The Top 5 Greatest Scrum-Halves of The Professional Era

Whats makes a good scrumhalf?

Is it his ability to read the game or his swift and accurate passing off the base of a ruck? The role of scrumhalf is one of the most challenging on a rugby pitch. At every scrum, every breakdown, every move- the scrumhalf plays an integral role. To become one of the best in the world is no easy task.

We have witnessed many players who have managed to reach the very top as professional nines, but who ranks in the top 5? We decided to have a crack at it in our latest top 5 series.

Have a look below and be sure to let us know who you think are the top 5 greatest scrum-halves of the professional era.

5. Justin Marshall
Now an excellent colour commentator, Marshall was always destined to put his talking to good use. A mouth on the pitch, but you can be sure he backed it up. 81 tests for the All Blacks and a high-profile spell with the Ospreys ensures he makes it onto our top 5.

4. Agustín Pichot
Recently named the most influential person in the history of rugby union for his efforts in growing the game. An IRB hall of famer and current World Rugby vice-chairman, Pichot is Argentina’s greatest rugby export and the man solely responsible for the exponential growth of the game in his home country.

3. Fourie du Preez
A master tactician, with an excellent kicking game, he was the lynchpin of the South African team that won the World Cup and defeated the Lions. The embodiment of what it means to be a world-class scrumhalf.

2. Joost Van Der Westhuizen
One of the game’s great competitors on the field, the former Springboks scrum-half has carried that attitude into his off-field battles since hanging up his boots. Aggressive and fearless, he was arguably the finest running scrum-half the game has ever seen, scoring 38 tries in 89 Tests

1. George Gregan
The complete scrum-half, racking up a whopping 139 caps in a glittering career, Gregan for us was the empiome of what it means to be a great scrumhalf. To this day, Australia’s highest ever internationally capped player, and one of the key member’s of their 1999 Rugby World Cup winning side.