Sonny Bill Williams picks best fly-half ever, snubs Dan Carter
Rugby NewsWednesday, 15 April 2026 at 09:37
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
10. Owen Farrell (England)
“The Relentless General”
Tough, intense, and endlessly driven. Farrell’s defensive grit and accuracy from the tee have anchored England for over a decade. A natural leader who thrives in the fire — and demands the same of everyone else.
Tough, intense, and endlessly driven. Farrell’s defensive grit and accuracy from the tee have anchored England for over a decade. A natural leader who thrives in the fire — and demands the same of everyone else.
9. Stephen Larkham (Australia)
“The Wallaby Whisperer”
Larkham floated through defences like a ghost, blending pace with poise. His vision guided Australia to the 1999 World Cup, and that semi-final drop goal remains one of rugby’s defining moments.
Larkham floated through defences like a ghost, blending pace with poise. His vision guided Australia to the 1999 World Cup, and that semi-final drop goal remains one of rugby’s defining moments.
8. Naas Botha (South Africa)
“The Original Orchestrator”
Decades ahead of his time, Botha controlled matches like a chess player. His booming boot and rugby intellect made him a one-man game plan. The prototype for every tactical fly-half to follow.
Decades ahead of his time, Botha controlled matches like a chess player. His booming boot and rugby intellect made him a one-man game plan. The prototype for every tactical fly-half to follow.
7. Johnny Sexton (Ireland)
“The Perfectionist”
Driven by obsession and fuelled by fury, Sexton transformed Ireland from contenders to world-beaters. His leadership and laser focus brought Grand Slams and respect that will last for generations.
Driven by obsession and fuelled by fury, Sexton transformed Ireland from contenders to world-beaters. His leadership and laser focus brought Grand Slams and respect that will last for generations.
6. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)
“Lightning in Boots”
Fast, fearless, and forever dangerous. Barrett redefined what a fly-half could be — lethal as a runner, visionary as a passer. Two-time World Player of the Year and still rewriting the rulebook.
Fast, fearless, and forever dangerous. Barrett redefined what a fly-half could be — lethal as a runner, visionary as a passer. Two-time World Player of the Year and still rewriting the rulebook.
5. Barry John (Wales)
“The King of Cardiff”
When Barry John played, rugby became art. Elegant, elusive, and effortless, he ruled the 1970s as the sport’s first superstar. His career was short, but his legend eternal.
When Barry John played, rugby became art. Elegant, elusive, and effortless, he ruled the 1970s as the sport’s first superstar. His career was short, but his legend eternal.
4. Michael Lynagh (Australia)
“The Thinking Man’s 10”
Composed, clever, and clinical. Lynagh’s tactical brain and pinpoint kicking were the foundations of Australia’s early-90s dominance. Quiet brilliance that spoke volumes when it mattered most.
Composed, clever, and clinical. Lynagh’s tactical brain and pinpoint kicking were the foundations of Australia’s early-90s dominance. Quiet brilliance that spoke volumes when it mattered most.
3. Handré Pollard (South Africa)
“The Ice-Cold Closer”
Pollard thrives when everything is on the line. Two World Cups, countless clutch kicks, and the calmest head in the stadium. A powerhouse playmaker who delivers when the world is watching.
Pollard thrives when everything is on the line. Two World Cups, countless clutch kicks, and the calmest head in the stadium. A powerhouse playmaker who delivers when the world is watching.
2. Jonny Wilkinson (England)
“Mr Perfect”
More than one drop goal. Wilkinson’s precision, professionalism, and toughness made him a global icon. His 2003 heroics changed English rugby forever, but his relentless standards defined him even more.
More than one drop goal. Wilkinson’s precision, professionalism, and toughness made him a global icon. His 2003 heroics changed English rugby forever, but his relentless standards defined him even more.
1. Dan Carter (New Zealand)
“The Complete Ten”
The gold standard. Carter had everything — balance, brain, and beauty in motion. A master of tempo and timing who made the impossible look effortless. Two World Cups, three World Player of the Year titles, one legend.
The gold standard. Carter had everything — balance, brain, and beauty in motion. A master of tempo and timing who made the impossible look effortless. Two World Cups, three World Player of the Year titles, one legend.
TRENDING
LATEST NEWS
LATEST COMMENTS
Loading