Is Gregan the best No.9 ever?

Wednesday July 28 2004

He may be on the verge of his 100th Test cap, but George Gregan is having a tough time convincing our readers of his greatness. The consensus is that he's a fine player, but certainly not the best No.9 of all time - in fact, 'not even the best Australian scrum-half ever'. But George needn't be too glum - one wag suggests he might possibly be the best referee ever! Here are some of your thoughts.

'HE'S NOT A PATCH ON GARETH'

"Gregan is undoubtedly right up there with the best, but as for being the best - no way. Call me biased because of my Welsh roots but I can't think much past Gareth Edwards as THE BEST. I'd then look at such luminaries as Sid Going and John Hipwell who were all fantastic players.
 
"Of the modern professional era I again rank Gregan highly, but would place above him the likes of Joost Van de Westhuizen, Rob Howley (Welsh again - sorry but he did better Gregan during the 2001 Lions tour) and Matt Dawson in his prime." 
- David Evans, UK

"While George Gregan has proved a durable and reliable scrum-half, I don't think he is the greatest ever at the position. We'd have to go back to the 1970s and a certain Welsh player by the name of Gareth Edwards."
- Richard Chan, UK

"Good player, impressive milestone. Best No.9 ever? I don't think so."
- Jeremy Conn, Bern, Switzerland

"Don't be daft, I'm English but recognise that Gareth Edwards was the best ever (probably in any position). Come to that Joost [van der Westhuizen] in his pomp was pretty tasty too. As for Australians what about Nick Farr-Jones? He wasn't bad either."
- Carl Gilbert, UK

"George Gregan wasn't even the best Australian scrum-half ever. Ken Catchpole was. As for the best ever scrum-half, there was only one Gareth Edwards."
- Chris Schoeman, South Africa

"I think not. Average service, average kicker and average tactically - and average as a captain if the last few years are a guide.

"He has been consistently outplayed by most scrum-halves in the last few years, and dominated few even in his pomp. 100 caps probably indicates that Australia have no talent coming through at this position."
- Ed Rainger, Birmingham, UK

"No, Gareth Edwards I believe. Gregan is very good, perhaps the best in the professional era."
- Michael L
 
"I don't think it is possible to say Gregan is better than other greats. If anything he would go down in history as one of them, as an equal.

"Remember, we are talking about people like Nick Farr-Jones, Fabien Galthie, Gareth Edwards, Agustín Pichot, Joost van der Westhuizen, Kyran Bracken (who, incidentally is far better than Matt Dawson), Rob Howley - all of these players have such different styles of play anyway.

"Not best ever, he just joins the greats."
- Terry Quirke, UK

"As good as he is, there haven't been many challengers of note of the last six years of his career hence the 100 caps.

"Perhaps you may remember not only the greatest scrum-half but the greatest player of all time: Gareth Edwards. And that comes from an Englishman!"
- Damo, London

"Best in terms of longevity? Yes. Best in terms of 'reffing' a match? Without a doubt. Best in terms of skill, game-breaking ability, all-round threat? No."

"Two words: Gareth Edwards."
- John Richards, Somerset

"There is no doubting that Gregan is a fine player, however I do not think that he is the best scrum-half of all time, there are many scrum halves who are better.

"I would say that he is merely the best scrum-half in Australia for many a year. South Africa's Joost van der Westhuizen in his day was lethal and has that penetration that Gregan does not have, or should I say creativity.

"It would be like comparing Jonny Wilkinson and Carlos Spencer of New Zealand, who is the better kicker? Jonny. But who is the better player? Spencer by a mile.

"Same goes for these two - Gregan has admiral leadership qualities and is vital to his side in that respect. That in turn does not mean for the greatest scrum-half of all time."
- Springbok Waddell

"Gregan is definitely an amazing half back, and easily the best Australia has produced, but has also been lucky to play with some very talented players and coaches that have helped him produce a very good career behind the wallaby scrum.

"However, I imagine  there have been better individual halfbacks, such as David Kirk, Joost van der Westhuizen, Justin Marshall, or David Loveridge all those years ago for the All Blacks who equally deserve mention in any 'best of' list."
- Nick Crooks, Canada

"I think he is a great player and served rugby for a long time at a high level - that does not make you the best ever.

"Jason Leonard has been capped 100 time but he is by no means the best prop ever.

"Joost van der Westhuizen in his day would skin Gregan every time..."
- Ryan Howard, SA Londoner

"George is not a patch on Gareth Edwards or Ken Catchpole (Aus). Nor is he up to matching Rob Howley who is still the currently best scrum-half in the game. It will be very difficult to match the all round skills and athleticism of Gareth Edwards. Rob Howley is next best in the all time rankings in my view."
- Dutch

"Congratulations to George Gregan to become a "centurion" next Saturday. It is certainly very difficult to keep such a consistency at the highest level of the game, and whoever can stay at the top for over 100 caps is definitively to be carved in the hall of fame of our sport.

"Nonetheless, is Gregan the best No.9 ever? It is difficult to compare modern rugby, which is a much more framed game than it was 20 years ago or so, and what some would call 'the good old days' rugby, where No.9s were more free to express themselves.

"But if flair, vista, sense of opportunity, pass, kick, cover defence, and lightening quick decision making are the main qualities of a scrum-half, I still think Gareth Edwards was the best No.9 ever, followed by Dave Loveridge, Nick Farr Jones, and Joost van der Westhuizen.

"Among No.9s still in activity, I would pick Justin Marshall, George Gregan or Jean Baptiste Elissalde for my 'dream team'."
- Frederick Claro, Kumamoto, Japan
 
"The only redeeming thing about Gregan is he made a great name for my sister's cat. He personifies all that's horrible about Aussies (there's lots that's good of course). He's arrogant, gobby and brash.

"To me that's unfortunately my overriding memory of the man that will always overshadow his contribution as a player. I look forward to the day when theres only one referee on the pitch and he ain't in the green and gold No.9!"
- Jerry, Kiwi in UK