Who should wing it out on the left?
The search continues and now we’re after the best left wing from 2011 in the rugby365.com readers’ Team of the Year series, so make your vote count to see who fills the No.11 jersey vacancy.
Out wide on the left is always a coveted position and only a great finisher can fill the void and join the rest of the star-studded backline. Don’t forget to click on the links at the bottom of the page to vote for the best fullback, right wing and centres.
By the time we get down to the loosehead props we will be able to unveil the official rugby365.com readers’ Team of 2011 which we will compare with our own selections, so make sure you get involved.
It is a two horse race out on the left wing, where only this pair of flyers have made a real impact in the No.11 jersey this year.
Wallaby ace Digby Ioane has set the world alight with his blistering pace and has been a match-winner for both Australia and the Reds this year.
The 26-year-old held the No.11 jersey in the rugby365.com Super Rugby, Tri-Nations and World Cup teams, despite having limited opportunities during the showpiece event in New Zealand thanks to a fractured thumb.
Ioane is a special player and the Australian backline depends heavily on his ability to cut into the midfield and burst through tackles, while he also covers Quade Cooper’s channel on defence and has been known to make some big hits.
Finally there are the dance moves that have won him fans the world over to put the cherry on the top for a classy player.
The other contender is the Welsh wizard Shane Williams, who found his way into our Six Nations XV, and for so long has carried the torch for Wales.
Williams has just called it a day on his international career, but few would have bet against him with ball in hand this year.
He is a prime example that rugby is people of all shapes and sizes, and speedy Welshman has made a fool of many opponents who were physically superior.
Williams’ speed and guile are unmatched and he is a catalyst for the incredible with his dancing feet able to waltz past even the tightest defence.
So who will be given your vote?
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)
