RugbyRebels

The fourth shortlisted member illustrates just how much consistency we have had at 13 over the years. NZ has played 252 pro tests. Between them, Smith, Umaga and Bunce started as centre in about 160 of them.

This is a hard one. The three men in real contention (sorry, Malakai, but 13 starts is not enough) were very different players. I think for breadth of skill, and pure specialism, I have to go for Smith. Bunce had centreness thrust upon him when there was no one else to pick, Tana achieved centreness when he moved in from the wing and was recognised as leadership material, but Smith was just born to play centre.

SBW or Sonneebee(as the French pundits would say)

Adder wrote:SBW or Sonneebee(as the French pundits would say)

No. He's only started 1 test at centre. That's why he's shortlisted as a second five-eighth.

Cullen?

Bunce was a rockstar, but Smith was the backline rock.

jared_7 wrote:Cullen?

Ooh, you bitch.

Hard to go past the Nonu/Smith midfield combo. Outstanding.

cashead wrote: Serious question? Shouldn't Ieremia qualify as at least a topic of discussion as a vital bridge between Bunce and Umaga?

Fair question. I had to make a call as to whether Ieremia was a 12 or 13. He started 11 tests for the All Blacks in each position. The tie breaker was 3 starts at 12 in 5 tests for Samoa. He is still eligible as a specified "other."