5 vital players for each country ahead of the world cup?

[Bada-Bing!]

So who are they for each country? Those 5 players who every fan will be holding their breath and hoping they don't get a long term injury between now and September 2015 because they are so vital for their team and there is no alternative of equal calibre or their absence will significantly weaken the team's chances of a shot at the Webb Ellis trophy or making it far in the competition.

England:

Robshaw
Launchbury
Corbisiero
Farrell
Brown.

The All Blacks:

Read
Savea
Conrad Smith
Ben Smith
Dane Coles because the alternative is Mealamu at 36 come the next WC and then after that the ABs don't yet have a solid 3rd choice hooker option.

Australia:

Folau
Moore
Hooper
Slipper
Palu

SA:

JDV
Bismarck Du Plessis
Etzebeth
FDP
Le Roux - who gives the Springboks their X-factor.

Wales:

AWJ
North
Faletau
Jamie Roberts
Halfpenny

Ireland:

Sean O'Brien
O'Connell
Healy
Sexton
POM

France:

????? I'll let the French fans fill this one in. I can only think of Dusautoir and Fofanna as being so vital to the team.

Agree, or disagree? What about other countries?

 

[Feicarsinn]

Difficult. O'Brien, Sexton and O'Connell stand out a mile, but after that it's tricky. Healy is a top top player, but Jack McGrath is no slouch. I'd wouldn't hesitate to put him up against pretty much any pack. Similarly, you could replace O'Mahony with a tonne of good flankers.

Maybe one of the tight heads? I'd be very worried if we traveled without Moore. Murray is a pretty vital cog too.

 

[goodNumber10]

can't argue with much of that, was think would i be worried if Brown got injured, but yeah i would. I like Foden et al, but he's played so way above them.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

i'll do one for scotland then The_Blindside well for who i think who is vital for the scotland team

Stuart Hogg
Richie Gray
Kelly Brown
Alex Dunbar
Matt Scott

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

i'll do france aswell

Wesley Fofana
Thierry Dusautoir
Louis Picamoles
Brice Dulin
Sofiane Guitoune

 

[big ginger 8]

Im my opinio for Ireland it'd be:

Sean O'Brien - pretty obvious world class player gives us go forward ball as well as a **** load of tackles and turnovers.

Jonathan Sexton - Jackson's a good player but Sexton's on another level. The perfect outhalf for the Joe Schmidt system as well.

Mike Ross - Moore is quality back up but Ross is the starter for a reason and if he got injured having Moore as the only at all proven tighthead would be a worry. (Given that Declan Fitzpatrick will probably be injured)

Conor Murray - A really important player for us these days with his playmaking skills and defense.

Paul O'Connell - The captain and lineout leader. Doesn't have the constant impact he used to have but is capable of raising his game when the occaision demands.

 

[Big Ewis]

omg...OH....MY...GOD.....Scotty just double....double posted ??!!!!! wuuuuuuuuut.

That ain't bad actually...I actually agree with Guitoune, as inexperienced as he is at the int'l level with his 3 caps, simply because he's got to be one of the two best wingers in France. But essential ? I don't know. Still just 3 caps.

I don't even think Dusautoir is "vital" at all btw. Remember during the 2012 EOYT, he was injured and Nyanga filled in, no problem. He exploded onto the scene and nobody remembered Dusau was an absence. Same thing this last 6N against England, no Dusautoir, Nyanga and Burban had everybody forgetting he was ever a topic.

I'd say:
Fofana, Bastareaud, Picamoles, Dulin, aaaaand ? some time ago I'd have included Domingo and Mas without hesitation, but right now...fifth guy iiiiiis....Huget.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

My England ones where I feel it would really dent the team if they were not present:

Tuilagi
Brown
Care
Corbisiero
Launchbury

I think when England miss any of those players, it has a significant impact on the team. I actually don't think missing Farrel or Robshaw will be that huge. Robshaw has in essence blocked anyone else from playing in his position due to being captain and I don't think Farrel is the amazing "iceman" some commentators like to pretend he is.

 

[lynam1104]

I'd go with the Blindside for Ireland except POM who I would replace with Murray- hes become a top scrumhalf over the last season and a bit and is really vital to Ireland at this point.Him and Sexton have looked really good together and I like the way he balances passing/kicking/running. I'd keep Healy as he can just make so much impact much like SOB and this was really evident this season fro Leinster when both were out they struggled getting over getting the gain line and when he returned for Leinster it was obvious what a difference was made.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

omg...OH....MY...GOD.....Scotty just double....double posted ??!!!!! wuuuuuuuuut.

That ain't bad actually...I actually agree with Guitoune, as inexperienced as he is at the int'l level with his 3 caps, simply because he's got to be one of the two best wingers in France. But essential ? I don't know. Still just 3 caps.

I don't even think Dusautoir is "vital" at all btw. Remember during the 2012 EOYT, he was injured and Nyanga filled in, no problem. He exploded onto the scene and nobody remembered Dusau was an absence. Same thing this last 6N against England, no Dusautoir, Nyanga and Burban had everybody forgetting he was ever a topic.

I'd say:
Fofana, Bastareaud, Picamoles, Dulin, aaaaand ? some time ago I'd have included Domingo and Mas without hesitation, but right now...fifth guy iiiiiis....Huget.

sorry

 

[Bada-Bing!]

My England ones where I feel it would really dent the team if they were not present:

Tuilagi
Brown
Care
Corbisiero
Launchbury

I think when England miss any of those players, it has a significant impact on the team. I actually don't think missing Farrel or Robshaw will be that huge. Robshaw has in essence blocked anyone else from playing in his position due to being captain and I don't think Farrel is the amazing "iceman" some commentators like to pretend he is.

Yeah I thought about Tuilagi, but I thought if England were to lose him then could revert back to the Twelvetrees-Burrell partnership.

Robshaw, I think is vital because he is the soul of the England side. Yes, if England were to lose him, Wood could replace him at 7 and at captain. Maybe Kvesic, if he has a blinder for Gloucester next season, but he would be short on experience. Losing Robshaw, I think be a huge detriment to England, he has grown into a quality leader for the team.

Good call on Care. His delivery and sniping at the base of rucks are vital if England want to get quick ball to the backs. Youngs delivery has been far too slow and Dickson lacks the pace for sniping round the rucks.

In a WC we still need someone with the big match temperament to kick goals to win tight matches, which is why I included Farrell in my 5.

 

[Groundhog]

In days past I would have put Mike Ross as our #1 most important player, but now with a decent backup, I'd probably give the mantle to Sexton. Unbelievable how he makes the backline shine.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Strangely enough I wouldn't incluce Jean de Villiers or Bismarck du Plessis in a list of 5 players I'd hate to lose towards 2015, not that they aren't two of the best players we have but in those positions we actually have a lot of depth in quality and their replacements quite regularly have better performances in any case. My list of 5 would be;

1 F du Preez - because the quality drops off rather sharply and he fits our game plan
2 E Etzebeth - our best player, arguably best jumper at 2 in the world and the rest are either on the green side or the grey side
3 W le Roux - we actually have a creative outside back for once and at 15 too boot, losing Le Roux would be losing 10 points per game
4 F Malherbe - our only true specialist tight head in the squad beside J du Plessis who has become just too much of a liability in general play
5 D Vermeulen - depth; beyond him we don't have much at 8 that fit our game

Others who might fall just outside 5 IMO but we can manage without;
B du Plessis; Strauss, Brits or Burden are able cover
M Steyn; on the green side but both Goosen and Pollard have more to offer though experience is valuable and consistency is yet to be proven for the rookies
J de Villiers; we have other captaincy options in F Louw or at a push V Matfield, other center options include form youngsters J Serfontein and D de Allende or Frans Steyn

 

[goodNumber10]

Strangely enough I wouldn't incluce Jean de Villiers or Bismarck du Plessis in a list of 5 players I'd hate to lose towards 2015, not that they aren't two of the best players we have but in those positions we actually have a lot of depth in quality and their replacements quite regularly have better performances in any case. My list of 5 would be;

1 F du Preez - because the quality drops off rather sharply and he fits our game plan
2 E Etzebeth - our best player, arguably best jumper at 2 in the world and the rest are either on the green side or the grey side
3 W le Roux - we actually have a creative outside back for once and at 15 too boot, losing Le Roux would be losing 10 points per game
4 F Malherbe - our only true specialist tight head in the squad beside J du Plessis who has become just too much of a liability in general play
5 D Vermeulen - depth; beyond him we don't have much at 8 that fit our game

Others who might fall just outside 5 IMO but we can manage without;
B du Plessis; Strauss, Brits or Burden are able cover
M Steyn; on the green side but both Goosen and Pollard have more to offer though experience is valuable and consistency is yet to be proven for the rookies
J de Villiers; we have other captaincy options in F Louw or at a push V Matfield, other center options include form youngsters J Serfontein and D de Allende or Frans Steyn

Le roux and etzabeth are really important.

Le Roux really impressed me how he went away and turned his weaknesses into strengths... People focus on his attack but he is really solid under the high ball and his cover tackling is second to none.

 

[Big Ewis]

sorry

you're forgiven. See, it's that easy.

Hey I'll replace Bastareaud with Morgan Parra. His goal kicking, and general management of the game, we can't sacrifice that. We're by far the deepest team in the world from my knowledge in terms of scrumhalves, but we need our petit général.

 

[munstermuffin]

Difficult. O'Brien, Sexton and O'Connell stand out a mile, but after that it's tricky. Healy is a top top player, but Jack McGrath is no slouch. I'd wouldn't hesitate to put him up against pretty much any pack. Similarly, you could replace O'Mahony with a tonne of good flankers.

Maybe one of the tight heads? I'd be very worried if we traveled without Moore. Murray is a pretty vital cog too.

While I'd agree with POC and Sexton. I don't think SOB is vital. Yes he's good but we've plenty of depth in backrow.

I'd say POC for obvious reasons.
Murray is vital for our game.
Sexton obviously.
I think Healy and Best too are extremely vital. Yes we've other hookers but it's big drop down (excluding Cronin who's better off bench)
Again McGrath has done well as has Kilcoyne and Cronin but Healy gives us a big gap more in class

 

[FrenchFan]

none of the French players above are vital. They can all be replaced incl. Dusautoir. How many tries has Fofana scored for les bleus this season? 1 try.
Le Guepard is happier among les volcans.

 

[Big Ewis]

none of the French players above are vital. They can all be replaced incl. Dusautoir. How many tries has Fofana scored for les bleus this season? 1 try.
Le Guepard is happier among les volcans.

yeah coz we're so deep. (ALRIIIIIIGHT !!!!) but still man. Fofana ain't scoring tries but his tackling and moves on attack and passing are brilliant help to the French XV. He may not have been '2013 Twickenham try' all year, but in more attention to detail, consistency, and dirty work he's shined as a beautiful, sparkling little pearl......with fresh steaming feces around it. Yup...you just can't have it all atm playing for France...

But it's true besides Fofana and Parra, I picked the others to fill it up. Picamoles isn't primordial for France. Bastareaud isn't either, and both Dulin and Huget could be replaced by virtually as good if not better.
Since we're on the subject, I fancy the concept of an almost radically different looking France team. I think some guys are being picked out of routine and because they want some....(try not to laugh)....some "cohesion" ...and "continuity" on the team.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

you're forgiven. See, it's that easy.

Hey I'll replace Bastareaud with Morgan Parra. His goal kicking, and general management of the game, we can't sacrifice that. We're by far the deepest team in the world from my knowledge in terms of scrumhalves, but we need our petit général.

i was going to put him in but im wasn't sure

 

[Darwin]

So who are they for each country? Those 5 players who every fan will be holding their breath and hoping they don't get a long term injury between now and September 2015 because they are so vital for their team and there is no alternative of equal calibre or their absence will significantly weaken the team's chances of a shot at the Webb Ellis trophy or making it far in the competition.

The All Blacks:

Read
Savea
Conrad Smith
Ben Smith
Dane Coles because the alternative is Mealamu at 36 come the next WC and then after that the ABs don't yet have a solid 3rd choice hooker option.

Interesting thread. It is strange to see a list of key AB's and not see the names Carter and McCaw

For me the top 5 would be:
-Coles (Clearly our best hooker at the moment, his back-up is about 100 years old and injury prone, and we have no hookers close to international standard below that)
-Read (Not only the best player in the world, but his wide-running game in vital to the AB's game-plan)
-A Smith (Arguably the key player in the AB's at the moment in my opinion. Not because he is the best player - he is still inconsistent at times - but his brilliant distribution is vital in the current AB's game-plan. Perenara and Kerr-Barlow are both good young players, but if Smith was out injured the AB's would have to make some serious adjustments to their game-plan, as neither Perenara or Kerr-Barlow have near the passing skills that Smith possesses)
-C Smith (Not as vital as he has been in the past due to the emergence of Fekitoa, but his experience, distribution skills, and ability to organise the defense are missed whenever he is out)
-Savea (The AB's biggest strike weapon. His combination of pace and power is unmatched by anyone else in NZ rugby).

There are a few other important players, but those are the 5 that IMO are the most important. Woodcock and Franks are important, but neither have been in great form for the last few years, and their replacements are starting to get some experience at test level. Likewise both locks are key components in the AB's pack, but Romano can do a solid job at test level (once fit), and Tuipolotu is a star in the making. Kaino is clearly our best 6, but we have shown we can win without him, with Messam playing well last season in the 6 jersey. We don't have an experienced backup at 12, but I don't really think losing Nonu would be the end of the world. People may find it strange that I haven't included one Ben Smith. In my opinion he is the best fullback in the world but he is unlikely to play there, and is less effective on the wing. He is still an excellent wing at test level, but the likes of Jane and Piutau are pretty handy at test level too...

Le roux and etzabeth are really important.

Le Roux really impressed me how he went away and turned his weaknesses into strengths... People focus on his attack but he is really solid under the high ball and his cover tackling is second to none.

While I agree Le Roux is vital for the Boks, I can't agree that his cover tackling is second to none. He has a lot of strengths, but tackling in not one of them. I would go as far as saying his cover tackling is 'second to all' - he may have improved his defense but it is still a glaring weakness in his game IMO, indeed I would suggest he is the worst fullback on defense in Super Rugby....