Imagine the teams we could field

By Steve Hepburn

The Anzac spirit is alive and well 100 years after the landings at Gallipoli. We stand together, apparently. But what if we went the whole way and Australia and New Zealand was one big country? Steve Hepburn (rugby, rugby league and cricket) and Hayden Meikle (netball and basketball) name some all-time Anzac teams.

RUGBY

Fullback
Bob Scott

Could kick goals from anywhere, run like the wind and defend fearlessly. A star for the Kiwis at the end of World War 2.

Unlucky: Jeepers, take your pick. Don Clarke, George Nepia, Christian Cullen, Billy Wallace, Roger Gould, Matt Burke.

Right wing
David Campese

Not the moaning, whinging, nostalgic Campo. The younger version, when he exploded on the scene. Peaked at the 1991 World Cup. Electric, skilful and untouchable. Maybe more of a left winger but equally good either side.

Unlucky: John Kirwan, Jeff Wilson, Bryan Williams, Ben Tune.

Centre
Trevor Allan

Captained the Wallabies aged 21 and helped guide them to a near-grand slam just after World War 2. Helped the Wallabies beat a second-string All Black side in 1949. Then went to Leigh to play league in the north of England.

Unlucky: Bruce Robertson, Frank Bunce, Jason Little, Conrad Smith, Andrew Slack.

Second five-eighth
Tim Horan

Came back from some horrendous injuries to be the best player at the 1999 World Cup. Fast and skilful who appeared to never do much wrong.

Unlucky: Ian MacRae, Bert Cooke, Walter Little.

Left wing
Jonah Lomu

The first global rugby superstar. A rampaging beast at the 1995 World Cup.

Unlucky: Joe Roff, Grant Batty, Ron Jarden, Adam Ashley-Cooper.

First five-eighth
Dan Carter

Remember 2005, Wellington. On a scale of one to 10, Carter was at least a 13. On his day, clearly the best in the world, if not the best ever. Shame if it all ends ugly.

Unlucky: Grant Fox, Michael Lynagh, Mark Ella, Mark Nicholls.

Halfback
Ken Catchpole

A star who captained the Wallabies at just 21. Great passing and kicking game, who won many games on his own. Career ended by some nasty play by Colin Meads.

Unlucky: Nick Farr-Jones, George Gregan, Sid Going.

No 8
Brian Lochore

The big man from Wairarapa had a hold on the field few could match. Esteemed leader and great man in the trenches.

Unlucky: Zinzan Brooke, Kieran Read, Mark Loane, Greg Cornelsen.

Openside
Richie McCaw

No words needed.

Unlucky: Michael Jones, Josh Kronfeld, Charlie Seeling, George Smith.

Blindside
Simon Poidevin

Always gave his guts. Shed enough blood to fuel a Twilight movie.

Unlucky: Ian Kirkpatrick, Maurice Brownlie, Kel Tremain, Tony Shaw.

Locks
John Eales

Won two World Cups. Super talented, super co-ordinated and could kick goals. Led the Wallabies in a golden era.

Colin Meads

See openside description.

Unlucky: Steve Cutler, Andy Haden, Peter Whiting.

Props
Ken Gray

The man from Wellington was super tough and super strong. Highly skilful for a big man and good in the lineout.

Kevin Skinner

Part of rugby folklore in the part he played to win the 1956 series against South Africa. Have to have an Otago player in there.

Unlucky: Wilson Whineray, Nicholas Shehadie, Stan Pilecki, Tony Woodcock.

Hooker
Sean Fitzpatrick

An iron man who fronted day in, day out and had a huge winning desire. Good at his core roles.

Unlucky: Phil Kearns, Dennis Young, Keven Mealamu.

LEAGUE

Fullback
Clive Churchill

If you get a trophy named after you in the biggest game of the year then you must be handy.

Unlucky: Billy Slater, Greg Inglis, Des White, Darryn Lockyer, Graham Eadie.

Right wing
Dally Messenger

Without him, the game would probably not have existed.

Unlucky: Kerry Boustead, Eric Grothe sen.

Centres
Reg Gasnier

Stalwart of the great St George sides of the 1960s.

Bob Fulton

Great player and great coach.

Unlucky: Tom Baxter, Mal Meninga, Andrew Ettingshausen.

Left wing
Albert Baskerville

Basically set up league in the southern hemisphere, organising the first tour by a rugby league team. Tragically died of pneumonia at a young age.

Unlucky: Dane O'Hara, Dean Bell, Chicka Ferguson.

Stand-off
Wally Lewis

The King of Lang Park. Was said to be bigger than the game.

Unlucky: Graeme Langlands, Laurie Daley, Olsen Filipaina.

Halfback
Andrew Johns

Ran a game better than anyone. Could play traffic cop and ball runner equally well.

Unlucky: Stacey Jones, Gary Freeman, Ricky Stuart, Johnathan Thurston.

Loose forward
Tawera Nikau

Perhaps could have had a greater career if he had stayed at one club. On his game, few could better him.

Unlucky: Johnny Raper, Bradley Clyde, Wayne Pearce, Brad Fittler.

Second row
Mark Graham

Injury got in the way of his career but virtually carried Norths on his back for years.

Sonny Bill Williams

Bit of controversy but those offloads and ball carries could not be bettered.

Unlucky: Paul Sironen, Gorden Tallis, Frank Burge.

Props
Arthur Beetson

Virtually made State of Origin into what it is. Tough and old school.

Kurt Sorensen

Could play second row but a dynamic athletic player who was no friend of the judiciary.

Unlucky: Paul Gallen, Steve Roach, Glenn Lazarus.

Hooker
Cameron Smith

A modern-day great who never seems to play a bad game. Good goal-kicker, too.

Unlucky: Benny Elias, Duanne Mann, Steve Walters.

CRICKET

Openers
Victor Trumper

One of the first Australian greats. A complete natural who was once described as ''having no style but is all style'.' First player to score a century before lunch in a test.

Unlucky: Bill Ponsford, Matthew Hayden, Bill Lawry, Stewie Dempster, Arthur Morris.

Adam Gilchrist

The wicketkeeper has to go somewhere. Gilchrist was destructive and though not normally an opener, would be great there in this side.

Unlucky: Jack Blackham, Wally Grout, Rod Marsh.

No 3
Don Bradman

Naturally.

Unlucky: Ricky Ponting, Neil Harvey, Bert Sutcliffe, Ian Chappell.

No 4
Greg Chappell

Not the most popular man this side of the Tasman but he was great to watch in full flight.

Unlucky: Mark Waugh, Lindsay Hassett.

No 5
Martin Crowe

Class act. Something of a tortured individual but scored some beautiful centuries when needed.

Unlucky: Martin Donnelly, Steve Waugh, Sid Barnes.

No 6
Allan Border

Bit of a contentious spot but Border was a street fighter and never gave in when the chips were down, which they often were when he was in the side.

Unlucky: Doug Walters, Michael Clarke.

No 7
Keith Miller

An all-rounder who averaged nearly 37 with the bat and under 23 with the ball. A fighter pilot and romancer of royalty who famously said ''pressure is a Messerschmitt up your arse - playing cricket is not''.

Unlucky: Richie Benaud, Stan McCabe, Chris Cairns.

No 8
Richard Hadlee

New Zealand's greatest. Paddles was unplayable some days. New Zealand cricket had had one golden era and it was because of him.

Unlucky: Jeff Thomson, Ray Lindwall.

No 9
Shane Warne

A joy to watch when in full flight. Bowled the so-called ball of the century. Possessed a great cricketing brain.

Unlucky: Clarrie Grimmett, Bill O'Reilly.

No 10
Dennis Lillee

Came back from a serious back injury to spearhead the Australian attack. Dangerous and bowled a beautiful line.

Unlucky: Graham McKenzie, Craig McDermott.

No 11
Glenn McGrath

Averaged just over 21. Never looked like he was doing much but just kept putting it on the spot and was ultra consistent.