4. Conrad Smith (New Zealand)
“The Snake” for a reason. Smith’s hip movement and deceptive pace allowed him to slip through tiny gaps, leaving defenders grasping at air.
Beyond his agility, he brought exceptional vision and passing skills, making the All Blacks midfield fluid and dangerous. Calm under pressure, intelligent on attack, and surprisingly unassuming off the pitch—Smith was rugby’s quiet magician.
Brian O’Driscoll SAID: “I thought Conrad Smith was always one of the really difficult ones. He was nicknamed ‘Snake’ I think because of his hips and it doesn’t look like he’s going that fast but jeez, he can travel.”
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3. Richard Hill (England)
The unsung hero of England’s back row. Hill did all the hard graft—tackling, rucking, and covering every inch of the field—with quiet efficiency.
A World Cup winner in 2003 and two-time Lions tourist, his versatility and work ethic made him indispensable. A human wall of reliability, Hill never sought the spotlight but commanded respect from anyone who faced him.
Brian O’Driscoll SAID: “Richard Hill, England No.6 that won the World Cup in 2003. He was a brilliant teammate but he made that team tick, he was the unsung hero in that world cup win. He was hard! I always liked playing with guys that were nails in the team, that really stood up and never took a backwards step.”
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CONTINUES ON PAGE THREE
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