Dan Carter, the leading points scorer in international rugby, picked a Dream Team capable of conquering any rugby era.
Join the RUCK’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. His 1,598 international points and 1,708 for the Crusaders underscore his unparalleled impact. Despite World Cup setbacks, his Test career concluded triumphantly with a man of the match performance against the Wallabies in the 2015 final.
Check out his Dream Team below.
BACK-THREE:
15. Ben Smith (New Zealand)
A dynamic fullback with unparalleled skills, Smith's versatility and try-scoring prowess make him a dream team asset.
14. Bryan Habana (South Africa)
A speedster and try-scoring machine, Habana's impact on the wing is legendary, contributing to South Africa's triumphs.
11. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)
Carter hails Lomu as a game-changer, recalling the formidable force he was, revolutionizing rugby with his power and speed.
Carter on Lomu: "“He was the toughest player. I played against him once, I was 19-year-old and tried to tackle him, kinda woke up five metres back. He changed the game of rugby."
CENTRES:
13. Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)
An icon in Irish rugby, O'Driscoll's work ethic and leadership earn him a place alongside legends in Carter's dream team.
Carter on O'Driscoll: “Two giants of the game that have worn the green jersey were Paul O’Connell and Brian O’Driscoll. Their work rate and how they conducted themselves on and off the pitch was exemplary.”
12. Ma'a Nonu (New Zealand)
A powerhouse in midfield, Nonu's physicality and skill complement Carter's dream team strategy.
HALFBACKS:
10. Jonny Wilkinson (England)Carter's role model, Wilkinson's work ethic and precision, especially during the 2005 Lions tour, left an indelible mark.
Carter on Wilkinson: "Someone I really looked up to and I tried to have a similar work ethic. The 2005 Lions tour was a bit of a fanboy moment for me."
9. Aaron Smith (New Zealand)
A dynamic scrum-half, Smith's quick thinking and distribution skills make him an ideal partner for Carter's dream team.
FRONT-ROW:
1. Tendai Mtawarira (South Africa)
Known as "Beast," Mtawarira's scrummaging prowess and work rate define him as a front-row force.
2. Dane Coles (New Zealand)
A hooker with exceptional skills, Coles' accuracy in the lineout and dynamism set him apart.
3. Olo Brown (New Zealand)
A scrummaging legend, Brown's stability in the front row makes him a crucial addition to Carter's dream team.
SECOND-ROW:
4. Paul O'Connell (Ireland)
A towering figure in Irish rugby, O'Connell's leadership and physicality make him an integral part of the pack.
5. Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)
Renowned for his athleticism and lineout skills, Retallick adds versatility to Carter's dream team.
BACK-ROW:
6. Schalk Burger (South Africa)
A fierce competitor on and off the field, Burger's mindset and toughness make him a formidable presence in the back-row.
Carter on Burger: "“A real competitor and absolute top bloke off the field as well. His mindset was a little bit different when he was out there competing. That just made him such a tough opponent to come up against.”
7. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
Carter's old mate and a true leader, McCaw's legacy includes back-to-back World Cups, defining an era in All Blacks rugby.
Carter on McCaw: "I learnt a lot from playing alongside my old mate. A real leader and took us to back-to-back World Cups. Thank God I was never on the opposite side!"
8. Thierry Dusautoir (France)
Known for stellar performances in crucial moments, Dusautoir's impact in World Cup games earns him a spot in Carter's dream team.
Carter on Dusautoir: "He had some blinding games in big moments — none more so than in the 2007 and 2011 World Cup games against the All Blacks."
Quiz! Can you name the 20 most-capped men’s England players?
Several of these individuals have participated, or are presently participating, in the contemporary era of rugby.
Can you identify how many of the top 20 most-capped England rugby players you can name?
We've supplied the total number of caps and their respective playing positions for each player. Your task is simply to complete their surnames.
You have a 5-minute window to attempt to guess all 20 players.