LIST | Sir Ian McGeechan ranks his top 5 wingers of all-time

Wednesday, 18 November 2020 at 15:56

bySteven Smith

British & Irish legend and respected rugby scribe Sir Ian McGeechan has picked his top 5 greatest wingers to have ever graced the game...

Major stars miss out from his selection.

5. Jason Robinson (England)

Major teams: British and Irish Lions, England
Test caps: 56
Test tries: 30

"He made such an impact on the game when moving from rugby league. He had dazzling feet that meant he so often beat the first defender and, like most top wingers, you could play off him as well as him being such a devastating finisher."

DID YOU KNOW?! He was nicknamed ‘Billy Whizz‘ after a character in the British comic The Beano, who is an extremely fast runner.

4. Jeff Wilson (New Zealand)

Major teams: New Zealand
Test caps: 60
Test tries: 44

"Just a brilliant rugby player with vision and skill. I really enjoyed watching him. He played international cricket too and it backs up my belief that so many of the best players play different sports."

DID YOU KNOW?! He represented his country in both rugby union and cricket – a so-called "Double All Black"

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3. Gerald Davies (Wales)

Major teams: British and Irish Lions, Wales
Test caps: 51
Test tries: 23

"He was so skilful, and could play centre as well, and had a wonderful sidestep. You knew that if you provided him with some space he would beat not just one defender, but two or three."

DID YOU KNOW? He is one of a small group of Welsh players to have won three Grand Slams

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2. David Campese (Australia)

Major teams: Australia
Test caps: 101
Test tries: 64

"He was another game-changer: different but clever. He won games for Australia on his own and often gave his country a confidence about their rugby that they did not always have before."

DID YOU KNOW? He is famous for his "goose-step" — a hitch-kick motion which left opponents stumbling to try to tackle him

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1. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)

Major teams: New Zealand
Test caps: 63
Test tries: 37

"He simply changed the game and drew non-rugby people to watch the sport. He arrived at a time when professionalism was imminent and his impact, both on the field and off it as a rugby superstar, is still felt now."

DID YOU KNOW?! He weighed 120 kg and was 1.96 metres tall, but could run 100 metres in 10.8 seconds