Dream Team: Bryn Evans – London Irish and former Blues, Hurricanes and All Blacks lock
2. Keven Mealamu – Some of the best footwork I’ve seen on a front row forward, he shimmies through those narrow gaps around rucks.
3. Sona Taumalolo – Quiet off the field and deadly on it. One of the most prolific try scorers I’ve played with.
4. Bakkies Botha – Hardest man in rugby. The only player I’ve seen leave the field with a giant laceration to his face and be laughing. Powerhouse in the engine room.
5. Nick Kennedy – An absolute technician on all things aerial. Hard man to catch or keep up with once he gets the long strides going. Will always point you in the right direction for a night out in London.
6. Tom Croft – Another of England‘s finest. As quick as most backs and an exceptional reader of lineouts.
7. Richie McCaw – True legend. You can hear a pin drop every time he speaks. If he ever decided to run for PM of NZ there would be more than a good chance he’d win.
8. Sebastien Chabal – Not sure if I was lucky or unlucky playing my first Test against a side that had a man known as “Caveman” in it. A ferocious runner with ball in hand and devastating in defence. Absolute gentleman off the field.
9. Kahn Fotuali’i – It’s a position that requires a crisp service and pinpoint kicking and he brings both plus a little extra.
10. Nick Evans – I had the privilege of playing with ‘Snapper’ in New Zealand and now misfortune of playing against him over here. At times I wonder if he has the ball on a string.
11. Cory Jane – This quick- talking quick-footed winger is easily one of the more elusive players in the game. Destined for TV career – rarely has a strand of hair out of place.
12. Ma’a Nonu – powerful runner that will knock down wall upon wall put in front of him. Will always have a “sure thing” for you on the horses, too.
13. Conrad Smith – ‘Snakey’ could slither through the tightest of defences. A deep knowledge of every law in the game (he’s a solicitor), he was never short of advice to the ref.
14. Topsy Ojo – I have never seen someone run so fast with so much ease. With that blistering speed it’s easy to see why he is London Irish‘s all time leading try scorer. In winter always close to the warmth of the physio’s heater .
15. Israel Dagg – A rapid fast bowler, a sharp tennis player and a near scratch golfer. Was one of the first names I wrote down when doing this XV. Pure class.
