The ANZAC Brotherhood. In honour of this Weekend's Game...

[Black Heart]

... I thought about throwing together an ANZAC side for a bit of fun. I've often thought about this idea in the past and even wondered whether the ARU and NZRU would consider throwing together a joint team sometime in 2015 (after the World Cup) to honour the 100 year anniversary of the Gallipoli campeign.

So I've got 11 players from both countries to keep it fair. Split 8-7 and 3-4.

1. Tony Woodcock
2. Stephen Moore
3. Owen Franks
4. Brad Thorn
5. James Horwill
6. David Pocock
7. Richie McCaw
8. Kieran Read
9. Will Genia
10. Dan Carter
11. James O'Conner
12. Ma'a Nonu
13. Conrad Smith
14. Digby Ioane
15. Kurtley Beale

16. Kevin Mealamu
17. Sekope Kepu
18. Dan Vickerman
19. Jerome Kaino
20. Piri Weepu
21. Berrick Barnes (Cooper is a goose)
22. Adam Ashley-Cooper


Anyone agree/disagree?

 

[Sam91]

Looks about right to me, imagine a game between them and B&I lions ..

 

[Black Heart]

Looks about right to me, imagine a game between them and B&I lions ..

I was thinking more along the lines of a Turkish representitive side but that's probably stretching the bar a little too far.

A 2 or 3 test series against the Lions in Britain would be phenomenal I think, provided our side had a significant time to train together.

 

[Sam91]

I was thinking more along the lines of a Turkish representitive side but that's probably stretching the bar a little too far.

A 2 or 3 test series against the Lions in Britain would be phenomenal I think, provided our side had a significant time to train together.

hahahah ahhh, agreed, if they had a decent amount of time to train together one would think they would be near impossible to beat

 

[lynam1104]

Thats one of the problems with the Lions they really don't have the time to get all the combo's and players right but if this were to happen it would be epic.

 

[TNT88]

Pretty much spot on. When both are in their best form, I can see Drew Mitchell pushing for Digby's spot, but Drew has been injured a lot recently so it is too hard to tell.

 

[TRF C A Iversen]

I think it'd be awesome. With this, the Lions and the Pacific Islands side that was about a while back, the Argies, Saffa's and frogs might get a little jealous and form an allied side called the Hot-&-Cold XV.

 

[ret]

Great concept-probably should play England. After all nowdays the Turks are seen as honourable soldiers defending their country, and the true villains the English generals sacrificing colonial soldiers for the glory of the empire!

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I think it'd be awesome. With this, the Lions and the Pacific Islands side that was about a while back, the Argies, Saffa's and frogs might get a little jealous and form an allied side called the Hot-&-Cold XV.

Fair enough we have blown hot and cold for a while now (with political meddling how do we avoid this?) and although the link is tenuous with Argentina and France I would love to see SA link up (just for fun) with someone. I could only think of an Africa XV but we wouldn't really get access to players on the same level as SA.

 

[Tricia McMillan]

Interesting concept.

And I have to say, no matter what happens this weekend between the All Blacks and Wallabies, I'm glad to have Australia as our "brothers" so to speak. Sport has always been a huge part of my life, but I know that in the grand scheme of things, it's a diversion and pastime; it can be used as a tool for a larger goal, but I would hate to see a sporting rivalry get in the way of something that was a pressing issue. Australians, we've got your back, and we're happy that you have ours. Sincerely, your Kiwi brothers and sisters.

That said, it's a great deal of fun to beat the crap out of you at sports, when and if we do.

 

[Dizzy]

Pretty much spot on I reckon!. Although I'd have Israel Dagg fit in the squad somewhere.

 

[nickdnz]

I'd like to see it as a touring team like the Lions, with a test against the home nations and several clubs. Very hard to pick a team. If we pick a 37 man squad like the Lions did in the last tour, I'd go with (in no order):

Props: Tony Woodcock, Ben Robinson, Ben Alexander, Owen Franks, John Afoa
Hookers: Kevin Mealamu, Andrew Hore, Stephen Moore, Tatafu Polota-Nau
Locks: Brad Thorn, James Horwill, Nathan Sharpe, Ali Williams
Loose Forwards: Jerome Kaino, Rocky Elsome, Richie McCaw, David Pocock, Kieran Read, Radiki Samo
Halfbacks: Will Genia, Piri Weepu, Luke Burgess
Fly Halfs: Daniel Carter, Quade Cooper, Berrick Barnes
Centres: Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Sonny Bill Williams
Outside Backs: Hosea Gear, Cory Jane, Drew Mitchell, Kurtley Beale, Israel Dagg, James O'Connor, Digby Ioane, Mils Muliaina

Australians = 18
New Zealanders = 19

 

[Black Heart]

Pretty much spot on I reckon!. Although I'd have Israel Dagg fit in the squad somewhere.

Yeah it was a toss up between Dagg and Adam Ashley-Cooper.

Just the notion of having an ANZAC touring squad has me drooling. With a small amount of time together to establish some combinations they would be formidable.

 

[Black Heart]

I think it'd be awesome. With this, the Lions and the Pacific Islands side that was about a while back, the Argies, Saffa's and frogs might get a little jealous and form an allied side called the Hot-&-Cold XV.

Haha. I'd pay to see that circus.

 

[TRF C A Iversen]

Haha. I'd pay to see that circus.

Well, you just know it'd either be the Harlem Globetrotters of international rugby or something at the other end of the scale.

 

[Isurus]

Can't believe no one has said it - Kaino has to be in at 6.

You have McCaw at 7 and Pocock at 6 because you wanted them both in the side but it should be obvious that either McCaw or Pocock at 7 and Kaino at 6 makes for a stronger team overall.

Who to have at 7 is a tough one. A fully fit McCaw who was also the captain would probably shade it for me.

 

[Isurus]

Here's my 22:
1. Tony Woodcock
2. Stephen Moore
3. Owen Franks
4. Brad Thorn
5. James Horwill
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Richie McCaw (c)
8. Kieran Read
9. Will Genia
10. Dan Carter
11. James O'Connor
12. Ma'a Nonu
13. Conrad Smith
14. Digby Ioane
15. Kurtley Beale

16. Sekope Kepu
17. Kevin Mealamu
18. Sam Whitelock
19. David Pockock
20. Piri Weepu
21. Quade Cooper
22. Sonny Bill Williams

A couple more Kiwis in there compared to the OP but think that is more than justified. Moore and Horwill are lucky to make the starting side, but then so is McCaw - Pocock probably deserves the 7 shirt on current form. Gone for Cooper and SBW on the bench for impact. Considered letting Weepu cover 9 and 10 and having Dagg and SBW in the 21 and 22 shirts.

 

[Yorkshire Kiwi]

whould have isral dagg on the bench but apart from that i like the team


Does anyone remember the tsunami relief match North vs South hemisphere game where it was vertially a ANSAC team

 

[Larksea]

pretty awesome lineup only changes I'd make is bring Kahui in for JOC and Kaino in for Read or Pocock into the starting lineup

 

[Kiwiwomble]

I'd like to see it as a touring team like the Lions, with a test against the home nations and several clubs. Very hard to pick a team. If we pick a 37 man squad like the Lions did in the last tour, I'd go with (in no order):

Props: Tony Woodcock, Ben Robinson, Ben Alexander, Owen Franks, John Afoa
Hookers: Kevin Mealamu, Andrew Hore, Stephen Moore, Tatafu Polota-Nau
Locks: Brad Thorn, James Horwill, Nathan Sharpe, Ali Williams
Loose Forwards: Jerome Kaino, Rocky Elsome, Richie McCaw, David Pocock, Kieran Read, Radiki Samo
Halfbacks: Will Genia, Piri Weepu, Luke Burgess
Fly Halfs: Daniel Carter, Quade Cooper, Berrick Barnes
Centres: Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Sonny Bill Williams
Outside Backs: Hosea Gear, Cory Jane, Drew Mitchell, Kurtley Beale, Israel Dagg, James O'Connor, Digby Ioane, Mils Muliaina

Australians = 18
New Zealanders = 19

I have to admit to finding it too hard to pick the 22 so i'm just going to say this squad is pretty good and sit on the fence by saying i would pick a 22 after seeing them train, who works well with who and all

awesome idea too! would happily pass up the tri nations for a year so they could tour, would be much more interesting!