ANZAC Team to play Lions in 2015?

There is some talk in the press about a possible rugby match between the Lions and a combined NZ and OZ XV (ANZAC) to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of Gallipoli. The Lions never play at "home" but the thinking is a game at Twickenham. That would be quite a unique event attracting huge interest.

Who would make this side in your view?

My XV is (assuming it is played this year, rather than try and guess who will be around in 3 years time):

1. O. Franks (NZ)
2. K. Mealamu (NZ)
3. T. Woodcock (NZ)
4. N. Sharpe (Aust)
5. S. Whitelock (NZ)
6. S Higginbotham (Aust)
7. D. Pocock (Aust)
8. K. Read (NZ)

9. W. Genia (Aust)
10. D. Carter (NZ)
11. D. Ioane (Aust)
12. SB. Williams (NZ)
13. C. Smith (NZ)
14. AAC (Aust)
15. K. Beale (Aust)

Mate a lot of the Kiwis in there will have retired or in SBW's case maybe switched codes by then. You could probably omit Mealamu, Carter and Conrad Smith in 2015. The game looks a great idea. Shame it couldn't be played on ANZAC Day itself. Imagine packing out the Galatasaray stadium in Istanbul for it!

disneychilly wrote:or in SBW's case maybe switched codes by then.

He will be due his debut game of soccer around that time.

1. Benn Alexander
2. K. Mealamu (NZ)
3. T. Woodcock (NZ)
4. N. Sharpe (Aust)
5. S. Whitelock (NZ)
6. S Higginbotham (Aust)
7. D. Pocock (Aust)
8. K. Read (NZ)

9. W. Genia (Aust)
10. D. Carter (NZ)
11. D. Ioane (Aust)
12. James O connor (Aus)
13. C. Smith (NZ)
14. Izzy Dagg (NZ)
15. K. Beale (Aust)

That backline would be one to fear

JOC has got to start in the backline. Doesn't matter where. If Carter's not there, Cruden at 10. If Smith's retired, AAC at 13

Did anyone hear the rumour today about Brett Stewart possibly signing up for London Irish for 3 and a half big ones?

His contract with Manly Sea Eagles expires at the end of this season. Don't know if he played union in the Illawarra where he grew up... he possibly did? He certainly has all the skills of a great running player and would be a thrill to watch. 116 tries in 146 games and about 60 tries in 65 appearances on his home ground.

Personally, I think he's lost some speed and elusiveness since his knee injuries. Probably at his peak in 2008. Still, I could see him creating havoc in loose play and terrorising the opposition.

So maybe by 2015 - he may be an outside bolter for fullback or a wing position.

I never really rated Brett Stewart but that's probably due in large part to my irrational, uncontrollable hatred of all things Manly.

Well that's your problem isn't it FC?

He's a great player who's done some unbelievably freakish things. Only recently he seems to have lost some of it (he definitely seems slower) but then he can still pull off something special when Manly, NSW or Australia needs it.

disneychilly wrote:Mate a lot of the Kiwis in there will have retired or in SBW's case maybe switched codes by then. You could probably omit Mealamu, Carter and Conrad Smith in 2015. The game looks a great idea. Shame it couldn't be played on ANZAC Day itself. Imagine packing out the Galatasaray stadium in Istanbul for it!

Jeebus, DC, that might be a bit (in-)sensitive!!

Whoa, those are some good looking teams alright! Great concept to, hope it goes ahead. Imagine if we hadnt seperated all those millions of years ago, we'd rule the rugby world for sure.

Brett Stewart was/is good, infuriatingly good (warriors supporter here, flipping manly!!).

That was a bit tongue in cheek LB. While they are probably my least favourite side, there's really only a couple in the team that bug me.

The guy's obviously a very talented footballer who's had it pretty rough off the field so to come back and still have the goods is to be commended. I must admit I haven't watched too many Sea Eagles games this year so I don't know what sort of nick he's in but he's been a strong performer for a long time now. Obviously I'd get behind him if he's wearing the green and gold! (but you can keep him if he's in the sky blue or maroon and white )

It's just when you say your "irrational, uncontrollable hatred of all things Manly" I tend to overlook the "irrational" bit.

I was born in Manly.

Fair enough mate. My dislike started back in school when they had that purple patch and won the minor premiership a few years straight and a Manly supporter mate of mine would be constantly in my ear about it. I guess it's stayed with me.

Last year's final was conflicting in the extreme. I didn't really want either Manly or NZ to win it but I found myself reluctantly going for the eagles if only to keep the trophy on this side of the ditch. We can't have the kiwi's winning every rugby related trophy.

disneychilly wrote:Mate a lot of the Kiwis in there will have retired or in SBW's case maybe switched codes by then. You could probably omit Mealamu, Carter and Conrad Smith in 2015. The game looks a great idea. Shame it couldn't be played on ANZAC Day itself. Imagine packing out the Galatasaray stadium in Istanbul for it!

That's why I said assuming played now rather than guess who is around in 3 years

Bullsbok wrote:1. Benn Alexander
2. K. Mealamu (NZ)
3. T. Woodcock (NZ)
4. N. Sharpe (Aust)
5. S. Whitelock (NZ)
6. S Higginbotham (Aust)
7. D. Pocock (Aust)
8. K. Read (NZ)

9. W. Genia (Aust)
10. D. Carter (NZ)
11. D. Ioane (Aust)
12. James O connor (Aus)
13. C. Smith (NZ)
14. Izzy Dagg (NZ)
15. K. Beale (Aust)

That backline would be one to fear

That's a good side - except Ben Alexander - he is a major scrum penalty risk. His collapse after being on the field for 2 minutes handed the game to Scotland. And he conceded scrum collapse penalties in both of his cameos against Wales.

Is there a suggestion of timing for this? Can't see ANZAC wanting to risk their players and preparation in the lead up to the WC or get in the way of Super Rugby & The Rugby Championship, so end of the year staying on after the WC? The problem being that that is around the same time as the initial rounds of the HC.

I imagine it would be after the RWC. Maybe literally straight after? There might have to be compensation of the HEC teams losing players

If it was a quad nations tournament would that change the team much?

Would any Pumas make the team at all??

My team personally

Franks-DuPlessis-Woodcock
Sharpe-Whitelock
Alberts-Read-Pocock
Genia-Carter
JOC-Fourie
Ioane-Beale-Dagg

Mealamu-Alexander-The Beast-Horwill-McCaw-Hougaard-Cooper-SBW

ANZAC is not to be confused with SANZAR pete, it's just Australia & NZ, so no SA or Argentina.

It's meant to commemorate the 100th anniversery of Gallipoli and the efforts of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) there.

Yeah I know was just wondering if it was a Quad Nations team how many Argies and Saffas would make it, it seems fairly dominated by the Kiwi's IMO.

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

disneychilly wrote:Mate a lot of the Kiwis in there will have retired or in SBW's case maybe switched codes by then. You could probably omit Mealamu, Carter and Conrad Smith in 2015. The game looks a great idea. Shame it couldn't be played on ANZAC Day itself. Imagine packing out the Galatasaray stadium in Istanbul for it!

Jeebus, DC, that might be a bit (in-)sensitive!!

I dunno mate, the Turks are ok with us flooding Gallipoli every year. The relationship there is pretty good really and they'd probably go out of their way to help us commemorate it really well. I was there for ANZAC Day 2007 and that was the feeling I got. Was awesome and really important to me and the rest of the people in our group.

All patched up between us and the Turks

look at this. Really lovely inscription

http://rnzaf.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=armypreservation&action=display&thread=14595

Why weaken the All Blacks by adding australians into the side?

If played this year I'd have

1. O. Franks (NZ)
2. K. Mealamu (NZ)
3. T. Woodcock (NZ)
4. N. Sharpe (Aus)
5. S. Whitelock (NZ)
6. R McCaw (NZ) (c)
7. D. Pocock (Aus)
8. K. Read (NZ)

9. W. Genia (Aus)
10. D. Carter (NZ)
11. D. Ioane (Aus)
12. J O'Connor (Aus)
13. C Smith (NZ)
14. C Jane(NZ)
15. K. Beale (Aus)

16 B Franks (NZ)
17 A Hore (NZ)
18 B Retallick (NZ)
19 S Higginbottom (Aus)
20 A Smith (NZ)
21 A Cruden (NZ)
22 A Ashely Cooper (Aus)

9 NZ and 6 Aus starting
5 NZ and 2 Aus on the bench

A bit weak a lock but what a backline and look at the talent on the bench.

No room for Barnes, Dagg, Savea, Cooper, Vito etc

I'm sure SBW would be picked to raise the game's profile.

dallym wrote:Why weaken the All Blacks by adding australians into the side?

We can't be too bad if you've taken one of our greatest players as your username.

Full Credit wrote:

dallym wrote:Why weaken the All Blacks by adding australians into the side?

We can't be too bad if you've taken one of our greatest players as your username.

Didn't he also play for NZ?

Yeah he did. From what I can gather he played for NSW and Aus against NZ in union, then took up league and played against NZ and then with NZ on a tour to the UK. Then came back to Aus and played for the Kangaroos.

Obviously a very different era.

He's definitely done more for you blokes so you can have him. If you keep Russell Crowe. Though considering old Rusty is an All Black supporter and that his cousins played test cricket for NZ, as well as him being an absolute bumstick, I can understand why you wouldn't want to.

Russell Crowe, that's a big ask. As long as we have Phar Lap and Pavlova then we can probably settle on it.

Sounds like a memorable way to commemorate a worthy cause.

If you Aussies could just take back all your possums that would be great!