During a glittering career spanning 58 caps with Ireland and two Lions tours, Keith Wood packed down against some of the greatest players the game has ever produced.
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The legendary former hooker shared the field with legends including the iconic Jonah Lomu and Christian Cullen of the All Blacks, former England captain Martin Johnson, and superstar heroic Wallabies John Eales and George Gregan. Yet when asked to name the greatest player he ever faced, Wood had no hesitation.
The man who left the biggest impression on the iconic hooker was Wales centre Scott Gibbs.
While selecting his greatest XV of opponents, Wood reserved his highest praise for the man who terrorised defences throughout the 1990s.
“I played against him and I played with him,” Wood said to Wales Online. “He was about as destructive as it comes as a 12.”
“He was extraordinary — absolutely solid, a total tank.”
A nightmare to defend
Gibbs built a reputation as one of rugby’s most feared midfielders thanks to his explosive carrying, bone-rattling defence and remarkable ability to break the gainline.
His legendary performances for Wales, Swansea and the British & Irish Lions made him one of the defining players of his generation, with perhaps his finest hour coming on the Lions’ triumphant 1997 tour of South Africa, where he lined up alongside both Wood and England great Jeremy Guscott. Wood experienced Gibbs from both sides of the fence, making his verdict carry even greater weight.
Beating some incredible competition
The praise is even more remarkable given the calibre of players Wood faced during his career. Australia’s Tim Horan is widely regarded as one of the greatest centres to ever play the game, winning two Rugby World Cups and forming legendary partnerships with both Jason Little and Daniel Herbert.
Former Wallabies centre Little once famously joked: “When we were together, they said we were the world’s best centre pairing. I got dropped and Daniel Herbert came in, and they said he and Tim were the world’s best. There was a common denominator there — and it wasn’t me or Herbie.”
Yet despite facing Horan, Lomu and countless other rugby greats, it was Gibbs who left the biggest impression on the Irish legend.
Gibbs is the one and only Welshman in Keith Wood’s all-time XV
Gibbs was also the only Welsh player to feature in Wood’s greatest XV of opponents.
The team was packed with rugby royalty, featuring Christian Cullen at full-back, Jason Robinson and Jonah Lomu on the wings, Jeremy Guscott alongside Gibbs in midfield, Stephen Larkham and George Gregan at half-back, and a formidable pack containing Jason Leonard, Martin Johnson, John Eales, Francois Pienaar and Zinzan Brooke.
Keith Wood’s greatest XV of opponents
15. Christian Cullen (New Zealand)
14. Jason Robinson (England)
13. Jeremy Guscott (England)
12. Scott Gibbs (Wales)
11. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)
10. Stephen Larkham (Australia)
9. George Gregan (Australia)
1. Tom Smith (Scotland)
2. Mario Ledesma (Argentina)
3. Jason Leonard (England)
4. Martin Johnson (England)
5. John Eales (Australia)
6. Francois Pienaar (South Africa)
7. Ruben Kruger (South Africa)
8. Zinzan Brooke (New Zealand)
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