Selecting the Rugby World XV for 2008
Roar Pro
By James Mortimer, 4 Dec 2008 James Mortimer is a Roar Pro
Naturally we see a noticeable black tinge to the best team of the year. But despite the ongoing dominance of the Southern Hemisphere, there are plenty of quality players from the Northern part of the world in the line-up.
Despite the ruthless assessments now underway of nations such as England, we are blessed to see an abundance of genuine superstars and game breakers in world rugby.
So let’s look at the team:
The custodian position of Fullback belongs to Mils Muliaina (NZL, Waikato, 68 test caps, 24 tries), who has benefitted from playing in position and not being challenged by the likes of Leon MacDonald.
Welsh player Lee Byrne deserves backup spot. He had an outstanding season both in the six nations and autumn internationals.
At Wing we see the inclusion of Shane Williams (WAL, Ospreys, 59 test caps, 44 tries) who has been in sparkling form, his dancing feet even making the likes of Bryan Habana look ordinary. He broke Gareth Thomas’s try scoring record for Wales this season.
Sitiveni Sivivatu (NZL, Waikato, 34 test caps, 24 tries) just pips Peter Hynes and Cedric Heymans for the second wing spot. Featuring in 13 tests in 2008, his consistency over the end of season tour earned his spot.
At outside centre we select Stirling Mortlock (AUS, Brumbies, 74 test caps, third highest point scorer in Australian history), who finished the season at inside centre but is no doubt the best number 13 in the game, closely followed by the silky Brian O’Driscoll.
The position of inside centre sees us blessed with three world class players, but Ma’a Nonu (NZL, Wellington, 33 test caps, 11 tries) makes the team after not only an outstanding end of season tour, but a revelation of a season where he looks twice the player he once was. He ust pips Jean De Villiers and Gavin Henson, both equally world class players.
The crucial position of Fly half goes to Dan Carter (NZL, Canterbury, 59 test caps, third highest point scorer in NZ history) who at 26 could go on to become the greatest player of all time. Back up spot goes to Matt Giteau, who is as brilliant individually, but has yet to control games as Carter has done.
At scrumhalf we see much depth from the All Blacks and Springboks, but Mike Blair (SCO, Edinburgh, 50 test caps, 5 tries) has had such a strong season behind an average Scotland pack that he is being tipped as the captain of the British Lions in 2009. He was nominated for world player of the year.
From the back of the scrum, at Number Eight, we see outstanding Italian captain Sergio Parisse (ITA, Stade Francais, capped since 2002) who just pips Rodney So’oialo and up and coming Welsh player Andy Powell. His ability in the loose and interplay around the field is a large part of why the Azzuri both as a team and a scrum are becoming a genuine top contender.
In the Flanker positions, we naturally pay homage to Richie McCaw (NZL, Canterbury, 70 tests, 14 tries) who is unchallenged as not only the best open side but is becoming a remarkable and formidable captain. However, there are quality sevens in world rugby, with George Smith and Martyn Williams both brilliant fetchers.
At blindside the menace of Schalk Burger (SA, Western province, 49 tests, 10 tries) is unequalled as a destructive player. He is narrowly pipped to the post by the French tackling machine Thierry Dusautoir.
The tall timbers of lock feature Ali Williams (NZL, Auckland, 61 tests, 7 tries), notable for being the only All Black to feature in all 15 games of the 2008 season and who has relished the opportunity of being senior lock.
Despite being criticised for his work rate, Victor Matfield (SA, Blue Bulls, 80 tests, 5 tries) is unequalled as the world’s premier lineout jumper. Matfield became the first international captain to beat the All Blacks at home this year since Martin Johnson.
The big men upfront are first represented by Tony Woodcock (NZL, Auckland, 49 tests, 5 tries), who as loosehead is unrivalled as the best prop in the world. Woody caused significant problems for Wallaby, Welsh, English and Irish scrums this year.
The bolter for the World team is Scottish prop Euan Murray (SCO, Northampton, 25 tests, 2 tries), who has had a remarkable 2008, allowing Scotland to dominate the Puma packs, and then causing an All Black 2nd XV huge problems. He has been feted for a British Lions berth.
Finally, at hooker, despite being switched to prop, we see World Cup winning Captain and Hooker John Smit (SA, Clermont-Auvergne, 81 tests, 4 tries), who is the most capped Springbok captain of all time. He narrowly pips his Tri Nations rivals of Stephen Moore, Andrew Hore and Keven Mealamu.
World XV
15 – M. Muliaina (NZL), 14 – S. Williams (WAL), 13 – S. Mortlock (AUS), 12 – M. Nonu (NZL), 11 – S. Sivivatu (NZL), 10 – D. Carter (NZL), 9 – M. Blair (SCO), 8 – S. Parisse (ITA), 7 – R. McCaw (NZL), 6 – S. Burger (SAF), 5 – A. Williams (NZL), 4 – V. Matfield (SAF), 3 – E. Murray (SCO), 2 – J. Smit (SAF), 1 – T. Woodcock (NZL)
Second World XV
15 – L. Byrne (WAL), 14 – C. Heymans (FRA), 13 – B. O’Driscoll (IRE), 12 – J. De Villiers (SAF), 11 – P. Hynes (AUS), 10 – M. Giteau (AUS), 9 – J. Cowan (NZL), 8 – R. So’oialo (NZL), 7 – G. Smith (AUS), 6 – T. Dusautoir (FRA), 5 – N. Sharpe (AUS), 4 – B. Botha (SAF), 3 – T. Mtawarira (SAF), 2 – A.Hore (NZL), 1 – L. Faure (FRA)
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Chris Ash, syd Aust said | December 4th 2008 @ 8:11am | Report comment
not bad not bad.
my only gripe is i would have elsom at #6, but im biased as he’s my fav player; but i can concede you not including him as his is playing in leinster and therefore out of the Australian team
Wallythefly said | December 4th 2008 @ 8:24am | Report comment
I was just about to post my World XV too but you beat me to it.
I had Hernandez for full back (tried to be as global as possile and get an Argie in there somewhere).
I’d have Gits at 12, but that’s more as a second five rather than a pure inside centre that you’ve picked.
Arky said | December 4th 2008 @ 9:00am | Report comment
What will be interesting is to compare many of these names with the same team lists in twelve months. Talent is emerging everywhere you look – and the gap between the winners and losers can come down to how the talent adapts to test match rugby – with the English providing an example of ‘how not to do it’.
Agree with above comment on Giteau at 12 as a second five – will provide you with a lot more attacking options and give Carter more room and provide a bigger challenge to defences. His kicking record is outstripping Carter’s of late too.
Burger versus Elsom at blindside – that one is tougher to call and as CA suggests Elsom is after all at Leinster so we can leave it at that for now.
One player from SCO would be fair – but two – are you serious or Scottish? I don’t know either player well as the Scottish have not provided a lot of reasons to watch them play in recent years.
In the locks – you would have to look at both Vickerman and Horwill before Matfield and Sharpe in your first and second team respectively – I assume no mention is made of either as they were not playing on the recent tour. Horwill is a name that will feature in the same article in twelve months time.
Arky said | December 4th 2008 @ 9:01am | Report comment
Good article tho’
Harry said | December 4th 2008 @ 9:12am | Report comment
Good selections. Would have Horwill or Bakkies ahead of Sharpe though.
James Mortimer said | December 4th 2008 @ 11:06am | Report comment
Yeah, I was wanting to put a Puma in the team – but honestly I thought that they had a poor season considering their heroics of last years World Cup.
I see the wisdom of Git’s at 12 – but with Nonu, De Villiers and Henson all being pure inside centres, I think it would be a insult to those three amazing players if I put Giteau there.
Two scottish players – no, am not scottish, but remember watching the two tests against Argentina and Scotland in South America, and Euan Murray was causing huge problems to the Puma cattle. Even the ESPN commentators at the time who clearly knew nothing about the game were remarking about it.
And the game against New Zealand sealed Murrays and Blairs selections. Blair was probably the only 9 this year to constantly attack the AB pillar defensive structure, and Murray made Jamie MacKintosh (who was outstanding in the Air New Zealand Cup – and is a man mountain) pop up every single scrum.
If Scotland can unearth an attacking player and a average playmaker, hopefully they will challenge again.
Rah Rah Rahsputin said | December 4th 2008 @ 11:20am | Report comment
Burger doesn’t deserve a spot in any world XV because he is a blatant thug. Both him and Botha continually come in with cheap shots off the ball and after the whistle.
Typically involving players much smaller then themselves, I might add.
Did anyone else see the cheap shot he put on Turner after Collins’ try?
Don’t get me wrong, I admire the vigorous play of most South Africans and I enjoyed Burger and McMenimen lining each other up all game but the guy is a cheap thug.
This is largely reflective of South African teams which always seek to intimidate the opposition, which is fair enough, but while the All Blacks intimidate through controlled agression and simply being a fearsome rugby team the South Africans do this through cheap shots and thuggery.
Remember Burger grabbing Smith’s nuts during the 3N.
Nick (KIA) said | December 4th 2008 @ 11:26am | Report comment
Good work James.
I largely agree with this team (as do other posters here so far – where’s the dissent people!!??)
I struggle a bit with Sivivatu – he’s clearly not playing as well as he did in 2006 and think he’ll struggle to maintain his spot in the ABs if he doesn’t improve and if second Gear can get out of second gear next year. He’s just not the attacking force he was, and his kicking/defence are ordinary/average. I’d probably go with C Heymans (not to be confused with C Hayman).
The other two marginal ones for me are J Smit and Matfield. Matfield esp has had a v quite year and is trading on reputation. I’d have Brad Thorn and leave the jumping to Williams and McCaw (I’d argue the ABs linout has shaded all others it’s come up against this year, can’t quite believe that’s happened). For Smit I’d probably prefer Hore, but it’s close.
ohtani's jacket said | December 4th 2008 @ 11:27am | Report comment
Burger is an openside flanker and Smit barely played at hooker this year. I don’t think Matfield deserves a spot either.
ohtani's jacket said | December 4th 2008 @ 11:28am | Report comment
Nick,
I actually thought Sivivatu had an excellent tour.