Despite a decade in which we probably didn’t win as many trophies as we would have liked, and have probably had our longest period of disappointment since, ummmm, the
70s, we’ve had some great players feature for the Wallabies in the noughties. The likes of John Eales, Jason Little, Dan Herbert, Matthew Burke, Richard Harry, David Wilson and Tim Horan will go down as legends of our game. However, who can lay claim to being the Wallaby of the Decade?
For mine, Eales and Horan are the best players to have played featured in the green and gold since 2000 until now. However I wouldn’t consider either for this acclaim, due solely to their lack of games. Horan unfortunately featured in less than one game, whereas Eales played for a season and a half. So in discussing the Player of the Decade there are a number of areas that need to be considered. Durability/longevity, international acclaim, consistency of performance, importance to the Wallabies and probably much much more. So let’s get to it, we here at G&GR have come up with a short list of five players we think are the stand outs, and the rest is up to you.
George Gregan
2000-2009 Stats
First game: v ARG (Brisbane on 17/6/00) won 53-6
Last game: v ENG (Marseille on 6/10/07) lost 12-10 (RWC QF)
Number of Tests: 85
Number of Points: 44 (7 tries, 3 drop goals)
Tests as captain: 59
Steve Larkham
2000-2009 Stats
First game: v ARG (Brisbane on 17/6/00) won 53-6
Last game: v JAP (Marseille on 8/9/07) won 91-3 (RWC pool game)
Number of Tests: 71
Number of Points: 63 (12 tries, 1 drop goal)
Tests as captain: 0
Chris Latham
2000-2009 Stats
First game: v ARG (Brisbane on 17/6/00) won 53-6
Last game: v ENG (Marseille on 6/10/07) lost 12-10 (RWC QF)
Number of Tests: 72
Number of Points: 190 (38 tries)
Tests as captain: 0
Stirling Mortlock
2000-2009 Stats
First game: v ARG (Brisbane on 17/6/00) won 53-6
Last game: v SAF (Cape Town on 8/9/09) lost 29-17
Number of Tests: 80
Number of Points: 514 (30 tries, 71 conversions, 74 penalties)
Tests as captain: 29
George Smith
2000-2009 Stats
First game: v FRA (Paris on 4/11/00) won 18-13 (Test Debut)
Last game: v WAL (Cardiff on 28/11/09) won 33-12
Number of Tests: 110
Number of Points: 45 (9 tries)
Tests as captain: 7
*****
There are our Famous Five, and now it is over to you. Who is the best player of the decade? Vote below and then justify your answer by way of a comment. Should be fascinating stuff!
[poll id=”59″]
