Pick your captain - Irish pivot or Welsh Dragon?
The time has come to head to the northern hemisphere for Round Three of our Knockout Fan’s Vote World’s Best Captain competition after we wrapped up the southern hemisphere’s semifinalists.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi was the Round One winner and what we’re calling an upset, Australia’s Michael Hooper was voted Round Two’s winner as he claimed 61% of the votes over the All Blacks’ Sam Cane. Kolisi and Hooper will go head-to-head later in the competition to determine your choice to represent the southern hemisphere in the final round.
This round sees Ireland flyhalf Johnathan Sexton go up against Wales’ flank Alun Wyn Jones.
Remember, you decide the winner by casting your vote, on our Instagram and Facebook pages. The power is in your hands!
Johnathan Sexton
Following the retirement of Rory Best after the 2019 World Cup, 34-year-old Sexton was officially announced as Ireland’s captain ahead of the 2020 Six Nations. Prior to the announcement, Sexton was highly involved in a leadership role and took over as the on-field captain when Best was substituted.
The flyhalf led his side to victory over Scotland in the Six Nations before adding a second victory to his belt when they got the better of Wales in Round Two. However, Sexton’s winning start came to a halt in Round Three when England dispatched Ireland 24-12.
Alun Wyn Jones
Jones was handed the captaincy for Wales’ 2017 Six Nations, replacing Sam Warburton. In 2019, Jones captained Wales to a Grand Slam and was also named as the Six Nations’ best player.
At the 2019 World Cup, Jones captained Wales to the top of Pool D, emerging unbeaten and set up a quarterfinal encounter with France. Wales pipped their Six Nations counterparts by a solitary point and came up against eventual winners South Africa in the semi-finals.
Wales failed to make the final after losing their semifinal match 16-19 before ending the tournament in fourth place as they came against a rampant New Zealand, who walked away with a 40-17 victory.
Sources: F90 Rugby, World Rugby, Six Nations, Andrew Forde and BRugby Montage
