World Rugby recently unanimously voted for the Men’s 15’s Player of the Decade, yet there seems to be a North vs. South debate. Who is the greatest fly-half the rugby world has seen during their professional era? Is it Jonny Wilkinson or Dan Carter?
Most Northerners favour England’s Rugby World Cup-winning hero, Jonny Wilkinson. At the same time, most Southerners will favour All Black-giant Dan Carter.
The Jonny Wilkinson vs Dan Carter is an old-age debate that divides opinion, so let’s dive into who is the greatest fly-half.
Jonny Wilkinson vs Dan Carter?
Who is your pick for the greatest fly-half?
Embed from Getty ImagesEngland’s Hero – Jonny Wilkinson:
As for many English fans, the most significant moment to date in the Red & Whites goes back to the 2003 Rugby World Cup Final. During the dying moments of extra time, scores were locked 17-all. Australia was looking to defend their Rugby World Cup crown. However, England’s mastermind, Jonny Wilkinson, had other ideas, laid deep in the pocket, scrum-half. Matt Dawson passed back to the England fly-half.
Calm and collected. Jonny Wilkinson slotted over the drop goal and won the Rugby World Cup for England for the first time. Ending the Southern Hemisphere dominance of the tournament. In what will forever be a historic moment in English Rugby history. England fly-half Wilkinson has arguably had one of the most successful careers on the rugby field and regarded by many, as the greatest fly-half in the modern era.
In 2014, shortly after retiring from all forms of the game. Jonny Wilkinson was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame. Over a 13-year international career. Capped 91 times for England and 6 times for the British & Irish Lions. Scoring a record 1,246 points. Throughout 4 Rugby World Cups, with a record of 277 Rugby World Cup points.
Embed from Getty ImagesNew Zealand’s Legend – Dan Carter:
In 2015, the stage was set at Twickenham’s ‘home of rugby. New Zealand looked to become the first nation to successfully defend their previous Rugby World Cup crown. Late in the second half, Australia looked to gain the upper hand following two successive converted tries. The scoreboard was 21-17 for the All Blacks, and the Wallabies trailed by only 4 points with 10 minutes left.
The New Zealand playmaker Dan Carter decided to end all of Wallaby’s resistance. Minutes later, Carter slotted a 40-meter drop goal. Carter converted another penalty goal, taking the game away from Australia, as New Zealand was leading 27-17.
Australia was desperately looking to salvage the game. Meanwhile, this allowed New Zealand to score one last try. This ended the game after another successful Carter conversion, winning consecutive Rugby World Cups and beating Australia 34-17.
Dan Carter was hugely influential in New Zealand rugby on that historic day. He was awarded Man of the Match for his outrageous efforts. Leading up to that iconic day at Twickenham, his consistency in The All-Black jersey labels him the greatest fly-half of all time!
This was the perfect ending to a highly decorated career dating back 12 years. Carter was awarded his first international test cap. Certainly a future World Rugby Hall of Famer, Carter was the fifth New Zealander to play 100 tests for his country. Dan Carter retired from international rugby after the Rugby World Cup 2015 Final with a career record of 112 caps, 1,598 international points, and over 4 Rugby World Cups, with a total of 191 World Cup points.
Embed from Getty ImagesJonny Wilkinson vs Dan Carter – Who is the greatest fly-half?
Johnny Wilkinson:
- World Rugby Player Of The Year 2003
- Rugby World Cup Winner 2003
- 4 x Time 6 Nations Winner 2000, 2001, 2003 & 2011
Dan Carter:
- 3 x Time World Rugby Player Of The Year 2005, 2012 & 2015
- 2 x Rugby World Cup Winner 2011 & 2015
- 9 x Tri-Nations/The Rugby Championship Champion 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013 & 2014.
- British & Irish Series Victory 2005
- International Team of the Decade 2010-2020
Writer’s Opinion:
Both legendary fly-halves have had amazing careers in Rugby Union. Measuring who would have been more dominant in opposing each other is challenging. Jonny Wilkinson had plenty of injuries that restricted him from playing more consecutively. We also know that post-2003 Rugby World Cup success saw numerous experienced English players retire, making international rugby challenging for Jonny Wilkinson.
On the other hand, Dan Carter replaced Carlos Spencer as the New Zealand playmaker. Dan Carter won back-to-back World Cups with New Zealand. A team that dominated World Rugby from 2010 to 2015.
Carter’s fellow teammates, namely Richie McCaw and Ma’a Nonu. They were the core of a successful All-Black side that would become one of the best rugby sides ever.
In conclusion, Dan Carter expanded his rugby career to many places, including domestic rugby in Japan. He was a successful player in every tournament he partook in. He won World Rugby Player of the Year three times. I would say that Dan Carter is modern-day rugby’s greatest fly-half yet!
Is there another fly-half who comes to mind? Let us know in the comments below!
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If Jonathan Davies hadn’t needed to switch to rugby league for financial reasons (Union was still amateur at that time) he would challenge either name on your list. Just look at some of his tries while playing both codes, they are staggering.
I would vote for Jonny Wilkinson, not just because I support England , but for the fact that he was so dedicated and was relentless in training to achieve the best for his country. Dan Carter was also excellent but was in a team that ruthlessly poached players from other nations in their pursuit of rugby world dominance.
Also that Jonny Wilkinson was never really happy to be in the limelight despite that he well deserved all the plaudits that came his way. It didn’t hurt that he was stunningly attractive!!!