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

[Aristodemus]

Corbs, Launchbury (this guy above all else), Ford, Tuilagi, Brown. I really hope all these guys are fit and playing well come WC time.

 

[Big Ewis]

For Wales:

Taulupe Faletau (I'm not sure I've ever seen this guy have a bad game, at least not in a Wales jersey. He is the unsung hero. Dan Baker is shaping up to be a great replacement, but I fear that Wales would miss Faletau's incredible work-rate if he was not present at the WC)
Dan Biggar (the Autumn tests showed that if Biggar gets injured there are currently no obvious replacements that would fit seamlessly into this current Welsh set-up. It's a mystery how Priestland is still anywhere near the Welsh set up by now, Hook is up and down, Anscombe obviously hasn't played enough for club yet so time will tell, I would love to see Morgan get another shot at some point, Sam Davies too but needs a lot of getting up to speed internationally, Patchell has looked patchy (see what I did there) in recent times, there's always Owen Williams I suppose)
Rhys Webb (this is a similar situation to fly half, no obvious back-ups. Phillips had a shocking time during the Autumn. Rhodri Williams has potential but I feel is too much of a live wire and unreliable on the big stage for the moment. Lloyd Williams.... well, just Lloyd Williams. Martin Roberts... meh. If Gareth Davies hadn't got injured there could be a lovely Webb/Davies battle for the 9 jersey going on right now, let's hope he can pull it together in time for the WC. What has happened to Knoyle? Let's start a petition to get Peel at the WC )
Alun Wyn Jones (possibly the single most vital player in the squad. Forms the back bone of the forwards, and the team as a whole. His passion is unmatched, he is an inspiring leader, and a partnership of Charteris-Ball just does not have anywhere near the same bite to it)
Leigh Halfpenny (I think Leigh has reminded us this Autumn why he is so valuable to Wales. He might not do anything flashy these days, which is a shame and something I think he should work on, but boy has he saved our skin time-after-time. That tackle on Etzebeth was potentially match-winning, and to see that kind of a hit being made from someone so short on such a giant was pleasing. To have two solid kicking options around the park is a big advantage too. I just feel that if Liam Williams keeps up his form he hopefully will be able to push Cuthbert out of his right wing spot. But if Halfpenny is injured before the WC, I do fear that it will be Williams at fullback and Cuthbert on the wing, and I just have run out of patience with Cuthbert, especially in defense. He's just not up to standards at the moment and is probably being selected on past glories)

I agree with you but perhaps George North should find his way in there. I understand we're currently in the fresh aftermath of a famous Welsh victory over the world's second best, and North wasn't there so obviously he doesn't seem all that "vital" since Wales lived through his absence and even beat the Boks, but he was vital against France in 2013 for example, without him busting through crossing Wales weren't winning that match. There's no need to start going through his qualities, the entire world knows what he brings. But people would say he's on bad form because he was insipid against the AB, one game, and he just scored fkn 4 tries in a Euro Cup game some weeks ago.
North must knock one of those out, surely. Halfpenny is clearly vital, and either of Jones and I'd argue Jenkins are leaders, veterans and the soul of this Wales side and always so committed, and yes Faletau gets too little love, a pretty underrated 8 for sure...I know Webb and Biggar look like they're the only two world class halfbacks for Wales right now, but I think Wales can survive without one of the two..then again, Cuthbert + Liam Williams works alright, but 5 Welsh players ahead of George North ???..

 

[Maverick1987]

For Wales:

Taulupe Faletau (I'm not sure I've ever seen this guy have a bad game, at least not in a Wales jersey. He is the unsung hero. Dan Baker is shaping up to be a great replacement, but I fear that Wales would miss Faletau's incredible work-rate if he was not present at the WC)
Dan Biggar (the Autumn tests showed that if Biggar gets injured there are currently no obvious replacements that would fit seamlessly into this current Welsh set-up. It's a mystery how Priestland is still anywhere near the Welsh set up by now, Hook is up and down, Anscombe obviously hasn't played enough for club yet so time will tell, I would love to see Morgan get another shot at some point, Sam Davies too but needs a lot of getting up to speed internationally, Patchell has looked patchy (see what I did there) in recent times, there's always Owen Williams I suppose)
Rhys Webb (this is a similar situation to fly half, no obvious back-ups. Phillips had a shocking time during the Autumn. Rhodri Williams has potential but I feel is too much of a live wire and unreliable on the big stage for the moment. Lloyd Williams.... well, just Lloyd Williams. Martin Roberts... meh. If Gareth Davies hadn't got injured there could be a lovely Webb/Davies battle for the 9 jersey going on right now, let's hope he can pull it together in time for the WC. What has happened to Knoyle? Let's start a petition to get Peel at the WC )
Alun Wyn Jones (possibly the single most vital player in the squad. Forms the back bone of the forwards, and the team as a whole. His passion is unmatched, he is an inspiring leader, and a partnership of Charteris-Ball just does not have anywhere near the same bite to it)
Leigh Halfpenny (I think Leigh has reminded us this Autumn why he is so valuable to Wales. He might not do anything flashy these days, which is a shame and something I think he should work on, but boy has he saved our skin time-after-time. That tackle on Etzebeth was potentially match-winning, and to see that kind of a hit being made from someone so short on such a giant was pleasing. To have two solid kicking options around the park is a big advantage too. I just feel that if Liam Williams keeps up his form he hopefully will be able to push Cuthbert out of his right wing spot. But if Halfpenny is injured before the WC, I do fear that it will be Williams at fullback and Cuthbert on the wing, and I just have run out of patience with Cuthbert, especially in defense. He's just not up to standards at the moment and is probably being selected on past glories)

I'd put Sam Lee in this even in such a short time and possibly Paul James . Wales replacement props are seriously poor . They would struggle to put tier 2 opposition away without the first choice front row tbh I'd hazard a guess that without James and Lee you would struggle to get parity with lower teams like Georgia who have good scrums

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

Ireland:

1: Sexton - We have good backups, but Sexton really is key to pretty much everything we do. Will be interesting to see who of Madigan, Keatley and Jackson travels too
2: Murray - Improved so much, his box kicking is fantastic which is a big part of our game plan and I struggle to think of many better than him right now. Reddan is still decent
3: Moore - Ah You just doesn't cut it, could probably swap for Ross, but his age / long term fitness worries me..
4: POC - Don't think I really need to comment on him
5: Best - I think Best plays a bigger role than people give him credit for, he's a huge leader and imo has one of the highest work rates in the Irish squad. Cronin is fantastic as an impact sub, but not too much more I feel.

 

[Mikel92]

Actually all you English fellas saying Launchbury is vital, or Attwood is .. you're all wrong! The Daily Telegraph said so!

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...nglishmen-outnumber-Kiwis-in-British-world-XV

Lawes all day baby (kidding btw. I know better than to look into it greatly but just put it here for amusement sake. And considering Robshaw isn't your classic fetcher, even he makes the grade in the world XV! Ain't nobody got time for Warburton and McCaw!

 

[ratsapprentice]

British rugby journalism is ****house.

 

[j'nuh]

British rugby journalism is ****house.

Haha, I think it's just British journalism in general.

I read a story from the Daily Mail (I know, I know, it's terrible, I don't actually read it, I was just flagged this one page) from 2009 today about how the writer (Liz Jones) had spent too much on her cards and wasn't allowed to draw any more out. So she couldn't pay to stay in a hotel. Here are a few paragraphs about what she did after being turned away from the hotel:

I picked up my bag, collected my case with as much dignity as I could muster and went out on to the pavement.

The wind whipped around my legs and it was suddenly very dark. I had been tossed on to life's rubbish tip. For the first time, I felt what it must be like to be homeless, to have no money, no one to turn to.

I realised that this was about the worst thing that can happen to you. Your humanity is stripped away and you become something to be moved along, stepped over, ignored.

I had reached my low spot through my own stupidity. I had spent too much money and was temporarily broke (my agent eventually turned up to bail me out).

I couldn't stop laughing. :lol:

 

[Jbobo]

My 5 vital Wales players -

1. Leigh Halfpenny

2. Dan Biggar

3. Jamie Roberts

4. Samson Lee

5. Alun Wyn Jones

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Actually all you English fellas saying Launchbury is vital, or Attwood is .. you're all wrong! The Daily Telegraph said so!

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...nglishmen-outnumber-Kiwis-in-British-world-XV

Lawes all day baby (kidding btw. I know better than to look into it greatly but just put it here for amusement sake. And considering Robshaw isn't your classic fetcher, even he makes the grade in the world XV! Ain't nobody got time for Warburton and McCaw!

I laughed when I read the Daily telegraph's world XV. If you go to the article and read the comments underneath you will see that no British rugby fan took it serious either. What do you expect from Mick "Dreary" Cleary who has to be one of the worst British rugby journalists there are, who writes articles for click bait purposes.

 

[goodNumber10]

I laughed when I read the Daily telegraph's world XV. If you go to the article and read the comments underneath you will see that no British rugby fan took it serious either. What do you expect from Mick "Dreary" Cleary who has to be one of the worst British rugby journalists there are, who writes articles for click bait purposes.

It's an EOYT selection, not over the course of the year though people seem to be missing that. I know it's subjective but i think he's for the most not that far off with his selections - and he does specify where they are a couple of "look he's in because of this".

The onyl really questionable ones are:

Smith @ 9,
Robshaw @ 7,
Franks at 3,
and JDV @ 12.

Le Roux at 15 could be swapped out for Kearny but he's in because of that moment in the England game.

 

[Jaguares]

Argentina:

1- Fernandez Lobbe
2- Tomas Lavanini
3- Agustin Creevy
4- Marcos Ayerza
5- Joaquin Tuculet / Nicolas Sanchez

 

[Big Ewis]

Argentina:

1- Fernandez Lobbe
2- Tomas Lavanini
3- Agustin Creevy
4- Marcos Ayerza
5- Joaquin Tuculet / Nicolas Sanchez

pleaaase, Nico Sanchez is easily more valuable than Tuculet. How are those two even tied ?!?...Sanchez has been one of the very best 10's in the world in that he does literally everything a 10 should do. He's got good decision making, a good in-game foot, a fairly good Test level goal kicker, kicks in drops, activates his back line brilliantly, can create space, has a deadly step and is a threat ball in hand and then he's got the very sound defense and good commitment/heart that are fundamental.

I agree with the rest though, no doubt: Lobbe - Nico Sanchez - Lavanini - Creevy - Ayerza.
While Hernandez has found good form again this year, very good signs for los Pumas (and Tuloni )
I repeat for me Agustin Creevy has been the best hooker in the world this year.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

It's an EOYT selection, not over the course of the year though people seem to be missing that. I know it's subjective but i think he's for the most not that far off with his selections - and he does specify where they are a couple of "look he's in because of this".

The onyl really questionable ones are:

Smith @ 9,
Robshaw @ 7,
Franks at 3,
and JDV @ 12.

Le Roux at 15 could be swapped out for Kearny but he's in because of that moment in the England game.

He's still a sh*t rugby writer, with a heavy English bias despite few England players playing that well across all 4 games to justify selection.

 

[Geordie]

England
Robshaw
Launchbury
Morgan
Manu
Care

 

[Every Time Ref]

Robshaw - I've got a lot of sympathy for the argument that he's got the wrong number on his back, but he really does do a lot of crucial work and we need him to be doing it to function. Also, we need him on leadership form - whenever England look good, Robshaw comes across like a leader for me (although I suppose that is a bit of a chicken / egg situation)

Corbisiero - not because of shortness of options, Marler has been one of the players who's done his reputation a lot of good this autumn for me and Mullan looks very promising, but Corbs on form and fit is such a class ahead both in the scrum and in the losoe - including being a big carrier, which we've lacked this autumn.

Launchbury - we can argue about the relative merits of Lawes and Attwood, but whichever we pick he's going alongside Launchbury. He truly is one of those players who is at the centre of every good performance from England

Care - he's looked crap, we've looked crap. We really aren't blessed with a surfeit of international-class or potential international-class scrum-halves (I'm worried about Youngs as seemingly our de facto first choice now), which didn't matter in February when Care was brilliant and England were brilliant, but was painfully obvious this autumn when he'd lost it.

Brown - I don't think we have an obvious backup knocking on the door since Foden faded away, and Brown's good positioning, solidity under the high ball and good kick and chase game is crucial to the territory game we want to play. Again, we all really noticed the difference when he was off form this autumn.

Argentina:

1- Fernandez Lobbe
2- Tomas Lavanini
3- Agustin Creevy
4- Marcos Ayerza
5- Joaquin Tuculet / Nicolas Sanchez

I agree with @Big Ewis about Sanchez, I like Tuculet a lot but Sanchez is key - complete player, great vision, not the biggest but you don't really notice it in defence and most importantly the fly-half's Holy Trinity - quick feet, quick hands, quick brain. I might say Tuculet instead of Ayerza maybe, nothing against Ayerza but Noguera looks like good enough cover not to be a disaster to lose him, don't you think? The Argie front row is quality of course and the cover is also really strong. I'd love to see our best six, all fit (over 80 minutes, including subs) against yours. What a contest that would be! I'm wondering if Lequizamon should be on the list too, maybe ahead of Lavanini? Or do you think the emergence of a couple of good young back rows makes him less crucial?

I'd have said Bosch not long ago but his form seems to have dropped like a stone recently, really shocking. Is he too old now? It was quite amazing to me how amateur he looked against Scotland. I'd also have thought Landajo until recently, but that's changed for different reasons - Cubelli has impressed me more and more when I've seen him this autumn. Still think I prefer Pendejo, sorry I mean Landajo, but Cubelli's definitely good enough not to worry about losing him. Also if Montero continues his defensive improvement which seems to be happening, I can see him being one of the five very soon.

 

[Pampas]

pleaaase, Nico Sanchez is easily more valuable than Tuculet. How are those two even tied ?!?...Sanchez has been one of the very best 10's in the world in that he does literally everything a 10 should do. He's got good decision making, a good in-game foot, a fairly good Test level goal kicker, kicks in drops, activates his back line brilliantly, can create space, has a deadly step and is a threat ball in hand and then he's got the very sound defense and good commitment/heart that are fundamental.

I agree with the rest though, no doubt: Lobbe - Nico Sanchez - Lavanini - Creevy - Ayerza.
While Hernandez has found good form again this year, very good signs for los Pumas (and Tuloni )
I repeat for me Agustin Creevy has been the best hooker in the world this year.

I agree that Sanchez should be selected over Tuculet, because Nico would be more difficult to replace without losing quality.
Even though I really like Nico i think he has been among the best FH in world, mostly because of the lack of world class and dominant FH, unlike whats going with FB.
Nevertheless, Tuculet has been playing well and deservedly won the FB position.
I thought about Lavanini but i chose Camacho because of his capability of breaking tackles, which is something the Pumas really need. He actually was the MVP for The Pumas in the RC 2012, the Last tournament he played before getting injured.

 

[Big Ewis]

I agree that Sanchez should be selected over Tuculet, because Nico would be more difficult to replace without losing quality.
However, Sanchez has been among the best FH in world, mostly because of the lack of world class FH, unlike whats going with FB.

True, this isn't a magnificent gorgeous era for flyhalves atm, but Sanchez still is one of the best in the world and does do everything required for a modern FH, which isn't nothing. And Tuculet isn't even a top fullback in the world right now with your Folau, Ben Smith, Mike Brown, Brice Dulin, Rob Kearney, Stuart Hogg, Israel Dagg (who gets more shiit than he deserves), Halfpenny...Obviously I'm not saying Tuculet is no good, I'm saying if we're going by position world-wide Sanchez is much more relevant than Tuculet.
Plus Sanchez is a Toulonais, so the argument ends here.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

After the Autumn Tests i'm changing Scotlands 5 Vital players to:
Stuart Hogg
Blair Cowan
Jonny Gray
Greig Laidlaw
Tommy Seymour

 

[The Jones Boy]

For Wales:

Taulupe Faletau (I'm not sure I've ever seen this guy have a bad game, at least not in a Wales jersey. He is the unsung hero. Dan Baker is shaping up to be a great replacement, but I fear that Wales would miss Faletau's incredible work-rate if he was not present at the WC)
Dan Biggar (the Autumn tests showed that if Biggar gets injured there are currently no obvious replacements that would fit seamlessly into this current Welsh set-up. It's a mystery how Priestland is still anywhere near the Welsh set up by now, Hook is up and down, Anscombe obviously hasn't played enough for club yet so time will tell, I would love to see Morgan get another shot at some point, Sam Davies too but needs a lot of getting up to speed internationally, Patchell has looked patchy (see what I did there) in recent times, there's always Owen Williams I suppose)
Rhys Webb (this is a similar situation to fly half, no obvious back-ups. Phillips had a shocking time during the Autumn. Rhodri Williams has potential but I feel is too much of a live wire and unreliable on the big stage for the moment. Lloyd Williams.... well, just Lloyd Williams. Martin Roberts... meh. If Gareth Davies hadn't got injured there could be a lovely Webb/Davies battle for the 9 jersey going on right now, let's hope he can pull it together in time for the WC. What has happened to Knoyle? Let's start a petition to get Peel at the WC )
Alun Wyn Jones (possibly the single most vital player in the squad. Forms the back bone of the forwards, and the team as a whole. His passion is unmatched, he is an inspiring leader, and a partnership of Charteris-Ball just does not have anywhere near the same bite to it)
Leigh Halfpenny (I think Leigh has reminded us this Autumn why he is so valuable to Wales. He might not do anything flashy these days, which is a shame and something I think he should work on, but boy has he saved our skin time-after-time. That tackle on Etzebeth was potentially match-winning, and to see that kind of a hit being made from someone so short on such a giant was pleasing. To have two solid kicking options around the park is a big advantage too. I just feel that if Liam Williams keeps up his form he hopefully will be able to push Cuthbert out of his right wing spot. But if Halfpenny is injured before the WC, I do fear that it will be Williams at fullback and Cuthbert on the wing, and I just have run out of patience with Cuthbert, especially in defense. He's just not up to standards at the moment and is probably being selected on past glories)

Very good call, hard to leave Warburton out but perhaps he would be the 6th

 

[Bada-Bing!]

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_60291,00.html

Vermeulen in a race against time to be fit for the RWC.