Barrett was named World Rugby Men’s Player of the Year in both 2016 and 2017, becoming one of the few players to win the award twice.<\/p>\n
A member of New Zealand’s 2015 World Cup-winning squad, he scored a try in the final against Australia.<\/p>\n
His ability to play full-back as well as fly-half only adds to his reputation.<\/p>\n
Some will argue he deserves to be much higher. They might have a point.<\/p>\n
![\"Scott](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/scott-jordie-beauden-barrett-6ac8c5f81a495.jpg@webp.webp\")
9. Naas Botha (South Africa)<\/p>\n
One of rugby’s great what-ifs.<\/p>\n
Naas Botha played just 28 Tests for South Africa, largely because the Springboks<\/a> were isolated from international rugby during the apartheid era.<\/p>\n But anyone who watched him play knew they were witnessing something special.<\/p>\n Botha was a master tactician, with a kicking game that could dismantle opponents almost single-handedly.<\/p>\n He helped Northern Transvaal dominate South African domestic rugby and became one of the country’s most celebrated players.<\/p>\n His international career never reflected his ability.<\/p>\n Judging him purely on Test appearances would be a mistake.<\/p>\n 8. Andrew Mehrtens (New Zealand)<\/p>\n Andrew Mehrtens had the rather unfortunate task of being a world-class fly-half in a country that keeps producing them.<\/p>\n The former All Blacks star won 70 caps and scored 967 international points.<\/p>\n His kicking was outstanding, but there was far more to his game than simply putting the ball between the posts.<\/p>\n Mehrtens helped New Zealand win the first three Tri Nations titles and played a central role in the Crusaders’ early Super Rugby success.<\/p>\n He could control territory, create opportunities and punish teams who gave away penalties.<\/p>\n Perhaps he lacks the World Cup medal of some players above him, but that should not take away from his brilliance.<\/p>\n 7. Phil Bennett (Wales)<\/p>\n Few players have ever made rugby look quite as enjoyable as Phil Bennett.<\/p>\n The Welsh magician was one of the stars of the great Wales sides<\/a> of the 1970s, winning 29 caps and helping his country claim two Grand Slams.He also toured with the British and Irish Lions<\/a> in 1974 and 1977.<\/p>\n Bennett’s outrageous sidestep became his trademark, leaving defenders grabbing at thin air.<\/p>\n His contribution to the Barbarians’ famous 1973 try against New Zealand remains one of rugby’s most replayed moments.<\/p>\n He was a player from a different era, but his ability would have translated into any generation.<\/p>\n A genuine entertainer.<\/p>\n 6. Handr\u00e9 Pollard (South Africa)<\/p>\n Not every great fly-half needs to produce a highlight reel.<\/p>\n Sometimes, you just need someone who can kick the ball between the posts when the entire country is holding its breath.<\/p>\n Handr\u00e9 Pollard has made a career out of doing exactly that.<\/p>\n The Springboks<\/a> star helped South Africa win back-to-back Rugby World Cups in 2019 and 2023.<\/p>\n His contribution to the latter was particularly remarkable.<\/p>\n Having initially missed out on the squad through injury, Pollard returned and delivered when it mattered most.<\/p>\n He kicked all 16 of South Africa’s points in their semi-final victory over England before adding all 12 in the final against New Zealand.<\/p>\n Pollard might not possess Barrett’s pace or Bennett’s sidestep.<\/p>\n But when the pressure is at its greatest, there are few players in rugby history you’d rather have wearing number 10.<\/p>\n Before Australian rugby had Stephen Larkham, it had Michael Lynagh.<\/p>\n The Wallabies<\/a> legend earned 72 caps between 1984 and 1995, scoring a remarkable 911 international points.<\/p>\n Lynagh was the calm head behind Australia’s 1991 Rugby World Cup triumph.<\/p>\n While David Campese grabbed the headlines, Lynagh kept everything ticking over.<\/p>\n He also helped Australia complete their famous 1984 Grand Slam tour of the Home Nations.<\/p>\n Not the flashiest player on this list, but one of the most reliable.<\/p>\n And when the pressure was on, there were few better men to have wearing number 10.<\/p>\n 4. Barry John (Wales)<\/p>\n They called him ‘The King’. That tells you almost everything.<\/p>\n Barry John played just 25 Tests for Wales, but his influence on the game was enormous.<\/p>\n The Welshman was the heartbeat of the legendary 1971 British and Irish Lions<\/a> tour of New Zealand.<\/p>\n His performances helped the Lions secure their only Test series victory over the All Blacks.<\/p>\n John possessed extraordinary balance, vision and an almost supernatural ability to find space.<\/p>\n He retired in 1972 at just 27 years old, walking away while still at the peak of his powers.<\/p>\n Had he continued playing, there’s every chance he’d be even higher on this list.<\/p>\n 3. Stephen Larkham (Australia)<\/p>\n Stephen Larkham was never your typical fly-half.<\/p>\n Originally a full-back, the Australian became one of the finest attacking number 10s the game has seen.<\/p>\n His partnership with scrum-half George Gregan was the stuff of legend.<\/p>\n Larkham played a crucial role in Australia’s 1999 World Cup triumph, famously landing a drop goal against South Africa in the semi-final.<\/p>\n The remarkable thing? He was hardly known for kicking drop goals.<\/p>\n He finished his international career with 102 caps and helped change the way Australia attacked.<\/p>\n Silky hands, wonderful vision and a habit of making difficult things look ridiculously easy.<\/p>\n 2. Jonny Wilkinson (England)<\/p>\n One swing of his right boot changed English rugby forever.<\/p>\n![\"LONDON,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/gettyimages-491690466-e1445068276939-6a6094f596752.jpg@webp.webp\")
5. Michael Lynagh (Australia)<\/p>\n
![\"LONDON,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/gettyimages-495106336-e1446313517812-6a608c5f50841.jpg@webp.webp\")
<\/p>\n