"Wilkinson over Carter” – Sonny Bill Williams ranks his top 5 rugby players

The New Zealand legend was asked by Australian website Sporting News to list the best players he played alongside or against in a dream team .

Incredibly, Williams couldn't find a place for former team-mates Dan Carter and Richie McCaw, who played a combined 260 test matches for the All Blacks.

Williams said: "You just have to watch some of his highlights videos on the football field to realise what a talent he is. He’s another guy who can just create something out of nothing and I don’t think gets the credit he deserves."

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Williams said: "He’s a player I’ve loved watching over the years and I don’t think he gets the acknowledgement he deserves. He was one the best players – if not the best player – for the Australian team in the World Cup. Just his skillset, and you can tell that he’s got his stuff together off the field as well."

Williams said: “From my time in France I’d have to say, Thierry Dusautoir. He wasn't just an amazing player, but you can see the way he rallies his troops and how he performed in those big games. He’s someone I really admire.”

Williams said: “He’s someone that stood out because even when I didn’t play rugby I knew who he was. You just have to go back and watch some highlights of him to see how crazy what he did was. You don’t see players these days running through ten blokes on the way to the tryline.”

Williams said: “I’m lucky enough to say I’ve played with Jonny Wilkinson and have seen the commitment that he had. When I played with him, he was pretty much at the height of his powers, but the way he dedicated himself to his craft was unbelievable and I learnt a lot from him.”

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