How Many World Class Players are there in your National team.

First topic message reminder :

Lets define the often maligned, much used phrase "World Class" as being a player who is in the top three in their position in World rugby.

There may well be players recently retired or overlooked by national selectors that you rate in the best of the best.

Rating him highly and "world class" are different though.

I rate Ryan Grant highly. In my view he was a strong contender for the Lions. Most Scots have been saying it for some time. Doesn't make him "world class" though, or the best loosehead in the world.

FES,

Most England fans rate Corbs as one of our top players...and have done so for ...okay the last 1.5 seasons. Its been a big gaping hole in the pack when he hasnt been there. Sadly people are very concerned about his injury situation..hopefully this will be corrected and he can continue to show just how good he is.

We all knew he had injury concerns hence why we werent shouting about his ommision...as no-one actually knew how badly injured or fit he was.

The recent Youtube video of him training in that gym in America showed just how good shape he is in at the moment.

Corbs would definitely have been selected for the original Lions squad if he hadn't had his injury problems.

Grant was essentially 5th choice loosehead for the Lions (yes, Gat's opinion, so not always to be trusted).

Corbs and Morgan are two key players for England now and I'll feel a lot more confident with them in the side.

funnyExiledScot wrote:Rating him highly and "world class" are different though.

I rate Ryan Grant highly. In my view he was a strong contender for the Lions. Most Scots have been saying it for some time. Doesn't make him "world class" though, or the best loosehead in the world.

Very impressed with Grant myself, though i would see that Corbisiero as a player who has played at the highest level and still looked incredibly classy. Grant hasn't had that opportunity yet. He will though for sure and he will keep proving himself. Grant vs adam Jones for the Glasgow vs Ospreys match end of last year and Wales vs Scotland were amazing tussles where neither came off second best. That his a huge credit to Grant

Rating him highly and "world class" are different though.

Thats very true Fes...and ive said on here previously at the moment i believe we have two world class players...Cole and Corbs.

Corbisieru can do the lot. He's very fit, he is a hugely effective Scrummager first off...he is very impressive on the ground (as is his TH Cole) he tackles all day...he is what Jenkins was a few years back when i believe he was the best LH in the world.

I rate Ryan Grant highly and him and Corbs would have been my two picks for the Lions tour. Who knows as this season goes on we could be saying to two leading LH's in the world are those two.

GeordieFalcon wrote:FES,

Most England fans rate Corbs as one of our top players...and have done so for ...okay the last 1.5 seasons. Its been a big gaping hole in the pack when he hasnt been there. Sadly people are very concerned about his injury situation..hopefully this will be corrected and he can continue to show just how good he is.

We all knew he had injury concerns hence why we werent shouting about his ommision...as no-one actually knew how badly injured or fit he was.

The recent Youtube video of him training in that gym in America showed just how good shape he is in at the moment.

Ah you watched it! Impressive stuff GF eh? Would love to try some training like that at some point.

FES, I don't think it's hindsight that is changing people's minds about Corbs not being selected initially for the Lions. He was injured at the time, so his exclusion was well justified. However he really took his chance once he got out there and has really proved his worth now.

Regarding Parling- I would like to see a Parling Attwood combination first to see how they get a long. Parling's a grafter, and I really rate him. He doesn't pretend to be anything he's not, and he's never going to be the most intimidating player. He's similar to AWJ I think in that he plays with his heart on his sleeves and never stops trying.

Ah you watched it! Impressive stuff GF eh? Would love to try some training like that at some point.

We do it regular mate...plyometrics and such...a great way of training. Get yourself down to North Shields  

GeordieFalcon wrote:

Ah you watched it! Impressive stuff GF eh? Would love to try some training like that at some point.

We do it regular mate...plyometrics and such...a great way of training. Get yourself down to North Shields  

Would love to, but it might be a little far to commute for a gym session!

bluestonevedder wrote:FES, I don't think it's hindsight that is changing people's minds about Corbs not being selected initially for the Lions. He was injured at the time, so his exclusion was well justified. However he really took his chance once he got out there and has really proved his worth now.

Just like Jenkins and Kearney......

I don't think it's by any means certain that Corbisiero would have toured if deemed fit. Had he been seen by the Lions as the best loosehead in the world and a "world class" player, as some on hear claim he has been for 1.5 seasons, then I'm sure Gatland et al would have extended him the same latitude as Jenkins and Kearney (i.e. picked him regardless of form and fitness).

Many rated Corbisiero highly ahead of the Lions, myself included. But in terms of World XV or "world class", he's a new kid on the block in my book.

He may be a new Kid on the block...but why should that mean he's not got any chance of being in a world XV?

He's been outstanding for England when he's played....even in a year and a half.

LH isn't a strong position right now either

funnyExiledScot wrote:

bluestonevedder wrote:FES, I don't think it's hindsight that is changing people's minds about Corbs not being selected initially for the Lions. He was injured at the time, so his exclusion was well justified. However he really took his chance once he got out there and has really proved his worth now.

Just like Jenkins and Kearney......

I don't think it's by any means certain that Corbisiero would have toured if deemed fit. Had he been seen by the Lions as the best loosehead in the world and a "world class" player, as some on hear claim he has been for 1.5 seasons, then I'm sure Gatland et al would have extended him the same latitude as Jenkins and Kearney (i.e. picked him regardless of form and fitness).

Many rated Corbisiero highly ahead of the Lions, myself included. But in terms of World XV or "world class", he's a new kid on the block in my book.

Ha, yeh that's true!

I think prop is a funny position to try and rank someone in. Typically, the best props are approaching 30 when they hit their peak. Every so often though, a few young guys like Cian Healy, Corbisiero, and even Cole come along and shake things up and prove to us all that the young guys can compete with the best too. I'm not saying that they are all the finished articles- Cole for example has to improve his carrying, Corbisiero his conditioning to keep himself fit, Healy his temperment- but they've all certainly got the attributes to become greats in the respective positions. I think classing any of them now as World XV or anything is a little premature. Top 3 in their positions? Maybe.

GeordieFalcon wrote:He may be a new Kid on the block...but why should that mean he's not got any chance of being in a world XV?

He's been outstanding for England when he's played....even in a year and a half.

Agreed and he wasnt shabby for the Lions either

Sounds like I'm the sole member of the Tony Woodcock and Thomas Domingo fan clubs!

At the same age as Adam Jones, I don't think Woodcock is over the hill at all.

Corbisiero has a bit to do in my view to be considered in the same bracket as these two players.

funnyExiledScot wrote:Sounds like I'm the sole member of the Tony Woodcock and Thomas Domingo fan clubs!

At the same age as Adam Jones, I don't think Woodcock is over the hill at all.

Corbisiero has a bit to do in my view to be considered in the same bracket as these two players.

Tony Woodcock is a great call not overly impressed with Domingo last season.

Woodcock has struggled for a few seasons now, looks a shadow of former self.

Domingo is awesome but hasn't hit the heights since injury, similar with Barcella.

Terms like "world class" are always going to be subjective but I'm a little uncomfortable equating that status with "top 3 player in their position currently".

I tend to think of world class as a status which doesn't get revoked, and I'm not sure we'll look back in a few years at the best 45 names of today - whatever they are - and still roll out the world class tag for all.

I think you can be a world class player in a tier two team. Norm Hadley was a force of nature for Canada. Florica Murariu was a star when Romania had the beating of France, Wales, Scotland & Italy, while also running New Zealand close. Demi Sakata was so good for Japan that he almost got picked as an All Black when he played a stint for Canterbury.

One test of how people think of "world class" is to consider the England World Cup team of 2003.

Rugby supporters outside England have few problems acknowledging the quality of many of the forwards but there are more arguments when it comes to the backs. Jason Robinson usually gets a pass but, after that, even Jonny Wilkinson is held by some to be no more than a limited player, even at his peak.

If Wilkinson is not a clear cut choice for you, then you probably won't have an expecially high opinion of England's other backs at the time - the likes of Greenwood, Healey, Dawson, Balshaw, Lewsey, Cohen, Bracken, Luger, Tindall and Catt.

And yet that they played in a team ranked number one on the world, which went unbeaten against Southern Hemisphere opposition for three years, finally won a Grand Slam and then claimed a World Cup. You can't do that with no quality in the back line.

I tend to agree with Rugby Fan . In some positions there are good players across countries that could be considered the 'best' currently but they shouldn't be tagged as world class because so.

Many pale in comparison to truly world class players that have since hung up their boots. World class players for me are like hall of famers and you earn that honour through being consistently brilliant (or thereabouts) over many seasons.

It's all combinations, anyway. Take the England 2003 squad. Which of those guys were unquestionably the best in their position for that era? Hill, Robinson, probably Greenwood, maybe Dallaglio. (Personally, I'd add Leonard. SCW didn't, and it nearly cost them the final).

Everyone else, even Wilkinson and Johnson, you could make a case that there was someone better somewhere. but they were demonstrably the best XV, and certainly the best XXII considering that they could bring on Catt, Moody and the Funbus and radically change the gameplan.

Wales, on the other hand, currently have a first XV who when fully fit and on form are arguably the equal of anyone, but have hitherto proven to be physically fragile and a few % short tactically/mentally. The Lions may have fixed the latter. Still don't think they have enough answers to the former, especially as the tight 5 get older and Warburton's injury list lengthens.

I think that of that England 2003 vintage, there were a fair few players I would consider "world class":

Vickery, Leonard (albeit a touch past his best in 2003), Johnson, Hill, Back, Dallaglio, Wilkinson, Greenwood and Robinson.

I'd suggest that Simon Shaw went on to become a "world class" player as well.

Those guys would compete for a world XV in any era. They were a very strong side, played well as a collective, had a spine of world class players allied with some seriously good international class players, like Thompson, Woodman, Dawson, Cohen and Lewsey, and Mike Catt on the bench.

Surprised to see Parisse getting mentioned so much. In the 6N I felt that Picomoles was much better.

I still feel Read is a class above everyone else at number 8.

When judging "world class" I'm looking past the last 6 months. It seems that there is confusion between "form" and "class" - one being temporary the other being permanent.

If we're talking about the "form" World XV then I think you get a slightly different picture, with players like Corbisiero, Folau and Halfpenny shoe-ins based on the Lions.

Parisse has been absolutely outstanding for 5-6 years in that Italy jersey. He's been MOTM more times than any other 6 Nations players I can think of during that period. That Parisse is a world class number 8 is beyond doubt in my book.

Picamoles has played one full season at 8 for France, and was oustanding. But it's still early days for him. A contender for a "form" XV most certainly, but I don't think he's reached "world class" yet. You need to perform at the top for more than a year or two to reach that level.

with players like Corbisiero, Folau and Halfpenny shoe-ins based on the Lions.

But FES, your judging Halfpenny and Corbs on the lions "form".

Halfpenny has been outstanding for several seasons now showing that he is the real deal...he is top class.

Similarly whilst im saying Corbs. He has missed some games through injury...yet everytime he comes back and starts he has been class. Thats not just form, that highlights a top class player...despite as you say him being a new kid on the block internationally speaking.

I was merely highlighting the difference between "form" and "class".

Halfpenny was a bad example I agree. He has been consistently excellent for some time now. I still think Dagg is a better player (if you take out Halfpenny's goal kicking), but I have no issue considering them both "world class" players.

Perhaps a better example would have been Jonathan Davies. Outstanding for the Lions and the "form" 13 in world rugby. Not "world class" yet in my book, but certainly has the potential to get there. Just needs to be more consistent and demonstrate that form over the next season or so. He was pretty average in the early stages of the 6 Nations let's not forget.

I'll not repeat my views on Corbisiero, other than to say that I've yet to find on here a "World XV" that included him prior to the Lions, or anyone say prior to the Lions that he was a world class player. We all knew he was very good, but this "world class" tag is based on two matches against a rubbish scrum and a shed load of "told you so" hindsight.

Okay...we'll call a truce over Corbs...agree to disagree  

funnyExiledScot wrote:
Perhaps a better example would have been Jonathan Davies. Outstanding for the Lions and the "form" 13 in world rugby. Not "world class" yet in my book, but certainly has the potential to get there. Just needs to be more consistent and demonstrate that form over the next season or so. He was pretty average in the early stages of the 6 Nations let's not forget.

Davies is definitely World Class, he has proved that year on year. Re-watch the Lions tour and see how many tries he creates for other players, his vision, his kicking, his game reading there are only two other players in the same ball park as Davies and thats De Villiers and Smith.

Halfpenny has been IMO the best player in the northern hemisphere for the last few years. Only Dusautoir IMO has done more. Despite not playing international rugby anymore Julien Bonnaire is still a world class flanker. He reduces people to rubble.

For the record my world team :

1. Domingo
2. Du Plessis
3. A Jones
4. Etzebeth
5. Whitelock
6. Dusautoir
7. McCaw
8. Read

9. Genia
10. Carter
11. North
12. Fofana
13. Smith
14. Folau
15. Halfpenny

Would Davies be Welsh by any chance?

Fofana getting a heap of hits, he's good eh? He's french isn't he? Think I've only seen him play this year against the ABs, didn't think he was that special, but obviously he is.

Davies hasn't proved anything year on year, he had a distinctly average 6N although I really like him.

JdV is primarily a 12, he lacks the gas for 13.

Smith & AAC are the top 13's. Tuilagi & JD fight it out for the 3rd spot imo.

JD has probably been the more consistent performer but Tuilagi has outplayed Smith & JdV on his last outings against them.

Fofana for me is very special. Inexplicably played on the wing for some games in the 6Ns and wasted but he would be my first choice 12.

Davies played one of the best games I've seen in the warm up games in the Lions tour but not much after that point. Guess I need to see more of him.

ebop wrote:Fofana getting a heap of hits, he's good eh? He's french isn't he? Think I've only seen him play this year against the ABs, didn't think he was that special, but obviously he is.

Yeah mate he's pretty damn solid. Would be my World XV pick for 12 at the moment.

Fofana wasnt special nor very good against the ABs (although he scored the only french try of the series but that was mainly down to fritz, the other centre). to be honest he has his flaws, not being the best defender and often going awol in part of games but he has skills, great footwork and loads of pace. am guessing he gets some praise in the north as there is not a lot of centres like him over here.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Halfpenny has been IMO the best player in the northern hemisphere for the last few years. Only Dusautoir IMO has done more. Despite not playing international rugby anymore Julien Bonnaire is still a world class flanker. He reduces people to rubble.

For the record my world team :

1. Domingo
2. Du Plessis
3. A Jones
4. Etzebeth
5. Whitelock
6. Dusautoir
7. McCaw
8. Read

9. Genia
10. Carter
11. North
12. Fofana
13. Smith
14. Folau
15. Halfpenny

Not a bad looking team at all RR but it does serve to highlight how difficult it is to pick a World XV team and thus judge these players as world class. Israel Floau for example has played just a handful of Union games let alone international ones.

There seems to be a dearth of talent at lock at the moment. Etzebeth is huge but hasn't really stood out as the world's best to rival Johnson et al. Likewise Whitelock at No.5.

George North has played well for the Lions but can you really leave out someone like Bryan Habana who's been top class for so long despite having the odd dip?

Then we get into combinations. As we know it's a team game. I wouldn't want Dusatoir playing with McCaw but does that mean that either one is not world class?

I'm not having a dig at your team RR just highlighting what an absurdly difficult debate this can become and just how subjective it can be.

Sweet, thanks Whocares, always good to hear about players that some of us only get to see every once in a blue moon. Especially when that blue moon has a knack for toppling the ABs when it matters!

Chjw131 wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Halfpenny has been IMO the best player in the northern hemisphere for the last few years. Only Dusautoir IMO has done more. Despite not playing international rugby anymore Julien Bonnaire is still a world class flanker. He reduces people to rubble.

For the record my world team :

1. Domingo
2. Du Plessis
3. A Jones
4. Etzebeth
5. Whitelock
6. Dusautoir
7. McCaw
8. Read

9. Genia
10. Carter
11. North
12. Fofana
13. Smith
14. Folau
15. Halfpenny

Not a bad looking team at all RR but it does serve to highlight how difficult it is to pick a World XV team and thus judge these players as world class. Israel Floau for example has played just a handful of Union games let alone international ones.

There seems to be a dearth of talent at lock at the moment. Etzebeth is huge but hasn't really stood out as the world's best to rival Johnson et al. Likewise Whitelock at No.5.

George North has played well for the Lions but can you really leave out someone like Bryan Habana who's been top class for so long despite having the odd dip?

Then we get into combinations. As we know it's a team game. I wouldn't want Dusatoir playing with McCaw but does that mean that either one is not world class?

I'm not having a dig at your team RR just highlighting what an absurdly difficult debate this can become and just how subjective it can be.

Don't mind you having a "dig" man, it's a discussion forum!

Brave enough to nail your XV to the board though?  

whocares wrote:Fofana wasnt special nor very good against the ABs (although he scored the only french try of the series but that was mainly down to fritz, the other centre). to be honest he has his flaws, not being the best defender and often going awol in part of games but he has skills, great footwork and loads of pace. am guessing he gets some praise in the north as  there is not a lot of centres like him over here.

Fritz inclusion really gave the french backline the spark they often lacked earlier in the season. Another great player. This could be a fantastic centre partnership for France this coming season.

Also thought that new flyhalf looked handy, what was his name Talès...??? Michelak is way off the boil at ten.

BamBam wrote:Would Davies be Welsh by any chance?

Yes, yet another World Class Welsh player. I didn't realise there were so many. I think that's 23 now. Shame there's no room for anyone one else in this stellar line-up

Davies really isn't World Class, though he is a good player. His passing can be atrocious and his decision-making and positional play aren't great. He was at fault for a couple of tries conceded by the Lions.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

Chjw131 wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Halfpenny has been IMO the best player in the northern hemisphere for the last few years. Only Dusautoir IMO has done more. Despite not playing international rugby anymore Julien Bonnaire is still a world class flanker. He reduces people to rubble.

For the record my world team :

1. Domingo
2. Du Plessis
3. A Jones
4. Etzebeth
5. Whitelock
6. Dusautoir
7. McCaw
8. Read

9. Genia
10. Carter
11. North
12. Fofana
13. Smith
14. Folau
15. Halfpenny

Not a bad looking team at all RR but it does serve to highlight how difficult it is to pick a World XV team and thus judge these players as world class. Israel Floau for example has played just a handful of Union games let alone international ones.

There seems to be a dearth of talent at lock at the moment. Etzebeth is huge but hasn't really stood out as the world's best to rival Johnson et al. Likewise Whitelock at No.5.

George North has played well for the Lions but can you really leave out someone like Bryan Habana who's been top class for so long despite having the odd dip?

Then we get into combinations. As we know it's a team game. I wouldn't want Dusatoir playing with McCaw but does that mean that either one is not world class?

I'm not having a dig at your team RR just highlighting what an absurdly difficult debate this can become and just how subjective it can be.

Don't mind you having a "dig" man, it's a discussion forum!

Brave enough to nail your XV to the board though?  

Ha, very well if you want to throw the gauntlet down. I have picked this team on long-term form, proven class (where possible) and for combinations:

1. A Corbisiero
2. B Du Plessis
3. A Jones
4. B Botha
5. P O'Connell
6. W Alberts
7. R McCaw
8. K Read

9. W Genia
10. D Carter
11. B Habana
12. J Roberts
13. C Smith
14. T Bowe
15. I Daag

16. A Strauss 17. T Domingo 18. D Cole 19. E Etzebeth 20. T Dusatoir 21. B Youngs 22. A Cruden 23. C Jane

Again as I have said above massively subjective. Plenty of points for debate. I'm sure not many would put Alberts in as the best 6 in the world but for what I want from my BS he fits the bill. Likewise Ben Youngs is debateable but I don't think with that pack he'll spend much time on the back foot. And so it goes on..

maestegmafia wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:
Perhaps a better example would have been Jonathan Davies. Outstanding for the Lions and the "form" 13 in world rugby. Not "world class" yet in my book, but certainly has the potential to get there. Just needs to be more consistent and demonstrate that form over the next season or so. He was pretty average in the early stages of the 6 Nations let's not forget.

Davies is definitely World Class, he has proved that year on year. Re-watch the Lions tour and see how many tries he creates for other players, his vision, his kicking, his game reading there are only two other players in the same ball park as Davies and thats De Villiers and Smith.

Is the point I'm making so hard to understand???

Davies was poor and inconsistent in the 6 Nations. He has not "proved" that he is world class "year on year". I agree that he was excellent on the Lions tour, as were a number of others, but "world class" requires consistency and longevity of form in my opinion. Davies is close, but he needs to replicate his Lions form on a consistent basis to reach the bracket of Conrad Smith (who certainly has "proved" that he's world class "year on year").

Watch Davies against Ireland at the start of the 6 Nations. Not a "world class" player yet. More consistency needed. The Lions was a huge step in the right direction, but he needs to back that up.

That's a beast of a pack, Youngs would be great as an impact sub.

I'd probably only swap Dusatoir with Lobbe tbh

I'm pleased that Lobbe is getting a mention on here. I don't think I've ever seen him have a bad game.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:That's a beast of a pack, Youngs would be great as an impact sub.

I'd probably only swap Dusatoir with Lobbe tbh

Good shout.

maestegmafia wrote:

whocares wrote:Fofana wasnt special nor very good against the ABs (although he scored the only french try of the series but that was mainly down to fritz, the other centre). to be honest he has his flaws, not being the best defender and often going awol in part of games but he has skills, great footwork and loads of pace. am guessing he gets some praise in the north as  there is not a lot of centres like him over here.

Fritz inclusion really gave the french backline the spark they often lacked earlier in the season. Another great player. This could be a fantastic centre partnership for France this coming season.

Also thought that new flyhalf looked handy,  what was his name Talès...??? Michelak is way off the boil at ten.

Talès is a solid flyhalf, good in defense and with a decent boot. the problem is that he is 29 year old so not really one for the future! the other new one (lopez) has maybe more potential and likes to attack the gain line but his kicking is average. am happy if one of them gets the 10 shirt as long as we dont see michalak again. no matter how good he was during the last AIs, he should just be used as a back up 9 from now on.

funnyExiledScot wrote:Watch Davies against Ireland at the start of the 6 Nations. Not a "world class" player yet. More consistency needed. The Lions was a huge step in the right direction, but he needs to back that up.

I am sure the more you watch him the more you will realise what a talent he is.

Chjw131 wrote:
Ha, very well if you want to throw the gauntlet down. I have picked this team on long-term form, proven class (where possible) and for combinations:

1. A Corbisiero
2. B Du Plessis
3. A Jones
4. B Botha
5. P O'Connell
6. W Alberts
7. R McCaw
8. K Read

9. W Genia
10. D Carter
11. B Habana
12. J Roberts
13. C Smith
14. T Bowe
15. I Daag

16. A Strauss 17. T Domingo 18. D Cole 19. E Etzebeth 20. T Dusatoir 21. B Youngs 22. A Cruden 23. C Jane

Again as I have said above massively subjective. Plenty of points for debate. I'm sure not many would put Alberts in as the best 6 in the world but for what I want from my BS he fits the bill. Likewise Ben Youngs is debateable but I don't think with that pack he'll spend much time on the back foot. And so it goes on..

If it's long term-form, then Corbs wouldn't get in the team.

whocares wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

whocares wrote:Fofana wasnt special nor very good against the ABs (although he scored the only french try of the series but that was mainly down to fritz, the other centre). to be honest he has his flaws, not being the best defender and often going awol in part of games but he has skills, great footwork and loads of pace. am guessing he gets some praise in the north as  there is not a lot of centres like him over here.

Fritz inclusion really gave the french backline the spark they often lacked earlier in the season. Another great player. This could be a fantastic centre partnership for France this coming season.

Also thought that new flyhalf looked handy,  what was his name Talès...??? Michelak is way off the boil at ten.

Talès is a solid flyhalf, good in defense and with a decent boot. the problem is that he is 29 year old so not really one for the future! the other new one (lopez) has maybe more potential and likes to attack the gain line but his kicking is average. am happy if one of them gets the 10 shirt as long as we dont see michalak again. no matter how good he was during the last AIs, he should just be used as a back up 9 from now on.

Lopez might actually be the lad I am thinking of not Tales... Played in the 23-13 loss, but looked very promising.

let's now hope Hook plays at 15 for Perpignan so that he can get some game time!

whocares wrote:let's now hope Hook plays at 15 for Perpignan so that he can get some game time!

I am sure you are hoping for that...! I guess it must be annoying from a French perspective when the teams are so heavily reinforced with foreign players...?

The Saint wrote:

Chjw131 wrote:
Ha, very well if you want to throw the gauntlet down. I have picked this team on long-term form, proven class (where possible) and for combinations:

1. A Corbisiero
2. B Du Plessis
3. A Jones
4. B Botha
5. P O'Connell
6. W Alberts
7. R McCaw
8. K Read

9. W Genia
10. D Carter
11. B Habana
12. J Roberts
13. C Smith
14. T Bowe
15. I Daag

16. A Strauss 17. T Domingo 18. D Cole 19. E Etzebeth 20. T Dusatoir 21. B Youngs 22. A Cruden 23. C Jane

Again as I have said above massively subjective. Plenty of points for debate. I'm sure not many would put Alberts in as the best 6 in the world but for what I want from my BS he fits the bill. Likewise Ben Youngs is debateable but I don't think with that pack he'll spend much time on the back foot. And so it goes on..

If it's long term-form, then Corbs wouldn't get in the team.

Have to agree, Corbs had a great Lions tour but guys like Domingo have done a lot more at international level. It's tough to pick a world XV, unless you pick on form. As you said Chjw131 it's an absurd thing to do and it leaves a lot open.

Even when Roberts was at his very best I don't think I could pick him over someone like Nonu or De Villiers and keep a straight face.

Equally some have argued that Fofana hasn't done enough at international level to be picked at all. However I urge you to watch him play for Clermont with Aurelian Rougerie, they are a deadly attacking combination.

Good effort though Chjw131, the team looks fair.