Dream Team: James Horwill – Harlequins lock

1. James Slipper – My old Reds and Wallabies mate is a prop who used to be a fly-half. And in case that wasn’t enough to warrant a call in my team he is great value off the field.
2. Dave Ward – He is my roommate at Quins. He is an avid reader and I know he always picks up The Rugby Paper on Sundays. He would be very upset if he wasn’t in this team.
3. Greg Holmes – He didn’t get enough recognition for a long time, even when we won Super Rugby in 2011. But he’s a hard grafter and he loved Mad Monday at the end of each season!
4. Rob Simmons – My partner in crime at the Reds and also at Test level. He does a lot of the unseen work and he’s very good at the lineout with his height.
5. Dan Vickerman – I’ve played alongside him a few times for Australie but from facing him and the Waratahs I can tell you he’s the angriest player I’ve come across.
6. Hugh McMeniman – 22 Test caps for Australia but injuries stopped him from playing a lot more. He never stops hitting those rucks with complete disregard for his own well-being.
7. David Croft – The toughest player I’ve played with. An old school back rower who played in the 2003 World Cup.
8. George Smith – The best player I have played with. An absolute freak at the breakdown with great footballing skills. He and Phil Waugh were the reason why David didn’t play as much as he should have for the Wallabies.
9. Will Genia – A great player! He was just amazing in 2011 when we won the Super Rugby with that brilliant try in the final against the Crusaders and then in the Tri Nations with the Wallabies.
10. Stephen Larkham – Awesome to play with but not so much to face him and the Brumbies back in the days. He always seemed to have so much time and space ball in hand.
11. Digby Ioane – Great feet to always break the first tackle and then enjoy a good try celebration. But the forwards liked him a lot because he always came off his wing to help out with the carries.
12. Matt Giteau – What a talent! I’m not sure how he does it but he makes everything look easy. I really hope he’ll come back from that ankle injury.
13. Ben Tapuai – Another one from our Super Rugby winning team. Crazy feet and great defender. Doing well at Bath since he arrived.
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper – This guy can play anywhere in the back line. An awesome squad member off the field and on a night out!
15. Chris Latham – Freak of a player. He always used to get you out of trouble with his elusive counter attacks and could win you games single handedly.