The Top 5 Right Props in World Cup History

With the World Cup (September 8 – October 28) approaching, it is also the story of the rugby which will be written a little more before our eyes. This is an opportunity to dive back into this rich past! Every day, find the top 5 editorial staff of Actu Rugby by position, for 12 days (some positions will be grouped). Today, the top 5 right props in World Cup history.

Right pillar, perhaps the most thankless position in a rugby team. Confined to the most arduous tasks, rarely having the opportunity to shine with the ball in hand, these strong men are nevertheless the keystones of the scrum of their team. Without which it is often compromised to win. We all know straight pillars, let’s have a thought for them and dedicate this top 5 to them.

5. Pieter de Villiers (France)

Once is not custom, twice either, three times… it’s starting to look like a recurring pattern. It is still a Frenchman who opens this classification, the former right-hander of the Stade Français, Peter de Villiers.

Arriving in France in the mid-1990s to play with Stade Français, the Native South African didn’t take long to get noticed. It must be said that his atypical profile for the time did not go unnoticed. Despite his slender physique, he looked like he was carved out of rock and retained incredible melee power.

So many reasons, among others, which allowed him to represent the XV of France 69 times, including 8 in the World Cup, since he participated in the 1999 editions (he is therefore vice-world champion) and 2007 of the World Cup (he had missed that of 2003 because of a shoulder injury).

4. Ewen McKenzie (Australia)

Let’s be honest, the Wallabies aren’t particularly known for their dominant forwards. However, the generation that participated in the 1991 World Cupand that of the 1999 World Cup, had nothing to be ashamed of.

And it is in the first that we find the fourth in our ranking, the former Brumbies right-hander Ewen McKenzie. It should obviously not be forgotten that if the pair Tim Horan – Jason Little or if David Campese on the wing were able to shine during the 1991 World Cup, it is also because the “big guys” competed at the time with all their adversaries.

In all, McKenzie played for Australia 51 times, including 9 in the World Cup with a title at stake in 91. At a time when there were fewer games and in such a demanding position, this is anything but negligible.

3. Jannie du Plessis (South Africa)

The South African right-hander who passed through the MHR could very well not have appeared in the ranking, but his story is too singular not to include him. As was the case with Stephen Donald in 2011, who went on vacation fishing when he was called up to play in the World Cup final, Jannie du Plessis was also busy elsewhere.

Summoned following the injury of BJ Botha, the doctor by training was coming out of a night in the hospital during which he had notably carried out a cesarean delivery when he was called to join the Springboks and square World Cup 2007. Although he only played two games there (starting in the quarter but replacing during the final, without returning), it is nonetheless world champion.

In the end, Jannie du Plessis piled up no less than 70 selections for her country, 12 World Cup matches and a title. Honest booty.

2. Phil Vickery (Angleterre)

Again, there were so many huge players in the England forwards during the 2003 winning campaign that it is difficult to constitute a top 5 without choosing one. At the post of right pillar, the colossus Phil Vickery is unavoidable.

Almost literally besides, with its 1m90 and its 125 kilos. His measurements alone make him a player apart, even before mentioning his enviable record in the World Cup.

In three World Cup appearancesthe former Gloucester shepherd and player has played two finals (2003, 2007) as holder for a title won in 2003, with an English scrum that had destroyed all its opponents. Among his 73 caps, 16 were obtained during a World Cup.

1. Owen Franks

We looked for it, but as the right pillar in the World Cup, no one has done better thanOwen Franks. The former Crusaders player, who also played for the Northampton Saints, was simply close to perfection.

Judge for yourselves: Owen Franks in the World Cup is two participations (2011 and 2015)for a total of 13 matches played and as many victories. Of these 13 confrontations, he was holder 12 times.

And inevitably, without ever knowing defeat, the results were there for Owen Franks and the All Blacks, with two world champion titles in their purse, including an absolute triumph in 2015 with an incredible generation. Simply the biggest.

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