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The people's choice: Cheslin Kolbe voted ahead of Semi Radradra as the best wing on the planet by fans
By Online Editors
Springboks star Cheslin Kolbe has been crowned the world's best wing by fans around the globe after defeating Fijian flyer Semi Radradra in a poll on social media.
The electric 26-year-old enjoyed a comfortable win with 60 percent of the fan vote on RugbyPass' Facebook and Instagram accounts as part of the Straight 8 Fan Vote campaign to determine the best player on the planet in each position.
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Kolbe and Radradra were left as the last two players standing in the third and final round of the knockout bracket after having fought off the challenges of some big names in the prior two rounds.
Backing up his 79 percent winning margin against Japanese sensation Kenki Fukuoka, Radradra dominated against South African speedster Makazole Mapimpi in the second round to run away with the tie by 72 percent.
On the other side of the draw, Kolbe had little trouble in dispatching Welsh wing Josh Adams with 89 percent of the fan vote, before cruising to victory against rapid Englishman Jonny May with 69 percent of the public's support.
In the end, it was Kolbe's speed, fleet-footed prowess and ability to punch well above his weight despite standing at only 1.7m and 77kg that got him past the might of Radradra.
Whether it's been from the midfield or the wing, the Fijian league convert has been a dominant force in union since making the switch to the Top 14 from the NRL three years ago, but that didn't stop Kolbe from winning 60 percent of the vote.
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Latest Comments
Perenara is super woke, the treaty of long ago is irrelevant to a game of rugby in Italy. By referencing it and claiming the countries going through tough times is clearly because Perenara doesn't agree with the democratically elected government of New Zealand that people from all ethnicities voted for. Perenara is making it divisive and political despite many of his team mates that wouldn't agree with his decision. The Allblacks saved this year's worst performance to combine it with the most divisive haka statement. Perhaps it's overdue now for NZ rugby to leave the haka for home games only, ensure that only the players that want to do it are included and never again have 'insertions' added by political activist players.
Go to commentsI expected a larger win than this and the ABs were off slightly whilst the rested Italians were well up for this and gave a real committed performance
Frustrating but a lot of those ABs forwards have done huge minutes this tour and Italy are not the side from the World Cup
Remember they beat wales and Scotland in the 6N
Drew with France and lost to England by 3
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