New Zealand
Dan Carter named greatest fly-half in history
November 14, 2013
Dan Carter relaxes in Hyde Park ahead of his 100th Test match, against England at Twickenham © Getty Images
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Dan Carter has emerged top of the pops in a report to name the greatest fly-half in rugby, with The Times writing that he "is a one-man phenomenon in a team of them.

"Richie McCaw is the gnarled face of the All Blacks, all scar tissue and mountain man threat, but Carter is a sweat-free Action Man," The Times wrote. "His creative skills saw him go past 1400 international points in September, and he is good enough to demand three-year three-million pound contracts. The boss of Jockey International says he is their best model because he 'is a natural in underwear'."

Carter, who will win his 100th Test cap when New Zealand play England at Twickenham on Saturday, headed off Wales and British & Irish Lions ace Barry John. Another Welshman, Jonathan Davies, who converted to rugby league after frustrations with Welsh rugby, was third, drawing the comment: "In an age when league felt everyone from union was an upper-class twit more suited to cake-making, Davies got a Man of Steel award.

Rugby World Cup 1991-winning Wallabies hero Michael Lynagh was rated the fourth best, heading off compatriots Stephen Larkham, who was ranked seventh, and Mark Ella, who was eighth.

England's Jonny Wilkinson took fifth place while another Welshman, Phil Bennett, was sixth. The great Argentine Hugo Porta was regarded the ninth best, with Ireland's Ollie Campbell rounding out the top 10.

The Times reporter Rick Broadbent did write that his list was designed to provoke thought, outrage and occasional high tackles.


How do you rate the top 10 five-eighths? Leave a comment below to join the conversation.

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