World XV for the AIs

[TRF_stormer2010]

Since the Baabaas game doesn't count I thought this might be a good way to wrap things up. My picks then:

15 Kurtley Beale (Aus)
14 George North (*edit) (Wal)
13
12
11 Hosea Gear (NZ)
10 Dan Carter (NZ) even though he wasn't at his best
9 Ben Youngs (Eng) possibly
8 Keiran Read (NZ)
7 Richie McCaw (NZ) he has won the IRB PotY (2010) for a 3rd year now so how can I argue..
6 Willem Alberts (RSA) LOL, a contencious pick but its difficult too argue with the impact he made coming off the bench.. that and I didn't want to pick Kaino
5 Victor Matfield (RSA) was off form in the 3N but stood tall in the Ais I felt
4 Courtney Lawes (Eng) thought he did really well, though I admit I only saw 2 games
3
2 Bismarck du Plessis (RSA) simply immense in set play and the tight loose
1


Can't pick between the NZ and Aus centres and no 2 centres were clear favourites IMO. Same with the props.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

I think George North has been THE revelation of this year's Tour. He should be wearing nr. 14 in your line-up

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I think George North has been THE revelation of this year's Tour. He should be wearing nr. 14 in your line-up

I strongly considered him but only saw Wales play once and that was against us. He was huge in that game if you'll parden the pun.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

I watched him play in the other matches as well and despite his young age he has something that places him right there with the 2007 Habana and Hosea Gear. He might seem a bit over-eager sometimes and he still has to gain some muscle strength but despite that he was a true revelation. Put him there in the line-up!

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I watched him play in the other matches as well and despite his young age he has something that places him right there with the 2007 Habana and Hosea Gear. He might seem a bit over-eager sometimes and he still has to gain some muscle strength but despite that he was a true revelation. Put him there in the line-up!

LOL. Okee..

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Revelation =/= Best player though

No doubt he was very good, and surprised a hell of a lot of people, but I'd still have Ashton/Cueto/Mitchell/O'Connor over him

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Olyy, the XV here is based purely on the matches played this november. While Ashton, Cueto and Mitchell are better than North you have to agree that George North was better these AI's.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Nope,
He was good, definately, but I'd still have one of those four over him

 

[Teh Mite]

I agree with Olyy (unless of course this is specifically about playing against the Boks!)

I'd pick the Aussie centre paring and also strongly consider Croft for the 6 shirt; The difference in Englands performance after he went off against South Africa shows just how much influence he was having.

 

[munstermuffin]

I think Ferris deserves a look in that team too

 

[coonor]

I think Ferris deserves a look in that team too

Deffinatly a pivotal part of Irelands game and the only one that played well in every game (Maybe heaslip did aswell but not so much as Ferris) The best Northern Hemisphere 6 at the moment IMO. I also agree with Olyy and Bullit. North had an unforgetable game but that was just one game. My wingers would be Cueto who was brilliant in every test match for England and Gear who matched strength with speed very well.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Revelation =/= Best player though

No doubt he was very good, and surprised a hell of a lot of people, but I'd still have Ashton/Cueto/Mitchell/O'Connor over him

I believe you were looking for this? ≠

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Amazing that Bismark got in at hooker, looked at times off the boil against Wales he hardly featured.

The entire Welsh front row should be considered. Arguable the best front 3 of the AI's. Mention to Davies and Wyn-Jones at locks to.

North was good, I don't think he was not as good as some believe. Cueto and Ashton were good, but then so was North. You argue that North had a standout game against South Africa ... yet Ashton's real standout was that try against Australia. Cueto was good all AI to be fair.

 

[dullonien]

Yeh, I also don't quite think North deserves a spot. He was great against SA, but then had little chances after that. Great start to international rugby, and is look set to become an absolute beast of a player considering he will probably put a bit more muscle on. One of my favourite moments of his was smashing through Thorn in the NZ game, for a winger to be able to do that is pretty immense. Seeing him for the Scarlets he also has a decent bit of pace, decent hands and a good sped on him aswell. I'm sure the Scarlets will get tempted to play him in his natural position of centre at come point, could be even better there, depending on his vision.

No other Welsh backs come close to making this team, and that's very sad .

Adam Jones at three easily, was excellent in every single game. Cole was pushing him close untill the SA game. Although Gethin only played two games, he also confirmed to me that he's the best in his position too. If Wales lineout went better against NZ, then I'd also say Rees aswell, considering he also took over as captain in this series, but the lineout against NZ tarnishes an otherwise excellent series.

I thought Wales' best second row this series was Alun-Wyn, awesome to see him back to some good form. Bradley was good, but not quite as good in his other Welsh caps. Great partnership though.

There's a massive battle for the 6 jersey. I personally thought Kaino was NZ's best player throught this tour, so I'd give it to him. However Alberts had soem massive impacts off the bench, and as Bullit said Croft highlighted how important a player he is to England when he went off v SA.

At 7, I'd also like to put Warburton's name forward, unfortunately he was injured for two of the matches, but in the other two he matched if not outplayed the two best opensides in world rugby in Pocock and McCaw. I thought McCaw was below his best this series, although he was still pretty darn good.

Any Scottish players deserve a mention? They had a good AI series.

 

[Teh Mite]

You argue that North had a standout game against South Africa ... yet Ashton's real standout was that try against Australia. Cueto was good all AI to be fair.

*removes Northampton hat, places England hat*

Unfair on Ashton somewhat. His biggest moment was that try agreed, but his tracking of play and support running was superb up until he ran headlong into [strike]a brick wall[/strike] Matfield (afterwhich he was subdued compared to normal but still always ready to strike - If England hadn't reverted to the factory settings and played with static ball when they eventually got it). Overall his contribution was bigger then Norths IMO despite the non-existent midfield England chose to play with.

Debatable however whether he's worthy of taking the 14 shirt for the team of the series, but certainly one of the top 4.

 

[Seaton]

(Insert most played New Zealand XV here)

 

[Dougydeluxe]

North was good, but his tackling lacked a few times. I don't think he deserves to make it.

I think that John Barclay, Vernon, or Gray could be put into that XV, but to be frank they played as well as a lot of the other options, but I don't think better.

ohhh and I think ACC at 13, he was great for all of the AI's.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I think that John Barclay, Vernon, or Gray could be put into that XV, but to be frank they played as well as a lot of the other options, but I don't think better.

ohhh and I think ACC at 13, he was great for all of the AI's.

Agree with both of these points,
Scotland did have some impressive players, but then so did the ABs etc.

AAC was the best 13 in the tournament, imo

 

[FlukeArtist]

Kaino has to be in the line-up. The ABs loose forwards were streaks ahead of the competition sorry guys.

Also think Muliaina deserves to be in there.

You'd have to have Ashley-Cooper at centre too

 

[SelimNiai]

My 22 man squad;

15. K. Beale. To be honest it was a tough choice between him and Foden but Beale Gets the nod.
14. C. Ashton. Top showing all autumn topped by that try against the Aussies
13. A. Ashley-Cooper. As mentioned, best 13 on show
12. S. Hape. One out of left feild maybe but Hape impressed me, looks to be one of the few League converts to make a decent fist of a Union International career.
11. M. Cueto. Another one who has really shown he still does have the skills at this level.
10. D. Carter. World Record Points Scorer. Nuff said. (Still no Neil Jenkins try as he might )
9. B.Youngs. Starting 9 for 1st Lions Test 2013.

8. K. Read. See Kaino
7. R. McCaw. Even though I think it was wrong he got WPOTY he outshone Pocock this Autumn
6. J. Kaino. Covered every blade of Grass on each pitch he played.
5. V. Matfeild. For the line out supremecy
4. C. Lawes. Has begun to show everyone what he can do
3. A. Sheridan. See A.Jones
2. M. Rees. See A.Jones
1. A Jones. Gave Scrum lessons to the weaker SH teams in that department.

Bench;

16. D. Hartley. Offered, even if he did too frequentley, himself as a runner
17. G. Jenkins. Toss up between him and Sheridan, Sheri got it for his overall dynacism
18. R.Gray. Promising player, did himself no harm at all
19. W. Alberts. For when the team needs a quick try.
20. W. Genia. The key to the Wallabies, links a retreating pack to a flowing back-line
21. S. Jones. Mr Dependable
22. G. North. Why not?