Dream Team: Brendon O’Connor – Leicester flanker

1. Tony Woodcock – I played with him at the Blues and he’s a great player. So much so that he picked up over 100 caps for the All Blacks and scored in the 2011 World Cup final.
2. Keven Mealamu – Never one to grab the headlines but what a great leader he was. Every time he talked in team meetings all the boys listened carefully.
3. Charlie Faumuina – A big guy but very good around the field for a prop. Great skills when it comes to catching and passing the ball. Looking to see how he goes in Toulouse next season.
4. Sam Whitelock – He’s got a great engine on him. You watch him play for the All Blacks and he never gives up. From minute one to 80, he’s going at it.
5. Brad Thorn – Hard man who loved rugby. Your typical bruising lock who would hit breakdowns all day for fun. What a career he’s had. Played for Tigers, too.
6. Jerome Kaino – A beast who can man-handle people. A big player for the Blues and the All Blacks. Likes to physically dominate the opposition.
7. Richie McCaw – The most-capped Test player in history. He’s won it all with Canterbury, the Crusaders and the All Blacks. Won the Player of the Year award three times, too.
8. Kieran Read – No explanation needed. The best back rower in the world who is the perfect link between the forwards and the backs.
9. Ben Youngs – A good player who can control the game well with his kicking and passing. A key player for Leicester and he’s doing really well for England so far in the Six Nations.
10. Dan Carter – Like with Richie and Kieran, you don’t need much explanation to justify this choice. Most points in Test history and had a superb season with Racing 92 last year.
11. Nemani Nadolo – That try against Northampton in the Champions Cup a few weeks back was just unreal. It was like he was playing with school kids including George North, who’s not exactly small.
12. Sonny Bill Williams – He’s just a freak. I’m struggling to understand how he can attract so many players in defence and still get the ball away.
13. Rene Ranger – Another freak who can create something out of nothing. Had a great 2013 season before moving to Montpellier. But he’s back in Auckland and I’m looking forward to seeing him and SBW combine in the 2017 Super Rugby.
14. Charles Piutau – Great feet and also one to create magic when you least expect it. He’s a grafter and always looking for work off his wing.
15. Israel Dagg – I played with him at Hawkes Bay at provincial level and he’s a classy operator.