Ranking The Best Wingers In The World Right Now | With Bryan Habana | For The Love Of Rugby Podcast

[@pikohemara2743]

Bryan Habana is the man! As a Kiwi I’ve always respected him and his ability to finish and speed was crazy! Was always tough against the ABs! Shoutout to him for a Rene Ranger mention lol.

[@randomlyfactual1943]

Excellent show and what a guest! Probably the greatest winger ever that is still alive. The list is good, but I would pick both Lowe and Jordan above Penaud. Then of course, we have to have a debate about whether Jordan should be on the list at all, given that he is currently selected at fullback. Does it count? For me, if he plays at the wing, he is money in the bank. About Kolbe, here is some food for thought: - he doesn't play the easy games. The matches where you would think he could score four tries like Romania, Tonga or Portugal, he isn't select. The only times he is picked is when the Boks play blockbuster opponents. That will adversely affect your try scoring ratio. - He is by far and away the most heavily marked player in world rugby. During the RC - and not even playing every game - he beat 21 defenders, four more than the next best. For those 21 defenders beaten, he only scored one try. Meanwhile, guys like Jordan have 17 beaten, but scored two. If ever you want to know how heavily Kolbe is marked, this is the best stat you can find.

[@gilgamesh101]

So your'e a saffer ... Penaud has to be in the top 2 over the last 3 years, phenomenal in so many ways, certainly a step up from Lowe. Kolbe is awesome and so is Jordan - and how about Tom Wright, just looks so dangerous on the ball!

[@randomlyfactual1943]

@gilgamesh101 I'm a fan of Penaud. He can conjure up something from nothing. Why I would pick Lowe over him, is due to the role that Lowe plays in that Ireland setup. Before the 2023 RWC, Ireland has been the most consistent team in World Rugby, going back to 2022. They won that tour in NZ, the claimed number 1 spot in the rankings and held it for a year, they won a Grand Slam and then they won a second successive 6 Nations thereafter. Went to SA and drew the series. Lowe being instrumental in this team makes him Top 2 in my book. But, if someone wants to pick Penaud over him, I can see the logic. It's Ferrari vs Lamborghini, with no real bad choice between the two.

[@gilgamesh101]

@@randomlyfactual1943 Fair points all, I think we just tend to weight things slightly differently based on the starting value of the success of the team they play for. I was a back 3, mostly 15, so for this one personally I'm mostly looking at the individual that I would have faced, both sides of the ball, yet happy to add in what your saying in my thinking. As an aside, thanks for your last detailed response on the ADP debate the other day - meant to get back to you but got IRL family and work stuff been bananas; I think we end up mostly agreeing, except I never meant to claim he was overall GOAT as for me thats only ever a debate for each position (surely one of best aspects, almost the nature of the game, that so much variety is required within a team). Despite some healthy disagreement, I actually suspect you would be a proper laugh to wind each up over these things with a tap and tab running - after all, there's very few absolute answers, but a thousand and more opinions when it comes to this wonderful game.

[@4evaavfc]

Good to see the smaller guys doing so well on the wings. Bryan Habana was an awesome winger. He was the best for some years. Rene Ranger was great to watch.

[@joelchihota4994]

Brian Habana always class

[@rugbyitch]

Great video, really enjoy listening to the channel. Listed my Top 10 below ⬇ (Didn't include Will Jordan as I consider him a 15 for the ABs and plays 15 for the Crusaders) 1. Cheslin Kolbe 2. Damian Penaud 3. Mark Telea 4. James Lowe 5. Kurt Lee Arendse 6. Celeb Clarke 7. Mateo Carreras 8. Duhan van der Merwe 9. Darcy Graham 10. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso

[@ermannosorricchiodivalfort4905]

i thought about players like Graham or Capuozzo or Arendse too, but in my mind you have to impact the game on both sides of the ball, many "pocket sized" wingers of course don't simply because of their size, they all have a big heart that's for sure...Kolbe and Carreras are 100% in there for me because they both hit very hard, clear rucks and fetch almost like forwards at times, which you won't see Graham or Capuozzo or Arendse do all that much (Arendse is a surprisingly hard hitter for his frame)

[@dimitardobrev3296]

Ben your charisma and enthusiasm is what makes the show. Thanks you for the refreshing content. ZA

[@davidmaclennan5925]

Leaving the pimp Mapimpi out is a cardinal sin! Not just with the Boks, but also his performances with the Sharks over the years? He’s a Heroic character who has inspired more players globally than any current player? I genuinely think that when I just mentioned, the hero factor and inspiration should be something where considering how players get ranked?

[@kris....99]

let's be realistic he's not been able to touch the boks lineup for about a year before recently and im a saffa

[@morgannel4419]

he cant tackle tho, all speed no ball sense

[@geoffhogan4831]

WTF. What a stupid comment...​@@morgannel4419

[@interestedbystander196]

Agree on Mapimps. This is about best in the world _right now,_ and Mapimpi does pass muster. If you did this three or four years ago, he was maybe top five, but not these days. He is, like many legendary players, past his best.

[@averageyoutubeuser5537]

On average, Cheslin is currently winning a major international trophy every 8 tests. And the fact that he is usually one of the best players on the field in the finals/big games in those trophies is big.

[@sihlejali8453]

@Edgycoo Where was that Jordan in the world cup final or in the 2 tests against the boks 😂

[@mrm1884]

​@Edgycoo if you look at how cheslin plays. He's not a finishing winger. The guy alone has stopped many tries from being scored alone. His best work is knowing how to stop or shut down attacks. And thats not supposed to be his primary role. His defense sets him apart from any other winger in the world. I see a lot of people saying he's not the best because "player x scores more than him etc...) but they don't see what he does when he doesn't have the ball. That's what sets him apart. And I don't know any player in the world that's approaches tackles like him of his similar size (whether they are scrum-halfs or not) like he does, and he does not back down at all. Like how many players of his similar size or if they are any that bounces forwards like him and be able to get over the advantage line?

[@sihlejali8453]

@Edgycoo Right back at you mate

[@mrm1884]

​@@sihlejali8453it's simple. It seems like people base the best based on highlight reels (how many tries does a winger produce as a highlight). Like they forget that rugby also has off-the-ball stuff. Defense is also rugby. He stops more tries than he scores per game. And that sets chelsin above the rest. And he does that being the smallest player on the field.

[@dairet1945]

Kolbe is the best diver in world rugby

[@adrianrenierventer6687]

Childhood hero Habana-nana!🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@LoveOfRugby]

We love that people are enjoying this one. Put your top 10 lists in the comments and we'll read some out in a future ep

[@obeveklig679]

Amazing video. Would love to see you do more videos like this for other positions and maybe have guests with experience in the positions you rank

[@haggiesm]

Good list. A bit surprised that defence wasn't named as a criterion. It is rarely mentioned when wings are rated, which doesn't make sense to me. That's where Duhan vdM loses a few places for me. It's also what makes Cheslin Kolbe so amazing.

[@johanbarnard3435]

Cheslin is the only current winger who can kick for goal, throw in at a lineout, slot in at 9 at scrum time, jump in a linout and more. The guys is super versatile in his skill sets

[@designmanagementconsultanc4143]

I was at the US vs Springboks game in London during the 2015 RWC when Habana scored 3 tries. Power and speed was incredible

[@woesmevrou5673]

Mapimpi - thank you BH! Personal bias on my part - one of my top 5 boks because when he starts to run he is so lean, long legged and sure. Also such an inspiration - seems to defy aging.

[@morgannel4419]

he cant tackle

[@sportsdictionary590]

Love what you are doing Ben. Great content!

[@danielson9841]

As Rassie said this week, Chessie is the only player on the Boks team that's irreplaceable

[@holloway_btw]

So glad Bryan gave Rene Ranger a shout out. That guy was world class and he does not get the plaudits he deserves. I remember us (RSA) playing against him in super rugby and for the all blacks and he would bump, step and run around everyone! Had excellent hands as well.

[@rileyfreeman9726]

Breaking it down by categories Most agile: KLA and Kolbe Most X factor: Jordan Best defensive winger: Koroibete Most physical: Caleb Clarke Most slippery: Telea Overall: Cheslin Kolbe

[@superbowljoel01]

Penaud needs to be in there somewhere, maybe as best finisher?

[@tshegofatsokale5888]

Koroibete, the man that tackles without arms?

[@mtabrahams]

Pretty accurate with the exception of Koroibete, that dude defends like no arms Farrel. Also Jordan doesn’t have the most X factor. I’ll give that to Cheslin too

[@alexandregarcia9726]

​@@superbowljoel01 Penaud is definitely an X factor and slippery. He actually beat more defenders than any of the wingers.

[@Camcolito]

Biggest boot: Lowe Most physical: Lowe

[@IsanG08]

Honestly my list is the exact same you definitely nailed it👍

[@NatashaBarnett-jm2ck]

Geeat segment on the pod. Amazing insite from a player/ex players perspective. Would love to see what Polly had to say about no.10's?

[@pikohemara2743]

I feel Caleb Clarke could be abit higher, his high ball and improvement from his roller coaster form in the last couple years has been impressive recently. Hope he stays consistent, fit & healthy.

[@zacharydwyer896]

You’re right about him becoming more reliable on attack and form, but my problem with Clarke is his defence. He bites in or is slow to turn and is a risk on defence

[@racketman2u]

I agree, his defence has improved a lot, and I would rank him above Telea, I think that in any given situation he is more likely to get it across the line.

[@michaelmclean3767]

Naming Duhan as the best winger in the British Isles is insane, he’s not even the best winger in Edinburgh!

[@dakalodk]

I agree

[@johanstuit4214]

Well done, I agree

[@JuansitoBotha]

Hi. I think you nailed it. I enjoy your pod cast. Thanks

[@ruanfourie3304]

Nice chat and great list of players. After listing, had some fun on picking where I think they rate (also took into account current form): 1. Kolbe 2. Jordan 3. Arendse 4. Lowe 5. Penaud 6. Carreras 7. Tele'a 8. Van Der Merwe 9. Clarke 10. Koroibete

[@heyeksay]

Great show B&B, hard to argue with your selection but I personally wouldn’t have Marika as high and you could probably make an argument for anyone in the 5-12 group but I think top 4 are definitely on point 🫶🏻

[@gilgamesh101]

Even tho you need 2 of them, picking the top 10 wingers is mindboggling as there are just so many incredible players vying for a spot. The fact that people like Tuisova or Wright don't even get a mention, let alone being nominated in their top 11 says it all. The only one I would drop significantly is Arendse, to about 8th ... many fine margins But lets face it, we could put a long list of 20 together and still sit back and admire an embarrassment of riches. Perhaps its best to just enjoy the ties we live in as such a huge array of attacking talent has to put a big smile on any fan's face!

[@ianjacobs2998]

Great podcast

[@rugbyanalyst1]

Honourable mentions - Koroibete, Bielle-Biarrey, Feyi-Waboso and Graham 10. Capuozzo 9. van der Merwe 8. Clarke 7. Tele'a 6. Arendse 5. Jordan 4. Lowe 3. Carreras 2. Penaud 1. Kolbe

[@priceyboy4478]

no waboso in top 10 is ludacris he`s miles better van der merwe and capuozo

[@rugbyanalyst1]

@@priceyboy4478 That's your opinion, you'd have Feyi-Waboso at 9 then?

[@hyonimarru]

Solid top 🔟

[@alexmunro8231]

Imagine Habbana in current springbok team. He score all his try without ever getting a pass from his centers. 😅😂.

[@jameswyatt4443]

Great list, take Koroibete off and move Feyi-Waboso into 10th.

[@nickjohnjames30]

Joe Cokanasiga at Bath may not quite belong in the top 10, but he definitely deserves more recognition, at least a spot in the current England squad. I love watching him play for Bath-he’s a brilliant finisher

[@priceyboy4478]

if he catches a ball

[@the_katman2181]

Good list. Darcy Graham probably a little unlucky not to be here.

[@indigojac08]

@LoveOfRugby_ @benyoungs09 Top 10 winger list is great Just gonna ask, are you seeing Capuozzo and Niniashvili as fullbacks? Because otherwise it's hard to leave them out imo Also as a 9, who are your top 10 scrum halves, Ben?

[@greenplasticgun]

My all time Lomu Habana Kolbe PSDT

[@daggaboom]

PSDT? Love the enthusiasm for him but "where's the scrum" over Campese on the wing?

[@MosesMatsepane]

PSDT? That’s the tallest winger since Lomu. 😅😅😅😅

[@bradleybeukes-fp6qk]

Class Bryan

[@mybadgaming6786]

Love it!!!!

[@Mumbo_Jumbo_Kiwi.1]

I think Darcy Graham is the real-time best based on creative flair

[@duncanwcraig9668]

Top three nailed it. Not sure about MK tbh think he’s done.

[@stroketheboat]

10. Lowe (IRE) 9. Clarke (NZ) 8. Van Der Merwe (SCO) 7. Carreras (ARG) 6. Tele'a (NZ) 5. Koroibete (AUS) 4. Arendse (RSA) 3. Jordan (NZ) 2. Penaud (FRA) 1. Kolbe (RSA)

[@petrusvanderMerwe-o9k]

nice pod

[@dillynlakey6420]

My Goat list. Lomu-90s Carter/mcaw-00s/10s B.Barret.-10s Kolbe-20s PSDT-20s Honorable mention that nobody will agree with. Isreal Falou, on form I think is the best attacking 15, especially in the air. Boks fan btw.

[@MosesMatsepane]

Cheslin is the Swiss Army Knife.

[@tito-1205]

James Lowe 10 ??!! One of the most complete wingers in the world easy top 3

[@Lostduke_]

I agree

[@garthschreiner6990]

I think Bryan needs to say "burst onto the scene" one more time😂

[@axxey]

I would happily move Arendse and Koroibete(both reliable for at least one significant impact unforced error every game) to 9 and 10 and kick Will Jordan out for being a fullback. Lowe to 3(all the things mentioned here, plus plus). Carreras to 4(completely underrated with the amount of bad or backfoot ball he has to work with). Any NZer on this list is kind of interchangable, NZ game lends itself to wingers doing well, there's a half dozen others could slot straight in. Darcy Graham with a great run of form to match Feyi-Waboso could have got a mention as well. I haven't watched enough Penaud domestically but he was pretty poor internationally this year compared with last year, had some defensive shockers.(I'm a great fan)

[@SlickVicOfficial]

Good list. Marika is out the top 10 now though. Respect to him but I don't see him as the player he once was. Mapimpi would be in my top 10 in place of him.

[@Faust_ZA]

Koroibete is an amateur he doesnt wrap his arms when he tackles, Does Habz know cameron is a 8th man😅😅from the outside looking in the final list id swap lowe with koroibete maybe even shift arendse down to 5 and lowe to 4 to be honest and im a saffa

[@coatknight]

Koroibete hasn't been in form for a while. No mention of Graham or Steyn, or the Fijians. Reese Lightning isn't around but he has some x-factor.

[@daggaboom]

Yea i'm with you on the Fijians omitions. Those lads are just silly good.

[@wouterroos2359]

Leaving Mapiemps out seems criminal. But looking at the names on the list I have to say it is cruel but fair.

[@icefarrow7959]

Idk who I'd pick for a top 10, but Nehe Milner-Skudder would be right up there. International career cut short to constant injuries, but when he was in form, he was electric.

[@Mumbo_Jumbo_Kiwi.1]

The title is 'right now?' not in the past

[@cella6495]

Only 1 real NH player. All the rest are from the SH.😂😂

[@Kid_Senekal]

I see what you did there.... 😅🤣

[@bruceradburnd4496]

Classic, four NZ wingers in top 10

[@antics2m]

will jordan is a fullback, but either way he is the best of these fellas, followed closely by kolbe

[@brianstalker1]

Can't believe you missed Darcy Graham

[@s.w.goosen4677]

Can’t have Koroibete in top 5. Feyi-Waboso definitely top 10.

[@Ballas56]

Where's Makazole Mapimpi? My all time favourite Bok winger.

[@nashidanthony481]

Watch out for Thakir Abrahams formerly from Sharks and now at Munster. Bokke😂

[@kevinwillis6707]

Waboso is a great prospect, but I'd put Darcy graham ahead of him at 11, 28 tries in 40 Scotland appearances

[@ColinAnderson-hy2oj]

Ange Capuozzo?

[@jameswyatt4443]

Duhan van der Merwe is the perfect example of winger who doesn’t work much.

[@saints16o5o87]

Darcy Graham, only Will Jordan has a better test scoring rate.

[@joelchihota4994]

damn ben on 2 from the B&irish lions, you might as well wear a Balaclava when you come back to Norfolk

[@GGRUGBY]

Kolbe is greatest winger of all time

[@rovekid1]

😂😂😂

[@carsonatornz6041]

Have you heard of Jonah Lomu?

[@GGRUGBY]

@@carsonatornz6041 Rugby was not developed during that time

[@Niko7739]

Greatest winger under 4ft 😂😂😂

[@icefarrow7959]

​@GGRUGBY He started playing in 1994, Rugby went professional two years later. Clearly "developed" during his time, as he quit in 2002. Weak argument regardless though, as every amateur era player would've played even better with access to modern methods.

[@walterstevens8676]

Reducing players to individual stats when their success is so dependent on the rest of the team..

[@10clapbaacs78]

Telea is on all blacks all day

[@bradleybeukes-fp6qk]

James Louw a bit higher

[@VontaviousMalouly]

Louis Bielle Biarrey is 5th for me

[@rianpp3696]

Maybe in a few years time

[@notenoughstones3873]

WC Quarter final 2023 called…😬

[@jameswyatt4443]

Koroibete is finished. 2 years ago I’d have him, but not anymore, he had a terrible World Cup, and he’s not performed since either.

[@rodericksmith9675]

Tele’a at 7 nah man he should be in the top 3 💯

[@AlexBrown-xp7mt]

How is Koroibete at 5 and Lowe at 10? Top 4 is solid (putting aside the fact that Jordan is really a FB), after that it’s not great from Youngs tbh.

[@AlexBrown-xp7mt]

Bryan wants nothing to do with putting his name to this list, clearly disagrees with a lot 😂😂😂

[@laurencechandler8261]

Think will muir is a really good shout I'd have him over manny

[@cairnscsupercard1675]

Will Jordan over Penaud

[@ianjacobs2998]

Totally agree 🇿🇦 🇿🇦

[@Sircharlesbailey]

Did I just hear Bryan Habana say Pieter de Villers?

[@louisnel1922]

Yes he was our coach from 2008-2011

[@Logies_right_hand]

Darcy Graham

[@mskatefish]

Shenk 😂😂😂

[@kris....99]

shame darcy graham get's injured so often he'd definitely be jn this conversation

[@clairewiddows9261]

1. Kolbe 2. Penaud 3. Arenas 4. Lowe 5. Tele'a 6. Fewi-Waboso 7. van der Merwe 8. Carreras 9. Clarke 10. Graham

[@katanabreezy2597]

I hope this Arenas guy ain't Gilbert Arenas the loudest Ex NBA player yet he won nothing 😂

[@clairewiddows9261]

@@katanabreezy2597 😂

[@aluncurtis6124]

Van der Merwe overrated.

[@morrisfraser7236]

As a Scot, I think you may be right - he just happens to play in a really classy back line so gets the ball more than most… but he can finish!

[@smartalecc]

he's got a bit of the Lomu syndrome - slow to turn, gets lost in defence, but then a world-beater on front foot

[@FrancisDietPodcast]

He’s so salty about Jonah Lomu .he mentions them all at 28 mins but not Jonah lol who’s by far the greatest winger in history on 11

[@kezzfm3892]

I think Sevu Reese should be in this, definitely over Caleb Clark so I'm not too NZ biased. His ability to finish is crazy but the extra stuff he does is unreal. Defense I top teir and is probably the best winger in the world at stealing ball at the breakdown. Will Jordan for me is the best in the world 🌎

[@racketman2u]

not biased, are you. Reece is amazing when he's good, and is very energetic, but a mistake machine, and gets ragdolled in defence, Clarke is much better now, and Telea is only average.

[@ianjacobs2998]

Koroibete not in the top 10!!!!

[@rodrigoquintero3973]

Does Semi Radradra plays voleyball and i am not aware of that?? 😂😂😂😂 clearly a top 3

[@erikaissing9957]

All due respect, Koroibete doesn't deserve to be top 10, let alone 5th. His defence is super suspect and his hands are like feet. Maybe 2 or 3 years ago he would have been in the mix

[@Camcolito]

Not surprising that a player for an average team like England cannot see the value that Lowe brings to a team.

[@mlguy8376]

Quick question - would you prefer an average team that over performs in a WC or an above average team that consistently underperforms in a WC?

[@Camcolito]

@@mlguy8376 Last World Cup you performed well in one area mate - the draw.

[@mlguy8376]

@@Camcolito you know how the draw is done based on standings way before the WC when England was decent (though this changes now) But my question stands. Are you blaming the draw for underperforming because you would have to beat one of the teams in the final .. England 2019 played NZ in the semis and over performed again - no excuses for the world No. 1 ranked team (at the time)

[@Camcolito]

@@mlguy8376 Just having a bit of banter. I was annoyed at Youngs putting James Lowe at 10 when he is clearly much better. Habana had to correct him.

[@rianpp3696]

Mapimpi???

[@joshuabelo8460]

4 South Africans in the top 10. 😂

[@willemsteyn7808]

Kyle Steyn is hugely underrated and Duhan is hugely overrated.

[@dairet1945]

Kolbe has played four games v Ireland and won one match, ouch!

[@brianedwards3823]

Ireland has played in a lot of World Cups and won none. Oof.

[@dairet1945]

@@brianedwards3823 Even more embarassing for Kolbe then.

[@Lostduke_]

😂😂😂😂😂 you guys try too hard... get to a final at least

[@Vincent-q4q]

Ireland should play the boks outside Dublin more often...

[@dairet1945]

@@Vincent-q4q Really? Irelands last three games v the Boks were outside of Dublin and they won two of them.

[@VuminkhosiMkhonta]

how is will jordan not the best winger on earth?

[@christoduplessis8177]

I don't think he is, he was dead quiet in the rugby championship just now and he was arguably the worst player in the RWC final last year 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@dimitardobrev3296]

Because he's not Cheslin Kolbe. Also because he plays fullback now half the time.

[@icefarrow7959]

​@christoduplessis8177 Since when is maintaining a 100% attack rate by the end of TRC "quiet"? Sure, he didn't score some games, but when he did he averaged one or two tries. 36 tries in 38 tests is nothing to scoff at, since the most successful winger ever scored 69 tries in 58 tests. Habana in comparison finished over 120 tests with 67 tries. You're really holding wingers to unrealistic standards.

[@VuminkhosiMkhonta]

@@christoduplessis8177 the best players also have the worst days 35 tries in 37 game is crazy

[@christoduplessis8177]

@@icefarrow7959 did you watch him in the two tests against South Africa? You want to tell me he played well in either of those two games? Scoring a brace against Australia doesn't really count anymore.

[@hendrikknox9689]

can you guys do a crossover with @DannyCareYT ?