Why Aaron and Dan Carter are the greatest 9 & 10 combo in All Blacks history | The Breakdown

[@RRSmurf]

As A Saffer... Dan Carter is just brilliant. What I would consider a great sportsman and example. Can't recall any controversy about him, conducted himself with class... Was extremely happy he got to win a WC. Best and most complete 10 I've seen.

[@MeanAzz_13]

Well said bro

[@moegamadadams1156]

Conrad Smith..stil underated lol.guy was the best 13 in worldrugby for years

[@quickissme]

I agree, I didn't think much of him when he first came on the scene but man he just became the complete centre, one of the greatest for sure.

[@arerefanderson5794]

1 of my favorite ABs

[@AAWWWWWW]

O driscol > Conrad smith No one came close to those 2

[@toiletsmithy3630]

@@AAWWWWWW O'Driscoll's overrated.

[@jonnyblaze1164]

@@toiletsmithy3630 have u seen bod on OTB....👇🤏🏻 he definitely over Salts his food

[@rossitherhodie5659]

I'm a Springbok supporter from South Africa, but I'd go along with this statement. Dan in my view is a legend and the best alround Rugby player in my book.

[@oldman774]

I find it is unfair to compare one generation of players to another as the game is continually evolving, having said that as a combination I believe Aaron Smith and Dan Carter is the best 9-10 pairing in the history of the game

[@corinwharerau7560]

It's extremely difficult when many fans of the game/AB's have likely never herd of or especially watched games featuring the players of former generations. Perfect example is the selection for Centre. I've herd the names Robbinson and Stanley but I've never watched them play a single minute of rugby, and I'm 33. Even Umaga I only vaguely remember playing when I was younger, but I don't remember anything specific about how great he was.

[@Teatowelman-u7c]

@@corinwharerau7560 they were good for their time, but if you straight up compare them to greats of the recent past it's not competition honestly.

[@joedennehy386]

Yes

[@BoneThxgz]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@oldman774]

@Andy Butler anybody is welcome to disagree with me, it is all opnion based, isn't it?

[@mrgreen3629]

The best 9,10,11,12,13 in AllBlack history are Aaron Smith, Dan Carter, Jonah Lomu, Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith.

[@shiroism8039]

Correct

[@whenua4488]

Aaron Smith is a spastic passer just watch his hospital pass that injured Dan Carter against the boks

[@at3955]

absolutely correct

[@mruv5944]

Nonu HANDS DOWN the greatest 12 ever. As complete as they come and even had that rare X factor.

[@esstuitupou2634]

Ken Laban’s story about Ma’a from Wayne Smith is all you need to know about Nonu’s greatness. When the coach regarded as one of the best thinkers on rugby says Ma’a improved his training session by 100% and had the respect of a room full of legends, that’s all I need to hear. Plus his respectfulness to keep quiet speaks to my Pasefika heritage...

[@hhc5696]

centres come in pairs..... No ma'a nonu without Conrad Smith and vice versa....

[@HeHe-ou6ur]

Hard, ma,a + Conrad is the combo for sure

[@hhc5696]

@@HeHe-ou6ur like Brian O'Driscoll would not have been as great without Gordon Darcy as his inside center .

[@candycain2327]

@@hhc5696 gordon darcy😀😀

[@MarsFKA]

Bruce Robertson scored only three Test tries, but look at all the tries that were scored because of something that he set up. On the hard grounds in South Africa in 1976, his game went up another gear and he was unbelievable. Then, the next year, during one of the Tests against the Lions, he banged his head on the ground very hard and, after that, his edge seemed to go off. My generation was very fortunate to see a player of his class.

[@jungleboy928]

Mealamu is spot on about what he’s saying about Carter 💯💯💯

[@lukeaoina56]

loved Umaga but Smithy Nonu pairing is also the greatest centre pairing of all time.

[@percival1789]

For mine i’d argue them both, not only New Zealand but the worlds best 9, 10. ✌🏽

[@Stephen-jx1hz]

No argument regarding Carter. But Smith is not even the best in his generation.

[@toiletsmithy3630]

@@Stephen-jx1hz Who's the best in his generation btw?

[@percival1789]

@@Stephen-jx1hz where’s your argument??? For 9

[@mudundomawana6886]

No argument for the worlds best its a straight fact. Anyone saying A Smith isn’t the greatest HB of all time is just delusional

[@Stephen-jx1hz]

@@toiletsmithy3630 Right now Du Pont and De Klerk are streets ahead of him. Historically Gareth Edwards, Joost, Gregan and F Du Preez all better than him.

[@tommcg7564]

Ma’a Nonu should have went to the 2019 RWC. He came back early. Did a full season. He would have made the difference All Blacks found wanting particularly in the backs. Hansen ripped him off and denied him of being the greatest

[@Teatowelman-u7c]

Easy to say that after the fact

[@rikimackey7984]

100% he should have gone to the 2019 World Cup. He was still the best at that time by a mile. They should have put him outside SBW. The 2019 ABs had no midfielders able to get over the advantage line.

[@ShiNooBi1986]

Nonu is the greatest AB 12

[@Erock1275]

Goodhue and ALB were so average in that world cup

[@taraishot100]

What are you talking about Nonu is our greatest

[@joaquinjoaquin3992]

Well, betwen 2012 and 2015 they were almost invictus so that entire team must be one of the best teams in any sports I can think of.

[@suphatrachaiyasit7531]

Agreed that team is the best I've ever seen and I've watched nearly all black tests for 55 years

[@jbrown8059]

Dan the greatest ever 10, no argument

[@baileygilbert4766]

DC is a great 👍🏽 from you, But my pick is Johnny who was the best 10 & is the best overall Rugby player in the early 2000’s.

[@jzkramer]

@@baileygilbert4766 lol, Carter was everything Johnny was but 2/3 yards faster

[@candycain2327]

@@baileygilbert4766 haha, said no one ever

[@RogerBiwandu]

For me the n° 13 goes to the way too underrated Conrad Smith, "The Snake" !!!

[@sicboi]

There's a bunch of us Samoan backline boys who tried to fit the Ma'a Nonu mold in the straight running defensive line breaking style he had. Legend

[@Sobrilicious]

Greatest no 9 and 10 in the history of rugby. The G.O.A.T.

[@thanduxoloponti2415]

I am South African and I think there's is no first-five better than Dan Carter. But I feel like Richie Mo'unga will be the greatest 10 in the history of this sport we love, I guess only time will tell.

[@quickissme]

That's a big call, Richie heading in the right direction tho, unbelievable talent he's got bag full of trick's for the world champions. Should be a mighty game ABs and the aggressive Bok can't wait.

[@easyebrown6469]

Are they selecting the team based on individual merit or how they would fair as a team? Robertson was before my time, however Nonu wouldn't be "Nonu" without Conrad Smith. Ying and Yang.

[@tremolony4924]

facts. best 12 /13 combo to grace the paddock. There chemistry was unmatched

[@sidgoing1]

Conrad Smith was a great player. But back in the day Bruce Robinson was known as the Prince of centre's. He was called that for a reason. I also think if you were going to pick a player that was to be a good match with Nonu that wasn't Conrad, then it would be Robinson. He probably had very similar traits to Conrad but probably a better, faster athlet.

[@TheBokkeable]

I do not believe you people are overlooking the best 13 to ever play the game, how do you even look at yourselves when wake and actually rate any player above tana umaga, had tana won a world cup, I bet you would not overlook the legend of legends, if he didn't run around you, he side stepped you, if he didn't run around and side step you, he ran over you, what a legend, tana umaga!

[@warriorskarena4567]

Aaron Smiths been the best rugby player in the world for the last 6-7 years (my opinion)

[@mruv5944]

Nonu was lowkey the MVP of the 2015 World Cup.

[@Erock1275]

Agree. I love Carter, but man Ma'a was involved in alot of big plays.

[@Lisiate2]

Aaron Mauger makes the shortlist over Warwick Taylor at No. 12 for me. Classy playmaker, dynamic line breaker. Surely gets a shout.

[@candycain2327]

You're kidding right? Mauger couldn't tackle or beat a man to save his life

[@mruv5944]

Tana Umaga. How quickly people forget.

[@TheBokkeable]

I think aaron smith is without a doubt a world class scrumhalf, but justin marshall was the real deal.. from 1996 to his last tests in 2005 against the b&i lions, he was massive for the all blacks, king carlos spencer was let down by his goal kicking, I reckon thats why mertens was always ahead of him because of his kicking, only in 2002 to 2004 was he ahead of mertens, and I don't get how any outside center can be rated above the legendary tana umaga, tana is the best 13 to play the game... anyway it's just my opinion.. legendary all blacks!

[@Teatowelman-u7c]

Marshall is not in the same class as Nuggy not even close

[@TheBokkeable]

@@Teatowelman-u7c I guess everyone views the game differently, hence different opinions, but then again you're right, they're not in the same class, marshall is 3 classes above aaron smith.. look up the crusaders early super rugby glory days, the saders would have never won all those titles without marshall, anyways it's just my opinion..

[@Teatowelman-u7c]

@@TheBokkeable wow dude, I honestly don't know what your criteria is, what is Marshall better at than Smith?

[@TheBokkeable]

@@Teatowelman-u7c bro.. really?.. it's so simple.. have a look at all the crusaders super rugby titles from the early days of super rugby, how many super rugby titles does smith have? who's scored more tries at super rugby and test rugby level? their passing game is just about equal, marshall was more aggressive and ran a lot more from the base of the rucks, scrums and mauls way more than smith does, you only rate smith above marshall because smith has more test caps and a world cup winners medal, had marshall ever won a rugby world cup I bet you'd be singing a different tune, had they both played in the same era, smith would have never been picked ahead of marshall.

[@NZENZN]

agreed

[@mrpetrock8624]

Before some rat decided to make a name for himself blowing the whistle (. toilet debacle.) on Aaron Smith he was on 'FIRE "and untouchable in world rugby. his confidence took a bit of a hit and it showed in his game. so glad he's back though Still our greatest scrum half

[@suphatrachaiyasit7531]

He's even better now

[@CommanderBlackout31]

Thank you Nuggy for your service

[@MeanAzz_13]

Agree been a absolute champ!

[@vladtheimpaler8995]

Put any one of these guys with Bruce Robertson. You’d get pure class.

[@zabaleta66]

1 McDowell 2 Fitzpatrick 3 Gray 4 Retallick 5 C. Meads 6 Kaino 7 Jones 8 Shelford (c) 9 Loveridge 10 Carter 11 Lomu 12 Nonu 13 Robertson 14 JK 15 Cullen Reserves 16 Mealamu 17 Loe 18 Whineray 19 Haden 20 McCaw 21 Going 22 Umaga 23 J Wilson Staff Jack Gleason (hc), Graham Henry (asst. c) Charlie Saxton (m)

[@capecod7545]

Theres a reason why they call it the Dream Team - because you have to be asleep to believe it haha - but its a wonderful thing to ponder and enjoy The Team is starting to look incredibly fearsome Now lets somehow figure out a way to bring them all back and play in a 4 Test series against SA's Dream Team - now wouldn't that be something for the ages

[@mata2nz]

Buck Shelford and Zinzan Brooke. Sid Going and Aaron Smith.

[@filexjane7993]

Wow my whole life hearing commentator in rugby this is the first time I’ve seen him haha

[@poerava]

Respect to Tana Snake waa the best. By a country mile.

[@greylynnjr]

Carter. The greatest blues player

[@hoodiebluzobvy9785]

Smith is the best 9 of all time, you cannot tell me I’m wrong

[@marctoleafoa5864]

Conrad smith most underrated guy

[@KatharineShaw-z8u]

It is always difficult to compare players from one era to another and decide who is the best. I prefer the best players from the eras they played. Not saying these two players aren't great but would Aaron Smith and Dan Carter's skills have been good in say the 1980s under the rules of that time?

[@boladrodrolagi2786]

I'm no ABS fan but boyy Conrad was a great ABS 13

[@Fat-To-Fit593]

listening to these people pick there 13 I change my selection was Smith but they changed my mind I'm going for Tony woodcock

[@pixelpotato4874]

That's a mean forward pack by the way 👍

[@Yaackov1]

Sorry I didn’t participate in the selection,,,,, so best fly 1/2 EVER,,,WORLD WIDE, Carlos Spencer ! made others look like school boys ! Scrum 1/2 is a little harder as most AB 1/2’s have been really good so I pick Justin Marshall

[@capecod7545]

Ma Nonu absolute first choice second five and should have been at the 2019 RWC ahead of that clown called SBW

[@scottwest9442]

WHERE’S THE LINK TO GET THE BLUE BOX REMOVED!!!

[@haydentibbotts9088]

This is bang on

[@robmiller1964]

Centre:- Bruce Robertson and Conrad Smith!

[@apiadventures3213]

You can't beat the snake. Smith is the greatest centre.

[@RobHenare]

Yeah i have to agree

[@GaryPeters-nv8pj]

Don't forget Ben Smith. He made up the legendary A.B. C of Smiths.

[@33777Qio]

Justin Marshall and Andrew Mertens 🥂

[@CocoLico-fh5py]

Wat,no frank bunce

[@freelancerconverse4413]

Frank Bunce

[@karlrensburg3472]

Good choices, just glad I ain't choosing. The ALL BLACKS have some serious greats. Kapai lads.

[@rogerpattube]

The panel need to take account of RECENCY EFFECT.

[@rogerpattube]

Bruce Robertson, the greatest Centre. In 5 years he will still be the greatest, and no one will remember Conrad.

[@janinekaretai4306]

Of course

[@Outdoorcookwarereviews]

Dan carter was basically a consistantly inform Carlos Spencer..when Spencer was on he was as good if not better than Carter

[@pmanning431]

frank bunce was a awesome centre to.

[@cascade3769]

You mean "an awesome centre too."

[@BoloKefs]

Are you serious Bruce Robertson over tana umaga he’s not even better than Conrad smith or frank bunce 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@toiletsmithy3630]

Jeez. you don't watch Rugby ... Bruce Robertson's arguably our greatest Centre, Robertson was extremely gifted, and could Facilitate and had a sharp Distributing game, Silky speed. Put respect onto his name buddy

[@Teatowelman-u7c]

@@toiletsmithy3630 he's good but I'm taking Connie hands down, hard to argue back 2 back world cup wins

[@zabaleta66]

@@Teatowelman-u7c There was no World Cup in the 70's.......Bruce Robertson, the greatest.

[@taraishot100]

Lol I’m from Wainuiomata as well Ken Laban is a rugby league legend there also Tana, Piri Weepu and Neemia Tialata are legends to as well as people like Earl Va’a who played 10 for Samoa there’s heaps of others from our small community that made it especially in rugby League

[@sicboi]

Justin Marshall and Andrew Mehrtens though

[@EastSide-k1m]

I feel if anton lynnet brown keeps playing he will be the best

[@JumboWiniata]

Then they can play my Māori Combo of Super Sid Going, G.Nepia at 10, C.Cullens be fullback.

[@cascade3769]

Cullen is not Maori.

[@JumboWiniata]

@@cascade3769 That's strange his father thinks he is hence why he played for the Māori Team when he missed selection for the world cup, he also has Samoan and Irish heritage. Is their reason why you think he's not.

[@jackieryanclarke5631]

Missed that world cup as well

[@jameswyatt4443]

I don’t think this discussion needs to be had. Greatest 10 ever, and arguably the greatest 9 ever, and they both played together. No other combo comes close. And I’m a South African. South Africa and Australia had the 9s, but never the 10s to compete with this combo, England had the 10, but never the 9. France haven’t had anything close, nor have any other country.

[@mrlee9213]

No frank bunce?

[@atapanameleisea3268]

only difference with the old guys we couldn't win the World Cup ..... and the new era has been able to do that but with oldies who have gone have set that up for the new guys right now...

[@Teatowelman-u7c]

The oldies had nothing too do with the new generation winning

[@atapanameleisea3268]

@@Teatowelman-u7c what you talking about .... the new generation lost the World Cup lol

[@Teatowelman-u7c]

@@atapanameleisea3268 you mean have won 2 of the last 3 World cups lol

[@mrwaltermathews]

Was Brooke really better than Kieran Read?

[@Dinobot-k2x]

bill osborne

[@djsuava9398]

❤️💯👌

[@sherman4970]

One part of Aaron smith game, easy,,he kicks way way way to much ball away!!!

[@lewissypher2595]

Kirk and Fox

[@Saiyan4eva]

Hell NO! both we're too one dimensional

[@rata4878]

😂 get off the weed bro

[@mata2nz]

@@Saiyan4eva …Exactly.

[@stevewilliams8944]

Dan Carter was definitely the best first five eighth, but Aaron Smith is not even the third best halfback that New Zealand ever had. He was just lucky that he played with so many great players around him.

[@robmiller1964]

Walter Little was a serious disappointment!

[@billgauna9113]

it's biased

[@kitbakz2483]

Rugby commentators and rugby reporters are suddenly now also “rugby experts??!!” according to commentator Grant Nisbett. These clowns 🤡 are not “rugby experts!!” Their opinions are no more valuable than those of the larger rugby public. Experts my ass!!! Pull your head in Nisbett!! 🤪

[@jldp24]

Justin Marshall was better. Smith played in a dominant era where the aussies were beyond putrid.

[@rapid1010]

😂😂😂 Even my grandma was better than Justin Marshall

[@BoloKefs]

Shut up lol

[@locominyana8916]

No way. Baschop was better than Marshy. JM was a physical in your face type Half. Kelleher was similar, but his pass was slow.

[@maluakamu6120]

Marshalls pass took 3 years to get to the first five. Which is why we never won a world cup with him.

[@jldp24]

@@maluakamu6120 yes its Marshalls fault.

[@poerava]

🦼 🚽

[@FrightF]

Doubt it Aaron shouldve been dropped ages ago for his conduct off the field. Wilkinson was miles ahead of Dan Carter and Merhtens as good and more solid on goal kicking.

[@markdunkerton7245]

What Bulls#!T, Smith doesn't tackle, About the only thing Aaron was ever great at was yapping. He was made to look good behind An amazing forward pack & the best centre pairing the world has ever seen. He was only ever average playing for the Highlanders & equally lesser for the Turbos. You so called experts need to get your heads out of your proverbials.

[@taraishot100]

I think that Tana was a better individual Center than Conrad but in saying that Nonu and Conrad together were a better duo than Tana and Nonu as duo though they were still good together

[@snug1117]

BOD what if???