World XV

[markshaw]

If it's going on current form the Beale is better than Mils

Guess you could argue current form. I personally dont think Beale's form will last going on how hes performed in the past

 

[TRF_Olyy]

You never know, Beale's only 21, so it could just be that he hadn't learnt the skillset before

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

dont you think alberts would make a good 8th man? then we can have him starting for SA and give spies the boot. hy is rerig kak.

Stem heeltemal saam. For SA, yes I would love playing a backrow of 6 Brussow, 7 Smith and 8 Alberts as he looked very good at 8 for the Lions. I don't think it will happen, though as Spies is a great marketing tool and poster boy for SA rugby as well as a Bull. PdV is so far up his ass its not funny.

Also Beale > Mils for 2010 not that Mils wasn't awesome.

 

[nickdnz]

1.Neemia Tialata
2.Bismarck du Plessis
3.Martin Castrogiovanni
4.Sebastien Chabal
5.Brad Thorn
6.Thierry Dusautoir
7.David Pocock
8.Kerian Read

9.Piri Weepu
10.Matt Giteau
11.Hosea Gear
12.Ma'a Nonu
13.Adam Ashley Cooper
14.Drew Mitchell
15.Mils Muliaina

16.Tony Buckley
17.Keven Mealamu
18.Victor Matfield
19.Richie McCaw
20.Jamie Heaslip
21.Daniel Carter
22.Brain O'Driscoll

This is my squad,I don't really follow too much of the N.H teams so im not really sure about top players i could of put in hence my S.H loaded team. looking forward to some feedback

Here is my feedback -

Few issues with the squad.

1. Tialata's best position isn't tight head. He's heavy, but his scrummaging can only be described as his one alright asset. He had a great game for the Barbarians, but that was his first in years. He's too slow for the modern game, and he his the line, with the physicality and intent of a kitten with haemophilia. Certainly not a better loosehead than Gethin Jenkins, Guthro Steenkamp or Tony Woodcock. Tialata will be lucky to play for the AB's again, and i say that as a proud Wellingtonian.

2. I'd say Mealamu was the best hooker in the world, considering his extreme work rate, and he had an amazing Tri Nations (something which Bismarck du Plessis didn't have any part in due to injury). Servat I would say would be second. Not an outragous selection you picked though.

3. Martin Castrogiovanni is a fair selection. You could have picked Owen Franks, Dan Cole, Adam Jones or the greatest ever TH (even though he's a non international) Carl Hayman. But Castrogiovanni demolished the Argentinian scrum, so I think it's a fair pick.

4. Chabal is very entertaining, but he's a better 8 than lock. He's not really in contention for best lock, he'd be behind Sam Whitelock, Victor Matfield, Courtney Lawes, Paul O'Connel (even if he is only on the field for 10 minutes ) and Brad Thorn.

5. Brad Thorn is a good choice. Great work rate, heart of the AB's.

6. The French system means you have a right and a left flanker, not an open and blindside flanker. Thierry Dusautoir wear the 6 jersey, but he's not really a blind side flanker. Jerome Kaino is probably the best 6 in the world (don't worry about sounding bias to the All Blacks in your selections, the AB's are on form and our players are standing out, last year SA had probably 2/3rds of the World XV in most peoples choice of teams, while only McCaw and Carter were picked). If you insist on putting Pocock at 7 (which he has been the better fetcher, but probably not a better player, than McCaw could have played a 6 instead of Dusautoir).

7. Pocock makes a strong case for the best 7 in the world, but McCaw just won his third IRB Player of the Year award (two more than anyone else) and captained the AB's to a near perfect season. Seems a little hard to leave him out.

8. Kieren Read is the best 8 in the world right now. Good choice.

9. Peri Weepu is great, but he's injured. Currently playing you would probably have England's Ben Youngs or Australia's Will Genia. If you're including injured players, then Fourie du Preez was the worlds best 9 last year by a mile.

10. This is where you started to lose your way. Giteau has been playing 12 most of the season, and saying he's better than Carter, Cooper or Steyn is a little crazy. He's probably behind Barnes, Flood and Parks in the world as well.

11. Correct. Hosea Gear is god.

12. Pleased to see Nonu here. He had a good Tri Nations, and I can't think of a better 12 in the world.

13. Ehhh. AAC had a very good EoYT, but to say he's a better centre than Conrad Smith or BOD is pushing it a little. Smith is the best centre in the world in my opinion, despite a fairly average eoyt.

14. I think Cory Jane is really unlucky, considering he could well and truly been on this list had Henry played him more during the EoYT. He's an amazing talent, but he's fallen a bit under the radar. Tommy Bowe and Cory Jane I'd say are just as good as Drew Mitchell, but he's played an amazing last few games (5 tries in the last two games?) so I think it's a good choice.

15. I like Mils, but despite all his applause, I think he had a increasingly bad season towards the end. He didn't counter attack as well as he should have, and he was a bit selfish in his play. A few great moments, with a few too many bad ones (some of his aimless kicks were terrible). I'd have put Beale here, but many would disagree. Solid choice.

16. Buckly wouldn't be in most peoples 15 best props in the world. Very average scrummager.

17. Kevin Mealamu I'd say should be starting, but at least he's in the team.

18. Victor Matfield had a good EoYT, despite an indifferent Tri Nations. Much better lock than Chabal, and probably the best lock of the decade.

19. Richie McCaw should be in the starting team in my opinion, but it's not silly having Pocock there, and McCaw can cover 6 and 8 if need be, which bring me to -

20. Why have a second specialist loose forward in the squad? Heaslip is probably up there with Harinordoquy and Parrise in terms of quality 8's, but it seems odd to have him in the team leaving only two spaces for the backs!

21. Daniel Carter should be in the starting team. It's not really up for debate. This would have been a good spot for Giteau, as with only two rooms for backs, Giteau can cover 9, 10 and 12. Weird selection, which brings me to -

22. BOD cannot cover any outside back positions. He's still quality, but he's too slow to really feature on the wing or fullback. Cory Jane would have been a good selection here, or AAC, Beale and O'Connor, as they can cover wing and fullback.

I'm under the impression hes a wing as it says in his All Blacks profile and Blues profile (although in his blues profile he has centre stated as his second position)

Hes better then Joe...Only guys hes compeating with are Sivi (when fit) and Hosea..

Well he started off as a wing, but he became a better centre when he put on all the muscle (he's now 97kgs). Two seasons ago, I agree, he was quick, plobably the form winger of the beginning of the NPC. He's only played 3 matches for the AB's, the first he played at centre with Kahui moving to second five eights when Stanley went off. The second he was on the wing verse South Africa and the third was on the wing against Australia. I think it should be noted though, he would have replaced Conrad Smith in those matches, so I think they moved him to wing, so they could keep Smith, and also because he needs to improve his core skills. I think he's going to be bred to be a quality centre, and he's even said he wants to play at centre.

I think Cory Jane, Hosea Gear, Rokocoko, Sivivatu and even Savea are better wings than he is. I'm not saying he's a bad player, as I think he's got the potential to be a really good centre if he can get his passing game right, but I just can't see him being a great winger.

 

[lance2010]

Here is my feedback -

Few issues with the squad.

1. Tialata's best position isn't tight head. He's heavy, but his scrummaging can only be described as his one alright asset. He had a great game for the Barbarians, but that was his first in years. He's too slow for the modern game, and he his the line, with the physicality and intent of a kitten with haemophilia. Certainly not a better loosehead than Gethin Jenkins, Guthro Steenkamp or Tony Woodcock. Tialata will be lucky to play for the AB's again, and i say that as a proud Wellingtonian.

2. I'd say Mealamu was the best hooker in the world, considering his extreme work rate, and he had an amazing Tri Nations (something which Bismarck du Plessis didn't have any part in due to injury). Servat I would say would be second. Not an outragous selection you picked though.

3. Martin Castrogiovanni is a fair selection. You could have picked Owen Franks, Dan Cole, Adam Jones or the greatest ever TH (even though he's a non international) Carl Hayman. But Castrogiovanni demolished the Argentinian scrum, so I think it's a fair pick.

4. Chabal is very entertaining, but he's a better 8 than lock. He's not really in contention for best lock, he'd be behind Sam Whitelock, Victor Matfield, Courtney Lawes, Paul O'Connel (even if he is only on the field for 10 minutes ) and Brad Thorn.

5. Brad Thorn is a good choice. Great work rate, heart of the AB's.

6. The French system means you have a right and a left flanker, not an open and blindside flanker. Thierry Dusautoir wear the 6 jersey, but he's not really a blind side flanker. Jerome Kaino is probably the best 6 in the world (don't worry about sounding bias to the All Blacks in your selections, the AB's are on form and our players are standing out, last year SA had probably 2/3rds of the World XV in most peoples choice of teams, while only McCaw and Carter were picked). If you insist on putting Pocock at 7 (which he has been the better fetcher, but probably not a better player, than McCaw could have played a 6 instead of Dusautoir).

7. Pocock makes a strong case for the best 7 in the world, but McCaw just won his third IRB Player of the Year award (two more than anyone else) and captained the AB's to a near perfect season. Seems a little hard to leave him out.

8. Kieren Read is the best 8 in the world right now. Good choice.

9. Peri Weepu is great, but he's injured. Currently playing you would probably have England's Ben Youngs or Australia's Will Genia. If you're including injured players, then Fourie du Preez was the worlds best 9 last year by a mile.

10. This is where you started to lose your way. Giteau has been playing 12 most of the season, and saying he's better than Carter, Cooper or Steyn is a little crazy. He's probably behind Barnes, Flood and Parks in the world as well.

11. Correct. Hosea Gear is god.

12. Pleased to see Nonu here. He had a good Tri Nations, and I can't think of a better 12 in the world.

13. Ehhh. AAC had a very good EoYT, but to say he's a better centre than Conrad Smith or BOD is pushing it a little. Smith is the best centre in the world in my opinion, despite a fairly average eoyt.

14. I think Cory Jane is really unlucky, considering he could well and truly been on this list had Henry played him more during the EoYT. He's an amazing talent, but he's fallen a bit under the radar. Tommy Bowe and Cory Jane I'd say are just as good as Drew Mitchell, but he's played an amazing last few games (5 tries in the last two games?) so I think it's a good choice.

15. I like Mils, but despite all his applause, I think he had a increasingly bad season towards the end. He didn't counter attack as well as he should have, and he was a bit selfish in his play. A few great moments, with a few too many bad ones (some of his aimless kicks were terrible). I'd have put Beale here, but many would disagree. Solid choice.

16. Buckly wouldn't be in most peoples 15 best props in the world. Very average scrummager.

17. Kevin Mealamu I'd say should be starting, but at least he's in the team.

18. Victor Matfield had a good EoYT, despite an indifferent Tri Nations. Much better lock than Chabal, and probably the best lock of the decade.

19. Richie McCaw should be in the starting team in my opinion, but it's not silly having Pocock there, and McCaw can cover 6 and 8 if need be, which bring me to -

20. Why have a second specialist loose forward in the squad? Heaslip is probably up there with Harinordoquy and Parrise in terms of quality 8's, but it seems odd to have him in the team leaving only two spaces for the backs!

21. Daniel Carter should be in the starting team. It's not really up for debate. This would have been a good spot for Giteau, as with only two rooms for backs, Giteau can cover 9, 10 and 12. Weird selection, which brings me to -

22. BOD cannot cover any outside back positions. He's still quality, but he's too slow to really feature on the wing or fullback. Cory Jane would have been a good selection here, or AAC, Beale and O'Connor, as they can cover wing and fullback.


Well he started off as a wing, but he became a better centre when he put on all the muscle (he's now 97kgs). Two seasons ago, I agree, he was quick, plobably the form winger of the beginning of the NPC. He's only played 3 matches for the AB's, the first he played at centre with Kahui moving to second five eights when Stanley went off. The second he was on the wing verse South Africa and the third was on the wing against Australia. I think it should be noted though, he would have replaced Conrad Smith in those matches, so I think they moved him to wing, so they could keep Smith, and also because he needs to improve his core skills. I think he's going to be bred to be a quality centre, and he's even said he wants to play at centre.

I think Cory Jane, Hosea Gear, Rokocoko, Sivivatu and even Savea are better wings than he is. I'm not saying he's a bad player, as I think he's got the potential to be a really good centre if he can get his passing game right, but I just can't see him being a great winger.

Hey thanks for your in depth info on everyplayer i didn't know we couln't put injured players in (Weepu)
i could of just put all the All Blacks for the forward pack but that would of been boring.

I so forgot about Franks and prob would of had him in instead nevermind.

I could shuffle the backline around abit,Mils and AAC covering wing,center,fullback.Carter @ 1st and 2nd.Giteau 1st and 2nd and half.Weepu half and 1st.Nonu 2nd and center,i just went for versitility in the backs

 

[Larksea]

1, Steenkamp - The standout springbok of the trinations IMO
2, Mealamu - Quiet on EoY tour where Hika was really impressive but Mealamu was brilliantin June & the in the early tri nations games.
3, Franks - Maybe not brilliant in the scrum but more than held his own. His intensity around the field and on defence in particular is huge
4, Victor Matfield - Been a good year all round really
5, Sam Whitelock - International Rookie of the year?
6, Jerome Kaino - there were a few tests this year where he was the difference between Winning and losing, he's been good for a few years but this year he's stood up and taken an important role in the AB's.
7, McCaw - Automatic selection, Pockock was a bit better at the breakdown, McCaw was better everywhere else on the field.
8, Read - Should have been IRB player of the year but had a couple of "quiet games" though even in those games his workrate is something to behold.
9, will genia - class Act for Aussie, wasn't 100% for a while with injury but a big threat most of the time. Have to say though if weepu didn't break his leg I think I would have given this spot to him. He was awesome for the AB's and the space & time the backline had was far superior when he was on the field.
10, Carter - Automatic selection
11, Gear - His end of year tour and performances for the Maori were superb - plus a 7's gold medal.
12, Nonu - better season for him this year high point being the linebreak & pinpoint pass to beat the springboks in an away game right on full time.
13, Conrad Smith - with conrad smith in the AB's 2011 could be the first world cup in a while the AB's have had a world class centre.
14, chris ashton - because it's about time england ran the ball. that try against Australia was brilliant even though watching it now england should have been penalised at the ruck where Genia turned the ball over. English never released and 5 could have been given a yellow card too.
15, Mills - Because he is the best, I know Beale has had a good year and in particular has pulled off a couple of plays that helped win critical games for Aussie but Mills has done the same and more. People have been critical of some of his kicking which is a valid point but that was during a period after the tri nations where the AB's changed their gameplan and Mills mostly had new wingers on both sides (Gear & Toeava) who weren't as good as Jane & Roks/Dagg/Kahui at supporting him from the back. Scored a lot of trys and had the last pass in alot of them as well which is pretty normal.

Mostly AB's yes but look at the results. 93% win rate and again they have won every bit of silverware that was up for grabs. And importantly it wasn't just off the back of McCaw & carter there have been many other players who have stood up this year and been the difference between winning and losing games.

One loss to AUS but if that was a must win game they would have won it, they changed their playbook for that game and it took them a few games to get up to speed again and also rested carter from the last 20min. Shame though because if they did win that one this season would have gone down in history that's for sure. Not that becoming the first team to win all 6 tri nations games didn't do that anyway.

 

[gingergenius]

difficult because so many top names were injured for AIs and the French are never consistent in selection but:

1. Gethin Jenkins - I can't see much debate on this front. Never goes backward in the scrum and hands down the best in the loose. The only other guy that comes close is Soane Tonga'uiha, but being Tongan he never gets to show it internationally.

2. Keven Mealamu - not too much debate to be had here, I really rate Bismarck du Plessis as well and Servat is quality, but Mealamu takes it.

3. Adam Jones - wonderful scrummager, strong in the loose. If you watched which way the scrums went in the AIs went then the only possible guy to consider from the SH is Jannie du Plessis but I don't think he's up there; Dan Cole is close, as is Castrogiovanni and Nicholas Mas. Euan Murray's not been too great in recent years, Hayman we don't know about either.

4. Brad Thorn - no doubt, the best enforcing lock in world rugby. Bakkies Botha is starting to look past it; Courtney Lawes is the man in waiting.

5. Victor Matfield - largely on reputation since his recent form doesn't look too special. Paul O'Connell's been injured too much; Sam Whitelock looks useful for the future.

6. Jerome Kaino - based purely on recent form, his all round game has been the best. Tom Croft gets close, as does Juan Smith. Dusautoir's class but has been off colour recently.

7. Richie McCaw - no contest. David Pocock is the obvious for second place, and Heinrich Brussow looked better than Pocock last year, shame he's been injured.

8. Kieran Reid - developed into a world class 8. Imanol Harinordoquy would have been my pick post 6N, and Sergio Parisse is always up there.

9. Fourie du Preez - even though he's been out for a while, no one is as good as this man. Will Genia and Ben Youngs have been the other standout guys.

10. Dan Carter - no contest. Quade Cooper lacks in kicking and defence; Matt Giteau lacks in kicking and form; Morne Steyn and Francois Trinh-Duc aren't in that class.

11. Hosea Gear - has been destructive against everyone he's played against. Drew Mitchell's been on great form lately; a case can always be made for Shane Williams.

12. Ma'a Nonu - his only rival atm is Sonny Bill Williams, and Nonu takes it. A year ago I would have picked Giteau here but he's off colour.

13. Conrad Smith - hands down, even over Brian O'Driscoll. Adam Ashley-Cooper is a class act too, as is Jaque Fourie.

14. Cory Jane - thoroughly underrated. Tommy Bowe is outstanding, as is Vincent Clerc on his day. Chris Ashton is getting there, and James O'Connor's obviously exciting.

15. Mils Muliaina - for his all round game he's near perfect. Kurtley Beale is a very close second.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

difficult because so many top names were injured for AIs and the French are never consistent in selection but:

1. Gethin Jenkins - I can't see much debate on this front. Never goes backward in the scrum and hands down the best in the loose. The only other guy that comes close is Soane Tonga'uiha, but being Tongan he never gets to show it internationally.

2. Keven Mealamu - not too much debate to be had here, I really rate Bismarck du Plessis as well and Servat is quality, but Mealamu takes it.

3. Adam Jones - wonderful scrummager, strong in the loose. If you watched which way the scrums went in the AIs went then the only possible guy to consider from the SH is Jannie du Plessis but I don't think he's up there; Dan Cole is close, as is Castrogiovanni and Nicholas Mas. Euan Murray's not been too great in recent years, Hayman we don't know about either.

4. Brad Thorn - no doubt, the best enforcing lock in world rugby. Bakkies Botha is starting to look past it; Courtney Lawes is the man in waiting.

5. Victor Matfield - largely on reputation since his recent form doesn't look too special. Paul O'Connell's been injured too much; Sam Whitelock looks useful for the future.

6. Jerome Kaino - based purely on recent form, his all round game has been the best. Tom Croft gets close, as does Juan Smith. Dusautoir's class but has been off colour recently.

7. Richie McCaw - no contest. David Pocock is the obvious for second place, and Heinrich Brussow looked better than Pocock last year, shame he's been injured.

8. Kieran Reid - developed into a world class 8. Imanol Harinordoquy would have been my pick post 6N, and Sergio Parisse is always up there.

9. Fourie du Preez - even though he's been out for a while, no one is as good as this man. Will Genia and Ben Youngs have been the other standout guys.

10. Dan Carter - no contest. Quade Cooper lacks in kicking and defence; Matt Giteau lacks in kicking and form; Morne Steyn and Francois Trinh-Duc aren't in that class.

11. Hosea Gear - has been destructive against everyone he's played against. Drew Mitchell's been on great form lately; a case can always be made for Shane Williams.

12. Ma'a Nonu - his only rival atm is Sonny Bill Williams, and Nonu takes it. A year ago I would have picked Giteau here but he's off colour.

13. Conrad Smith - hands down, even over Brian O'Driscoll. Adam Ashley-Cooper is a class act too, as is Jaque Fourie.

14. Cory Jane - thoroughly underrated. Tommy Bowe is outstanding, as is Vincent Clerc on his day. Chris Ashton is getting there, and James O'Connor's obviously exciting.

15. Mils Muliaina - for his all round game he's near perfect. Kurtley Beale is a very close second.

Simply this!

 

[nickdnz]

difficult because so many top names were injured for AIs and the French are never consistent in selection but:

1. Gethin Jenkins - I can't see much debate on this front. Never goes backward in the scrum and hands down the best in the loose. The only other guy that comes close is Soane Tonga'uiha, but being Tongan he never gets to show it internationally.

2. Keven Mealamu - not too much debate to be had here, I really rate Bismarck du Plessis as well and Servat is quality, but Mealamu takes it.

3. Adam Jones - wonderful scrummager, strong in the loose. If you watched which way the scrums went in the AIs went then the only possible guy to consider from the SH is Jannie du Plessis but I don't think he's up there; Dan Cole is close, as is Castrogiovanni and Nicholas Mas. Euan Murray's not been too great in recent years, Hayman we don't know about either.

4. Brad Thorn - no doubt, the best enforcing lock in world rugby. Bakkies Botha is starting to look past it; Courtney Lawes is the man in waiting.

5. Victor Matfield - largely on reputation since his recent form doesn't look too special. Paul O'Connell's been injured too much; Sam Whitelock looks useful for the future.

6. Jerome Kaino - based purely on recent form, his all round game has been the best. Tom Croft gets close, as does Juan Smith. Dusautoir's class but has been off colour recently.

7. Richie McCaw - no contest. David Pocock is the obvious for second place, and Heinrich Brussow looked better than Pocock last year, shame he's been injured.

8. Kieran Reid - developed into a world class 8. Imanol Harinordoquy would have been my pick post 6N, and Sergio Parisse is always up there.

9. Fourie du Preez - even though he's been out for a while, no one is as good as this man. Will Genia and Ben Youngs have been the other standout guys.

10. Dan Carter - no contest. Quade Cooper lacks in kicking and defence; Matt Giteau lacks in kicking and form; Morne Steyn and Francois Trinh-Duc aren't in that class.

11. Hosea Gear - has been destructive against everyone he's played against. Drew Mitchell's been on great form lately; a case can always be made for Shane Williams.

12. Ma'a Nonu - his only rival atm is Sonny Bill Williams, and Nonu takes it. A year ago I would have picked Giteau here but he's off colour.

13. Conrad Smith - hands down, even over Brian O'Driscoll. Adam Ashley-Cooper is a class act too, as is Jaque Fourie.

14. Cory Jane - thoroughly underrated. Tommy Bowe is outstanding, as is Vincent Clerc on his day. Chris Ashton is getting there, and James O'Connor's obviously exciting.

15. Mils Muliaina - for his all round game he's near perfect. Kurtley Beale is a very close second.

A really nice summary. I like your team, and your reasoning is good. Nice to see you give Cory Jane a mention, as he is class.

 

[cyRil]

Yeah GG has got it pretty much spot on.
Can't believe the rise of Beale though. 2 years ago he was a dose of **** playing at 10 for the Waratahs and now he is an outstanding international player.

 

[Peat]

Bloody hell I'm bored

1. Gethin Jenkins - The amount of work he gets through. Jesus.
2. William Servat - France/Tolouse with him and France/Tolouse without him sways me on this one.
3. Nicolas Mas - I'm guessing here slightly, but he's the tighthead of the best scrummaging nation in the world currently so he's probably the right call.
4. Brad Thorn - A horrible, horrible machine
5. Victor Matfield - Since he's still a rather useful rugby player who's the best line out jumper in the world, in he goes. Wish I'd seen POC recently for a comparision.
6. Stephen Ferris - Possibly biased, but the way he stood out in a rather beaten looking Irish side and then went and absolutely ripped to Argentina to pieces convinced me he's the right man for this jersey.
7. Richie McCaw - I wanted to pick Pocock, he's in better form and deserved that IRB award more, but McCaw's still a better all round player. Not by much.
8. Sergio Parisse - Haven't seen anything recently to make me think I've got the wrong man here.

9. Fourie du Prez - Well, duh.
10. Dan Carter - It was a close call between him and Dan Carter with a broken leg, but this version of Dan Carter doesn't have a broken leg.
11. Drew Mitchell - No real justification, just wanted the best try scoring wing I could see and this was my man.
12. Ma'a Nonu - Best all round 12 in world rugby.
13. Conrad Smith - Best 13 in world rugby. Followed by Adam Ashley-Cooper. Followed by the sound of tumbleweed.
14. Cory Jane - Very very good. Very very intelligent. Ashton might have had this shirt with more experience, Bowe might have had it if he wasn't playing outside the dross and lint in Declan Kidney's pocket.
15. Kurtley Beale - Think he has more individual attacking talent going forwards than Mils.

So thats 2 Frogs, 1 taff, 1 paddy, 1 Italian, 2 saffas, 5 kiwis and a couple of ozzies. And think I might have overdone it with the Kiwis, but they just get so much more ball to show off with.

edit: And poor maths. 6 Kiwis.

 

[markshaw]

yeah pocock is a great old school flanker. not mobile like mccaw

 

[Peat]

yeah pocock is a great old school flanker. not mobile like mccaw

Old school 7s are mobile. And so is Pocock.

He's not as good a link man though, and I did think he wasn't as good a carrier but I'm no longer as certain of that.

 

[markshaw]

yeah what I should have said not AS mobile as McCaw. He's going to be the best flanker in the world in a few years

 

[dan the man]

1 - Tony Woodcock
2 - Keven Mealamu
3 - Carl Hayman
4 - Brad Thorn (hard worker sooo much experience)
5 - Victor Matfield (best lineout player ever)
6 - Rocky Elsom
7 - Richie McCaw (c)
8 - Keiran Read
9 - Fourie DuPreez
10 - Dan Carter
11 - Hosea Gear (best finisher in the world)
12 - Ma'a Nonu
13 - Conrad Smith (best centre by a country mile)
14 - Cory Jane
15 - Mils Muliaina

16 - John Smit (covers the whole front row)
17 - Ben Franks (covers both sides well)
18 - Nathan Sharpe (lots of experience)
19 - Jerome Kiano (really unlucky not to be in the XV)
20 - Piri Weepu (great player can also cover 10)
21 - Matt Giteau (poor form lately but is still a quality player)
22 - James O'Conner (amazing player, he'll probably still be playing at the Japan RWC 2019)

 

[TRF_Cymro]

1 - Tony Woodcock
2 - Keven Mealamu
3 - Carl Hayman
4 - Brad Thorn (hard worker sooo much experience)
5 - Victor Matfield (best lineout player ever)
6 - Rocky Elsom
7 - Richie McCaw (c)
8 - Keiran Read
9 - Fourie DuPreez
10 - Dan Carter
11 - Hosea Gear (best finisher in the world)
12 - Ma'a Nonu
13 - Conrad Smith (best centre by a country mile)
14 - Cory Jane
15 - Mils Muliaina

16 - John Smit (covers the whole front row)
17 - Ben Franks (covers both sides well)
18 - Nathan Sharpe (lots of experience)
19 - Jerome Kiano (really unlucky not to be in the XV)
20 - Piri Weepu (great player can also cover 10)
21 - Matt Giteau (poor form lately but is still a quality player)
22 - James O'Conner (amazing player, he'll probably still be playing at the Japan RWC 2019)

Woodcock ... pppssshhhh please

 

[TRF_Olyy]

1 - Tony Woodcock
2 - Keven Mealamu
3 - Carl Hayman
4 - Brad Thorn (hard worker sooo much experience)
5 - Victor Matfield (best lineout player ever)
6 - Rocky Elsom
7 - Richie McCaw (c)
8 - Keiran Read
9 - Fourie DuPreez
10 - Dan Carter
11 - Hosea Gear (best finisher in the world)
12 - Ma'a Nonu
13 - Conrad Smith (best centre by a country mile)
14 - Cory Jane
15 - Mils Muliaina

16 - John Smit (covers the whole front row)
17 - Ben Franks (covers both sides well)
18 - Nathan Sharpe (lots of experience)
19 - Jerome Kiano (really unlucky not to be in the XV)
20 - Piri Weepu (great player can also cover 10)
21 - Matt Giteau (poor form lately but is still a quality player)
22 - James O'Conner (amazing player, he'll probably still be playing at the Japan RWC 2019)

If you didn't have the NZ flag under your post I'd have never guessed where you're from!

 

[gingergenius]

in fairness, my team contained 11 kiwis. plus 2 boks and strangely, 2 welshmen.

 

[lucky number 7]

1-Gethin jenkins
2-servat
3-Carl hayman
4-Brad thorn
5-Lawes (just for the beautiful tackling)
6-Ferris
7- Right now ..on form...I would say Sean O Brien ...huge bias because I love the way he plays ..but really he is carving through people in all the matches Lately
8-Read
9-Piri weepu
10-Dan Carter
11-Cory jane
12-Nonu
13-AAC
14-Tommy bowe
15-Kurtly Beale

 

[lucky number 7]

However the most exciting team I could imagine would be this

1- tonguhia
2- Brits
3-Beast
4-lawes
5-chabal
6-Ferris
7-SoB
8-Kankowski
9-Piri weepu
10- DC
11-Malziueh?
12-Sbw
13-Bod feeding off sbw
14-Williams
15-Beale (but I always though Abendanon from bath was really class at broken field)