Selecting the Rugby World XV for 2008
Roar Guru By James Mortimer, 4 Dec 2008 James Mortimer is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- Brumbies, Bryan Habana, Dan Carter, George Smith, Leon MacDonald, Martin Johnson, Matt Giteau, Mike Blair, New Zealand, Rugby Union, Schalk Burger, Scotland, Sergio Parisse, seven
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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December 4th 2008 @ 11:32am
Nick (KIA) said | December 4th 2008 @ 11:32am | Report comment
Er… It’s rugby. You’re supposed to smash the other guy. Being a thug is part of the game. I’m not condoning the testical tickling, but that incident aside I don’t agree that he’s significantly dirtyer than the next bloke on the paddock. If we’re interested in best players, then Burger is the best 6 going around.
And if the guy isn’t allowed to smash anyone smaller than him, then, well, Tialata is going to get sick of Burger picking on only him.
December 4th 2008 @ 11:35am
Nick (KIA) said | December 4th 2008 @ 11:35am | Report comment
OJ,
I thought he played well in patches, but he didn’t score many and looked like his pace was off a bit. He did set up some moves – maybe he’s planning a move to centre? I think 2006 Sivivatu was a superior model for a winger, seems a shame that the best player in the world in a position is not playing as well as he has previously.
December 4th 2008 @ 11:35am
Nick (KIA) said | December 4th 2008 @ 11:35am | Report comment
And I know Burger has been wearing 7 but he’s a 6 isn’t he?
December 4th 2008 @ 11:36am
Wallythefly said | December 4th 2008 @ 11:36am | Report comment
Did Powell (WAL) at Number 8 come into consideration James?
December 4th 2008 @ 11:40am
True Tah said | December 4th 2008 @ 11:40am | Report comment
Wally
Powell only played the last four games, albeit against Australia and South Africa he was outstanding, he cast a huge shadow on Pierre Spies.
December 4th 2008 @ 11:40am
Steve W said | December 4th 2008 @ 11:40am | Report comment
Come on fellows. Even us frostback Canadians know what ohtani’s jacket knows. The South Africans number their flankers different that everyone else. You can’t pick Burger as a 6 any more than you can pick Woodcock at tighthead.
December 4th 2008 @ 11:47am
ohtani's jacket said | December 4th 2008 @ 11:47am | Report comment
Nick,
South African opensides usually wear the 6 jersey.
As for Sivivatu, I thought he kept himself busy. It’s the sign of a good winger when they come off their line and get involved in the midfield. The only downside is he keeps Joe off the left wing. Rokocoko isn’t a natural right winger.
December 4th 2008 @ 11:57am
James Mortimer said | December 4th 2008 @ 11:57am | Report comment
I think Sivi sometimes gets judged for his “languid” style – and he often looks like he is barely running or not putting in any effort.
But his channels are always secure, and if you watch him next game – he is always the first player to chase a kick, and the first player to drag back to the defensive line to support his fullback.
Agree he’s not as spectacular as previous years, but his off the ball work has increased dramatically. With the All Blacks playing a far more pragmatic gameplan – wingers probably have their role changed more than any other player, and he has adjusted very well.
I did ponder about Smit and Matfield – they should be far more imposing players than they are on field. Smit’s selection was more for his influence as a team man, rather than a pure player. As explained in the article, I think Matfield can be tremendously lazy around the field, but in theory, a locks number one job role is to win lineout ball – and in that area he reigns supreme.
As for the blonde bomber burger – I agree he is a thug, but, he gets away with it (which is not always a good thing). However, he has as much physical presence as Jerry Collins in his prime, and in a contact game, that is priceless.
I think if he stopped thinking about giving other guys balls a rub and bashing people as he comes back to the defensive line, he could actually concentrate more on the tackle area – where his hands as big as tyres should be causing havoc.
December 4th 2008 @ 12:02pm
James Mortimer said | December 4th 2008 @ 12:02pm | Report comment
Also, I think the point of 7 or 6′s can be a bit moot.
McCaw is probably the only flanker I can think of who has never been rotated in the back row.
Jerry Collins used to play 8, then 6.
George Smith sometimes under Eddie Jones played 8, but he is a 7.
Dusautoir plays 6, but he is a 7.
I think the positional rotation is based on a coaches preference. Sometimes it’s a classic 6,7,8 formation, sometimes a double fetch role (a la Smith and Waugh playing together) and so on.
The reality is that Burgers game is best suited to 6 – he is surely no fetcher – and hence his selection.
However, for the record, if Elsom was still playing for the Wallabies and playing like he had earlier in the season, he would have been my choice.
But, he’s not playing international rugby anymore.
God, I would love Carlos Spencer in my team, but, same deal applies……..
December 4th 2008 @ 12:13pm
ohtani's jacket said | December 4th 2008 @ 12:13pm | Report comment
Burger is an openside.
Traditionally, South Africa prefer the quicker flanker to play blindside. France usually play left and right rather than open and blind, though Dusautoir is a natural openside.