By Garth Hamilton
October 2nd 2007 @ 8:16am
RWC: Team of the Pool stages
Most of the minnows and half of the six nations’ teams have now been relieved of their World Cup duties. As the pool stages of this world cup are over it’s time to take a look across the tournament and give credit where it’s due.I’ve selected a team not based on past form or reputation but solely on the contributions in the pool stages of this world cup. In some cases these selections have been based upon a single brilliant performance or one breath-taking move. Overwhelmingly the best efforts of the pool stages have come from players who’ve had to struggle hard. For this
reason there are but a few players from the tournament’s favourites and more than a handful from the minnows.
Fullback – Chris Latham (Australia). Rugby remains a running game and in this area Latham is head and shoulders above the rest. If it were a kicking game then Latham would probably also feature in this team given his ability to kick the ball 60 – 70m with amazing accuracy and regularity. South Africa’s Percy Montgomery has been a wonderfully solid player who gives the Springbok’s a similar sense of security. Montgomery lack’s Latham’s potency in attack but his understudy, Francois Steyne does not.
Wingers – Shane Williams (Wales) and Vilimoni Delasau (Fiji). If wingers are there to score tries then these two blokes are doing their jobs. Other wings may pride themselves on stats like ‘metres gained’, ‘hit-ups’ and so on but the fact is there are other players in the team, usually forwards, who are better placed to do that sort of work. Drew Mitchell has been so superb at being in the right place at the right time that it is beginning to look less and less like a coincidence that he is scoring the tries and Tuqiri is not. Doug Howlett, like Mitchell, is a beneficiary of a better backline than either of the two selected, yet deserves credit for his outstanding form.
Centre – Stirling Mortlock (Australia). With only half of a game, against Wales in Cardiff, Mortlock has set the benchmark for centre play in this tournament. Dominating in attack and defence he has clearly overtaken Brian O’Driscoll as the world’s best in this position.
Inside Centre – Olly Barkley (England). Even in a team bereft of even the most basic understanding of what constitutes a backline move, Barkley has stood out. Worse than this he has had to receive shoddy service from Jonny Wilkinson who has seemingly mimicked George Gregan’s side-shuffle and added a time-wasting jink upon receiving the ball. One can only imagine what Barkley could do in a backline coached by Scott Johnson.
Fly Half – Juan Martin-Hernandez (Argentina). Southern hemisphere audiences haven’t seen enough of him to appreciate him fully yet. He can run with the fluidity of the great New Zealand and Australian halves and has the deft hands of a classic Frenchman. His kicking game, although strong, is sometimes overshadowed by that of compatriot, Felipe Contepomi. Argentina have long waited for a fly half who could deliver them a backline to match their scrum. Hernandez is that man.
Scrum Half – Moses Rauluni (Fiji). Against Wales, Raulini drove and directed his forward pack to greatness. He challenges the opposition and looks as if some great urgency is constantly unsettling him – as though there is no place on a football field where he can allow himself to pass a passive moment. Agustin Pichot has again excelled at this stage and deserves a mention. Fourie Du Preez remains the world’s best in this position however he has a far more established pack to work behind than Rauluni and has yet been called upon to deliver his best.
Number 8 – Henry Tuilagi (Samoa). The Samoan forward broke himself against the stone wall of South African defence in the first round of the competition. That he fell short in his attempt to overcome the Springbok’s line and spirit is nothing to be ashamed of and the attempt leaves him in pretty good company as few have ever beaten Jake White’s men at their own game. Gonzalo Longo’s (Argentina) performance against Ireland almost earns him a call up and his battle with the ‘Boks in the semi final will be worth watching.
Blindside Flanker – Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (Argentina). Lobbe was responsible for so many of the great Argentine turnovers of the second half of the game against Ireland. Brutishly strong and determined in his chase for the ball at the breakdown he will prove a worthy opponent for the Springboks’ backrow should they meet in the semi finals.
Openside Flanker – Nili Latu (Tonga). Simply put he is a hard running and hard tackling Tongan of the highest order. Perhaps move importantly than this, Latu is a great captain whose most remarkable victory has been tempering a Tongan side long known for letting their frustrations out when things get tough. Latu played above himself in every game and was never bettered by his opposite on the field.
Lock (Lineout Jumper) – Victor Matfield (South Africa). Matfield’s domain is the lineout and he dominates it. No other current player imposes themselves on the opposition like the giant Springbok. Think how hard it is to steal possession in the tackle area and then think how easily Matfield pilfers possession from opposition lineouts. He is worth an extra player in general play.
Lock – Ben Kay (England). England have had to struggle in the pool matches and none more so than the forwards who have had to make up for their backs’ ineptitude. Ben Kay has done more than his fair share of the dirty work to ensure that England’s traditional strength will at least hold up its end of the bargain.
Tight-Head Prop – Carl Hayman (New Zealand). That New Zealand trumped Italy in general play was to be expected. That the Azzurri forward pack wouldn’t even land a blow on Hayman was not. Is it possible to accept that a prop could be the best player in the world?
Hooker – Mario Ledesma (Argentina). Ledesma would almost get this spot just for being Argentinean, so well has their pack played. For a man who doesn’t look as athletic as Jeremy Paul or Keith Wood, he gets around the field very well. Keven Mealamu probably has the better all round game and hopefully will get a chance to show it during the knock-out stages.
Loose-Head Prop – Rodrigo Roncero (Argentina). Continuing the line of great Argentina props like Patricio Noriega, Topo Rodriguez and Federico Mendez, Roncero is as good as they come. Against France and Ireland the Argentine anchor set the platform for the upfront dominance that the Pumas rely on.
As we enter the knock-out stages I would expect this team to change dramatically and not just because of the loss of players from Tonga and Samoa. As New Zealand now face three hard games, starting with France in the quarter finals, I expect several of the All Blacks best to start really firing. Richie McCaw, the world’s best flanker, will find a few big challenges in the French backrow and will no doubt step up accordingly. Likewise Dan Carter and his backs will find themselves under a bit more pressure than the pool stages offered and only then will we see what they capable of.
Rocky Elsom has already had an impressive tournament and will need to continue his form against England if Australia are to match the soon-to-be former world champion’s forward pack. George Smith will need to reproduce the sort of brilliance he did against Japan and quite frankly I’d be surprised if he doesn’t. In the backs Matt Giteau should have a field day running through the likes of Andy Farrell and Matthew Tait.
South Africa’s backrow will need to really bring out their best performances to out-hustle Fiji’s Akapusi Qera at the breakdown. Fourie du Preez will no doubt continue the form that so devastated the English and Brian Habana remains the most dangerous weapon in the Springbok armoury.
Garth is the secretary of the London branch of Wooden Spoon, rugby's charity for disadvantaged children. If you would like to know more about Spoon please visit the website.
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(16)
Sam Taulelei said | October 2nd 2007 @ 8:37am | Report comment
No doubt Garth any “best XV” will generate a lot of debate and comment as local bias often comes into play with selections and agree with many of your selections. Argentina are well represented with 4 players and that’s a fair reflection of their rise in world rankings and achievements thus far. I also thought a case could be made for Tongan no.9 Finau Maka, I thought he played with greater consistency than Tuilagi and was just as effective in the physical exchanges against SA.
Sam Taulelei said | October 2nd 2007 @ 8:38am | Report comment
Oops that should read Tongan no.8 Finau Maka
Shahsan said | October 2nd 2007 @ 10:24am | Report comment
Maybe you should pick a XV among those who have left the tournament? Would make for interesting reading.
Mike Hercus, Nilia Latu, Epini Taione, Finau Maka, Junior Polu, Morgan Williams, Kosuke Endo, Todd Clever, Duarte Cardoso Pinto plus many choices among the georgian, Namibian and romanian tight five. Would be quite an interesting lineup of real quality. And dont forget Brian O’Driscoll too.
Etienne said | October 2nd 2007 @ 4:18pm | Report comment
I think Felipe Contepomi has had a much better game at 12 than Olly. Olly didn’t play against SA and was nowhere against Tonga, so your really giving him the spot based on his performance against no / low pressure games against weaker oppoisition. Felipe, on the other hand, performed against teams that were higher placed on the IRB rankings (going into the RWC) and in must-win games. I would also rate either of the All Black 12’s as better than Olly.
DF6 said | October 2nd 2007 @ 4:37pm | Report comment
i know you are trying to be generous to all here Garth but surely NZ and australia have been the 2 most dominant teams so far but can only manage 3 players combined? I guess we are all entitled to our own opinion
my team
Chris Latham
Doug Howlett
Stirling Mortlock
Matt Giteau / Frans Steyn
Drew Mitchell
Juan Martin Hernandez
Augustin Pichot
Jerry Collins
Nili Latu
Rocky Elsom
Victor Matfield
Ali Williams
Carl Hayman
Raphael Ibanez
BJ Botha
Rhonda said | October 2nd 2007 @ 6:30pm | Report comment
This xv loses all credibility by the inclusion of Barkley. There are any number of 12s that have played better throughout the tournament. Barkley was nowhere against Samoa and Tonga – must win games for England. His form is such that he will be dropped to the bench for the quarters.
jools-usa said | October 2nd 2007 @ 10:31pm | Report comment
Morning.
Garth did say some choices were based on one or two individual brilliance, so cut him some slack.
Agree that Barclay hasn’t shown much against any true defense, but it’s all good discussion.
Just saw the Arg/Ire game & if we want to hand out bouquets the Arg team showed more spirit (especiallly in 1st 30 minutes), than I’ve seen all tournament.
Ireland played as best they could but Arg was that much better.
If they beat SA convincly they WILL go all the way. What are the odds?
Be great for rugby.
Jools-USA
matty p said | October 3rd 2007 @ 12:20am | Report comment
Pichot at half, surely?
daniel herbert said | October 3rd 2007 @ 12:33am | Report comment
Garth,
Olly Barkley – please? Plenty of better options though he is a fair player. Barely seen the ball. English midfield a bit like the popes you know whats!
Martin Evans said | October 3rd 2007 @ 2:53am | Report comment
I have to admit I didn’t see that game but don’t some of the Gerogians deserve a shout for their performance against the Irish. As for Shane, he has been brilliant and reckless at the same time but the try against Fiji was Gerald Davies at his best.
vincent said | October 3rd 2007 @ 7:31am | Report comment
Maybe its just me, but does anyone think it strange that Drew Mitchell is still a ‘maybe’ yet he is the top try scorer of the RWC?
I’m a little curious as to where he has been marked down, especially in thsi world cup where he has shown plenty of rugby awareness fo teh Doug Howlett kind of being at the right place at the right time and using his speed to finish of tries.
Shahsan said | October 3rd 2007 @ 7:36am | Report comment
I agree with Vincent. If you picked on form, the wingers would have to be Drew Mitchell and Adam Ashley Cooper. Tuqiri can’t buy a try right now but he is playing a reasonably good linking role — especially when it’s clear he cannot score himself, at which point only will he then offload — which means he really should be considered as Mortlock’s understudy.
But perhaps Ashley Cooper is better at that position too.
Mike said | October 3rd 2007 @ 9:17am | Report comment
Yeah, Barkley does not deserve to be there. Giteau or Steyn were great, but I think I’d pick the Japanese 12 (Shotaro Onishi I think?), he was one of their best in every game and up against much stronger opposition, and consistently made up for or recovered from Robins’ ineptitude inside him at 10.
Shahsan said | October 3rd 2007 @ 11:44am | Report comment
Good call, Mike. I remeber him too. That’s why i reckon we should pick a team of the torunament so far, discounting those still to play the bigger games. Speaking of Robins’ inept performances compared with his scrumhalves, centres and wings makes me wonder:how come there isn’t an equally good Japanese flyhalf running around? Or are they suffering from having too many outsiders in their league?
Chris Beck said | October 3rd 2007 @ 2:12pm | Report comment
Shahsan has a good idea. I’ll nominate some Americans who I thought played well during the pool play. I was impressed with Chris Wyles, the #15. Also the two flankers – #6 Stanfill and #7 Clever.
Agu said | October 3rd 2007 @ 9:42pm | Report comment
Argentina is playing the best rugby of the RWC.
NZ and AUS play with no-one.. SA..mmmmmm not convincing….
Semis: ARG vs SA NZ vs AUS
Final: ARG vs AUS
Champion….. AUS (for the experience)
Rugby is changing! This is the best RWC. All the nations had improved…