic pick for his club. In that context, Steward - who looks to have nailed down both club and country shirts for as long as he stays fit and in form and has been close to flawless in his (admittedly few) international appearances - is at least as worthy of consideration.

I think now Piutau will be back in international rugby it'll be quite easy to pick him in the future but with just really club form I'd need to go back to fly half and demand to pick Smith if I went with him. So Hogg for me.

Agree the pick is not great. Hogg is still close enough to the top and been excellent for a long time so probably will give him more of a benefit of a doubt. Not sure Jordie Barrett is the best FB in his family but deserves to be in the conversation. Piutau would probably be first choice if he had international play under his belt for a T1 nation.

I would add Australia's Kellaway (I think he is the one who got rave reviews over the Rugby Championship) as a mention over Le Roux. Le Roux has not been right for a good while. Would also drop Dulin, not sure I have him as a top 6-7 FB in the world.

On form, this list is highly changeable. Keenan, L Williams and Steward could all be pressing next season and I suspect Jordie Barrett will drop off. Hogg had a poor year by his standards and he should come back to form.

I think as a Full Back, Beauden Barrett is better than Jordie Barrett. I don't like Stuart Hogg - I always feel that he's had a bit too much of the "Scotland's Saviour" tag heaped on him and he hasn't always played at the level he's capable of. I didn't actually think he was that great on the Lions tour. I rate Liam Williams higher than him myself.

Brice Dulin would be my choice of "15s not on the list" as he always looks amazing there for France.

Piutau though is a cracking player and it's such a shame that International Rugby has missed him for so long. I think Hazel's right - there are several young 15s coming through with the potential to be at a very high level.