Comments on: RWC: Team of the Pool stages http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/10/02/rwc-team-of-the-pool-stages/ The Roar is a sports opinion website. We tackle sports opinion rather than simply sports news. And we embed user-generated content — in the form of articles and comments — into the fabric of the site. Featuring some of the best sports writers in Australia — including the Sydney Morning Herald's Spiro Zavos — The Roar aims to be the leading sports website in Australia. Mon, 22 Mar 2010 04:00:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Agu http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/10/02/rwc-team-of-the-pool-stages/#comment-13950 Agu Wed, 03 Oct 2007 11:42:39 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/10/02/rwc-team-of-the-pool-stages/#comment-13950 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... 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…

]]> By: Chris Beck http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/10/02/rwc-team-of-the-pool-stages/#comment-13896 Chris Beck Wed, 03 Oct 2007 04:12:40 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/10/02/rwc-team-of-the-pool-stages/#comment-13896 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. 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.

]]> By: Shahsan http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/10/02/rwc-team-of-the-pool-stages/#comment-13886 Shahsan Wed, 03 Oct 2007 01:44:50 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/10/02/rwc-team-of-the-pool-stages/#comment-13886 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? 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?

]]> By: Mike http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/10/02/rwc-team-of-the-pool-stages/#comment-13885 Mike Tue, 02 Oct 2007 23:17:23 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/10/02/rwc-team-of-the-pool-stages/#comment-13885 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. 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.

]]> By: Shahsan http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/10/02/rwc-team-of-the-pool-stages/#comment-13858 Shahsan Tue, 02 Oct 2007 21:36:18 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/10/02/rwc-team-of-the-pool-stages/#comment-13858 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. 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.

]]> By: vincent http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/10/02/rwc-team-of-the-pool-stages/#comment-13857 vincent Tue, 02 Oct 2007 21:31:12 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/10/02/rwc-team-of-the-pool-stages/#comment-13857 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. 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.

]]> By: Martin Evans http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/10/02/rwc-team-of-the-pool-stages/#comment-13850 Martin Evans Tue, 02 Oct 2007 16:53:07 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/10/02/rwc-team-of-the-pool-stages/#comment-13850 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. 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.

]]> By: daniel herbert http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/10/02/rwc-team-of-the-pool-stages/#comment-13843 daniel herbert Tue, 02 Oct 2007 14:33:09 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/10/02/rwc-team-of-the-pool-stages/#comment-13843 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! 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!

]]> By: matty p http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/10/02/rwc-team-of-the-pool-stages/#comment-13841 matty p Tue, 02 Oct 2007 14:20:10 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/10/02/rwc-team-of-the-pool-stages/#comment-13841 Pichot at half, surely? Pichot at half, surely?

]]> By: jools-usa http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/10/02/rwc-team-of-the-pool-stages/#comment-13838 jools-usa Tue, 02 Oct 2007 12:31:10 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/10/02/rwc-team-of-the-pool-stages/#comment-13838 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 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

]]> By: Rhonda http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/10/02/rwc-team-of-the-pool-stages/#comment-13821 Rhonda Tue, 02 Oct 2007 08:30:09 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/10/02/rwc-team-of-the-pool-stages/#comment-13821 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. 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.

]]> By: DF6 http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/10/02/rwc-team-of-the-pool-stages/#comment-13807 DF6 Tue, 02 Oct 2007 06:37:16 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/10/02/rwc-team-of-the-pool-stages/#comment-13807 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 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

]]> By: Etienne http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/10/02/rwc-team-of-the-pool-stages/#comment-13804 Etienne Tue, 02 Oct 2007 06:18:06 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/10/02/rwc-team-of-the-pool-stages/#comment-13804 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. 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.

]]> By: Shahsan http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/10/02/rwc-team-of-the-pool-stages/#comment-13784 Shahsan Tue, 02 Oct 2007 00:24:39 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/10/02/rwc-team-of-the-pool-stages/#comment-13784 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. 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.

]]> By: Sam Taulelei http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/10/02/rwc-team-of-the-pool-stages/#comment-13774 Sam Taulelei Mon, 01 Oct 2007 22:38:25 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/10/02/rwc-team-of-the-pool-stages/#comment-13774 Oops that should read Tongan no.8 Finau Maka Oops that should read Tongan no.8 Finau Maka

]]> By: Sam Taulelei http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/10/02/rwc-team-of-the-pool-stages/#comment-13773 Sam Taulelei Mon, 01 Oct 2007 22:37:51 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/10/02/rwc-team-of-the-pool-stages/#comment-13773 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. 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.

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