"Rarely had a bad game" - Nigel Owens selects the FIVE best players he refereed

Sunday, 27 March 2022 at 15:15

byRugby Rucker

Popular former referee Nigel Owens, who named his all-time dream team a few years back, selected five players for extra praise.

#5. Sergio Parisse (Italy)

"I’ve been fortunate to have refereed some tremendous No.8s during my career but Sergio is tops. He’s such a talented player and rarely has a bad game."

#4. Thierry Dusautoir (France)

Owens wrote: 'My choice as the best skipper I encountered may raise a few eyebrows, but what a captain Dusautoir was. He unfailingly put his body on the line throughout his career — recall the 38 tackles he made when France knocked the All Blacks out of the 2007 World Cup — led by example and understood the game very well.

"Also, he was exemplary in the way he conducted himself.

"There were never any complaints from him over refereeing, not even when borderline decisions went against France. When his team were crushed 62-13 by New Zealand during the 2015 World Cup, he wasn’t tempted to blame anyone.

"He acted as a true leader should act."

England's, Toby Flood fall short of the try line and is taken off the field after France's, Thierry Dusautoir landed on him - Photo mandatory by-line: Jan Kruger / Pinnacle - Tel: +44(0)1363 881025 - Mobile: 0797 1270 681 - VAT Reg No: 768 6958 48 - 150309 - SPORT - RUGBY - RBS 6 NATIONS - England v France - Twickenham

3. Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)

Owens wrote: "Not only is he one of the greatest centres in the history of rugby union but he’s a fantastic man off the field as well. O’Driscoll has been a wonderful ambassador for the sport and a real leader. He always respected referees and set the right example for others to follow.

"A legend of the game who conducted himself superbly, on and off the pitch."

#2. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)

Owens wrote: "If anybody had to pick the greatest player in history, it would surely be a difficult choice between him and Gareth Edwards.

"How McCaw managed to put his body on the line and sometimes the wrong side at rucks for so many years at flanker is incredible."

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#1. Shane Williams (Wales)

Owens wrote: "When people ask me who is the best player I have refereed it’s pretty much an impossible task to pick one because I’ve been lucky enough to take charge of so many greats.

"But if I’m pushed, I would pick Shane for what he achieved after coming from football at 17 or 18 years of age.

"He was in the mould of Gerald Davies in how he left defenders gasping for air as he beat them with those dazzling sidesteps."