The unveiling of the XXXX Legends XV captures the very best players to represent the Queensland Reds over the 30 years of Super Rugby.
The final line-up announced at last Friday’s Reds vs Highlanders match is a mix of everything we expected.
There are outright superstars, 100-cap heroes and crowd favourites all included and often those traits are all rolled into a single player.
Four players garnered more than 85 per cent of the vote for their respective positions…lock John Eales, fullback Chris Latham, inside centre Tim Horan and halfback Will Genia.
The most contested spot throughout was outside centre with a strong three-way share of the votes.
Ultimately, two-time World Cup-winner Jason Little (39 per cent) edged out fellow Wallabies Daniel Herbert (32) and Samu Kerevi (23).
At openside flanker, there was a classic wrestle of votes honouring Wallaby great David Wilson and Fraser McReight, one of the Wallabies finest of the current era.
McReight was the fan pick, a nod to how his high-octane game resonates with followers in the stands at Suncorp Stadium at every home game.
Tighthead prop was another spot where fans were seriously split. Powerhouse Taniela Tupou got the nod over Greg Holmes with both gaining more than 40 per cent of the vote.
Elsewhere up front, Stephen Moore’s service at hooker was recognised over a quality roll call that included Saia Faingaa, Michael Foley, Matt Faessler and Sean Hardman.
James Slipper and Dan Crowley led the cauliflower ear brigade at loosehead prop.
The Genia-Quade Cooper alliance in the halves has a powerful place in Reds history with the 2011 Super Rugby title as the summit.
Fans kept the pair together with their votes.
James Horwill, skipper of the 2011 team, was selected to partner Eales at lock.
In all, six players from the class of 2011 (Genia, Cooper, Horwill, flanker Scott Higginbotham, prop James Slipper and winger Digby Ioane) were voted into the XXXX Legends XV.
There was a strong share of votes across eras too with No.8 Toutai Kefu, winger Ben Tune, Horan, Little, Latham and Eales representing the dominant Queensland teams of the 1990s and the turn of the century.
When you pick a XXXX Legends XV, you need a team to play.
How about the quality of this line-up of quality as opponents:
Jock Campbell, Rod Davies, Daniel Herbert, Anthony Faingaa, Wendell Sailor, Elton Flatley, Tate McDermott, Radike Samo, David Wilson, Matt Cockbain, Mark Connors, Nathan Sharpe, Greg Holmes, Michael Foley, Dan Crowley.
The fun isn’t over with fans now selecting the inaugural Super Rugby Legends XV from across the full sweep of the competition’s 30 years.
The Reds Legends are now going head-to-head, one position every week, to earn a place in the Super Rugby Legends XV.
