Top 10 Fly-Halves in World Rugby

Our next article in our Top 10 series looks at the playmakers of the game, the Fly-Halves.

Some of the key skills considered for this position are kicking ability, game management and attacking vision. There is a wealth of ability across the world at fly-half and we’ve been hard pressed to nail down a list we agree on, but those included encompassed a greater part of the above skill set.

10. François Trinh-Duc

France

Mousier Trinh-Duc continues to show at club level his consistent class, and as a result of the shaky French selection policy has missed out at international level. He is certainly the best choice fly-half for France, and having recovered from a broken leg, you wouldn’t bet against him getting into the starting line up and getting the French team going. At the time of writing he has 49 caps for France, with 73 points scored.

9. Morné Steyn

South Arica

Perhaps not the best on the front foot but his kicking ability and defence ranks up there with the best for this position, and testament to this is his performance in the Top14 Final for Stade Francais. He currently has 59 caps for South Africa, and has scored 688 points.

8. Handré Pollard

South Africa

14 cap Pollard is on the up and has the potential to lead South Africa for years to come. His all round ability and game management make him a fantastic player, and having come to the fore during last years Rugby Championship, it’s hard to see him not cementing his place in the green number 10.

7. Bernard Foley

Australia

Bernard Foley certainly has a lot of critics, but he has shown he has the mental attributes to play at the highest level, not least slotting the winning kick for the Waratahs in the Super Rugby Final. 21 caps, and 187 points to date.

6. Pat Lambie

South Africa

Lambie is a versatile player, which given the rise of Pollard will ensure he can still pull on a Springbok jersey - and given that he is still only 24 years of age and has amassed 45 test caps, he isn’t someone used to sitting on the touch line.

5. George Ford

England

There has been a lot of thought and time put into who will be the heir to Wilkinson’s throne, not least by ourselves. Despite Mr. Lancaster persisting with Owen Farrell, George Ford is certainly the flame that can ignite England into a new decade of dominance. His performances for Bath and then England in this years Six Nations make him without a doubt, the one to watch for the future.

4. Dan Carter

New Zealand

And so from the one to watch, to the one who has mesmerised us for such a long time: Dan Carter has played 107 times for the All Blacks at the time of writing, having scored 1,532 points. Should he be top of the list? Perhaps, but his performances over the last year have not been up there alongside those above him. His game management throughout his career has been tremendous, and has been one of the key factors in New Zealand’s dominance over the last decade.

3. Dan Biggar

Wales

An astute kicker and a strong defender, Dan Biggar continues to improve, though surprisingly was the only Welsh player of the winning 2013 Six Nations team who didn’t make the journey to Australia with the Lions. Sitting on 35 caps to date, that number is more than likely to rise given he is only 25 years old.

2. Beauden Barrett

New Zealand

Without a doubt the heir to the Carter throne, and it will come as no surprise if he manages to force his way ahead of the legend. Another great all round player and game manager, and in who the future of the All Blacks looks quite safe. 31 caps to date.

1. Johnny Sexton

Ireland

Sexton is proving to be the best fly-half in the world right now. His all round skill and game management is second to none. Perhaps a touch inconsistent in France, but he is certainly the pivotal player in Joe Schmidt’s Ireland team. Returning to Leinster, where he won three Heineken Cups in four years, will only help him improve, and he will be the undoubted choice for 10 when the Lions visit New Zealand in 2017. Before then though, he has to perform at the World Cup, and he can certainly be the spark that will help get Ireland over the finish line. 54 caps to date.

A small anecdote to Jonny Sexton from one of the team: having visited a pub in Ireland where it turns out Jonny Sexton used to work, the owner said that Jonny is good, but you should look out for his brother Jerry, who can be even better!

Filed under: Features
Written by: Edward Kerr
Follow: @edwardrkerr · @therugbymag