England vs New Zealand – who makes RUCK’s all-time combined XV?

10 November 2018

Blindside Flanker: Richard Hill (ENG)

The ultimate players’ player. Did all the unseen, grafting work and just got on with his job in unassuming fashion, putting his body on the line. Able to excel right across the back row, he was a pivotal figure on two Lions trips and an England World Cup winner.

DUBLIN – MARCH 30: England’s back row (l to r) Richard Hill, Neil Back and Lawrence Dallaglio celebrate after winning the Grand Slam in the RBS Rugby Union International match between Ireland and England at Lansdowne Road, Dublin, Ireland on March 30, 2003. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Openside Flanker: Richie McCaw (NZ)

He earned a world-record 148 caps for the All Blacks, winning 131 of those games and captaining his country 111 times, to two Rugby World Cup triumphs. Perhaps my favourite stat is he’d has played in 32 per cent of New Zealand’s Test match victories since 1903 at the time of retirement!

Number 8: Kieran Read (NZ)

A totem of the modern day All Blacks side. Leads from the front and his 115-cap haul in the Kiwis back-row has helped minimise the 2015 retirement of their captain colossus Richie McCaw.

Kieran Read of New Zealand (All Blacks) in action during the Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Argentina v New Zealand at Wembley Stadium Connected by EE on Sep 20th 2015 in London – Photo mandatory by-line: Graeme Truby/Pinnacle – Tel: +44(0)1363 881025 – Mobile:0797 1270 681 – VAT Reg No: 183700120 – SPORT – International Rugby

Pages: 1 2 3 45