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<blockquote data-quote="gingergenius" data-source="post: 361064" data-attributes="member: 33219"><p>difficult because so many top names were injured for AIs and the French are never consistent in selection but:</p><p></p><p>1. Gethin Jenkins - I can't see much debate on this front. Never goes backward in the scrum and hands down the best in the loose. The only other guy that comes close is Soane Tonga'uiha, but being Tongan he never gets to show it internationally.</p><p></p><p>2. Keven Mealamu - not too much debate to be had here, I really rate Bismarck du Plessis as well and Servat is quality, but Mealamu takes it.</p><p></p><p>3. Adam Jones - wonderful scrummager, strong in the loose. If you watched which way the scrums went in the AIs went then the only possible guy to consider from the SH is Jannie du Plessis but I don't think he's up there; Dan Cole is close, as is Castrogiovanni and Nicholas Mas. Euan Murray's not been too great in recent years, Hayman we don't know about either.</p><p></p><p>4. Brad Thorn - no doubt, the best enforcing lock in world rugby. Bakkies Botha is starting to look past it; Courtney Lawes is the man in waiting.</p><p></p><p>5. Victor Matfield - largely on reputation since his recent form doesn't look too special. Paul O'Connell's been injured too much; Sam Whitelock looks useful for the future.</p><p></p><p>6. Jerome Kaino - based purely on recent form, his all round game has been the best. Tom Croft gets close, as does Juan Smith. Dusautoir's class but has been off colour recently.</p><p></p><p>7. Richie McCaw - no contest. David Pocock is the obvious for second place, and Heinrich Brussow looked better than Pocock last year, shame he's been injured.</p><p></p><p>8. Kieran Reid - developed into a world class 8. Imanol Harinordoquy would have been my pick post 6N, and Sergio Parisse is always up there.</p><p></p><p>9. Fourie du Preez - even though he's been out for a while, no one is as good as this man. Will Genia and Ben Youngs have been the other standout guys.</p><p></p><p>10. Dan Carter - no contest. Quade Cooper lacks in kicking and defence; Matt Giteau lacks in kicking and form; Morne Steyn and Francois Trinh-Duc aren't in that class.</p><p></p><p>11. Hosea Gear - has been destructive against everyone he's played against. Drew Mitchell's been on great form lately; a case can always be made for Shane Williams.</p><p></p><p>12. Ma'a Nonu - his only rival atm is Sonny Bill Williams, and Nonu takes it. A year ago I would have picked Giteau here but he's off colour.</p><p></p><p>13. Conrad Smith - hands down, even over Brian O'Driscoll. Adam Ashley-Cooper is a class act too, as is Jaque Fourie.</p><p></p><p>14. Cory Jane - thoroughly underrated. Tommy Bowe is outstanding, as is Vincent Clerc on his day. Chris Ashton is getting there, and James O'Connor's obviously exciting.</p><p></p><p>15. Mils Muliaina - for his all round game he's near perfect. Kurtley Beale is a very close second.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="gingergenius, post: 361064, member: 33219"] difficult because so many top names were injured for AIs and the French are never consistent in selection but: 1. Gethin Jenkins - I can't see much debate on this front. Never goes backward in the scrum and hands down the best in the loose. The only other guy that comes close is Soane Tonga'uiha, but being Tongan he never gets to show it internationally. 2. Keven Mealamu - not too much debate to be had here, I really rate Bismarck du Plessis as well and Servat is quality, but Mealamu takes it. 3. Adam Jones - wonderful scrummager, strong in the loose. If you watched which way the scrums went in the AIs went then the only possible guy to consider from the SH is Jannie du Plessis but I don't think he's up there; Dan Cole is close, as is Castrogiovanni and Nicholas Mas. Euan Murray's not been too great in recent years, Hayman we don't know about either. 4. Brad Thorn - no doubt, the best enforcing lock in world rugby. Bakkies Botha is starting to look past it; Courtney Lawes is the man in waiting. 5. Victor Matfield - largely on reputation since his recent form doesn't look too special. Paul O'Connell's been injured too much; Sam Whitelock looks useful for the future. 6. Jerome Kaino - based purely on recent form, his all round game has been the best. Tom Croft gets close, as does Juan Smith. Dusautoir's class but has been off colour recently. 7. Richie McCaw - no contest. David Pocock is the obvious for second place, and Heinrich Brussow looked better than Pocock last year, shame he's been injured. 8. Kieran Reid - developed into a world class 8. Imanol Harinordoquy would have been my pick post 6N, and Sergio Parisse is always up there. 9. Fourie du Preez - even though he's been out for a while, no one is as good as this man. Will Genia and Ben Youngs have been the other standout guys. 10. Dan Carter - no contest. Quade Cooper lacks in kicking and defence; Matt Giteau lacks in kicking and form; Morne Steyn and Francois Trinh-Duc aren't in that class. 11. Hosea Gear - has been destructive against everyone he's played against. Drew Mitchell's been on great form lately; a case can always be made for Shane Williams. 12. Ma'a Nonu - his only rival atm is Sonny Bill Williams, and Nonu takes it. A year ago I would have picked Giteau here but he's off colour. 13. Conrad Smith - hands down, even over Brian O'Driscoll. Adam Ashley-Cooper is a class act too, as is Jaque Fourie. 14. Cory Jane - thoroughly underrated. Tommy Bowe is outstanding, as is Vincent Clerc on his day. Chris Ashton is getting there, and James O'Connor's obviously exciting. 15. Mils Muliaina - for his all round game he's near perfect. Kurtley Beale is a very close second. [/QUOTE]
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