John Afoa Picks His Dream XV Of Former Teammates And Opponents

Rugby News
Friday, 29 March 2019 at 15:54
2071162
John Afoa has named his best XV of former teammates for The Rugby Paper and it's incredible.

1 Mako Vunipola

"Scrummaging has improved and the stuff he does around the field ticks all the boxes. Passing, tackling, running and the metres he makes are off the charts."
2041099

2 Keven Mealamu

"Tough hooker who played the game hard."

3 Adam Jones

"Far more skilful player than people gave him credit for. Great scrummager who could also play first receiver."

4 Johann Muller

"This guy was a superstar during my time at Ulster. Did the basics really well and was the glue who held our side together when it got tough."

5 Ali Williams

"Not the biggest lock but when I think of Ali he was a bit of a wild child who backed himself to do anything, even the kicking. Great character with loads of skills."

6 Stephen Ferris

"Had a few bad injuries which was unfortunate but big Stevie was an amazing athlete. One of the biggest guys but could run like a back and was unstoppable."

7 George Smith

"Bristol colleague who’s still got the razzle about him at 38. In his early days, his link play and ball-playing skills were ridiculous for a back rower – and still are!"
10226666666666666x767 origin 0x0 george smith wasps rpa players player of the season 2016

8 Jerome Kaino

"Went to school with Jerome and he was always a great player with bags of skill who was a fearsome prospect to tackle. Going strong with Toulouse."

9. Fourie du Preez

"Won the World Cup in 2007 and was the heartbeat of the great Super Rugby-winning Bulls side of the Noughties. Big running threat, kicked well, great skills."
gettyimages 493068950
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 17: Fourie Du Preez of South Africa celebrates his try with Bryan Habana of South Africa during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Quarter Final match between South Africa and Wales at Twickenham Stadium on October 17, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

10 Carlos Spencer

"Could have gone for Carter or Wilkinson but in the early 2000s Carlos really was ‘The King’. No one could touch him in training and he’d just rip sides to shreds."

11 Joe Rokocoko

Good friend who played so many Tests and scored so many great tries. One-on-one he had all the moves and was one of New Zealand’s most devastating finishers."

12 Isa Nacewa

"We used to call him ‘Mr Fixit’ at the Blues because he could cover any position from 10 to 15 and be outstanding."

13 Juan Martin Hernandez

"Had to get this guy in because he could do whatever he wanted on a rugby field. Balls out the back, no look passes, a monster boot – had the lot."

14 Rupeni Caucaunibuca

"In my first year he was still around the Blues after helping them win Super Rugby in 2003. Legs the size of tree trunks, lightning pace and unstoppable."

15 Chris Latham

"Huge left boot, tough bloke and used to make huge dents over the gain-line."
loading

Loading