Wales Online scribe Simon Thomas has ranked the best rugby players in the world right now, and only one English player was deemed good enough to make it in…
Players from Wales, New Zealand and world champions South Africa all made the list, and we’ll run down and give our thoughts on what have been deemed the world’s best rugby players.
Best rugby players
10. Justin Tipuric (Wales/Ospreys)
What they said: “In terms of the best all-round rugby player in the world, there are few who can match the Ospreys and Wales flanker.”
Our thoughts: It’s hard to argue with what Simon has said. The 31-year-old has a 96.9% tackle success rate in Test rugby since his debut in 2011, the best rate of any Tier 1 back row in that time. Only Jonny (97.4%) & Richie Gray (97.1%) boast better rates of any Tier 1 players in that period (100+ tackles).
9. Faf de Klerk (South Africa/Sale Sharks)
What they said: “He’s a terrier-like presence who just always seems to be involved in the game, hurling himself into tackles or escaping down the narrowest of channels.”
Our thoughts: Brilliant. Brilliant. Brilliant. The scrum-half is the heart and soul for club and country. In our opinion, the playmaker is unlucky to not be further down the list.
8. Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)
What they said: “A towering presence in every sense, he is able to deliver the gnarled grunt up front one minute and then gallop into open space the next.”
Our thoughts: The second-row has become infamous for both his moustache and naked aggression on the field. A brilliant lineout jumper and maul defender, his offloading and rangy ball-carrying are often overlooked. One of the best rugby players of the last decade.
