DC's Rugby Union Roundup

By DC

You know what the best thing about rugby is? Go on think about it before you answer .... it's not the tries, the flow of the game, the breath stealing suspense, it's the one thing that is constant even during the rain spoiled kick fests. The best thing about rugby is the banter, the discussion, the whole word of opinion that it opens up, when you’re surrounded by friends putting the rugby world to rights – new laws, how to improve the game, best ever XV’s, who would be in the superhero XV, no matter what the subject, the banter is the bonus.

So we are now half way through January and into a new year and a new decade and that has led to a few pundits breaking out the old “team of the decade article”, the same old names appeared, names that belong there do not get me wrong – players who have thrilled and entertained, lifted silverware – left their heart and very soul on the playing paddock for club and country. In all the names the one thing that stood out for me was international caps – do not think that I am belittling international caps, to play for your country is the greatest honour any player can have. We have all dreamed of it, running out in front of a packed stadium the roar of the home crowd as you make your debut – the first time I played for Wales I was 7, it was a great day I scored a try right from the kick off in between a ford Cortina and I think it was a Morris Minor. Close match as I remember the winning try was scored by Gareth Edwards, his real name was Peter but it was his ball so he could be anyone he wanted to be – does not seem fair looking back there where 9 of us and 2 All Blacks and one of those was a dog.

Sorry I digress, what I was going to say was, why should the team of the decade be full of international caps – after all international coaches pick international caps, what’s wrong with the team of the decade including those unfashionable players the ones we might love but not all the coaches see the spark that we do?

So with this in mind, and with a few beers chilling, that was the subject of discussion at DC’s bar this weekend. If you could pick anyone, 50 caps or none, who would be in your team of the decade?

The usual suspects came up Captain Richie of the Silver Fern, BOD of the Emerald Isle, Jonny of the Red Rose, Shane of the Disco Feet, and Sergio of the Gladiatorial Feats – but I could not help but think some serious contenders have been over looked.

I looked around for players that showed consistency and dedication to the rugby cause – the players that have always been there, the ones that we love but are not that fashionable. So how about a few names to throw at you, players that I think need to be considered for the team of the decade:

James Simpson-Daniel, Sinbad – ever present in a Cherry and White shirt, a more dedicated player you would struggle to find. He has racked up over 200 appearances for Gloucester scoring almost 450 points, even with my shocking maths that’s almost a try every other game – consistent and deadly – and only awarded 10 full caps. What more does a man have to do??

Gareth Thomas, Alfie – 100 international caps, National Captain, Lions Captain, once record try scorer for his country, Grandslam winner, Heineken Cup winner – a living legend.

Chris Patterson – seriously, why do people laugh when I say his name when talking about this type of thing – look at his record, a metronome with the boot, as consistent and as regular as someone slurping down prune juice. Patterson may not have dancing feet and play for the kind of teams that are fashionable but he is the kind of player that wins games, he has been around longer than the cheese in the back of my fridge and I really do not think he would be out of place in a decade team.

Cedric Heymans – a multi positional (sounds like a shower head I know) power runner. He has an arrogant strut that can be backed up with class and points. He is the kind of player I wanted to be – still hungry after 10 years with an almost unquenchable thirst for entertaining and scoring.

Dimitri Yachvili, the French general. When he made his professional debut back in 2001 for Gloucester who would have thought where it would have taken him. On his day Yachvili is one of the greatest scrum halves in the world his tactical and positional kicking is second to none. He might be lacking film star looks and traditional flair but has operated at a ridiculous level for the entire noughties. Yachvili is a natural born leader, the kind of leader that any team would follow into hell if he kicked the ball there; and let’s be honest there are not many fighting French men that would attract this kind of respect and dedication. In fact, there are not that many fighting French men full stop.

Lewis Moody aka Mad Dog aka Crazy Horse – Moody has been playing rugby since before Web Ellis even thought about picking up the ball. A Tiger by name, club and nature a Tiger that has represented his country and run with Lions, Moody’s drive has never dipped never eased up – like a bull dozer with a sports package with the throttle stuck open.

Martin Williams, Nugget – he might not have the size and bulk of other flankers that made it into those pundit decade picks – but for me one of the true players of the decade. For me Nugget is one of those players that kids pretend to be and players want to play like. A Lion, a double Grandslam winner, an inspiration – small in stature but a giant among men Williams may not have a World Cup medal like Richard Hill or have played and won with the consistency of McCaw – but Williams is the kind of player that history will look back at and remember with a fond smile and a proud heart.

Granted these players like so many I have failed to mention may not have made it into everyone’s team of the decade – but they make it into mine and that’s the point. That’s the best thing about rugby – opinions no one is ever right or wrong, as long as you have an opinion, a view and you are willing to enter into the banter then grab a beer and join us at DC’s bar. Not a place where everyone knows your name .... hell that’s for poor sitcom .... in this bar all you need is ears and a mouth – they might be cauliflower ears but they can listen. Hell you might even agree ... if you don’t come tell me ... who have I missed who are the forgotten heroes of the last decade?

DC