Why Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith were voted the GOAT All Blacks centre combo | The Breakdown

Sky Sport NZ's The Breakdown chat continue their quest to find the greatest All Blacks XV as voted by the public. This week they hear from some of the games greats about Smith and Nonu in the midfield.
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[@kainoizking]

Ma'a Nonu, my favourite All Black of all time. Talk about growth, his journey was amazing. Looked to be not wanted, went away, grew as a player and as a person and came back to become arguably the greatest inside centre the world has ever seen.

[@Iderspider]

The way he evolved his skill set over his career was probably the biggest that I have seen

[@ghostinahotel]

These are exactly my thoughts as well. Such a thoughtful player and judged the way the game evolved, how he needed to evolve (kicking game in particular) to solidify his place in my mind in the top all black team of all time and also in my opinion the most well rounded player of all time. I reckon based on his skill set in the end, you stick him in any position and he would have done the job

[@nathanbellamy3308]

Hopefully ngani laumape can do the same

[@prod.saintconifer4623]

watched him live near the end of his nz career when he was a blues player and he was still a beast aye

[@TiaPetaia]

Smith wasnt known for his speed but somehow found gaps in the defence. Not really the biggest center and known for hits, but his defence was still beast! Up there with the greats.

[@warrenblake5554]

If the old wise heads are right that defense wins games ..then hats off to Conrad he put in more tackles than anyone .. put his body on the line to put his inside or outside in the holes he created ..great to see him acknowledged.. not the fastest but the smartest ..

[@mattybhoy6522]

I'm south African and hes my favourite New Zealand player. Just his work ethic around the pitch was unmatched. He made the wings jobs easy.

[@TiaPetaia]

@@mattybhoy6522 Im a fan of Jaque Fourie and Jean Devilliers. 😅🇿🇦 beast mid fielders too 🔥

[@garypringle1286]

Conrad so reminds me of another great All Black, Ben Smith as they both had speed with balance. If you actually watch past footage of both you'd think they were the same player going forward and in defence. Just very privileged to see both play in there heyday

[@mrwaltermathews]

100% they were so similar

[@ejsmith9194]

Ben Smith a quucker version of Conrad.. but Conrad a bit better of a defender than Ben Smith. Apart from that, extremely similar.

[@vinnysenilavez7674]

Agree

[@mruv5944]

Maa Nonu and Conrad Smith were like PB & J… opposites but MAN they fit perfectly. Chemistry like I’ve never seen on the field.

[@nicktorea4017]

We had the Smith foundation in our ranks the master mentor Wayne Smith, Master passer Aaron Smith Master centre Conrad Smith & master rearguard Ben Smith.Then of course all the others. Man I miss those days.

[@haydykat]

Have to agree with Ma’a and Conrad. Conrad worked so hard off the ball which wasn’t always seen on the TV screen, strong organisational and communication. Ma’a had the all round game of run kick pass on attack and was safe defensively.

[@walezfynest]

Wish snakey could've stayed on for another year to join the centurions. Outstanding duo!

[@SARUGBY101]

As A South African Their Are No Player's I Feared More Than These Two😁

[@MrWarkwark88]

As a kiwi we were pretty worried when Dannie Gerber was on the field....

[@matthewtetley7048]

@@MrWarkwark88 The South African Midfield is no easy thing to get through either especially in south africa, with Morne and Francois steyn it was tough matches

[@africankat1]

greatest centre pairing of all time id say...not just ABs

[@tafatapaleao4588]

Agree! There is no other pair. Ive heard stories of Conrad Smith being outdone in speed testing by some AB forwards. But they say noone had his mind and vision in game. Best pairing this world has ever seen!

[@BlueMoonday19]

Horan and Little were right up there as well.

[@albertbremner8173]

We call Nonu the Predator. He gave us endless joy amidst Tim Tam's and Promite on toast at 3 in the morning for years on end... with tea. I really miss him on the pitch. Then again I also miss Danny and Richie.

[@default5790]

Nonu and Smith just complimented each other like Peanut butter & Jelly. Just different styles that worked so well together.

[@chantelletheunissen8262]

As a South African, Ma'a will always be the G.O.A.T.......what a legend on the field and more importantly a true gent off the field......respect!

[@theconsigliere6329]

As a Saffa I have no issues with this. Great combo. Eben said Nonu is the hardest tackler, not Broadie or any of usual suspects I'm hoping Bakkies and Victor get the second row combo.

[@SplatWun]

This segment is from the show 'The Breakdown' - it was asking viewers for their opinions on the greatest All Black XV, so the chosen locks were Colin Meads & Brodie Retallick. It would be interesting to see the selections for a Greatest Springbok XV if SuperSport were to facilitate that, as Sky have done so here.

[@theconsigliere6329]

@@SplatWun My bad. I thought it was an international selection. But that lock combo will be very very hard to beat.

[@SplatWun]

@@theconsigliere6329 algud. In a World's best over the last 2 decades, I would go Retallick & Matfield. Eben Etzebeth or Sam Whitelock for subs.. But as I mentioned before, I would love to see what a Greatest Springbok XV would look like.

[@stuarth43]

Roderick , does bugger all, not tuff like Ma A or Eban

[@CG-or1re]

watching these clips reminds me how excited i am for new zealand to finally play SA and england. bledisloe tests have been great but we know who the real heavyweight matchups are against

[@alanbishop7852]

Agreed, and the barrage of poor comment re the Boks style is embarrassing, those mouthy folk need to remember the ABs pathetic efforts against the poms during previous world cup.

[@SimonRolland123]

100% agree, Conrad with the brains and Ma'a with all the talent. What a team!

[@bikesnippets]

Sorry, but Ma'a had brains aplenty. I find your take a wee bit sinister mate. Natives=talent, White man=brains? Stop it, and join us in the 21st Century.

[@SimonRolland123]

@@bikesnippets Well Ma'a isn't a native of New Zealand... and Conrad is a lawyer and well known academic. Think your comment is pretty narrow minded but your allowed to think what you what. Free country! Good on ya

[@dimetilldeath]

@@SimonRolland123 Nonu born in New zealand. Think that makes him a native

[@biggest23]

@@SimonRolland123 ….Just a quick FYI, there are no indigenous people in NZ, including Maori, only colonists, pioneers & recent immigrants. Ma’a Nonu was born, raised & rugbyised in NZ, making him as much a NZer as everyone else here in fact. As for him having all the talent…. well, Conrad Smith was leveling players in defense that were much MUCH bigger than himself with ease and in fact, I’d say he was a more adept tackler than Nonu ever was, proving that he had a great amount of physical talent.

[@2215jamikarr]

Totally agree about this combination of two best midfielder the world ever seen from Hurricanes to the All Blacks...

[@sunshineteddy1]

Maa Nonu was the complete centre of all time. He is the best ever for the all blacks and the world! Legendary centre 👌🏾👊🏾

[@samstuart896]

Thought Nonu deserved to be in the last world cup. he played really well the last season he had for the Blues building up to world cup and our midfield lacked the go fwd and experience needed to win. Those two were magic in the midfied

[@peterchase5198]

My favourite player. Much appreciation for his contribution to a great game.

[@peterchase5198]

Ma'a Nonu is the player I'm referencing. Many apologies for not being more clear.

[@sirgus8727]

Any of the Smith trio. A.B.C. Legend.

[@jdoggbyc]

and JB

[@brettwilkinson9529]

Remember telling a work colleague just before the 2015 Rugby World Cup that Nonu was our country's greatest ever number 12. He said it was a big call. I replied it was the right call. I went on holiday to the States during the World Cup and when I arrived back to work, that very colleague came straight up to me and shook my hand in agreement.

[@wolfgangvonuce9615]

Conrad was a machine!

[@as3787]

The greatest combo in any team and any era

[@zabaleta66]

Bruce Robertson is still the benchmark center. Bill Osborne, I thought he'd never be surpassed but I have to give it up to the later Nonu.......so influential!

[@Patrick8804]

Yep - the problem with using fans to judge these players is that a lot of the younger ones have never guys like Bruce Robertson and Bill Osborne in their prime and don't know how sensational they were (although I agree with selecting Nonu).

[@toiletsmithy3630]

ridiculous duo brother. Bruce Robertson man

[@thefobbieii2888]

yeah big fan of the Bruce Robertson and Bill Osborne combination. They dominated the midfield in the 70s when they did played together. That Aussie backline in the early 80s is probably the best backline I saw play with Ella, Hawker, O'Conner, Moon, Martin/Campese and Gould but in 82 at Eden Park in the 3rd test again Robertson and Osborne - went nowhere! Last test that they played together! However its Little and Bunce for me BUT you got to mention Joe Stanley!

[@AlexBrown-xp7mt]

I think Bunce is the greatest 13 from NZ

[@zabaleta66]

​@@thefobbieii2888That Aussie backline was definitely scary!

[@heki03]

Why are we getting into this GOAT mentality of America, they are great, gave a lot for the All Blacks and it was much appreciated but we gotta carry on to the next combination coming up,support them and they can lead to something special!!!😎

[@freelancerconverse4413]

Greatest pairing of all time to date. Very rare to have 2 great centres playing together at the same time. Like Little and Horan for the Wallabies, they haven’t had a great centre combination since. And yes the ABs have moved on and look forward to the future stars.

[@thefobbieii2888]

@@freelancerconverse4413 - Little and Bunce destroyed Horan and Little in 92 - Bunce defence gave Horan and Little nightmares to the point that Little was never the same player after that tour - absolutely destroyed his confidence! For me its Little and Bunce! I saw Osborne and Robertson play and they dominated the midfield in the 70s but also got to mention Joe Stanley - underrated!

[@Roberto_79]

Conrad Smith is my greatest all black of all time bar none (Jonah Lomu aside obviously) he was the name that always went down on the team sheet without anyone ever questioning it

[@jldp24]

I got Bunce at 13. Hard as nails. Always seemed to get thr better of opponent. Partneship wise..this is probably right.

[@abatesnz]

Bunce & Little took Harbour to the top.

[@dayberg64]

Conrad smith reminds me of frank bunce wasnt huge or the fastest but done his job not just well was unstoppable knew how to be in the right places and rugby smart asqell

[@AlexBrown-xp7mt]

The fact that Bunce wasn’t on the shortlist is mental. He’s have been my choice 13.

[@saveit4last]

His passing game was world class short pass long pass at full pace and offloads in contact was superb

[@johndas-gupta6662]

What about Frank Bunce? What a centre titan he was

[@AlexBrown-xp7mt]

Buncey would’ve been my choice. The fact he wasn’t elected is outrageous

[@KRM85]

Combo bruh. Learn to read lol

[@bmac63]

@@KRM85 Walter Little & Frank Bunce....

[@luaking8930]

Conrad smith and Ma’a Nonu is simply a combination type of greatness you’ll only witness once in a lifetime. Absolute Goat midfielders without question

[@roy8130]

Bruce Robertson and Bill Osborne a great combo

[@russellparkinson5396]

No doubt about Bruce Robertson in my mind. Probably too long ago for the publics memory so it has cost him. The experts are right this time. Robertson was sublime. Probably the only midfielder we have had who was in the same class as irelands mike Gibson. He glided across the field, had immense pace and just ghosted through gaps.

[@bkitch5755]

How can you compare a professional player against a amateur player of different era's but having seen them both play I'd have Robertson in my team instead of Conrad

[@Waywind420]

2:13 Ma'a Nonu vs Manu Tuilagi

[@MrAhuapai]

For younger viewers Scott Gibbs was one hell of a midfield player for Wales. Very good player

[@johnvictor9779]

Ma'a Nonu is the best #12 in world rugby history till now.

[@pixelpotato4874]

Geez, did you see that palm off on Manu Tuilagi?😀👍

[@daviddbell1987]

It only looks that good as manu was running sideways towards him and he used manu's speed to bounce him off like that

[@pivaitangiau8114]

Ma'a Nonu my favourite all black and still is

[@Charlie-gw5td]

Maa nonu the best 2nd five ever he's the G O A T

[@fart2711]

in regards in to picking smith over Robertson you could put that down to recent bias

[@joedennehy386]

The very best 2nd 5/8 was Ma a, and the best centre was Conrad Smith. Bruce Robertson, Tana Umanga, were also pretty handy, as was O'Driscoll, and greenwood, and Guscott. God I hope we keep Jack Goodhue. same DNA

[@mvubu6823]

Is Nonu best because of Carter and was Smith the best because of Nonu? No accident that all 3 are lined up in the greatest ever list. I'm sure there are other individuals who could get picked but as a unit, unbeatable, literally.

[@azticbangz1792]

Nonu had it all individually, power, decent speed, passing, kicking and defence lol I would like to know who you think beats him at that position lol

[@johncreedon1833]

Sbw-nonu was also a great combo..

[@zionnejaqzon4476]

Sonny Bill is nowhere near as good as Conrad in this centre position..

[@django4427]

How Tana Umaga didn’t make it is blasphemy!!!

[@barry5354]

Loved watching Ma,a and smith, another great centre pair were Bunce and Little 👌

[@haydenreid7496]

They are the all time greatest centre pairing in international Rugby

[@greylynnjr]

Yup. Great organiser of d line in his era. You only good goin foward if you know the back

[@robvanderkroft6515]

Conrad is our best no13 . Tana umanga was a great captain and no 13 but nobody worked harder then Conrad

[@markcourtney2205]

As a combo perhaps but Robertson is all over Smith and im a Smith fan.Robertson,Gerber and Sella are the best centres ive ever seen and couldnt separate them.

[@kainoizking]

Who? Lmfao

[@biggest23]

Dani Gerber was fuggin amazing alright. One of the best running rugby players ever. If there was no Gleneagles agreement he would've been one of the greatest test players of all time. Funny that so many people who think they're rugby fans don't know who he is.

[@fletmok3548]

Sella and Gerber the greatest centres

[@thefobbieii2888]

@@fletmok3548 - Yes I agree with Gerber as probably the best centre but Bunce gave outplayed Gerber in 92 - admittingly Gerber was 31 then! As for Sella - the only centre to defend him and he struggled to defend was Joe Stanley especially when Smokin Joe cut back hard on the crash!

[@fletmok3548]

@@thefobbieii2888 Gerber scored twice against ABs 92 (not even at peak as you said). Buncey only cut through once to set up JKs try. Sella carved up when France toured NZ 89 set up Blanco and Lagisquets tries and then again in 94. Sella totally dominated Gerber in the 86 game 6 Nations team vs Overseas XX.

[@mikejames1804]

Best 12 to ever play the game

[@puwhenua62]

They are the best Center pairing. Everything in good rugby they are. Anyone looking for the instruction manual WATCH THEM

[@mrlee9213]

Tana umaga was the best centre ive ever seem

[@quinsilva6540]

Conrad best tackle technique

[@sevunadruku1409]

👏👏really and truly the best centre combination👍👈

[@Charlie-gw5td]

Best midfield combo ever

[@rickybarlow5918]

Smiths defense was unreal, he could tackle alright

[@davidcorkill6810]

Bill Osborne was the hardest tackler I ever saw on a rugby field. Turned defense into attack.

[@user-hk3vk1pl5n]

From the Springbok camp, I can safely say that with the ALL BLACKS, it's NEVER easy talking backs 😀 At any given time you get the MOST EXCITING pair 🏆 So while they didn't become Champs, lest we forget Walter & Frank 🥈 A nightmare for ANY defense!

[@aea8753]

Nonu all day!

[@darryllaumua2003]

In the end I think the All Blacks and NZ as a whole hurt more that he wasn't on the 07 team.

[@jorianx2197]

No doubt about it

[@donnybrascocoliogne819]

THE BEST....❤❤❤❤

[@meanmaori00]

Greatest midfield ever

[@dkchen]

These guys make any winger look good.

[@julianalderson3938]

Love em both!

[@JC-kz3ut]

I don’t believe this was even a question

[@WhaleRider-bi8yf]

S.b.w also super underrated in this convo lol he was the freak athlete nonu was the x factor and conrad the man lol

[@fazertace6837]

Rubbish. Tana Umaga is one of the greatest ABs. Let alone greatest centre.

[@whitefire06]

Nonu was like Umaga 2.0 and followed a very similar path. The thing that I personally think makes Nonu greater than Umaga is his growth as a player, having more international caps and winning 2 World Cups.

[@fazertace6837]

@@whitefire06 as a non kiwi I can assure you that NH teams feared Umaga. Nonu might've had more caps and won 2 world cups (he didnt really did he? It was a team effort) but that doesnt mean he's a better player. Umaga was faster, brought more intensity and, for me brought a better skill set to the team. That's my personal opinion though.

[@ejsmith9194]

@@whitefire06 Similar, but Umaga became an out and out 13. Nonu did start on the wing also but is an out and out 12. I'd have Umaga ahead of Smith at 13 although i rate Smith as a extremely good player.

[@troyocarroll]

If Earth played Mars in rugby for survival, who would you put at centre alongside Ma'a? It'd be out of Frank Bunce or Tana for me. Attack would be a luxury and you'd be looking for the meanest defenders in every position.

[@Iam0.]

Brains and Brawn a combination wingers dream of.

[@joperrnkikau]

Devastating mid field pair Nonu and Conrad

[@WhaleRider-bi8yf]

Tana was the best but Conrad was and is the absolute man lol

[@WhaleRider-bi8yf]

Feel like Richard kahui or Renee could of been if not for life's b.s lol

[@julianalderson3938]

Bro he could hit hard to.

[@abatesnz]

No mention of Bunce & Little? The pairing that took Harbour to the top.

[@benneal9309]

Being a huge fan of all concerned let me play devils advocate dan carter at 2nd with today's choices allowing other options for greatest xv and whilst not yet quite there reiko ioane could become our first lightning center since bruce robertson

[@thefobbie0034]

This is a massive call!!!!! How about Osborne and Robertson Schuster and Stanley Little and Bunce! Honourable mention - Johnny Smith There is NO way Conrad Smith is better than Robertson, Stanley and Bunce! As for Nonu - yes he has evolved into a great player but geez up against the skills of Walter Little????? For me Little and Bunce!!!! They dominated and wrecked the top duo in world rugby at that time - Horan and Little! Their rugby IQ is 2nd to none!

[@MurrayBallantine]

I would have Bert Cooke and Bruce Robertson

[@taraishot100]

Havili and reiko Ioane have nothing on these two! I hope those two can get it together before the World Cup they both had good games against S.A last week but need to see more consistency from them

[@odongo.a]

Sir snakey is definitely the best 13 in modern union

[@daleb2043]

Frank Bunce not even in the conversation?

[@tremolony4924]

11. Lomu 14. Rokocoko / Savea 15. Cullen

[@stuarth43]

Lomu worst defender ever, only good when ABs were going forwards

[@thefobbieii2888]

@@stuarth43 - Are you serious?

[@jdoggbyc]

JB Smith for those that know history

[@TheShepdawg9]

I think Horan and Little edge them out, but they were great.

[@unionwithchristjesus]

Now we have the new favourite All Black Centre duo Jordie Barrett and Reiko Ioane

[@vegasmaori6621]

I would have put sonny bill in he's a must

[@RubyDoobieScoo]

I don't know why you would consider anyone from before Rugby went professional if you're looking at who's actually the best rather than who was the most dominant in their era. The level of conditioning and athleticism back then doesn't even come close to what we have today, we had 6'3" Locks back in the day, they'd get demolished.

[@kamikazezebra]

I always thought Nonu was massively overrated but Conrad Smith was genuinely world class. Incredibly good defensively and did the basics really well. Great all around player.

[@timkruse9912]

and now abs cant find a decent combo right now smh

[@playersplayer1173]

🐐

[@MrSimonw58]

NZ has the most controversial tries

[@kane3396815]

Henry's the idiot that gave us Ian Imposter

[@frankbunce]

Up there with Horan as the greatest 12 of the modern era.

[@Rivers1811]

I rate Walter little & frank bunce slightly ahead personally

[@jbrown8059]

Joe Stanley was the best

[@kc-vf4lp]

Smoking Joe was so underrated, gave JK and John Gallagher plate ball and could spot tackle with the best. The OG of the no look pass.

[@delsar1523]

This isn't even debatable no center paring has won two world cups together

[@hankhardigan1104]

Jason Little and Tim Horan.

[@thefobbieii2888]

@@hankhardigan1104 - they got destroyed by Walter Little and Bunce in 92 - Jason Little was never the same player after that tour!

[@hankhardigan1104]

@@thefobbieii2888 Which part of what you wrote refutes what I wrote? I'll give you a clue, none of it.

[@thefobbieii2888]

@@hankhardigan1104 ummmm perhaps if you watched the test series of the NZ tour to Australia in 1992 - which you obviously have NO clue of rugby history - then you may have an idea! NOTE: Jason Little hardly played much rugby for the Wallabies for the next 2 years because he lost his confidence! He had nightmares of Bunce king hitting him in the rib area all day - he got smoked!!! Learn some rugby history rather than showing your ignorance!

[@hankhardigan1104]

@@thefobbieii2888 'no center paring has won two world cups together' 'Jason Little and Tim Horan.'

[@julianalderson3938]

Sorry thought was tana

[@b.kanishkaguluwita1583]

why there's no mention of SBW here?

[@stuarth43]

cos he was hired for his ability to get the crowd in, he could not play rugby

[@johncreedon1833]

@@stuarth43 yet he was brought on in 2015 rwc for Smith against Australia..sbw has 2 rwc medals for good reason

[@django4427]

@@stuarth43 your parents drop you as a baby ?

[@vukilemadlala5931]

Nonu was a bully 😂😂😂

[@yazeedjacobs2173]

I love Nonu and Smith but Bunce and Little were my favorites..

[@fletmok3548]

Johnny Smith and Bert Cooke would smoke these two! 😎

[@vinniecorleone9729]

Fckoff

[@richardtonumaipea2765]

Ma’a Nonu and Ben Smith would’ve made a difference when the Pommies were all over them at the World Cup.