The best 3 players in the world by position: The World Class 45 - #12 Inside Centre

1. Loose-Head Prop https://www.606v2.com/t70475-the-best-3-players-in-the-world-by-position-the-world-class-45-1-loose-head-prop
2. Hooker https://www.606v2.com/t70476-the-best-3-players-in-the-world-by-position-the-world-class-45-2-hooker
3. Tight-Head https://www.606v2.com/t70477-the-best-3-players-in-the-world-by-position-the-world-class-45-3-tight-head-prop
4/5. Locks https://www.606v2.com/t70478-the-best-3-players-in-the-world-by-position-the-world-class-45-4-5-locks
6. Blindside https://www.606v2.com/t70481-the-best-3-players-in-the-world-by-position-the-world-class-45-6-blindside-flanker
7. Openside https://www.606v2.com/t70484-the-best-3-players-in-the-world-by-position-the-world-class-45-7-openside-flanker
8. Number 8 https://www.606v2.com/t70485-the-best-3-players-in-the-world-by-position-the-world-class-45-8-number-8

9. Scrum Half https://www.606v2.com/t70488-the-best-3-players-in-the-world-by-position-the-world-class-45-9-scrum-half
10. Fly Half https://www.606v2.com/t70490-the-best-3-players-in-the-world-by-position-the-world-class-45-10-fly-half
11. Winger https://www.606v2.com/t70492-the-best-3-players-in-the-world-by-position-the-world-class-45-11-winger

I seem to recall a good poster called Pete defining his best players in the world in each position at the end of every year and I thought I'd try and bring it back somewhat.

So, a little caveat....I've not watched as much rugby as I would have liked this year so I may be a bit off in some of my suggestions....I'm sure we can have a nice sensible discussion though, as we always do! I also may have a slight English bias, go easy on me Welshies.

The criteria:

I'm selecting world class players......when I say world class, you have to be in the top 3 in your position. I'll possibly look to do 5 for locks/wingers due to different styles and sides.

#12 Inside Centre

The inside centre or second five-eighths if you're a bit odd. Usually a failed 10 or a flanker who can pass a bit. If the ball gets passed this point, that means you have a serious team and you may even partake in the odd training session.

Anyway, back to the big boys. The 12 used to generally fit into two categories.....the distributing/silky 12 (I'm thinking Greenwood, Horan, Barnes) or the bruiser (Nonu, Umanga, Roberts), but like many positions, the bruiser has had to up his technical game (Nonu had a very nice pass on him in his latter career....Roberts not so much). For me, I just like some sort of balance in midfield with a physical option and somebody with a bit of vision/gas, either round round works.


Damian de Allende

A bruising number 12 if there ever was one, De Allende is as strong as they come. He fronts up from the off and is equally happy mixing it with the forwards as he is the backs (sure he manhandled Sinckler on the Lions tour) although I do feel SA could get a bit more from him as in his early career he used to have a really nice stepping/running game. Arguably the best defensive 12 in the game right now...like Brad Barritt with a step.

Robbie Henshaw

At 28, it feels like Henshaw has been around forever. He's a good size unit at around 100kg but has plenty of gas from his back 3 days still showing now and again. An excellent defender, when he gets to cut loose, there's not many other 12's that can live with him I don't think. I thought he had a strong Lions tour despite not getting much space and it just further cemented him as one of the best centres in the World rugby right now (Also a very good 13 of course). Damn shame he isn't English.

Samu Kerevi

Apparently Kerevi's hero is Ma'a Nonu, you can certainly see this in his game. A bulldozer of a centre, think a fit Manu Tuilagi and you get Samu Kerevi. He makes yards and can torture the best defenders with his direct running, speed and offloading game. It was a shame we didn't get to see him in the AI with Kerevi opting to do pre-season in Japan rather than tour with Australia.

Notable mentions...... Anton Lienert-Brown, Owen Farrell, Jonathon Danty,

Think that is a fair reflection of a top 3. Kerevi is the best player in my mind with De Allande a close second and a step down to Henshaw.

The player I would put closest to that list is Gael Fickou. Not regularly given the respect for what he can do at 12 as he keeps getting played out of position. 12 is his best position and he is excellent at it. Farrell and Lienart-Brown are fine to include in a top 6. Would drop Danty down into the category below those.

I would also consider Argentina's De La Fuente as an outside bet though he may be in the S Johnson category of solid but unspectacular.

The lack of up-and-comers for this is a bit disappointing. Redpath maybe if he can stay fit? Lawrence if he kicks on and chooses 12? Ntamack to accommodate the myriad of talented 10's France has?

(The Samoan semi permanently injured guy? Or does he only qualify for a mention at 13?)

I think Henshaw is class, but DeAllende has been in such a rich vein of form recently. He's likely to be one of the first names of SA's teamsheet and has a superb defence as well as being a proper battering ram with good hands in attack. Also seems to be indestructable at the moment.

Kerevi's been missing recently, so great player that he is, it's difficult to include him based on current form. I would have any of them in my imaginary world XV, but based on what they're like at the moment and with a gun to my head, DeAllende it is.

From this lot Kerevi. Farrell for me though really.

On Autumn International form, I’d say Henry Slade deserves a nod. The questions are whether he’ll be allowed to reprise the role in the 6N, and whether he can maintain that form longer term.