World Top 10's!

[TobesHodges]

Can't believe no Kiwi's have said something about me putting Read #2 at 8, I had a whole speech ready and everything >.<

 

[Kiwi_]

Can't believe no Kiwi's have said something about me putting Read #2 at 8, I had a whole speech ready and everything >.<

Arguably this year he's been #2 to Vermuelen, can't really contest how good he's been and Read earlier was off pace for him. I think he's back to #1 now though, he's looked great back in black and towards the end of the Crusaders seasons (last few games). Also with Duanes injury. Besides, form is temporary class is permanent.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Henshaw is the current 12 for Ireland, although you could argue he's more of a 13. I probably wouldn't have any England 12s on my list, they're all pretty average. In Barritt's case, I think much like Bastareaud he is a 'one trick pony', i.e. his defence is good but few other areas of his game are international standard, and that holds him back from being considered a top 10 inside centre for me.

I'd probably say something like this:
1) Nonu
2) SBW
3) De Allende
4) Giteau
5) Fofana
6) JDV
7) Toomua
8) Roberts
9) Henshaw
10) Leali'ifano

2 to 4 are very close and are interchangeable in my mind. I felt unsure on where to rate JDV, as I don't know whether he will be the same player after such a horrible injury.

I thought Henshaw played at 13 myself. I wouldn't have JdV on there myself TBH. Even from just SA I'd have both Jan Serfontein and Francois Venter ahead of him if only just. He still has a good rugby brain but he is sadly passed being it IMO. I love De Allende and love that you have him there. He has a good pass and offload to complement his size he just needs to tighten up his defensive play even though its mostly positional and decision making in defense.

Yeah Nonu then SBW, I would have Barritt in there, probably he biggest defence at 12 in the world, don't get me wrong miles behind de Allende and Nonu, SBW etc in attack. but the best defence would have to put him up there..

There is a lot to be said for defence its true. I'd have Barritt in there myself as well.

SBW is overrated, good, does a job, but definitely overrated.

I wish you were an All Black selector.

 

[Kiwi_]

SBW has shined vs a poor Argentina, he was quiet for the Chiefs, only shined early season.. Then you look at Fekitoa who pulled the Highlanders midfield together, huge defence and heart. Sorry, but come on.

 

[munstermuffin]

Fair shouts on the rest. Like I said I'd hate to seperate them. I think Murray and Smith have some space seperating them from the chasing pack. On Smith vs Murray I would take Murray personally as reflected in my post. I wouldn't say as stongly Murray > Smith though but for the teams I support I'd take Murray without hesitation because his kicking game reminds me of FdP at his best and would suit our style not too mention taking some kicking responsibility off of Pollard/Le Roux would be priceless for the Bokke.

Think I'd agree with what your saying. It's all depending on what team and style they play in. Murrays a controlling 9. Has the pass but more like a general. Smith is a high tempo 9.

 

[chippieolamus]

SBW has shined vs a poor Argentina, he was quiet for the Chiefs, only shined early season.. Then you look at Fekitoa who pulled the Highlanders midfield together, huge defence and heart. Sorry, but come on.

No one is comparing him to Fekitoa as SBW plays 12 not 13.

 

[TobesHodges]

SBW has shined vs a poor Argentina, he was quiet for the Chiefs, only shined early season.. Then you look at Fekitoa who pulled the Highlanders midfield together, huge defence and heart. Sorry, but come on.

Get the Barracuda in there ay Kiwi

 

[valley commando]

Fly half:
1) Johnny Sexton
2) Hendre Pollard
3) Dan Carter
4) George Ford
5) Beuden Barritt
6) Bernard Foley
7) Morne Steyn
8) Lima sopoaga
9) Owen Farrell
10) Camille Lopez

Cruden
Biggar
Carter
Steyn
Barritt
Pollard
Trinh Duc
Sexton
Ford
Foley

 

[Kiwi_]

Get the Barracuda in there ay Kiwi

The Cuda! Going massive with Hawkes Bay

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Cruden
Biggar
Carter
Steyn
Barritt
Pollard
Trinh Duc
Sexton
Ford
Foley

*Sniggers*

 

[chippieolamus]

Cruden
Biggar
Carter
Steyn
Barritt
Pollard
Trinh Duc
Sexton
Ford
Foley

Is that in order or just 10 players?

 

[valley commando]

Is that in order or just 10 players?

In that order, I know people will disagree but its my opinion, the contentious picks will probably be Cruden above Carter, Cruden the rising star for me the AB's have real strength in depth at 10.
Biggar is at 2 because of what he brings to Wales and has shown marked improvement over the last 3 years.
Perhaps nobody would go for Trinh Duc, but back from injury and if he gets good ball I think he could surprise.
Sexton is only at 8 as I don't think he is as good as he was 18 months ago, maybe I will be proved wrong.
Ford I rate higher than Farrell and maybe if he carries on progressing would be in my top 5 if this was next year.

- - - Updated - - -

*Sniggers*

Are you laughing at Biggar being 2nd or Sexton at 7, because if a Lion's squad was picked now I'd have Biggar at 10 with a toss of a coin between Ford and Sexton on the bench.
There are very fine margins between players at this level.

 

[TobesHodges]

Scrum Half:

1) Aaron Smith
2) Conor Murray
3) Ruan Pineear
4) Will Genia
5) TJ Peranara
6) Sebastian Tilles-Borde
7) Nick Phibbs
8) Ben Youngs
9) Henry Prygos
10) Rhys Webb

I think there will be some guys on this list after the World Cup like Morgan Parra, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (big talent, needs opportunity), Corbus Reinarch (didn't have a great season), Jonothan pellisse probs a few more..

 

[chippieolamus]

In that order, I know people will disagree but its my opinion, the contentious picks will probably be Cruden above Carter, Cruden the rising star for me the AB's have real strength in depth at 10.
Biggar is at 2 because of what he brings to Wales and has shown marked improvement over the last 3 years.
Perhaps nobody would go for Trinh Duc, but back from injury and if he gets good ball I think he could surprise.
Sexton is only at 8 as I don't think he is as good as he was 18 months ago, maybe I will be proved wrong.
Ford I rate higher than Farrell and maybe if he carries on progressing would be in my top 5 if this was next year.

- - - Updated - - -



Are you laughing at Biggar being 2nd or Sexton at 7, because if a Lion's squad was picked now I'd have Biggar at 10 with a toss of a coin between Ford and Sexton on the bench.
There are very fine margins between players at this level.

What about Anscombe, Priestland and Hook? Surely they all deserve spots in the top 10 too.

 

[ncurd]

What about Anscombe, Priestland and Hook? Surely they all deserve spots in the top 10 too.

Henson!

 

[chippieolamus]

Henson!

Ah, forgot him. Maybe Matthew Morgan deserves a shout?

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Ah, forgot him. Maybe Matthew Morgan deserves a shout?

How about Stephen Jones? Sure he doesn't play any more but he was just so fantastic he needs to be on the list.

 

[ncurd]

How about Stephen Jones? Sure he doesn't play any more but he was just so fantastic he needs to be on the list.

Jiffy's in with a shout too!

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

In that order, I know people will disagree but its my opinion, the contentious picks will probably be Cruden above Carter, Cruden the rising star for me the AB's have real strength in depth at 10.
Biggar is at 2 because of what he brings to Wales and has shown marked improvement over the last 3 years.
Perhaps nobody would go for Trinh Duc, but back from injury and if he gets good ball I think he could surprise.
Sexton is only at 8 as I don't think he is as good as he was 18 months ago, maybe I will be proved wrong.
Ford I rate higher than Farrell and maybe if he carries on progressing would be in my top 5 if this was next year.

- - - Updated - - -



Are you laughing at Biggar being 2nd or Sexton at 7, because if a Lion's squad was picked now I'd have Biggar at 10 with a toss of a coin between Ford and Sexton on the bench.
There are very fine margins between players at this level.

More the impetus you showed getting Biggar in there, although it was wrong not to have him there! My opinion is quite different, I think Cruden and Sexton are quite far ahead of the chasing pack, Carter is a bit of an unknown currently. I think the fact Sexton is the most important and best player for the six nations champions of the last two years gets him ahead of Biggar quite easily. He'd probably be the first player on most peoples' Lions side... Again.

 

[Peat]

I'm quite surprised people still reckon Morne Steyn is a fly-half of note.

Also, for me Sexton is the best fly-half in the world when Carter's not in his pomp - personally think Cruden has issues when his platform goes, is a so-so defender at best and his goal kicking leaves something to be desired - and I'd have Biggar hovering about the top five. Sexton to me is still a man to seize the big occasion.

Very difficult to rate some of the fly-halves as we seem to have a real clutch of rookies on our hands. Not as convinced by Barrett as I'd like to be either, I thought he was the future but now want to see him control some games - I suspect Sopoaga might end up leapfrogging the NZ FH queue very shortly.

edit: I'd probably have Finn Russell on my list too.