Top 10 Centres in World Rugby

The next article in our best players series looks at centres. Some of the key skills considered when making this list include: ability to make hard yards, strength in the tackle, offloading capabilities, speed of thought and foot, and defensive abilities. There area so many good centres that have missed out as per other positions, but this area in particular was very hard to get down to 10.

10. Jonathan Joseph

England

Joseph burst on the international scene in the last 6 Nations, scoring some outstanding tries. His footwork is outstanding, and he is very nimble and very quick. England may have come across a major talent through Manu Tuilagi's injury and disciplinary issues, and it will be interesting to see what they do with Joseph once Tuilagi is available. If he keeps progressing, Joseph could be a major star in the World Cup and beyond. The 24 year old has won 11 caps and scored 4 tries to date.

9.Manu Tuilagi

England

As mentioned above, Tuilagi has had his off field issues, but when in the mood, he is an outstanding player. He has good pace and is a real powerhouse with ball in hand. He can become blinkered at times and not provide support outside in better positions, so needs to work on this. Brian O'Driscoll raved about his ability when they were both away with the British and Irish Lions and BOD knows a thing or two about centre play! Tuilagi is a very good player, just ask New Zealand. The 24 year old has won 25 caps for England with 11 tries to date.

8. Jamie Roberts

Wales

Defensively the Welshman is arguably the best in the world - an absolute rock. He is an immense ball carrier and makes the hard yards. At times he can just becomes a crash ball player, and we have seen especially in the 2009 Lions tour, that he can off load and has good hands, we just wished he showed this more. The 2 time Lions tourist, is still only 28 years of age, he has won 69 caps for Wales, scoreing 9 tries to date.

7. Jean De Villiers

South Africa

The South African captain is working his way back after a serious knee injury. He is a lovely runner, and when in full flight almost glides. He has good hands and defensively is very sound. He is also a well respected leader of his country, and the 34 year old has won 106 caps, the most capped centre in his countries history, and has 27 tries.

6. Conrad Smith

New Zealand

This is a player who seems to have been around forever, and what a player. A defensive rock and a very talented runner, with good hands and who scores his fair share of tries. The World Cup winner is off to Pau in France after the world cup and he will no doubt be hoping he can retain the World Cup. The 33 year old has won 85 caps for New Zealand and scored 25 tries to date.

5. Jonathan Davies

Wales

Such a shame for both himself and Wales that he will miss the World Cup due to injury. An outstanding player, who is quick, and scores his fair share of tries. He is very strong in defence and has a kicking game which is underrated. Needs to work on his passing, but an excellent centre. Dealt with all the fall out of the third test in Australia when he was selected instead of Brian O'Driscoll, very professionally and put in an excellent performance. He is also a very consistent player. The 27 year old has won 48 caps and 10 tries to date.

4. Sonny Bill Williams

New Zealand

Similarly to Israel Folau, he is a freak of a rugby player. His offloading skills are second to none, he has a sublime pair of hands, takes the contact and still offloads. Can make hard yards and defensively is sound. Huge decision for Steve Hanson to choose his centre partnership with the players he has at his disposal. The 29 year old has won 12 caps to date and scored 5 tries. 

3. Tevita Kuridrani

Australia

The Fijian born Australian international runs as hard as anyone into contact and at six foot five and over sixteen stone, good luck to anyone trying to stop him. Has good speed, and defensively is strong, needs some work on his passing but otherwise is a major running threat. 20 caps and 4 tries to date for the 24 year old.

2. Ma'a Nonu

New Zealand

The New Zealand international has improved his game so much in the last 2 years. He was initially just a hard hitting ball carrier and hard hitting defender, which he can still do, however now he has a kicking game and an offloading game, which is full credit to him. Still scores his fair share of tries and is a good runner with good pace. 95 caps for New Zealand with 27 tries to date.

1. Wesley Fofana

France

A rolls royce of a centre, and as a runner there not many better sights in world rugby. He glides over the ground and can score tries for fun. He is deceptively strong in contact and has a very good offloading game. Over the last season or so he has suffered in a stagnant French backline internationally, however have no doubt if they can sort out the 9 and 10 axis then Fofana will fly yet again - he is too good not to. The 27 year old has won 33 caps with 11 tries to date.

I hope you have enjoyed this article and the series to date, if you have any comments then please let us know. You can follow us on Twitter @therugbymag

Filed under: Features
Written by: Craig Muncey
Follow: @CraigMuncey · @therugbymag