The votes have been counted up. Here is the GAGR Allstars forward pack in the last 30 years as voted by you. It does come in $1 over, but hey – it’s an average.
1. Richard Harry
Votes: 22
Test Caps: 37
Played: 1996 – 2000
Price: $2 – great value for this golden era prop
Richard Harry was an integral member of the Wallabies during their ‘golden era’ of success surrounding the 1999 Rugby World Cup win. The former backrower brought a strong running game to the Wallabies that was an important cog in their dominant run up to and after their World Cup win. Harry retired on a high, alongside other Wallaby greats David Wilson and Jason Little, in 2000 having won both the Bledisloe Cup and the Tri-Nations Trophy.
2. Stephen Moore
Votes: 33
Test Caps: 92
Played: 2005 – present
Price: $3 – a good price for squeaky the warhorse
Stephen Moore made his debut for the Wallabies in 2005 alongside Rocky Elsom but shared the hooking duties that year with Jeremy Paul and Brendan Cannon. Like a good wine, Moore has matured with age to the point that over recent years he has solidified his position as Australia’s best hooker.
In 2014, the no-nonsense Moore was named captain of the Wallabies; however, only minutes into his reign, he sustained a knee injury ruling him out for the rest of the season.
3. Andrew Blades
Votes: 29
Test Caps: 32
Played: 1996 – 1999
Price: $3 – Blades and Harry reunited
Andrew Blades was the critical rock than anchored a strong Wallaby pack for the successful World Champion Wallabies of 1999. Like his front row partner, Harry, Blades debuted in the 1996 season and finished up in the best possible way, by lifting the Web Ellis Trophy after defeating France in the 1999 World Cup Final. He is now the current set piece coach of the Wallabies.
4. Dan Vickerman
Votes: 33
Test Caps: 63
Played: 2002 – 2011
Price: $3 – not only do you get a world class lock but an Cambridge Blue as well
Known for his abrasive ruck work and his lineout jumping, South African born Vickerman was the forward general providing much needed starch to a struggling Wallaby pack. After earning his 50th test cap at the 2007 World Cup, Vickerman took a hiatus from the Wallabies to study at the university of Cambridge. He then returned to the Waratahs in 2011 and once again earned selection for the Wallabies. He retired from the game after the World Cup due to persistent stress fractures in his tibia.
5. John Eales
Votes: 47
Test Caps: 86
Played: 1991 – 2001
Price: $5 – clearly you saw Nobody as a perfect buy, even at top whack
The freakishly talented Eales is regarded widely as one of Australia’s best ever players and captains. One of a few players to have won the Rugby World Cup twice, Eales also won the Tri-nations, Bledisloe Cup and enjoyed a series win over the British and Irish Lions in 2001. The John Eales Medal is awarded to the best Australian player of each year and is considered one of the highest honours in Australian rugby.
6. Owen Finegan
Votes: 26
Test Caps: 55
Played: 1996 – 2003
Price: At $3 this was a good value Melon
The huge blinside flanker was reknowned for his aggressive approach to the game, whilst being also deft of hand. Started in only 35 of his 55 tests but proved a go to player for the Wallabies in key moments. Put aside the penalty he gave away in the RWC Semi Final v South Africa that brought them level and took the game to extra-time, he scored the match sealing try in the Final. A starring role, as starting blindside flanker, against the Lions in 2001 was probably a career high.
7. David Pocock
Votes: 40
Test Caps: 46
Played: 2008 – present
Price: $1 – are you kidding?
David Pocock has suffered from major injuries in recent years but before that he was considered one of the world’s best open side flankers often rivalling with Richie McCaw. In 2010, he won the John Eales medal and he was nominated for IRB player of the year in 2010 and 2011. He captained Australia for the first time in 2012.
8. Toutai Kefu
Votes: 30
Test Caps: 60
Played: 1997 – 2003
Price: $5 – the other member of the pack you’d pay the max for
Toutai had the misfortune of making his Wallaby debut, off the bench, in one of Australia’s most infamous loses, the 60 point hiding at the hand of South Africa in 1997 that saw the demise of coach Greg Smith for the soon to be legendary, Rod McQueen. Kefu cemented his spot in the Aussie team the following year and was another who played an unmistakably vital role in the Wallaby defining moments of the era – the 99 RWC, the 2001 Lions tour and a number of Bledisloe wins. He will forever be remembered as the man to send Eales out in style scoring a last minute try against the kiwis in Sydney in 2001.
The Results
