Who was your midfield maestro?
The quest to identify the cream of the crop in 2011 continues as we turn our attention to the No.13 jersey. Cast your vote for the best outside centre around in the rugby365.com readers’ Team of the Year now!
We continue to make our way down the backline as we give you the reader a chance to state your case for the best player in each position in international rugby this year.
Make sure to log on every day to make your selection for each position and ensure that the readers’ team can compete with the mighty rugby365.com Team of the Year when the time comes to compare the two!
The candidates for the best outside centre of 2011 are Springbok ace Jaque Fourie who was our top No.13 in the Tri-Nations and Super Rugby competitions, the All Blacks’ Conrad Smith who shone in his side’s World Cup-winning campaign, and Irish legend Brian O’Driscoll who led from the front once more in the Six Nations.
Fourie’s consistency is underlined by the fact that he made the cut in both the Super Rugby and Tri-Nations teams this year which shows just how reliable he is at the highest level.
The Springbok backline general who has just signed a multimillion dollar contract with Japanese outfit Kobe Steelers is one of the best defensive organisers around and also has the ability to make the opposition pay when he is afforded enough space to stretch his legs.
Hurricanes captain Smith is the unsung hero of the slick All Blacks back division. His incisive running and ability to create opportunities for those around him make him an vital cog in any team he represents.
Smith showed that he can step up on the big stage when he delivered a series of composed performances in his team’s victorious World Cup campaign on home soil which confirmed his undoubted class.
Irish skipper O’Driscoll may be nearing the end of his glittering career but he is showing few signs of slowing down at this late stage. He put many of his younger rivals to shame with the consistently high standards of his performances in the emerald green jersey this year as well as playing a starring role in Leinster’s charge to Heineken Cup glory.
The 32-year-old O’Driscoll set the try-scoring record in the Six Nations when he notched his 25th try in the tournament, breaking a 78 year record set by Scotland’s Ian Smith.
Which of these three was your stand-out outside centre of 2011? Have your say below by voting for your man and 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)
