With the end of the decade only a few weeks away, the RUGBY.com.au team has picked its best XV from each of the Australian Super Rugby sides.
The selections were based on a combination of different factors, ranging from success in the team, statistical achievements, club leadership and overall on-field impact. If they weren't long-serving stars, the selected players made up for it with huge impact and influence in their short stint at the franchise.
Yesterday we saw the Force. The last team left is the NSW Waratahs.
Short in stature but huge in heart, Robinson was a much-loved stalwart for the Waratahs at loosehead in an 11-year career that saw him accumulate 151 Super Rugby caps – the Waratahs’ record. He played 72 times for the Wallabies as well. Career cruelly cut short, too, by a freak eye injury in 2016.
2.Tatafu Polota-Nau (06-16)
Powerful hooker from Sydney’s west who ensured NSW’s scrum was a force throughout his 140 Waratahs’ games. TPN was a kamikaze on the field and inspired fear among rivals given his disregard for his personal safety. A pillar for the Wallabies in 90 games also.
3. Sekope Kepu (08-19)
Hailed from New Zealand but few have had more sky blue run through their veins than 140-game veteran Kepu. A rock at scrum time and capable of running 50 metres to score tries as well. One of only 11 Wallabies centurions, too, with 106 Test caps.
4. Dave Dennis (07-16)
The beating heart of the Waratahs for much of his 10-season career, Dennis was a hard-working lock and backrower in 107 games for NSW. Skippered the Tahs for his last few years, and though cruelly denied the chance to play in the 2014 Grand Final after suffering a knee injury, was rightly on stage holding aloft the trophy. Played 18 Tests as well.
5. Will Skelton (13-17)
In a photo finish with Dean Mumm and Kane Douglas, Skelton gets the other spot in the second row based on his incredible and unique impact for the Waratahs across 64 games. A giant man who possessed excellent skills and athleticism, Skelton was a an almost unstoppable wrecking ball when in top form. Played 18 Tests for the Wallabies.
6. Jacques Potgieter (14-15)
Only spent two seasons at the Waratahs but what an influence the former Springbok provided. Potgieter’s abrasive and fearless style lifted the Waratahs pack from good to great in 2014, setting a physical tone that is often under-appreciated in the telling of NSW’s maiden title win.
7. Michael Hooper (13-present)
The Brumbies have picked up many discarded gems from NSW over the years but the Tahs arguably got the best deal of them all when Hooper returned to Sydney from Canberra. The tireless no.7 has since gone on to win the Matt Burke medal for players’ player six times in seven seasons, and captained the team for most of them, too. An inspirational leader for his team in 107 NSW games, and the Australian captain is also one Test short of becoming a Wallabies centurion.
8. Wycliff Palu (05-16)
A damaging ball-runner and staunch defender in 134 games for the Waratahs, Palu was the hitman for NSW in career that saw plenty of finals action. Also played 58 Tests for the Wallabies.
9. Nick Phipps (14-19)
Began career in Melbourne before joining NSW in the title-winning season. An endlessly energetic, highly competitive no.9 whose fitness always saw him in the thick of the action in 87 games for the Waratahs, and 70 Tests for the Wallabies. Honourable mentions to Luke Burgess and Brendan McKibbin.
10. Bernard Foley (11-19)
The ‘Iceman’ will forever be remembered for kicking the winning penalty goal from miles out in the 2014 Super Rugby final over the Crusaders. A skilful, attacking no.10 who honed his skills in sevens and took on the line in 119 games for the Waratahs, and and 70 Tests for the Wallabies. His 2015 World Cup campaign also a highlight.
11. Drew Mitchell (10-13)
A classy winger who spent years with Queensland and the Force before making himself a key attacking asset in a four-year stint with NSW. Mitchell was a superb finisher and after leaving Australia for France, was recalled for Australia under the new “Giteau Law” for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Played 71 Tests. Lachie Turner, Taqele Naiyaravoro and Peter Betham also up there.
12. Kurtley Beale (07-11, 14-16, 18-present)
Came to the Waratahs as a teenage prodigy and, with occasional absences, has been a sky blue stalwart ever since. Extremely dangerous with the ball in hand, and capable of covering numerous positions. A John Eales medal winner in 2011 and has played 87 Tests for Australia.
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper (12-15, 19)
A highly versatile outside back who moved north from the Brumbies and helped complete the backline puzzle for NSW ahead of their 2014 win. Ever-reliable in attack and defence, Ashley-Cooper played 76 of his 154 Super Rugby games in sky blue and is the third-highest capped Wallaby ever (119 Tests).
14. Rob Horne (08-17)
Horne also began for NSW as a 18-year-old and played out a 10-season career of hard-edged power and commitment, switching between centre and wing. A much-admired team man who played 101 games for the Waratahs and 34 Tests, prior to an awful accident playing in England that forced to retire.
15. Israel Folau (13-19)
Prodigiously talented fullback who played three professional footy codes, and was a go-to try-scoring freak for the Waratahs in his 96 games. Broke the all-time record for most Super Rugby tries (63) in 2019, and played 62 Tests for the Wallabies. Left rugby in acrimonious circumstances after being sacked for divisive social media posts.
COACH: Michael Cheika
