Using our GAGR Allstars budget sheet, you the cognoscenti of Australian rugby chose your most balanced Wallaby backline from the past 30 years. The votes have been counted up and here are the Wallaby back line All Stars as voted by you.
The backline boasts a combined 593 test caps including 3 centurions and features a mixture of players from different eras. It was also damned close to hitting the salary cap, coming in at $23!
9. George Gregan
Votes: 57
Cost: $4 – quality costs, as does running a huge chain of coffee stores
Test Caps: 139
Played: 1994 – 2007
George Gregan is the most capped Australian rugby player of all time with 139 tests caps. This stood as the all time record until Brian O’Driscoll overtook him earlier this year. Gregan is well known for his match winning tackle on Jeff Wilson in the 1994 Bledisloe Cup. He was also a part of the 1999 World Cup winning Australian side and captained the Wallabies 59 times.
10. Stephen Larkham
Votes: 73
Cost: $4 – quality costs, as does elastoplast
Test Caps: 102
Played: 1996 – 2007
Stephen ‘Bernie’ Larkham played 102 test matches for Australia between the years 1996-2007. During this time he formed a strong partnership with George Gregan at the Brumbies and the Wallabies. Larkham was a part of the 1999 World Cup winning Wallabies. As a player, Larkham was known for his stability and his strong all round game. He is known for his drop goal against South Africa in the Semi Final of the 1999 World Cup to win the match and secure a position in the final. He is currently the head coach of the Brumbies.
11. Drew Mitchell
Votes: 66
Cost: $1 – clearly you saw the Drewster’s value as a steal at just a buck – so did Toulon
Test Caps: 63
Played: 2005 – 2012
Drew Mitchell was named rookie of the year in his first Super Rugby season with the Queensland Reds in 2005. During his Super Rugby career he also played for the Western Force and the New South Wales Waratahs. In 2013 he joined fellow Australian, Matt Giteau, in Toulon. He has enjoyed recent success winning the European Cup and the Heineken Cup. Drew Mitchell possesses the ability to break tackles with ease and score plenty of tries. He scored 30 tries in the duration of his Wallaby career.
12. Tim Horan
Votes: 60
Cost: $5 – a helmet worth the full whack
Test Caps: 80
Played: 1989-2000
Tim Horan just beat Matt Giteau as Australia’s best ever inside centre. During his time as a player Horan was also known as ‘The Magician’ due to his ability to pull off miraculous plays. During his career he cemented a strong partnership with Jason Little in the midfield and he won two World Cups with Australia in 1991 and 1999. In the 1999 World Cup he was named player of the tournament due to his scintillating form. He captained his country once in 1996 and finished his 11 year career with 30 tries.
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
Votes: 46
Cost:$2 – bargain basement for the Earl
Test Caps: 92
Played: 2005 – present
Outside centre was the closest contested position. Daniel Herbert, Stirling Mortlock and Jason Little were all in the race but Adam Ashley-Cooper came out on top. Ashley-Cooper made his test debut in 2005 and is known for his versatility playing anywhere from 12-15. He is also known for his consistency. He has only ever missed a hand full of test matches in his career. This is largely due to his ability to stay injury free and to consistently perform at a high standard.
14. David Campese
Votes: 46
Cost: $5 – he may have cost a Lions series, but he’s still worth top dollar
Test Caps: 101
Played: 1982-1996
‘Campo’ just edged out Digby Ioane to take the right wing spot. Campese was known for his risk taking and audacious behaviour. When successful he produced brilliant plays but when he was unsuccessful it often landed his team in trouble. Despite this, he was a try scoring machine, scoring 64 tries in his career – the second most of all time. He is known for throwing a “miracle pass” to set up Tim Horan for a try against the All Blacks in the 1991 World Cup.
15. Israel Folau
Votes: 84
Cost: $2 – can you adam and eve it? A total steal
Test Caps: 16
Played: 2013 – present
Israel Folau convincingly beat Chris Latham and Matt Burke to take the top fullback spot. Folau began his sporting career in 2007 with the Melbourne Storm at just 17 years old. After the 2008 NRL season, Folau joined the Brisbane Broncos for the 2009 and 2010 season. He then joined AFL with Greater Western Sydney. After two seasons in AFL, Folau then joined the Waratahs in 2013. After an impressive start to the Super Rugby season he was selected to start on the wing against the British and Irish Lions in which he scored two tries. Since then he has played 16 games for the Wallabies and has scored 11 tries. Folau continues to impress with his giant step, his tackle breaking ability and his pace. He continues to break records and consistently tops player statistics.
