Richie McCaw's rugby brain is one of the smartest in the world. Photo / Getty
Richie McCaw's rugby brain is one of the smartest in the world. Photo / Getty
One of the beauties of rugby is the fact anyone, regardless of shape, can play the game. But it didn't stop Michael Brown from trying to create the perfect player from this year's crop at the World Cup.
Brain - Richie Mccaw (NZ)
Richie McCaw has one of the best brains in world rugby.
McCaw once said he aims to "walkthe talk" and there few who would argue he's achieved that after more than a decade as All Blacks captain. The 34-year-old demands respect, not only for the fact he's played more tests than anyone else (145) but also because he's led the most successful All Blacks side of the modern era. In 107 tests as captain, he's won 94, drawn two and lost 11 for a winning record of 88 per cent. But McCaw is not only a great leader, he's also a great player and can read the game like few others.
His legs might not get him through the gaps like they once did but Carter can spot space like a London commuter on a crowded tube. He sums up the situation in an instant and knows when to run, or when to pass or kick. Carter is widely regarded as the greatest first five-eighths to have played the game and it's his ability to see what's in front of him that has played a large role in that.
Heart - Schalk Burger (South Africa)
Schalk Burger never gives up.
He came close to dying two years ago - his wife summoned his family to his bedside to say their goodbyes she was so afraid the meningitis attacking his body was going to win - but he not only recovered but also rebuilt himself to be an integral part of the Springboks again. It helped him win the 2015 Comeback of the Year gong at the Laureus Sports Awards. At times, it looks like Burger is close to death on the rugby field but he's soon flinging himself into the next tackle... and the next tackle. Phar Lap's heart was discovered to be much bigger than other horses - it wouldn't be a surprise to find Burger's is similarly oversized.
Arm - Sonny Bill Williams (NZ)
Sonny Bill Williams is one of the all-time great offloaders
Colin Meads had big hands and became synonymous with carrying the ball one-handed but he was no where near as dexterous or contain the bag of tricks Sonny Bill Williams has. Defenders know Williams is probably going to offload the ball in contact, they just don't know how to stop it. He's able to promote his long arms ahead of the contact area and then use his oversized paws (they measure 205mm in length when the average is 189mm) to grip the ball tightly before flicking it to a team-mate. It's a thing of beauty.
Arm - David Pocock (Australia)
David Pocock's arms are immense at the breakdown.
Loose forward David Pocock is well known for his strength of character - he campaigns against homophobia and for marriage equality and climate change and last year was arrested after joining a coal mine protest - but it's his power around the ruck that stands out. He uses his body to act as a bridge as he forages for the ball at the breakdown and there are few who can clean him out of the way because of his immense strength. It means he wins a lot of penalties for his team, as well as turnovers.
Hands - Juan Martin Hernandez (Argentina)
Juan Martin Hernandez's hands are first-class
There's not much Hernandez can't do - he can kick, run, step off either foot, is strong and defends well - but it's his hands which probably stand out the most. Former South Africa coach Nick Mallett once described Hernandez as "an artist" and in Argentina he is known as El Mago, or the Magician. He certainly has a deep bag of tricks.
Behind - Agustin Creevy (Argentina)
Agustin Creevy - a mix of granite and muscle
So typical of an Argentine frontrower in many ways, Creevy is a heavy-industry mix of granite and muscle, particularly in the gluteal area. Former Wallabies hooker Phil Kearns once even used the word "callipygian" (having well-shaped buttocks) to describe Creevy's behind. What separates the hooker from most of his front-row comrades is his mobility around the field. There's more to the wily captain than shunt and grunt.
It's hard to keep up with Bryan Habana's legs once he gets them churning.
Bryan Habana is fast, so fast he's raced a cheetah and an A380 airbus. He's run 10.27 seconds for 100m (the New Zealand record is 10.11secs) and is both quick off the mark and at keeping top speed over a distance making him (probably) the fastest individual to have played rugby. The Springboks wing can finish tries and is the joint World Cup tryscoring record-holder with Jonah Lomu with 15.
Leg - Nehe Milner-Skudder (NZ)
Electric legs - Nehe Milner-Skudder has one of the best steps in rugby.
There's something reassuring about the fact a 1.80m, 90kg lightweight can not only survive but also prosper in modern rugby. He does it with his audacious side-step and under-rated offload. The great Jonah Lomu even described him as "electric" for his ability to beat defenders. "He's lightning in a jar," Lomu told the Guardian. With six tries in five tests, he's shown lightning strikes more than twice.
Foot - Dan Biggar (Wales)
Dan Biggar's boot has proved helpful for Wales at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Apparently Wales were shot without Leigh Halfpenny, widely acknowledged as the world's best goalkicker. Well, Dan Biggar ain't too bad and might be the guy most teams would want if their team depended on a goalkicker to win the World Cup. He's kicked 15 from 16 attempts (93.75 per cent) and even done it with a hilariously twitchy pre-kick ritual dubbed The Biggarena (in reference to The Macarena).
