Pick your A squad

I just got sent an interesting email for a new comp where you become a closet selector and have to pick the squad you think is the best team available and then compare it to the actual team selected. In this comp, you had to pick the team for each week of the 3N which could be a bit complicated as players will be rested.

But let´s make it in terms of this 606 comp, you have to pick your squad for your hardest pool game opponent in the World Cup. In the case of pool A that would be when NZ plays France. In Pool B England vs Argentina or Scotland depending on who your team is and the way the draw works are your options. Australia vs Ireland is the big game for Pool C and South Africa vs Wales for Pool D. If a player is injured, you have a week (or obviously before the squad is announced) to amend your team.

So in a way, you´re trying to second guess what the selectors will think is the best team available rather than what you might think is your best squad. 5 Bonus points are on offer if you get your bench completely correct and 15 points if you get your running out squad entirely correct. 2 points for each player correctly selected and 2 for each player on the bench giving you a possible best score of 64 points. You have to stipulate what the pool match is and the exact position of each player (except the bench).

So here goes my squad against France in Pool A:

1. Woodcock (Waytt Crockett pencilled in there if he´s unavailable through injury), 2. Mealumu, 3. Ben Franks
4. Brad Thorn 5. Ali Williams
6. Jerome Kaino 7. Richie McCaw 8. Kieran Read
9. Jimmy Cowan 10. Dan Carter
12. Ma´a Nonu 13. Conrad Smith
11. Hosea Gear 14. Isaia Toeava 15. Mils Muliaina

Bench: John Afoa, Andrew Hore, Sam Whitelock, Adam Thomson, Piri Weepu, Colin Slade, Richard Kahui

I have to say I´m not a fan of Toeava but with Corey Jane fast running out of opportunities and the likes of Ranger, Sivivatu, Rockokoko not exactly lighting up the stage as they once did, I think the selectors will plump for their favourite illegitimate son. Don´t think SBW will be tested in this game. Henry will go for experience and put him in the other pool matches. French pack have a great lineout so Ali Williams gets the nod ahead of Sam Whitelock for his stealing and retaining abilities.

Tough one for Scotland since form in our warm up games will have a massive impact on some of our Key Players. I'll mark the ones with questionable match fitness with a *

1. Jacobsen
2. Ford
3. Murray
4. Gray
5. Kellock
6. Brown
7. Barclay
8. Beattie*

9. Cusiter*
10. Jackson
11. Evans
12. S Lamont
13. Ansbro
14. R Lamont*
15. Patterson

Cross, S Lawson, Hines, Denton, R Lawson, DeLuca, Danielli

As I said at this stage a couple of positions are up for grabs in the Scotland team. If Cusiter is 100% he starts as does Beattie however It's not yet clear who Robbo will be taking to NZ, he'll make his mind up after the Tests against Ireland and Italy in August I would think.

Well like I said, you can change your team before it´s announced for the game against England. Some injury concerns there for Scotland or players returning from injury. Inside centre has been probably the key position of contention. Rest assured, there´ll be plenty of support for Scotland in this match. I think it´s being played in the Edinburgh of the South after all. Hopefully a nice windy, muddy track to level the field with horizontal rain thrown in for good measure.

I think some of Scotland's games are in Dunedin but I think the game against the Auld Enemy is in Auckland. Scotlands areas of Strength are Lock, Backrow, Scrum Half and Back 3.

Front row is a wee bit suspect and 10-12-13 axis is still in the experimental phase I think, despite Sean Lamont doing a fantastic job in the 6N.

Healy-Best-Ross
POC-DOC
Ferris-Heaslip-SOB
Reddan-Sexton
Darcy-BOD
Trimble-Earls-Bowe

Court, Cronin, Cullen, Wallace, Stringer, ROG, Kearney

kia, I think our team will very much depend on the fitness of players, and the results from the matches that have already taken place in the group (Eng vs Arg, and Sco vs Arg), but this is the XXII I would put out against England:

1. Jacobsen
2. Ford
3. Murray
4. Hines
5. Gray
6. Brown
7. Barclay
8. Denton

9. Cusiter*
10. Jackson
11. Danielli
12. S Lamont
13. Ansbro
14. Evans
15. Patterson

Subs: Cross, S Lawson, Kellock, Rennie, R Lawson, De Luca, R Lamont

Yeah I find it strange that not too long ago the front row for Scotland was immense. Sunday School Murray is a selection headache if you have Sunday games. Similarly, scrumhalf is a strength but Cusiter seems to get injured a lot. I think you have to include the Lamont brothers somehow so good to see Sean Lamont there at inside centre. I meant to say outside centre which has been a missing link. Someone who has the distribution skills and pace to send the ball out wide but also the power to straighten things up and direct the play inside.

Gatlands Side - Not Mine

Jenkins Rees Jones
AWJ Davies
Lydiate R Jones Warburton

Phillips Hook

Wiliams Henson Roberts North

Byrne

No bench Pete? Depriving yourself of valuable points!

That´s a good point AsLongAs... If England win against Argentina then Scotland would probably put out the best team against Argentina. I think they´ll still try to win the England game so should have their top side but it´s true depending on the performance and results of the other matches. Feel free to make the changes to the team or change the match to Argentina if you feel your chances of a settled squad are better.

I would have the same side as ASBO, except I'd replace Denton with Beattie, and replace De Luca with Parks.

Kia - i thought Owen was considered the better Frank? Is Ben the popular front runner, or is that a choice of yours?

Yeah you´re right about Owen boomeranga but the gap is closing. I think Ben is a big hitter and will be there as an enforcer (Wyatt Crockett could be the other if Woodcock is out) to keep the fringes of the ruck watertight. Then again he does seem to have a side that borders on the ill-advised so maybe he´s not the best choice against the French but I just think the selectors will go with him. Like Toeava, he wouldn´t be my pick.

What about your team against Ireland? Who will be in the front row or indeed the positions up for grabs elsewhere?

bedfordwelsh wrote:Gatlands Side - Not Mine

Jenkins Rees Jones
AWJ Davies
Lydiate R Jones Warburton

Phillips Hook

Wiliams Henson Roberts North

Byrne

I think for SA Gatland will play Jones instead of Hook and Davies instead of Henson (as I don't think Henson will make the grade). Otherwise that's what i'd expect Gatland to pick.

IRELAND

1. Healy
2. Best
3. Ross
4. O'Callaghan
5. O'Connell
6. Ferris
7. Wallace
8. Heaslip

9. Reddan
10. Sexton

11. Trimble
12. D'Arcy
13. O'Driscoll (c)
14. Bowe
15. Earls

16. Cronin 17. Court 18. Cullen 19. O'Brien 20. O'Leary 21. O'Gara 22. Kearney

You joyless bughers

Amended- Wallace at 7 and O'Brien on the bench.

For either of England's big pool matches:

1. Sheridan
2. Hartley
3. Cole
4. Lawes
5. Palmer
6. Croft
7. Moody
8. Easter

9. Youngs
10. Flood
11. Cueto
12. Hape
13. Tindall
14. Ashton
15. Foden

16. Thompson
17. Stevens
18. Deacon
19. Haskell
20. Care
21. Wilkinson
22. Banahan

Smirnoffpriest wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:Gatlands Side - Not Mine

Jenkins Rees Jones
AWJ Davies
Lydiate R Jones Warburton

Phillips Hook

Wiliams Henson Roberts North

Byrne

I think for SA Gatland will play Jones instead of Hook and Davies instead of Henson (as I don't think Henson will make the grade). Otherwise that's what i'd expect Gatland to pick.

Smirnoff,

I hope your right.

Well done Notch. You get a bonus point for picking your team in your national green. No real surprises with your picks there Robbo. With a hypothetical loss, it´d be interesting to see how many changes would occur, but I guess you don´t want to speculate on such things until need be.

Not sure the England back row is the best combination as a unit. Centre pairing continues to be a problem and Cueto seems to be the backline equivalent of Easter with his fair share of supporters and critics.

Notch O'Brien starting AND on bench??

Notch wrote:IRELAND

1. Healy
2. Best
3. Ross
4. O'Callaghan
5. O'Connell
6. Ferris
7. O'Brien
8. Heaslip

9. Reddan
10. Sexton

11. Trimble
12. D'Arcy
13. O'Driscoll (c)
14. Bowe
15. Earls

16. Cronin 17. Court 18. Cullen 19. O'Brien 20. O'Leary 21. O'Gara 22. Kearney

Notch, is Sean O'Brien so good he make the team twice?

Edit, curse your fast typing Stag

Fixed it.

Notch wrote:
You joyless bughers

Amended- Wallace at 7 and O'Brien on the bench.

I've been checking code most of the day. Pedant mode is fully engaged

Twin brothers are accpeted Kiwi though if it´s like the Incredible Hulk and all the technology they had available was a split screen, that could prove tricky trying to watch rugby if O´Brien´s twin comes off the bench and they split the screen to accommodate him.

Is O´Brien like Jones for Wales.

Just as an aside, if John Smith is the most common name, I can´t say I know any which lends me to think that it´s not so common after all.

Ireland

1. Healy
2. Best
3. Ross
4. DOC
5. POC
6. Ferris
7. Wallace
8. Heaslip
9. Reddan
10. Sexton
11. Earls
12. D'arcy
13. BOD
14. Bowe
15. Kearney

16. Cronin 17. Court 18. Cullen 19. O'Brien 20. Stringer 21. O'Gara 22. Paddy "THE IMPACT SUB" Wallace

Just for the record that's not the team or bench I'd pick but I reckon I'm going to be right on the money with that selection.

It looks as though Wallace has a twin brother too! I´d say Patrick O´Leary sounds like a common name in Ireland. Don´t know anyone by that name either.

kia, that's who I think Johnson will pick, not who I would pick.

I would have Banahan starting on the wing (in place of Cueto) to make room for Tuilagi on the bench. Hape Vs Flutey at 12 is hardly Sophie's choice, so I went with the consistent selection. Personally I would prefer Flutey if he shows any half-decent form, as we need a distributor in the centres.

In the back row I would seriously look at Croft and Wood as flankers together in the warm-up games, but I can't see Moody being dropped for the big games, and I'm not sure if I can argue with that decision.

Yeah fair enough mate. Your captain has to be an automatic choice but I couldn´t help but feel Moody´s enforced absence earlier on this year and Wood´s rise (not just a case of morning glory) put into question that backrow unit. Inside centre does look a bit wafer thin but that´s a pack that can get some ball and dominate possession which is what you need in the RWC.

If however, we take 3 locks, 5 flankers and 1 eight (as the 606v2 picks... poll chose), then one option would be to go with Lawes, Palmer, Croft, Moody and Easter starting and Wood and Haskell both on the bench and Croft covering second row. This gives us more options to change the back row if things aren't working, whereas Lawes and Palmer have proven themselves at second row.

Notch wrote:IRELAND

1. Healy
2. Best
3. Ross
4. O'Callaghan
5. O'Connell
6. Ferris
7. Wallace
8. Heaslip

9. Reddan
10. Sexton

11. Trimble
12. D'Arcy
13. O'Driscoll (c)
14. Bowe
15. Earls

16. Cronin 17. Court 18. Cullen 19. O'Brien 20. O'Leary 21. O'Gara 22. Kearney

You joyless bughers

Amended- Wallace at 7 and O'Brien on the bench.

I'd amend it again pretty sharpish before Gibson comes on here and sees you're not suggesting SOB start. You'll be in a world of trouble.

Not to mention no sign of Jennings!!

I wish Rory would have picked up his form of 2 seasons back, however I am going to start at him at FB, with Mossy covering 10, Wing, FB. I think Hines brutality is required against the English pack. On last seasons form, and with England in mind I would consider Walkers strength over Evans nose for the try line

1. Jacobsen
2. Ford
3. Murray
4. Hines
5. Gray
6. Brown
7. Barclay
8. Beattie

9. Cusiter capt
10. Jackson
11. Danielli
12. S Lamont
13. Ansbro
14. Evans
15. R Lamont

Bench: Cross, S Lawson, Kellock, Rennie, R Lawson, De Luca, Patterson

Surely there's no chance of CP not starting in our big games. On form throughout the 6 Nations, and impeccable with the boot. No way AR will trust Jackson's kicking in the big games, and rightly so.

1. Waytt Crockett , 2. Mealumu, 3. Ben Franks
4. Brad Thorn 5. Sam Whitelock
6. Jerome Kaino 7. Richie McCaw 8. Kieran Read
9. Jimmy Cowan 10. Dan Carter
12. SBW13. Conrad Smith
11. Hosea Gear 14. Zac Guildford
15. Mils Muliaina

Bench: John Afoa, Andrew Hore, Ali Williams, Adam Thomson, Piri Weepu, Colin Slade, Richard Kahui

Mehrts is god wrote:1. Waytt Crockett , 2. Mealumu, 3. Ben Franks
4. Brad Thorn 5. Sam Whitelock
6. Jerome Kaino 7. Richie McCaw 8. Kieran Read
9. Jimmy Cowan 10. Dan Carter
12. SBW13. Conrad Smith
11. Hosea Gear 14. Zac Guildford
15. Mils Muliaina

Bench: John Afoa, Andrew Hore, Ali Williams, Adam Thomson, Piri Weepu, Colin Slade, Richard Kahui

That's a very good side. Damn it.

Thanks very much,coming from an Aussie that's appreciated.

I'd be pretty happy with both Pete and Notch's Ireland side and I would be tempted to stick with Notch's line up but I'd like to see how the following side would go:

1 Healy
2 Best
3 Ross
4 O'Connell
5 O'Callaghan
6 Ferris
7 O'Brien
8 Heaslip

9 Reddan
10 Sexton
11 Earls
12 D'arcy
13 O'Driscoll
14 Bowe
15 Jones

16. Flannery 17. Court 18. Cullen 19. D. Wallace 20. Murray 21. O'Gara 22. Trimble

For the Ireland match, I think Deans will be most wary of the Irish back row and will therefore tweak us slightly focussed around the break down contest.

I expect Moore to generally start over TPN until that game when they will reverse roles.

They will focus on props impact outside the scrum so Kepu and Slipper over Alexander.

If they were not going to start Sharpe in any game, it may be this one, but I doubt they would not start him.

The only other change, which is starting to look like it will be the norm, will be a hard runner at 12 rather than a playmaker.

So my team would be
Slipper, TPN, Kepu
Sharpe, Horwill
Rocky, Palu, Pocock
Genia, Cooper
McCabe, Two Dads
Ioane, Beale, O'Bieber

Extra loose on the bench, with a defensive centre preferred over another outside back.

Moore, Alexander, Simmons, Higginbotham, Robinson, Burgess, Fa'aingaa.

Personally I think this game is too close to call. .

What you would go with Ben Franks over Owen?Toeva over Zac Guildford?
Afoa over either of the Franks Brothers ?
No way Hosae,Crocketts form deserves to start with Owen Franks.
Woodcock fit and in form yes,but now?
Start Smith and Nonu with SBW on the bench,Weepu to start and there is a case for Andy Ellis on the Bench.
Cory jane is injured,and Slade can cove r Fly half,Full back or Wing,never been convinced about Toeva a utiliy player who never seems to have a place nailed down,does`nt seem consistent.
Rather have a team of 15 players who perform to good standard always,than one with a couple of inconsistent genii.

Alan it´s not my team. It´s what I think the selectors will go for. It´s trying to second guess the game.

That said, there is still time for Woodcock to get into some form as is the case with Richie McCaw who is not in good form either. But you should give players who have served you well time to recover. I don´t like Andy Ellis and to me his inclusion is an indication that halfback remains a serious issue for NZ. He should never have played in the final of the S15.

I don´t think you can play Nonu and put SBW on the bench. It happened on the NH tour but only as a chance to get SBW more game time. You need a utility player like Dagg or Kahui who can cover more than one position. Jane had that versatility but Slade does not fill me with confidence at fullback.

funnyExiledScot wrote:Surely there's no chance of CP not starting in our big games. On form throughout the 6 Nations, and impeccable with the boot. No way AR will trust Jackson's kicking in the big games, and rightly so.

FES - perhaps you're right, but it's still depressing to wheel out Mossy for safety.
If Jackson really is test quality, he would be able to kick his goals.

Robinson is likely to agree with you, in which case I would have R.Lamont on the wing instead of Danielli who has done absolutely nothing special this season, in my opinion.

Jackson is in the side to run the backs and get us moving to a faster paced game plan. His kicking at Glasgow tells us he's not ready to be a kicker in international knock-out rugby. He's got good range though (better than CP), and I'm sure it's something he'll be able to sort going forward.

CP was outstanding at 15 for us in the 6 Nations, good in attack but also top notch in defence (so remarkable cover tackles if you recall). Rory Lamont has not done enough to oust CP after the 6 Nations. As for Lamont vs Danielli, Danielli has played pretty well for Ulster this year. Personally I don't feel too strongly about it, but I'd still go for Danielli.

The real question that seems to divide posters on here is whether you'd have Rory Lamont on the bench instead of Dan Parks (assuming you have a centre on the bench - probably NDL), on the basis that CP could move to 10 were Jackson to get injured. I wouldn't risk that, but there are plenty who would. The other option is having Laidlaw on the bench covering both 9 and 10, but that's an even bigger risk in my book, certainly for one of the big two group games.

01. Gethin Jenkins
02. Matthew Rees
03. Adam Jones
04. Bradley Davies
05. A-W Jones
06. Dan Lydiate
08. Toby Faletau
07. Sam Warburton

09. Mike Phillips
10. James Hook
11. Shane Williams
12. Gavin Henson
13. Jamie Roberts
14. George North
15. Lee Byrne

16. Rich Hibbard
17. Paul James
18. Ryan Jones
19. Gareth Delve/Martyn Williams
20. Lloyd Williams/Tavis Knoyle/Dwayne Peel
21. Stephen Jones
22. Leigh Halfpenny

If form can be found by some of the players in the warm-ups, that's a very strong Welsh side. I'd probably find a space for JD2 though.

A little light on experience (but certainly not talent) in that backrow - I'd be tempted to go for Jones or Delve at 8 to balance it out

Yeah that if on form it is strong - problem is thats a big IF - and I'd be worried about the 9,10 channel as Phillips (on current form) is about as fast as an athritic fart and will more than likely get drawn into the rucks, or go blind and turned over which leaves Hook to defend quite a wide space where the physical teams in our group (all of them) will look to attack - and lets be fair Hook isn't the best defender in the world.

Bluemonday,

Despite thinking Faletau will come back with his reputation increased significantly I am a huge Delve fan and would start him at No8 against the Boks.

Other than that I think that will be the starting XV

1 - Stevens
2 - Hartley
3 - Cole
4 - Lawes
5 - Palmer
6 - Croft
7 - Wood
8 - Haskell
9 - Youngs
10 - Flood
11 - Simpson Daniel
12 - Allen
13 - Tuilagi
14 - Ashton
15 - Foden

16 - Thompson
17 - Corbisiero
18 - Attwood
19 - Narraway
20 - Care
21 - Wilkinson
22 - Banahan



if only dreams came true.....