Tony Miller names his best Dons XIII

Former Dons player, captain, and head coach Tony Miller names his Dons best XIII from players he played with at the club.

Carl Hall started by naming his best XIII and his overseas XIII while last week Dons legend Audley Pennant listed his best team. This week Tony Miller becomes the next person to name his XIII and tell us a little bit about why he chose each one.

Full back - Jamie Bloem

He was strong and quick. He was a great competitor and played best at full back but he could play centre or wing also.

Wing - Mark Roach

He was athletic and pace to burn. He was a great try scorer and a character off the field who you couldn’t not like. I’m smiling remembering him as I write this.

Centre - Carl Hall

Carl was strong and quick with great hands and footwork to match. He was a real handful to defend against.

(Click here to see Carl’s team)

Centre - Craig Weston

Craig was a classy player. He had great hands and vision and equally as effective at standoff

Wing - Dave Evans

He was a great returner of the ball and a solid defender – he could also play centre.

Half back - Andy Gascoigne

He was the little general. He was a great organiser and a great kicker of the ball

Half back - Paul Mansson

Quick with great hands – a superb runner of the ball, who could score a try out of nothing.

Prop - Vila Matautia

Big and powerful and a nightmare for opposition – hit the tackle as hard in defence as I’ve seen.

Hooker - Peter Edwards

He had a great engine and could tackle for fun.

Prop - Asa Amone

Hard as nails and he was always willing to do the hard yards

Back row -Audley Pennant

Big, powerful and quick, he was equally as effective in the centre. He always played well but especially in the big games. Great defensively!

(Click here to see Audley’s team)

Back row -Sonny Whakarua

Good engine on him with quality hands, excellent reader of the game

Loose forward -Rocky Turner

Great Hands and vision – and excellent kicker and goal kicker.

SUBS

Wayne Jackson

Big, powerful, and deceptively quick over 20 metres. He was excellent at breaking the line.

Brendon Carlyle

Could play either hooker or in halfs.

Latham Tawhai

He was a good organiser and had a great kicking game.

Rob Wilson

A tough uncompromising player, who could hit hard in defence.