Top 10 Wingers in World Rugby

Players are selected on their all round skill set, as deemed critical for their respective position. Some of the skill sets marked against for wingers are: try scoring ratio, ability under the high ball, positional sense, handling skills, speed, ability to beat a player and footballing skills.

The list looks at players who play on the wing, which involves being part of a larger back three in the modern game, so there might be names that appear on more than one list.

10. Nemani Nadolo

Fiji

Nadolo, who plays for the Crusaders in Super Rugby, is a fantastic winger who can also play centre. Has won 19 caps for Fiji with 15 tries to date. At six foot five and nearly 20 stone, he should not be as fast as he is! A real force, and watch out England and Wales - that is if he plays in the Rugby World Cup, there are currently some worries over his fitness.

9. Cory Jane

New Zealand

Cory Jane is a winger who is equally as comfortable at full back. He has a real battle to make the first team for his country, which just shows the depth that this country has. Jane is an outstanding rugby player, has a great skill set, is good under the high ball, has a good kicking game, is good in defence and can finish. His handing skills in particular are where he scores very highly on. 53 caps for New Zealand with 19 tries to date.

8. Leigh Halfpenny

Wales

Halfpenny started his professional and international career as a winger, and the Welshman is very quick and as brave as they come. We all know about his kicking game, but he is also a very intelligent rugby player. I still think his best position for Wales is as a winger, which I have had many a debate with friends about. 60 caps for Wales with 12 tries to date.

7. Ben Smith

New Zealand

A consummate footballer, has all the necessary skills. He is a very good winger and equally good if not better, full back. 39 caps for New Zealand and 17 tries.

6. Willie Le Roux

South Africa

Le Roux has a very similar skill set to Ben Smith, though potentially a better kicking game, and is more of a risk taker than Smith. He is a fantastic rugby player, who has played more at full back for the Springboks recently. 27 caps and 8 tries to date.

5. George North

Wales

A player who can be a huge rugby star, is a giant of a man, has great speed and good hands. North has played in the centre too, where with ball in hand he becomes a real handful. Needs to work on his defence, but at 23 years of age, is still a young player. Has already won 49 caps for Wales and 22 tries to date.

4. Waisake Naholo

New Zealand

It's such a shame this player is going to miss the World Cup. He has been a major star for the Highlanders in their successful Super Rugby campaign this season. The Fijian born player, made his debut for New Zealand this month against Argentina where he suffered the injury that keeps him out of the World Cup. Big, fast and physical, he is a winger who is great at counter attacking when given room.

3. Bryan Habana

South Africa

Habana has been one of the top wingers in the world for many years, playing at the top level internationally and for his club, Toulon. He is a jet heeled winger, who is also a very good footballer, and very good in defence as well. 110 caps for South Africa with 57 tries to date is not a bad record!

2. Israel Folau

Australia

Folau is playing a lot now for his country Australia at full back, but initially started his international career as a winger, though he still turns out there on occasions. He is an incredible athlete, great under the high ball and can score tries from nothing. A real rugby talent. 29 caps for Australia with 17 tries to date.

1. Julian Savea

New Zealand

The New Zealand power house is a wrecking ball when he gets the ball in hand, but has surprising passing skills for a man of his size and position. 33 caps for New Zealand with 30 tries to date.

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