Former All Blacks superstar Sonny Bill Williams has stunned the rugby world after revealing his all-time dream XV — and it’s the names missing, not just those included, that have fans talking.
Renowned for his fearless decisions on the pitch, Williams has now made a call off it that’s proving just as controversial: leaving out two of New Zealand’s greatest-ever players, Dan Carter and Richie McCaw.
Between them, the legendary duo amassed 260 Test caps and defined an era of All Blacks dominance. Yet neither earned a place in Williams’ lineup. So who made the cut instead?
Carter Snubbed for Wilkinson
In an interview with Sporting News, Williams was asked to name the best players he had lined up alongside during his career. His answer raised eyebrows immediately — opting for England icon Jonny Wilkinson at fly-half ahead of Carter.
It was a bold call, but one Williams was quick to justify.
“I’m lucky enough to say I’ve played with Jonny Wilkinson and have seen the commitment that he had,” he explained.
“He was at the height of his powers when I played with him, but the dedication to his craft was just unbelievable.”
Williams also credited his time at Toulon alongside Wilkinson as a turning point in his own career.
“Playing with Jonny in my second season at Toulon gave me the confidence to believe I could play international rugby,” he said.
“That was the reason I wanted to go back home and try and prove to people — and myself — that I could play.”
He added that sharing the field with experienced leaders helped shape his mindset.
“I had a lot of self-doubts when I first came to the code, but I knew these guys had reached the top. Playing alongside them made me feel I could give it a crack.”
Mutual Respect Between Teammates
The admiration clearly ran both ways. During their time together in France, Wilkinson spoke glowingly about Williams’ unique skillset.
“I think he will go brilliantly,” Wilkinson said at the time.
“His strength is his strength — his ability to keep the ball alive, his physicality, his ball movement and game awareness in space and people around him. I’ve not seen the likes of him before.”
Dusautoir Earns Surprise Selection
Another unexpected inclusion in Williams’ dream team was France legend Thierry Dusautoir.
The former Les Bleus captain, best known for his heroic performance in the 2011 Rugby World Cup final, left a lasting impression during Williams’ stint in France.
“He wasn’t just an amazing player,” Williams said, “but you could see how he rallied his troops in big games. He’s someone I really admire.”
With big calls and even bigger omissions, Williams’ selections have certainly reignited debate — proving that even off the field, he still knows how to make headlines.
LATEST RUGBY NEWS:
- CONFIRMED: Semi Finals revealed for EPCR Challenge Cup as Dragons chase underdog glory
- Five Moana Pasifika players PREM Rugby clubs may target as potential signings
- The unluckiest rugby players ever (Ranked 10-1)
- Fijian Drua confirms head coach to depart at end of Super Rugby season
- Barbarians confirm return of legendary coach for Summer clash with Wales
- CONFIRMED: Champions Cup Semi Finals Locked In – one PREM club remains
- Super Rugby plans to cut team, sparking backlash
The best Fly-Halves in Rugby History (Ranked 15-1)
Here’s RUCK’s definitive list of the 15 best fly-halves of all time — guaranteed to spark a few debates down the pub.
Join the RUCK’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
15. Nicolás Sánchez (Argentina)
“The Tango Technician”
Sánchez carried Argentina’s golden generation with ice-cold precision. His tactical kicking, composure, and competitive fire helped the Pumas topple giants and cement their place among rugby’s elite.
14. Finn Russell (Scotland)
“The Maverick Maestro”
Russell plays the game like no one else — fearless, instinctive, and always ready to roll the dice. His flair and unpredictability have made Scotland thrilling again and defenders terrified once more.
13. Carlos Spencer (New Zealand)
“King Carlos of Chaos”
Showboating? Maybe. Brilliant? Absolutely. Spencer’s outrageous skills and confidence made him a global icon. At his best, he turned matches into magic shows — the original highlight-reel No.10.
12. Grant Fox (New Zealand)
“The Metronome”
Before the flash came the function. Fox’s accuracy and discipline guided the All Blacks to their first World Cup in 1987. A pure kicker and tactical thinker — the old-school master of control.
11. Phil Bennett (Wales)
“The Welsh Wizard”
Few moved like Bennett. His sidestep was art in motion, his passion pure fire. He led Wales through their golden 1970s and became a Lions legend. A player who made rugby romantic.
