The no.12 has been chosen, now it's time to choose his centre partner in the RUGBY.com.au World XV of the Decade.
Able to change pace and direction effortlessly, these outside centres have made the most of their own opportunities while having the ability to put those inside and outside them into gaps while plugging the defensive line.
Vote now for your pick at no.13.
Conrad Smith (New Zealand)
One half of the All Blacks’ champion centre pairing of the 2010s with Ma’a Nonu, Smith was part of two World Cup-winning squads after making his tournament debut in the 2007 edition. With his pace, ability to read the game and peerless defence, Smith had few equals in his 94-Test career.
Jonathan Davies (Wales)
Another member of a top pairing of the 2010s, Davies, with Jamie Roberts, helped Wales reclaim its place as a feared rugby nation in the 2010s, playing 87 Tests including three World Cup campaigns and two Lions tours. Will miss the 2020 Six Nations though after suffering a knee injury during the 2019 World Cup.
Adam Ashley-Cooper (Australia)
The versatile Ashley-Cooper was used at centre, fullback and wing in his 121-Test career for the Wallabies but found his groove in the no.13 jersey, providing a reliable partner for a host of inside centres during his 15-season tenure in gold.
Manu Tuilagi (England)
The mercurial Tuilagi has played 41 Tests since his debut in 2011, with injury and disciplinary issues curtailing his appearances for England. A British and Irish Lions tourist in 2013, Tuilagi turned out in just one Test, due to playing through an era of dominant centres from the other unions. A member of England’s World Cup final team against South Africa in Japan earlier this year.Jean de Villiers (South Africa)
Regarded as one of the greatest Springbok players of all time, de Villiers played 109 Tests, although many of them came before the turn of the last century after he made his international debut in 2002 against France. Adept in the no.12 jersey and on the wing as well as at outside centre, the South African captain was forced to retire in 2015 after breaking his jaw in a match against Samoa at the World Cup.
