Team of the RWC 2011 - Who is in your fifteen...?

Its almost over, two games left to decide the top four placings. We have seen all and before the tournament dwindles into a distant memory who has most excited you?

What would your fifteen, one of each position be from the RWC 2011?


Sonny Bill Williams (New Zealand)

Cory Jane (New Zealand)

Kutley Beale (Australia)

Isreal Dagg (New Zealand)

Richard Kahui (New Zealand)

Quade Cooper (Australia)

Ma'a Nonu (New Zealand)

Mike Phillips (Wales)

Jamie Robert (Wales)

Alesana Tuilagi (Samoa)

Patrick Lambie (South Africa)

Manu Tuilagi (England)

Chris Ashton (England)

Taku Ngwenya (USA)

Shane Williams (Wales)

Peri Weepu (New Zealand)

George North (Wales)

Mike Tindall (England)

Will Genia (Australia)

Francois Steyn (South Africa)

Brian O' Driscoll (Scotland)

Jonathan Davies (Wales)

Maxime Mermoz (France)

Leigh Halfpenny (Wales)

Digby Ioane (Australia)

Dimitri Yachvili (France)

Vincent Clerc (France)

Forwards:

Bismarck Du Plessis (South Africa)

Pierre Spies (South Africa)

Schalk Burger (South Africa)

Rocky Elsom (Australia)

Kieran Ried (New Zealand)

Thierry Dusautoir (France)

David Pocock (Australia)

Heinrich Brüssow (South Africa)

Jerome Kaino (New Zealand) (Injured-not long though)

Richie McCaw (New Zealand)

Dan Lydiate (Wales)

Sona Taumalolo (Tonga)

Richie Gray (Scotland)

Rory Best (Ireland)

William Servat (France)

Adam Jones (Wales)

Sean O'Brien (Ireland)

Martin Castrogiovanni (Italy)

Owen Franks (New Zealand)

Luke Charteris (Wales)

Donnacha O'Callaghan (Ireland)

James Horwill (Australia)

Sam Warburton (Wales)

Paul O'Connell (Ireland)

Woodcock
Best
Jones
Charteris
Nallet/Thorn
Kaino
Pocock
Read
Phillips
Priestland ?? Cant really think of anyone better
Clerc
Roberts
Smith
Jane
Dagg

probably forgotten loads but off the top of my head thats it

Stand,

Out of the big teams then thats a pretty good and balanced side, am glad Charteris is finally getting some recognition whilst Dagg has been outstanding.

Cheers bedford

i think you have to give credit to the final four realistically (even France ) in terms of the selection. it would be easy enough to come up with another totally different XV which would be equally as good. Charteris is a good guy. Always liked him but probably never thought he had it in him to be as good as he has been. Fair play

People have been saying how much NZ rely on Carter but for me if they lost Conrad Smith in the centre then they really would be in trouble.

He is the proverbial glue that holds it all together nothing flashy just gets on with his job and wouldn't be missed until not there etc.

New Zealand because i expect them to be the only team who didnt lose a game.

Yes interesting selection, good choices too.

Jenkins
Mealamu
Mas
Whitelock
Charteris
Lydiate
McCaw
Reid
Phillips
Carter
North
Roberts
Smith
Jane
Dagg

15. Israel Dagg
14. Cory Jane
13. Conrad Smith
12. Ma'a Nonu (Tough call on Roberts, could have gone either way for me)
11. Digby Ioane (Tough call on George North)
10. Rhys Priestland
9. Mike Phillips

1.
2. Keven Mealamu
3. Adam Jones
4. Brad Thorn
5. Lionel Nallet
6. Dan Lydiate
7. Richie McCaw
8. Toby Faletau

Struggling at loosehead as I don't think there has been a totally outstanding one. If pushed I would probably opt for Gethin Jenkins.

maestegmafia wrote:Jenkins
Mealamu
Mas
Whitelock
Lydiate
McCaw
Reid
Phillips
Carter
North
Roberts
Smith
Jane
Dagg

Only 1 lock Maes? Otherwise a pretty good side.

One thing i would say is that i think Dusatoir and Bonnaire have been exceptional as well. Many feel Dusatoir isnt a great captain but if you actually watch the french reaction to THE tackle yesterday one thing that is unnoticed is Dusatoir going in and pulling his players away and giving them a dressing down for getting involved.

Couple that with leading his team (how much input does Lievremont have???) to the RWC final and conducting himself well throughout i think he deserves a mention too.

Kiwireddevil wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:Jenkins
Mealamu
Mas
Whitelock
Charteris
Lydiate
McCaw
Reid
Phillips
Carter
North
Roberts
Smith
Jane
Dagg

Only 1 lock Maes? Otherwise a pretty good side.

My biggest fall point I can't count.

I remember doing my A level mathematics, my teacher said if I could only do basic addition and subtraction I would have been a great mathematician.

Standulstermen wrote:One thing i would say is that i think Dusatoir and Bonnaire have been exceptional as well. Many feel Dusatoir isnt a great captain but if you actually watch the french reaction to THE tackle yesterday one thing that is unnoticed is Dusatoir going in and pulling his players away and giving them a dressing down for getting involved.

Couple that with leading his team (how much input does Lievremont have???) to the RWC final and conducting himself well throughout i think he deserves a mention too.

Good shout. Fantastic player, and one of 3 or 4 who are carrying the French right now.

I'm not going to include Wales in this 15 as with emotions running high i'd be tempted to pick an all Welsh 15... but would it be too far from the truth?

1. Woodcock (New Zealand) - The definition of solid. Seems to be an unsung hero in the ABs squad, never seen him take a backward step.

2. Du Plessis (South Africa) - Made a huge impact off the bench raising the tempo of the game everytime. Time for Smit to move over.

3. Mas (France) - One of the few french players to produce consistant good performances. Saw his oppertunity with Jones off the feild and took it well.

4. Rossow (South Africa) - Has proven there is life outside of the Botha/Matfield partnership. Botha will have to work hard to get back in.

5. Horwill (Australia) - Took his captancy brilliantly. A very strong player in what is criticised as a weak pack. Leads by example.

6. Dusatoir (France) - Carrying a missfiring French team. Frances only hope of not conceding 50 points in the final imo.

7. Pocock (South Africa) - This tournament has shown how valuable a fetcher is to any team and at 23 this man is one of the best in the world.

8. Read (New Zealand) - Powerful weapon to have in a very strong backrow. Takes a lot to stop him once he gets going.

9. Tanaka (Japan) - Remarkable spirit and very quick and accurate service from the smallest player in the world cup at 5'5".

10. Steyn (South Africa) - Does what a 10 should, gets points on the board. Steered the ship of the most underrated team in the tournament.

11. Ioane (Australia) - Not a lot between the wingers, but looks dangerous with ball in hand.

12. Nonu (New Zealand) - Highest scoring fantasy league player if i'm not mistaken, tries, assists, offloads, line breaks, he's got it all.

13. Smith (New Zealand) - Completes the perfect partnership and may be the better half, must be considered for world player of the year.

14. O'connor (Australia) - One of Australias go to guys already and he's only 21. Yet another stand out youngster.

15. Dagg (New Zealand) - All blacks find of the tournament? defences just can't handle Dagg at the moment, definatly one to watch.


Honourable mentions: Fotuali'i, Pisi, Arlidge, Kahui and Tincu.

Tanaka may be a bit of a personal choice as a small scrumhalf myself, but certanly one of the best players to watch this tournament.

Southern Hemisphere dominance one again. Would love to see a SANZAR touring side.

Great post Curly...CHEERS

if carter was still playing- who could get in the kiwi team?

its the kiwi team and the french kicker- job done

mystiroakey wrote:its the kiwi team and the french kicker- job done

It's going to be a cracking final

NZ 50 (10 unconverted tries) France 51 (17 penalties)

lol