Saracens
Large's Top 50 Saracens 30-21
Adam Powell
By Large
February 19 2009
The countdown continues with the next 10 players in the list. some of whom did many things over many years, and others who did one truly memorable thing that will stay in the memory a long time.
30. Simon Raiwalui – Second row
Top Bloke. The trouble was that he had the misfortune of heading up a squad of misfiring, misdirected Sarries in the middle part of this decade and his record wasn’t great. Famously binned a World Cup to come to Sarries, for which I and many will be grateful for a long time.
29. Rodd Penney – Wing/Centre
I like Rodd. I like the way he can pop up seemingly out of nowhere and run the ball back 50 metres for a try, just like he did against Biarritz. Probably another player who has been a victim of his own versatility as he starts more games on the bench than he does on the paddock, but worthy of a place here nonetheless.
28. Robbie Russell – Hooker
The Kilted Queenslander was a front row player who I liked watching, as he had good hands and was able to mix it with the big boys. It was a shame that he ran into Martin Johnson’s clenched fist that time just to prove it.
27. Adam Powell – Centre
Forget the fragile Anthony Allen, the over-hyped (well, he is at Wasps after all) Dominic Waldouck and the one-trick bosh merchant Jordan Turner-Hall, Powelly (PLEASE, someone, get him a proper nickname) is the real deal when it comes to the future of England’s midfield. Sarries’ future is in safe hands, providing he’s not enticed elsewhere.
26. Andy Farrell – Not a flanker
As soon as Faz’s move south was confirmed the press and fans of other clubs were queuing around the block to have a go. They had to wait ages while a succession of injuries robbed him of precious game time in the run up to the 2007 World Cup. And then they pounced. What they didn’t see was that Faz brought with him plenty of leadership and coaching nous from Wigan and will, I have no doubt, be a great coach at Sarries or anywhere else when he finally hangs up his boots.
25. Hugh Vyvyan – No8/Second Row
Joined from Newcastle much to the horror of the Geordies and is one of the most hard-working players at Sarries. Never lets anyone down when drafted into the boiler room and definitely a player I would have in my squad any time. Loves scoring against the Falcons. Don’t blame him.
24. Danny Grewcock – Second Row
Before taking the well-trodden path down the M4 to the Roman City, the relatively unknown 1-cap Coventry lock shot to stardom at Sarries with his no-nonsense approach. Still going strong for club and was only recently cast aside by country. Still has his song sung by the Fez, albeit with the alternative “Cheque book” lyrics.
23. Darragh O’Mahony – Wing
Can’t remember much about Darragh’s contribution to any given match, but I do remember him being a consistent performer and first-rate finisher for many seasons, not to mention being extremely popular with the fans.
22. Thierry Lacroix – Outside Half
Here for one thing and one thing only. Nine penalties against Wasps when we beat them 27-26 in 1999. I need not elaborate any further.
21. Ryan Constable – Wing
A feeble claim to fame of mine is saying “I was there” for one of “Rugby’s Strangest Matches” – a book by John Griffiths detailing, well, y’know. One of those matches was Bedford v Saracens on 16 April 2000. The Wizard of Oz managed to cross the line for not one hat-trick, but two, and his round half dozen helped Sarries to a 57-29 win. Can’t remember much else about him, though, apart from he went to Ulster where he now broadcasts on their matches for the BBC.
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I reckon the combined distance for his 6 tries was about 20 yards. Nevertheless, he'd be in my all-time Sarries team.
Top 5 anyone?
5. Pienaar
4. Lynagh
3. Sella
2. Bracken
1. Hill
Jeez, that's a tough 5 to put in any order...
Re Constable: He scored a cracker in the 98 Cup Final, standing up and rounding his man, for a classic wingers try. I was there at Bedford too. With 2 young kids of mine who are now grown up. Fond memories.
Ryan C was a gent as well as a super winger, at Noddy and Sella's last game at VR he took the trouble at the end to come over to the isolated north stand to address a few youngsters. I was at the Bedford match too, great days.
I thought about the hairless one in the Union Rooms, but we got side tracked somewhere - and for that exact game ( and Sale Away at HR).
Re: Constable
And don't forget - this is for you Kat - who passed him the ball for the his sixth when a certain Cheshire hooker could've claimed it. I know, it was right in front of me.
Bbooniie XXXX tttoo maanyy kkeyss.
Goodnight and god bless us Saracens.
XX
If he was in the Llarge squad he would be at 51!
Richard Hill
Tony Diprose
Ben Clarke
Kyran Bracken
Michael Lynagh
Philippe Sella
Jason Leonard
Floyd Steadman
Floyd who? If you don't know the name you are just too young :-)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:02:25:17:00:55 by Steve_C.
Quote:Steve_C
My own top 5 or 6 or 10 or whatever....
Richard Hill
Tony Diprose
Ben Clarke
Kyran Bracken
Michael Lynagh
Philippe Sella
Jason Leonard
Floyd Steadman
Floyd who? If you don't know the name you are just too young :-)
Jason and Floyd and possibly Ben were pre professional era and excluded from Large's list.
Quote:youngjaffa
Floyd Steadman? Wasn't he a boxer?
Was your mouth out Young Jaffa!
It's a long time since Sports network paid anything!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:03:05:14:24:09 by Wife of BS.
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