PLAYER POWER RANKINGS | OVERALL TOP TEN

[@davidpells4298]

You know Tim , I am something of a rugby online junkie ..Know all the pundits , it's a bit of an addiction of mine...Yours is the most entertaining...Combination of knowledge as well as sizzle ...Well done ...

[@edwardharris2388]

He's got pretty perfect "would have a pint with" energy.

[@davidpells4298]

@edwardharris2388 and of course that always sits very well indeed with us South Africans ...,

[@edwardharris2388]

@@davidpells4298 Us English too 🤝

[@erhardtjoubert3455]

@@davidpells4298 here here

[@Lars-k1p]

Well well I was waiting to see the reactions for this list. I read all 92 comments at the time of seeing the video and maybe 60% have steam blowing out of their ears. I’ll give you one guess who they are 😂 great work Tim.

[@cateym]

Hmmmm

[@erhardtjoubert3455]

@@Lars-k1p are you calling Tim a troll. Because I have no problem with the list. It is a fair and accurate opinion. Go Bokke 🇿🇦

[@erhardtjoubert3455]

Tim has ranked 4 of the top 6 players in the world as South Africans... and you think he is trolling us... look behind you.

[@TheRealSlimNelly]

@@erhardtjoubert3455 strange how you think it’s your fans he’s talking about though isn’t it? 😂

[@erhardtjoubert3455]

@@TheRealSlimNelly what team do you support nelly? Also... pretty obvious to whom he is refering. South African fans are very thin skinned... you wanna know why. Lets have a look. In 2023 the Springboks win the RWC for the second time in a row. The so called dream team contained 1 Springbok (5 Frenchmen and 5 Irishmen). Just in case you didn't get that 10 of the best 15 in the world didnt even make the semi finals and the team that won the whole thing...well, they only get 1. The winning coach for that year was awarded to Andy Farrel... for winning the 6 nations (in a world cup year, when Ireland fell out before the semi finals, like they always do). 2024 rolls along and almost all pundits and ex players as well as current coaches offer the opinion that Rassie Erasmus is the best coach in the world for the mens XV game. He wins the rugby championship and has an undefeated European tour all whilst using 51 players... but whats that you say IRB coach of the year goes to a 7s coach... for the first time EVER...? Northern Hemisphere teams continuosly play each other and play the Southern Hemisphere teams overwhelmingly at home during autum nations series that artificially inflates their rankings. Then fall on their backs astounded when they can't win a world cup (usually blaming the ref or the coach). But declare themselves as superiour on the basis of the games they play against each other. We are thin skinned, because when an all time great player like PSDT gains a 2nd player of the year award he gets beaten by a guy who has played a total of 3 tests (all at home). Dupont is amazing and Tim is very much entitled to his opinion. He for sure knows much more about rugby than I do. But we get overly sensitive because historically, we have been shafted. Try to understand that we really appreciate and love the magnificent rugby player that is Dupont... but we are loyal to our national team and in a year where a guy started in 3 different positions and played some of the best rugby we have ever seen gets p2 and we get angry in the comment sections; it is because we feel robbed, even if it is a personal opinion to which he is more than entitled.

[@arellix7861]

Appreciate the effort you put into the player power rankings, and the fact you aren't biased towards England. True rugby enthusiast

[@colinanderson1655]

Thanks for all your hard work Tim

[@ASDan-123]

Very good video mate! I would say Andrew Porter is a lot more important to the Irish team than people give him credit for! We're in serious trouble if he gets injured! He's one of a kind!!🏉🏉🇮🇪🇮🇪

[@erhardtjoubert3455]

I still don't get why the world does not rate this guy enough. What a loosehead. A future great, him and Ox Nche will sit next to Woodcock and Du Randt on the all time great wall soon enough.🇿🇦

[@briancorr9255]

When Joe Schmidt was first bringing Ireland to the World Cup he was criticised for bringing several older players, at the time he said all the World Cup winners to that time were the oldest or second oldest squad in each World Cup, there is no doubt experience counts for a lot.

[@brucebeath9548]

Great reviews from number 1 to 15. Thank you for all the work you put into this.👋

[@robcrocker348]

I have thoroughly enjoyed this power ranking series as I do with all of your videos Tim, truely top notch mate

[@neillscan]

Good man Tim great reviews and commentary part of my almost daily reading SUAF

[@andremaube5069]

If Dupont were South African or New Zealander, perhaps some fans would stop questioning his supremacy. Even Ray Charles would be able to see that he's the most important player in almost all his games.

[@financialliberty2381]

That's the thing.

[@scionoforion]

I think he's a great player but haven't seen enough of him to say he's this generations goat yet. I'm very familiar with what PSDT brings to a game but less so with Du Pont

[@andr3wr89]

Probably fair to say he is the best northern hemisphere player.

[@Janpan69]

Supremacy 😂

[@erhardtjoubert3455]

We rate him, he is amazing. Is he the greatest player to ever touch a rugby ball... not yet (maybe if he manages to lift a world cup), is he the best player in the world... top 3 for sure. (Psdt, Kolbe and DuPont). But is he clear cut the best player in the world for sure... no. Not yet.

[@hugoagnehall9777]

Great video as always Tim! Will you do a fantasy six nations league for Eggchasers Rugby subscribers and some preview videos about good fantasy picks this year as well?

[@stephenvincent2147]

The content is always first class. Is there any chance you could include some Tier 2 international videos? Is there any updates from the RFU issues? What are your plans for the BIL tour to Australia?

[@jan-gertnel4556]

A balanced view of the best players. Tim you continue to rock!

[@starmersbarber]

Magic piece Tim. Cheers.

[@mikeoxmall4861]

Love how nz a top 3 team and on the rise. We were so competitive with SA in rubgy championship as a new squad against their best team ever. Can't wait to see the progress and editions the year

[@connorhickey6364]

Yeah legit, how only 2 players is criminal.

[@Brendan_M_]

@@connorhickey6364 It seems pretty fair really, outside of Ardie Savea I don't think any of their players are the best in their position but they also don't really have a weak spot in the team at the moment, so their lowest ranking is probably at 10 because of Richie Mo'unga leaving and a few players moving positions or being newish. I think they also have a few guys where the gap to the ones in the top places isn't huge

[@erhardtjoubert3455]

@@mikeoxmall4861 I can't wait. The ABs putting the record on the line next year just proves that New Zealand is a class act. Greatest rivalry in sport man. I back the ABs to win at LEAST one of those home fixtures (probably winning both) but the Boks to limit the ABs to 8 points for the tour and possibly scraping 2 losing bonus points. Then it becomes a race. I think Australia are going to lift the hell out of their game and Los Pumas to come hard at all of us. It is going to be an increadible championship I recon. GO BOKKE 🇿🇦

[@randomlyfactual1943]

NZ a top 3 team?! No. New Zealand is #1 or #2. And the only team that displaces them is their greatest nemesis. Your sword is bathed in the blood of thine enemies, even ours. Don't sell your team short.

[@erhardtjoubert3455]

@randomlyfactual1943 I think he is refering to the irb world rankings. The ABs are at 3 at the moment.

[@baptisteheraly196]

the trend evolution is great to read. I wonder if France will tie up with RSA, if RSA is ending his golden age, if NZ will restart one, where Scotland and Australia are going to go... truly great video, and quite a good objective list.

[@randomlyfactual1943]

@@baptisteheraly196 South Africa are going to have a drop off in 2028. Most of our heavy artillery should still be playing in 2027, so maybe we have a few more good years and we'll hope for the best for the world cup. 2028 is not going to be easy, though. The list of names that will probably retire is a who's who of rugby royalty. Rassie Erasmus has been working hard to create some more depth and give some young guys a chance, but you can't just replace 50, 70, 100 or 120 test caps.

[@hankscorpion9939]

These videos really make me want to see a northern hemisphere v southern hemisphere game, or even three match series! Make it happen World Rugby!!

[@randomlyfactual1943]

It's already happened, a couple of time. Rugby Aid, it was called. Has its own Wikipedia page.

[@DAGATHire]

It already happens but not often. However, what games or tours or tournaments will you cancel to make this happen? because something has to go if that were to happen or do you think the players are capable of playing week in week out without a break and indeed while playing for their clubs. World rugby has nothing to do with making it happen either. World rugby if they had their way would indeed be playing the players into the ground into early retirement or worse because world rugby dont care about the welfare of the players. While its a thing that you want apply a little critical thinking and you will realise why it doesn't happen very often, but it does indeed happen. Ireland went to NZ for a 3 test series only a few years ago.

[@marcmurphy8205]

That 1st 15 vs the 2nd 15 would an insane match. Would be too close to call really

[@Nick-18]

Congrats man, better team than what wr put together!

[@gavindewaal8446]

Just love stats! Thanks Tim!

[@hywelturner4595]

Good fun... Look forward to the next edition

[@grantvandermescht4050]

I really would like to see a 3 match test series between NH vs SH. C'mon Tim, if someone can make it happen its you Tim! Keep up the great work.

[@MrMf92]

love your lists

[@nicWarrington]

I agree. JVDF is better and I’m a South African Sharks supporter. Especially as he bangs for Leinster every week and Siya is very quiet on the club seen

[@andr3wr89]

Imagine New Zealand's ranking if overseas players were eligible for international play.

[@erhardtjoubert3455]

@@andr3wr89 If the ABs were to use Smith, Frizell and Mo'unga... no ways do they lose a game in the autum series. That is just if they use 3 players that are ineligeble for selection because it seems New Zealanders like to shoot themselves in the foot. Imagine a back row 6. Frizell, 7. Sititi, 8. Savea... that is a world class loose 3, then have Smith and Mo'unga starting with Barret and Royguard off the bench... as a Bok 🇿🇦 fan that thought scares me.

[@randomlyfactual1943]

@@andr3wr89 On the one hand I agree and on the other... Not necessarily. As a Bok fan I would agree that changing our eligibility criteria was a masterstroke and in no small part, contributed to two world cup victories. But remember, New Zealand won two of their own back to back world cups as well. And how did they do this? Selecting home grown boys who ply their trade in New Zealand. New Zealand and South Africa have got incredible rugby culture, but they are very different and what works for one nation, might not necessarily work for the other.

[@john-paulmurray2317]

my top guys not named: Taigh Byrne, Wallace Sittiti, Richie Muonga, S.F. Mgomazulu, Josh Vanderflier. (sorry about the spelling)

[@Hyde199999999999]

Nice video ! But where is Thomas Ramos ? 😃

[@Janpan69]

Maybe watch the previous videos ?

[@axxey]

@@Janpan69 god among men years ago is pretty much his reasoning for Keenan being his number 1 fullback ahead of Ramos. Would be nice if there was a current list.

[@christopherburke2082]

You forgot Du Pont in the NH team😅

[@3noLiVe]

and Mauvaka also

[@erhardtjoubert3455]

@@christopherburke2082 they were told the first test would be played outside of Europe and so declined to go.

[@rorymkirk]

Superb list of players. Very complimentary to South Africa, justifiably so. Now watch SA Rugby Twitter lose its addled mind over Dupont getting top spot.

[@fawltyoldboybasil.2178]

In terms of measurable qualities at each position, there is a wider degree of separation at the scrum-half position between the #1 and #2 than any other positions on the team. Dupont first, then Gibson-Parke. Dupont walks on to any national team in World Rugby in this era as first choice #9 - like Gareth Edwards back in the 70s. He is that good.

[@erhardtjoubert3455]

@@rorymkirk I agree best no.9 in the world for sure. Best back in the world... probably, best rugby player in the world... it is a bit difficult to compare him to PSDT. Their rolls are soooo different. DuPont has proved he can play 9 and 10 this year. PSDT has played 4, 5 and 7 this year (starting in all 3 those positions and being a utility forward off the bench). So both hugely variable skill set and just slot in seemlessly. I think it comes down to personal opinion. It is also how teams use their players. The French have highly physical multiphase play with a fulcrum 9. The Boks play off 10 and rely (generally) on more structured set piece offence. Both these bases are ideally suited to those players. PTSD may be the best defensive 7 (6 if you play outside of ARG, RSA and FR) in the history of the game and he can carry for days. DuPont is the best attacking scrum half the world has seen in half a decade, has the vision of a great 10 or 15, has the defensive capabilities of a 12 and the speed of a 13. Skill sets differ but you take either of them out of their prospective teams and it kinda falls apart. DuPont is an all time great, no question... the reason South Africans are reactionary to people praising DuPont is because French fans seem to miss that PSDT is also a great and get angry when he is not acknowledged or similarly when the exploits of Pollard and Kolbe are not acknowledged or Nche and DeAllende are not acknowledged or Etzebeth and Malherbe are not acknowledged. All of the above are greats, who won a world cup and 1 of them made the rwc dream team... Ill say that again. 1 of them made the RWC 2023 dream team (there were 5 frenchmen in that team). JN does not get coach of the year 2023 (it goes to the winner of the 6 nations, a tournament in which the 3 of the top 4 teams in the 2023 RWC semi-finals did not compete). Rassie does not get coach of the year for 2024... but you guys up north love to point out when we dont give credit where it is due... you have a bias. But we are not allowed to have a bias... just trying to explain why Bok fans get bent out of shape. It is not without reason.

[@randomlyfactual1943]

​@@fawltyoldboybasil.2178If you're making your major plays off nine, then yes, Dupont is the best scrumhalf in the world. Playing off nine also comes with major risks, which allows your playmaker to be neutralised and then be left with blaming the ref in a press conference. Rassie Erasmus has got a lot of success with a pitbull 9 in Faf De Klerk. Nothing against playmaker nines, but they aren't really what you want if you want to win a world cup.

[@scotty2saffa]

Awesome video, nice Tim

[@PeterRattenbury-h1e]

Brilliant summary, thankyou Tim for your skilled analysis. Sad commentary on my team, the ABs, but agree it is a golden time for rugby. Can’t wait for the SA and French tours to NZ, I just hope France doesn’t send their second team DownUnder, as is rumoured.

[@randomlyfactual1943]

They only ever send their second team to tour. And then have the audacity when we don't rate their players very highly.

[@xaviermurray7698]

Man what a team 😮💥

[@fridooo1982]

Great video! I love your insights :) 5:30: why is Dupont not n9 in the Northern Hemisphere team?

[@Nephiism]

Or mauvaka

[@erhardtjoubert3455]

Because they heard that the first match would be played away from home 🙃

[@drinkingup2157]

Rather concerning that the three players not particularly highly rated within New Zealand have done so well in Ireland. In our hurry to find the next best player are we too easily ignoring those that might take a little more time.

[@erhardtjoubert3455]

You guys are ignoring players you didn't miss as well. Frizell, Mo'unga and Smith.

[@FNQKiwi]

Maybe but it could just be they went for a payday because of the talent in front of them.

[@erhardtjoubert3455]

@@FNQKiwi I think that is a little unfair. Players have a very short period in which they make money (shorter if they get injured). Just allow the national coach to pick from a wider pool of players. We do so very sucessfully here. We have players playing in France, Japan, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales... all of them eligable and picked for the national team and we are doing ok I think🇿🇦

[@AlexBrown-xp7mt]

Tim, small thing, you missed DuPont from the North vs South graphic

[@marco-dn7kd]

Mauvaka as well

[@andrekulucruywagen-attheli3220]

Noted, thanks. Agree with most of it, will not dare to even try to name my list. I differ but with respect for your opinion.

[@jurgensteinbach]

Excellent video!

[@aedano3277]

As an Ireland fan I have a question, I’ve heard you mention a few times that you think we’re going to be in a period of decline now and I’m curious why? Most of our team from 2023 will be there in 2027, with more experience, and I feel like this past year has shown that we have good young talent coming up, Joe McCarthy becoming a first choice starter, Jamie Osborne, Sam Prendergast, Gus McCarthy all getting their first caps.

[@EggchasersRugby]

I think the succession planning is happening now, which is great. If Porter and van der Flier got injured today, it would be a disaster. Obviously they are exceptional players but more's the point, the drop off to the next guy is vast. Same with JGP too (hopefully Casey gets back soon and kicks on). Tadhg Beirne, James Lowe, Tadhg Furlong, Aki - crucial men into their 30s - they can keep going, no question, but the next gen are needed.

[@aedano3277]

Thanks for the reply. I see all your points. I guess I just like to think that we can, for really the first time in our history, start to have sustained success outside of a golden generation every few decades.

[@Poppillon]

​@@aedano3277I think Ireland has a unique way of doing succession that maybe people don't always get fully. There is a robust conveyor belt of talent being developed but the Irish blood there players later than practically all other nations. They are older when they break through and older when they are replaced because they are managed very well throughout their careers. I'm not worried about Ireland having a slump. Form slumps are always possible but I don't see a big decline in the quality of players.

[@Dinkybear622]

Agree Tim experience is important but most if not all of those players have x factor and they matured with time. Most of them also debuted at very young age.

[@thijmen0169]

Are you going to do a video on the Italy six nations squad?

[@SE7VENprod]

painful watch as a welsh fan

[@starmersbarber]

I feel for you (knowing Wales' legacy in international rugby). A speculative question for you: - in an alternative universe, if Rees-Zammit hadn't jumped ship Stateside, do you think he might be featuring in discussions like this? Personally, my respect for him has dropped quite a bit (having held him in high regard). He has appeared to have done this for a fast buck and I feel he's betrayed rugby union. I hear there's some chat that he may be welcomed back. Unfortunately, I now see him as a money mercenary and I hope that Wales can establish some sort of decent grounding without him. I'm Scottish btw...and am old enough to be sentimental about the true essence of rugby in Wales' 70s heyday.

[@NathanFlay]

I apologise for my lack of knowledge regarding welsh rugby history. But what happened?

[@erhardtjoubert3455]

Keep your head up mate. It will turn. Wales has produced way too many greats like Gareth Edwards and Shane Williams to peater out. Wales will bounce back. You guys are too proud not too. I love welsh rugby and have always viewed them as the Springboks of the north (the way you guys play the game, creating space using forward pressure and a kicking game second to none). They will be ready to stake a claim for the 2027RWC just you wait.

[@cedricpicard9016]

Based on what you said about Ugo Keenan, that you don't put him in your top 10 speaks volume about the quality of the other players. By the way, in your north v south team, you have gibson park rather than dupont, surely a mistake, right?

[@gilliantaylor9675]

would like to see the team rankings divided by the number of pros available to be selected

[@nevillescates1379]

Awesome video!

[@owenoneill8173]

Beirne Doris VdF...Ferrari engines

[@erhardtjoubert3455]

@@owenoneill8173 you mean blow up in turn 2 with a DNF... just kidding ;) Im not a Ferrari fan. But I would put it a different way... we have a 1999 KZ-TE 3.0l diesel Toyota Hilux on the farm that has an odometer that broke at around 650 000km... it is still going, still able to do heavy duty work... that is an engine and yes those guys have great Toyota engines ;)

[@grantvandermescht4050]

Think your selection is pretty fair Tim! What a top 10 players and rightly so many of them will be remembered for ever.

[@jaycordner3890]

James Lowe is not better than either NZ wingers Coming from a South African

[@Zomo1553]

James Lowe isn't better than French or Scottish wingers. I just don't get it, guy finishes off sitters and kicks the ball as hard as he can with little accuracy and he's the best in the world???

[@fawltyoldboybasil.2178]

@@Zomo1553 Only conclusion I can draw from your remarks is that Leinster and/or Ireland did for your team!

[@axxey]

But he's also better than all the fullbacks on the list while playing on the wing. NZ wingers aren't even form NZ players(apart from reece who had a pretty shocking international year).

[@john-paulmurray2317]

i think all wingers have it made compared to other players as they can wait in the wide channels for the ball to come to them, but Lowe deserves a lot of credit for the improvements he's made over the past few years in his defensive play.

[@PeterRattenbury-h1e]

@@axxeyLowe is a Kiwi

[@gillessturbois8914]

Nice liste !

[@faysalennay9709]

Scott Barret over Franco Mostert in South vs North + Scott over Itoje for the 2nd best team

[@vuyaniman9440]

Thos could be a great exhibition matche - north vs South

[@TheProtea09]

PSDT is irreplaceable and when he retires, we will be in trouble.

[@Karma-qt4ji]

Right now he is irreplaceable, but I think we will find the guys coming through the ranks who can replace him, even if it takes a season or two to get to that (or close) level. I remember Alister Coetzee in a press conference trying to explain and defend his decision to select PSDT on the flank lol - it was originally a HM choice but we still weren't happy with it when AC did it. In 2016, Ben Youngs set up two tries against us by selling PSDT a dummy when he was not yet familiar with the defensive role. Even Peter-Steph had to start somewhere :)

[@ThabisoTsotetsi777]

The best player in international rugby

[@cosmojames7710]

@@Karma-qt4jiremember that well and thought he looked too slow for a flanker. How wrong I was, what a player.

[@henryburton6529]

@@ThabisoTsotetsi777 2nd best after Dupont

[@Karma-qt4ji]

@@cosmojames7710 you and me both 😂😂

[@D4N1CU5]

As a wobs fan it's comforting to think that Australia missed out on a few points with the omission of Len Ikitau and scoring Fraser McReight maybe 1 or 2 spots low considering he has been comfortably the best 7 this year statistics wise (using RugbyPass player head to head comparison). Not to mention all the other Australians on this list who don't play for Australia: Hansen, Meafou, Tuipulotu, Dempsey, M. Ioane, Lomax who add another 33 points which is more than the wallabies total. We produce the cattle and get them on their way but just can't hang on to them financially.

[@antoinechemardin4899]

Meafou came to France because no team wanted him in Australia. Maybe you produce the cattle, but you can't scout which one has the best meat :D

[@D4N1CU5]

@@antoinechemardin4899 Technically he went to France because no NFL team wanted him but yes, locks of his size don't seem to be popular in Super Rugby, they're often seen as too heavy and slow for the style of game and most teams want their locks to jump (Will Skelton is another example) which is probably why he wasn't picked up but he still had two seasons of professional rugby in Australia.

[@patrickmackey8633]

Amazing that 9 of these 30 players are Leinster players

[@scionoforion]

PSDT is the best player of this generation (no disrespect to the Du Pont fans) the guys a absolute beast and never seems to have a bad game in any position

[@traquenardlodbrok1564]

I would probably take Menoncello at 12 but yeah De Allende still a Top choice ngl

[@l8on17]

DuPont will never be recognised for his brilliance and skill because he’s from NH. For whatever reason the SH fans seem to like to discredit him. Luckily all the great players in SH say only good things about DuPont, it’s easy to see he’s different but I understand the game and I’m Welsh so I’m neutral but I must say, watching DuPont live is different, the guy is just sublime.

[@MrThegreybe]

You forgot to do a bench... who are the top impact replacements in world rugby for 2025

[@jeanlouis731]

You can thank me for the idea of making a ranking mate ahah

[@danielsmith9511]

I think almost every player ranking that I see overweights northern hemisphere players when you consider how well southern hemisphere teams have performed over the last few years against the northern teams. I would say it’s probably due to how good and competitive the northern hemisphere club competitions are, but at the end of the day, test rugby is the highest level and you have to give credit to players who excel at that level.

[@FNQKiwi]

I agree entirely. I saw the writing on the wall a few videos ago and somehow knew Ireland would have several players but NZ none apart from the NZ players who turn out for Ireland. A special mention for the Irish fullback who appears to have been at least partially selected for talking a lot.

[@sikhothomas4746]

Someone had to say it👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@randomlyfactual1943]

@@danielsmith9511 Absolutely. It's akin to saying that the best tennis player in the world is this guy from your local club, because he has and undefeated record at the club. Meanwhile, Djokovic exists.

[@zschokks5583]

Saffas are unbearable in the comments section...My god, not happy to have 8 players in the 15, they have to spit on Dupont all the time...Get a life...

[@leofitzsimon6610]

Very good list but not sure how the #1 ranked player in what is in my opinion the most important and influential position in rugby - open side flanker - is not in the list of the top 10 players in the world. JVDF should be in this top 10, but the problem is who to drop for him?

[@MrPoepope]

Does anyone really believe Maro Itoje is the second best 5 in the world?

[@patrickchilds2987]

Maro Itoje is a loose head lock playing #4 and not a #5. These team selections are subjective, but I don’t think it’s not that incredible that Itoje based on his form would make that second team. There are far more debatable selections on those teams than him

[@olivierarnaud-freaud6369]

North team should have Dupont at 9, no ?

[@randomlyfactual1943]

You know, the infatuation with Dupont has opened my eyes a little bit towards how Northerners see and think about the game. Dupont is a much revered figure in the North, with everyone singing his praises. Here he is, topping a best rugby players in the world list after literally playing three test matches for the year, none of them outside of Paris. And this somehow counts for more than Kolbe desroying the English at Twickenham, Pieter-Steph wrecking Australia in Perth or Ox just destroying front rowers at will. Thing is, there is a reason why rugby has been, is currently and forever will be dominated by the South. There is a reason why only one world cup in ten tournaments have gone to the North. There is a reason why the Boks and All Blacks and even the Wallabies dominate each and every head to head against their Northern counterparts: you Northerners quite simply do not rate forwards, you do not appreciate good old fashioned grunt. A Northerner would pick a Dupont for their team, because that impresses them. A Southern Hemisphere fan would pick a Pieter-Steph du Toit for their team because they want to commit Geneva violations against their opponent. Invariably, it is the Southern Hemisphere team that will come out on top, because Pieter-Steph du Toit will break your flashy toy in half. Until you guys can't realise that you need to make a mental shift in the way you approach the game, prepare to be met with heartbreak every single world cup and be humiliated at semi-regular intervals. Springbok and All Black fans are quite often called arrogant, but I believe its the wrong way round: imagine telling a Brazilian that Luka Modric is the greatest footballer ever, while the countries of Brazil, Italy, Argentina and Germany exists. Nothing against Mr. Modric, he is a fine footballer, but anyone and everyone that would put him anywhere close to Pele, Maradona or Beckenbauer has a few screws loose. I mean, you're welcome to your own opinion, but prepare to be directed towards our trophy cabinet. 🏆🏆🏆🏆

[@henryburton6529]

My god the hate I got when suggesting JVDF was better than Siya Kolisi - look out Tim, incoming!!!!

[@chris5240]

Statistically, Kolisi had more of an impact compared to JVDF...but that was like 2-3 years ago. I haven't seen the data for 2025 yet. The data was gathered from their URC and international performances. Opta made an algorithm to calculate how many points a players actions are worth. From a tackle, to a turnover, to offloading, etc. Siya was the top rated loose forward and 3rd overall. So yes, there has been times when Siya has outperformed JVDF according to all their actions. For Racing92 Siya had a few injuries and never found form, so had an average stint for them. He has scored 4 tries in 6 games for the Sharks this season playing at 8th man.

[@Mad_Intellect]

As a rugby player yes...as a leader no.

[@sikhothomas4746]

​@@chris5240had a good year for the boks as well, took the kick off receipts when Jasper wasn't available and was very effective when taking the ball into contact.

[@henryburton6529]

@ "From a tackle, to a turnover, to offloading, etc. Siya was the top rated loose forward" This is very interesting although i would point out JVDF also has had his fair share of injuries. JVDF has been world player of the year. Not sure Kolisi has even been shortlisted has he?

[@henryburton6529]

@ Agreed.

[@TK_Type2]

The All Blacks will be back at the top soon. I'd put money on it

[@jasonwall5012]

4:30 I'd pay to watch that match. It would be good if you could go through the champions cup teams in the last 16 and show each team how many internationals play for their country or imported first choice internationals for their country.

[@harrymartindale8625]

Your Lions squad , or at least players under consideration having watched all 15 previous videos Loose Head Andrew Porter 🇮🇪(2) Pierre Schoeman🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 (5) Ellis Genge🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (9) Hooker Dan Sheehan (2) 🇮🇪 Dewi Lake (8) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Ronan Kelleher (10) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Tight Head Zander Fagerson (3) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Tadhg Furlong (5) 🇮🇪 Tight Head Lock Joe McCarthy (4) 🇮🇪 George Martin (6) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Grant Gilchrist (7) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Ollie Chessum (9) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Loose Head Lock Tadhg Beirne (1) 🇮🇪 Maro Itoje (2) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 James Ryan (5) 🇮🇪 Scott Cummings (7) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Blindside Flanker Chandler Cunningham South (9) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Matt Fagerson (7) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Openside Flanker Josh van der Flier (1) 🇮🇪 Sam Underhill (3) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Rory Darge (9) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Jac Morgan (10) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Number 8 Caelon Doris (1) 🇮🇪 Ben Earl (4) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Jack Dempsey (8)🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Aaron Wainwright (10) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Scrum Half Jamison Gibson Park (2) 🇮🇪 Alex Mitchell (5) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Ben White (7) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Fly Half Finn Russell (2) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Marcus Smith (4) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Jack Crowley (5) 🇮🇪 George Ford (10) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Inside Centre Bundee Aki (12) 🇮🇪 Sione Tuipolotu (4) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Robbie Henshaw (8) 🇮🇪 Ollie Lawrence (10) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Outside Centre Gary Ringrose (2)🇮🇪 Huw Jones (3) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Left Wing James Lowe (1) 🇮🇪 Duhan van der Merwe (5) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Tommy Freeman (8)🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Right Wing Immanuel Feyi Waboso (4) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Kyle Steyn (5) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Mack Hansen (7) 🇮🇪 Darcy Graham (8) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Full Back Hugo Keenan (1) 🇮🇪 Blair Kinghorn (4) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Lions Test Team 1. Andrew Porter 🇮🇪 2. Dan Sheehan 🇮🇪 3. Zander Fagerson 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 4. Joe McCarthy 🇮🇪 5. Tadhg Beirne 🇮🇪 6. Matt Fagerson 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 7. Josh van der Flier 🇮🇪 8. Caelan Doris 🇮🇪 9. Jamison Gibson Park 🇮🇪 10. Finn Russell 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 11. James Lowe 🇮🇪 12. Bundee Aki 🇮🇪 13. Gary Ringrose 🇮🇪 14. Immanuel Feyi Waboso 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 15. Hugo Keenan 🇮🇪 16. Pierre Schoeman 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 17. Dewi Lake 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 18. Tadhg Furlong 🇮🇪 19. Maro Itoje 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 20.Sam Underhill 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 21. Alex Mitchell 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 22. Marcus Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 23. Blair Kinghorn 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@olliehere23]

@erhardtjoubert3455 happy new year! My comments were only to note our how ridiculously good he is as a player, that's all. But also, somehow, Tim himself has landed him number one after these three international games. I agree with you that if only international games are taken into account he shouldn't be #1, but then Tim also used gut feeling etc and there he is at number one. Anyway, it's not that big or important, it's an opinion vid on good players. Both things are true - he didn't play enough internationals in 2024, and gut feeling is he's still the best player in the world.

[@patanouketgersiflet9486]

2 little blunders if I may, Tim : you count 8 teams capable f wininng the WC and yet I only count 7 fingers on your hands :p And then, when compiling the North vs South hemisphere, you put JGP instead of Dupont as 9.

[@marco-dn7kd]

And what about Mauvaka ! ?

[@marionbruno1584]

Trying to individualize a collective sport in wich the talents must primarily serve the team sounds strange. Only the result of the matchs matters not the individual brillance. South Africans win the Wcup 2023 with a lonely point in Qfinal, semi and final and loose against Ireland in pools. In the Champion's cup, the Safa's clubs are ... nowhere and then, 8 names in the first squad ?

[@Nichal31]

Handre Pollard, the guy who got dismantled with leicester this weekend?

[@ThabisoTsotetsi777]

Handre Pollard the guy who won a world cup in France

[@marco-dn7kd]

​@@ThabisoTsotetsi777 Thanks to Marx...!

[@08padam]

@@ThabisoTsotetsi777 kind of shows how important it is to play with a good team doesn’t it ? Kolbe and Etzebeth weren’t that good with Toulon, does it make them lesser players on a coach point of view ? Certainly not. The WC argument makes no sense because of that. If you’re a 10, playing with a pack going backward will stop you from doing anything. It’s the same if your forwards are so dominant. NZ won the WC in 2011 with their 4th choice fly half. Did he suddenly turn into the best 10 in the world in one weekend ? Greatness should be measured by what you add to a team as an individual, not by the result achieved with the help of 22 other players. And for that the winning rate of both France and Toulouse with and without Dupont are a good indicator. Same for 7s, where Dupont turned a team that did not win a trophy in 19 years into WC and Olympics champions. Kolbe, Habana, SBW… all tried 7, none had an impact remotely close to Dupont’s

[@ThabisoTsotetsi777]

@08padam don't tell me about club rugby I am talking about international rugby and I am saying PSDT is the best player in the world the is a difference when he is not playing In the Springboks he also covers many positions in the field and don't tell me the rugby world cup argument makes no sense because your national does not win the world cup that is why it does not make sense to you and the other thing what makes a great player is his achievements and contributions towards the team PSDT has won man of the match in both 2019 and 2023

[@riaannel1884]

I almost laughed out loud when you said Englishman 😂

[@tonic8945]

Old age and treachery v youth and talent, who wins 😊

[@ninoneels]

🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@ninoneels]

Thank you Tim 🫡

[@christoduplessis8177]

Interesting that out of the top 30 players you have 10 Irish players and 9 Boks. Then France with 8. True reflection or not, even I don't know?

[@davidwalker2402]

It’s jus amazing and so ridiculously funny to hear SAs whine when anyone says DuPont or JVDF are better players than on show in the SA team, they actually think because there players have 2 WC medals they are better than any other players. Well Messi was the best soccer player on the Planet for many years before he ever won a WC medal. Get over yourselves so many better players in the world than SA players. Right now you have the best team and apart from that outside international rugby SA are very ordinary.

[@sikhothomas4746]

It's just amazing and ridiculously funny to hear northerners over hype anything and anyone coming from the north just so they can feel sense of achievement and being the best at something.

[@ThabisoTsotetsi777]

​@@sikhothomas4746couldn't have said it any better

[@CG-or1re]

love kolbe but is he a tad overrated? quite a few players i would pick over him, not just the obvious two

[@jean-philippedaniel509]

Agree on most choices, but Handré Pollard as the best fly half is a joke. Finn Russell, Marcus Smith, Manny Libbock , Richie Mo'unga and Romain N'Tamack are far superior. And also at number 11, I'd take Clarke or Bielle Biarrey over Lowe anyday of the week...

[@marco-dn7kd]

To understand the rankings it is better having watched the previous ones where each position was reviewed taking into consideration several criteria as explained by Tim.

[@dazza4345]

😂😂😂😂 Alistair Dagg will be going mad😂😂😂😂

[@matthewhodgson7388]

Penaud is better than Kolbe

[@NickHiltermann]

Not according to World Rugby

[@fawltyoldboybasil.2178]

I wouldn't care to pick which of them is better - I just know either would be welcomed with open arms in to the Ireland team.

[@NickHiltermann]

@ James Lowe is in the same league. Great player!

[@Randombourg]

No Belgians?

[@Randombourg]

Flamment.

[@ron1346]

Great list Tim, abit picky but I really think Etzebeth should be higher, him and PSDT are so influential to that team and you can tell the difference when either of them are missing.

[@sharronwood4486]

JVF in the top 10 for me. Back to his WPY best

[@JohnnyMcMillan]

How is Caelan Doris only 26!

[@EggchasersRugby]

100%!!!

[@jeanhauter7812]

Awesome work Tim! (too many saffas haters in the comments though ) 🤣

[@kolek8368]

7:18 I don’t think there will be many New Zealanders moving up the lists, now that Mo’unga is going to stay in Japan. He is Razor’s main man, and without him the Team won’t be the same.

[@FNQKiwi]

People said there'd be a problem after Dan Carter but then came Richie Mounga. Go figure.

[@erhardtjoubert3455]

I hear you but Mo'unga ain't no DC... I don't think anyone is.

[@PeterRattenbury-h1e]

@@erhardtjoubert3455DC would have kicked that goal in the WC

[@erhardtjoubert3455]

@@PeterRattenbury-h1e with his eyes closed

[@PasclaBellot]

Dupont above all ❤

[@lizzyhanahoe4197]

PsdT I think is number 1 currently, from an Irish fan.

[@financialliberty2381]

No serious rugby fan can rate any current player above DuPont. And while PSDT is amazing, he also widely benefits from playing behind the best front five in the world

[@sikhothomas4746]

​playing behind a front five??!!😂😂 how??🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Forest9528]

​@financialliberty2381 no serious rugby fan will ever say Dupont is the best in the world when he doesent play outside of europe and has no major trophies to his name

[@08padam]

@@Forest9528 I’ve never seen someone on the internet so angry at Dupont ahahahaha you’re everywhere reminding me of angry kids hating on Messi

[@financialliberty2381]

@@sikhothomas4746 i will teach you something : the front five is 3 front rowers + 2 second rowers. And 3 backrowers who are located behind the front five when you have a scrum.

[@riaannel1884]

Can’t believe Wales was number 1 in 2019

[@dale3342]

No Anton Dupont in the Northern Hemisphere??

[@MisterPoppy-sc1sj]

Penaud is 192cm not 188

[@chris5240]

He is a bit shorter now from carrying his team on his back

[@EggchasersRugby]

hahaha

[@davidwalker2402]

@@chris5240wrong he’s 1.88m thats on his fact sheet. Maybe in his platform boots 😂

[@axxey]

The age profile is because you're refusing to rank on current form. Your criteria.

[@designmanagementconsultanc4143]

Tim, are you missing sunny SA? Do hurry back

[@colinkavanagh1708]

Here's one for you Tim, A best of all time list - there's a challenge!

[@cedricpicard9016]

It's a tough one, rules have changed, conditioning has improved, ... And how do you compare what was an amateur sport with a now pro sport?

[@PeterRattenbury-h1e]

That’s right, pro sport changed the landscape forever. For the record: Pro and Amateur:ABs v SA , NZ wins 61, SA wins 38. Draws: 4

[@JeremyOllivon]

4:42 Gregory Alldritt as 8?

[@needphd1]

Comment for the comment gods

[@NickHiltermann]

Reply for the reply gods

[@terrymcdonald8766]

Caelen Doris no.1

[@faysalennay9709]

Dupont as best 9 video's earlier and suddenly 2nd best european...

[@leebutler7353]

Clearly an editing error

[@JeremyOllivon]

4:24 Charles Ollivon?