Which big bruiser left his mark?
The contest for the No.4 jersey in the rugby365.com readers’ XV of 2011 is between two players from each hemisphere, each at opposite stages of their Test careers. Make your voice heard by leaving your vote now!
A good enforcer needs to provide plenty of grunt in the engine room and play a central role in his team’s set-piece efforts. The more behind the scenes dirty work the big bruiser gets through the easier it is for his team to play the game on the front foot.
He may not be throwing dummies and hitting gaps, but the hard graft and physicality required to keep the pack moving forward takes a special breed and often the player with more mongrel who relishes the physical challenges will come out on top.
Today’s choice throws up an interesting contrast as it is a battle between youthful exuberance and the experience of a hardened veteran.
All Blacks legend Brad Thorn was selected for the rugby365.com teams of the Super Rugby, Tri-Nations and World Cup tournaments. The 36-year-old hard man was simply a cut above any of the other players in the position and the fact that he was selected in our team of the tournament in each competition he took part in points to an astounding level of consistency.
The former Rugby League star banished any thoughts that 2011 might be a year too far by backing up the fearsome Crusaders front row with aplomb in the Super Rugby season as they dominated all before them.
His unrivalled physicality is a major factor at scrum-time but he also manages to put in plenty of work around the park, making fierce tackles and generally throwing his massive frame around with intensity.
Thorn’s performances in the Tri-Nations and World Cup were just as impressive and he retires from the highest level of the game having achieved more than most. He certainly kept his incredibly high standards up right until the end and lifting the Webb Ellis Cup on home soil capped a remarkable innings from the big man.
His contender is young Scottish upstart Richie Gray who stood out in the Six Nations tournament after delivering some committed performances for his country.
The 22-year-old with the unmistakeable shock of blonde hair is a towering presence in the line-outs but what is perhaps most impressive about his game is his work-rate around the park.
His high fitness levels means that he is able to get around the field well and throw himself at the opposition with gusto. If Scotland can build theior pack around this bolter in the next few years then they could be challenging the big guns a lot more consistently.
Which of these two impressed you the most this year? Let us know why by leaving your analysis below!
There is still time to cast your vote for the best:
15: Fullback – (Israel Dagg, Kurtley Beale, Andrea Masi)
14: Right wing – (James O’Connor, Chris Ashton, Rod Davies)
13: Outside centre – (Brian O’Driscoll, Jaque Fourie, Conrad Smith)
12: Inside centre – (Sonny Bill Williams, Ma’a Nonu, Jamie Roberts, Jonathan Davies)
11: Left wing – (Digby Ioane, Shane Williams)
10: Flyhalf – (Dan Carter, Quade Cooper, Rhys Priestland, Toby Flood)
9: Scrumhalf – (Will Genia, Mike Phillips, Morgan Parra)
8: Eighthman – (Kieran Read, Sergio Parisse, Imanol Harinordoquy, Radike Samo)
7: Flank – (Sam Warburton, David Pocock, Beau Robinson, Richie McCaw)
6: Flank – (Sean O’Brien, Scott Higginbotham, Heinrich Brüssow, Jerome Kaino)
5: Lock – (James Horwill, Ali Williams, Victor Matfield, Tom Palmer)
