4. Conrad Smith (New Zealand)
“The Snake” for a purpose. Smith’s hip motion and misleading tempo allowed him to slide via tiny gaps, leaving defenders greedy at air.
Beyond his agility, he introduced distinctive imaginative and prescient and passing expertise, making the All Blacks midfield fluid and harmful. Calm below strain, clever on assault, and surprisingly unassuming off the pitch—Smith was rugby’s quiet magician.
Brian O’Driscoll SAID: “I thought Conrad Smith was always one of the really difficult ones. He was nicknamed ‘Snake’ I think because of his hips and it doesn’t look like he’s going that fast but jeez, he can travel.”
3. Richard Hill (England)
The unsung hero of England’s again row. Hill did all the arduous graft—tackling, rucking, and overlaying each inch of the subject—with quiet effectivity.
A World Cup winner in 2003 and two-time Lions vacationer, his versatility and work ethic made him indispensable. A human wall of reliability, Hill by no means sought the highlight however commanded respect from anybody who confronted him.
Brian O’Driscoll SAID: (*3*)
CONTINUES ON PAGE THREE
(*2*)
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