Anyway to answer the initial question.
After that there are a number that could call dibs on second place: Barry John, Porta, Lynagh, Mark Ella, Wilkinson, Larkham. They all had realative weaknesses in their game and much would depend on how important you view those weaknesses.
@catogrande said in GOAT 10:
@machpants said in GOAT 10:
He's just writing for his audience, he makes his money in UK now, gotta kiss that ass
Which would explain his selection of just one UK player
And it was Gareth Edwards at 9, FFS. May be heresy for some, but Edwards was nowhere near the best halfback of all time, not even for Wales. Sid Going ran rings round him, game after game, and Sid couldn't even pass properly.
@catogrande said in GOAT 10:
@machpants said in GOAT 10:
He's just writing for his audience, he makes his money in UK now, gotta kiss that ass
Which would explain his selection of just one UK player
You don't expect me to read any article which espouses a best ever XV without Carter at 10? Good, cos I won't. I just guessed at the rest 
@machpants said in GOAT 10:
@catogrande said in GOAT 10:
@machpants said in GOAT 10:
He's just writing for his audience, he makes his money in UK now, gotta kiss that ass
Which would explain his selection of just one UK player
You don't expect me to read any article which espouses a best ever XV without Carter at 10? Good, cos I won't. I just guessed at the rest
You have cemented yourself as a true Ferner of the highest order. Well done sir!
Oh Zinny, just more anti-Crusader stuff coming out of Auckland 
Said it a million times, but Carter’s defence and sweeping boot (both feet) alone put him above other 1st 5s I have ever seen. Then add the goal kicking, the running and passing game and you have one helluva player running the cutter.
Barrett is a talented footy player that has amazing instincts. Pace on a 10 I’ve never seen, but his kicking game is suspect and he has struggled setting up the backline.
I personally think Carter might be the absolute GOAT - better even than Richie - but Zinny making shit takes is nothing new since he sold out to England.
To your question, there is a long list of first fives I’d choose ahead of BB, so not counting non-kiwis like Bernie (who I fucking love), I’m not even sure he would make my top five of kiwi first fives:
Carter, Spencer, Merhtens, Fox, Cruden would all go ahead of him for me.
Barrett has won fuck all as an international 10.
Brilliant 22/23 off the bench - possibly the best ever in that role.
Jesus some harsh thoughts on somebody with a diff opinion ….
Carter was a phenomenal player but there are plenty of arguments about GOAT. I’ve always thought he’s a bit over rated, mainly because I didn’t see him THAT far ahead. For me, Larkham still remains the greatest rugby player that I’ve watched.
Beauden is a hell of a player but his sheer speed doesn’t offset this slightly weaker skill set to make him number one.
@act-crusader said in GOAT 10:
@majorrage Larkham in my top 5 definitely but behind Carter, Ella and Wilkinson.
One more for the five then?
Don't get the hype for Larkham as an all timer. Many of Barrett's weaknesses were Larkham's too. Was he really that much better than other playmaking 10s with wobbly goal kicking and weak defence like Spencer and Honiball?
As a matter of principle a GOAT 10 should be able to goal kick to an above average level.
Don't get the hype for Larkham as an all timer. Many of Barrett's weaknesses were Larkham's too. Was he really that much better than other playmaking 10s with wobbly goal kicking and weak defence like Spencer and Honiball?
As a matter of principle a GOAT 10 should be able to goal kick to an above average level.
Edit, sorry, I’ve had quite a few drinks (I can recommend a great all-inclusive hotel in Tochigi)and I read that as drop kick. But, fuck it as it is a great Bernie moment.
Btw, the Honiball poor at defense take is really strange.
@act-crusader said in GOAT 10:
Oh Zinny, just more anti-Crusader stuff coming out of Auckland
It's a bit unfair to accuse him of bias for not selecting fellow Blues legend Dan Carter.
@victor-meldrew said in GOAT 10:
@catogrande said in GOAT 10:
@machpants said in GOAT 10:
He's just writing for his audience, he makes his money in UK now, gotta kiss that ass
Which would explain his selection of just one UK player
And it was Gareth Edwards at 9, FFS. May be heresy for some, but Edwards was nowhere near the best halfback of all time, not even for Wales. Sid Going ran rings round him, game after game, and Sid couldn't even pass properly.
@mikethesnow said in GOAT 10:
@victor-meldrew said in GOAT 10:
@catogrande said in GOAT 10:
@machpants said in GOAT 10:
He's just writing for his audience, he makes his money in UK now, gotta kiss that ass
Which would explain his selection of just one UK player
And it was Gareth Edwards at 9, FFS. May be heresy for some, but Edwards was nowhere near the best halfback of all time, not even for Wales. Sid Going ran rings round him, game after game, and Sid couldn't even pass properly.
Nah. As over-rated as Mervyn Davies was underrated in that period for me. Apart from the 3rd Test in '71 he was very average against us - particularly against Going.
Rob Howley is one of the best 9's I've seen and was way, way better - even behind the awful packs Wales had then.
@victor-meldrew said in GOAT 10:
@mikethesnow said in GOAT 10:
@victor-meldrew said in GOAT 10:
@catogrande said in GOAT 10:
@machpants said in GOAT 10:
He's just writing for his audience, he makes his money in UK now, gotta kiss that ass
Which would explain his selection of just one UK player
And it was Gareth Edwards at 9, FFS. May be heresy for some, but Edwards was nowhere near the best halfback of all time, not even for Wales. Sid Going ran rings round him, game after game, and Sid couldn't even pass properly.
Nah. As over-rated as Mervyn Davies was underrated in that period for me. Apart from the 3rd Test in '71 he was very average against us - particularly against Going.
Rob Howley is one of the best 9's I've seen and was way, way better - even behind the awful packs Wales had then.
You’re very much in the minority
Is that site lacking views? I just realized that Zinny selected the team in 2017, but the article was written last year.
TBF to Zinny, he does state in the video that the team's not going to be perfect.
@act-crusader said in GOAT 10:
@majorrage Larkham in my top 5 definitely but behind Carter, Ella and Wilkinson.
Any love for Hugo Porta?
