Selecting a world rugby side of 2009
Roar Pro
By oslo , 17 Dec 2009 The Crowd is a Roar Pro
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- Dan Carter, International Rugby, Rugby Union
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In the New Zealand Herald on 13 December, Gregor Paul picked his World Team of the Year.
It was:
15. Adam Ashley-Cooper, Australia
14. Cory Jane, New Zealand
13. Brian O’Driscoll, Ireland
12. Jamie Roberts, Wales
11. Bryan Habana, South Africa
10. Dan Carter, New Zealand
9. Fourie du Preez, South Africa
8. Sergio Parisse, Italy
7. Richie McCaw, New Zealand
6. Thierry Dusautoir, France
5. Victor Matfield, South Africa
4. Bakkies Botha. South Africa
3. Martin Castrogiovanni, Italy
2. Bismarck du Plessis, South Africa
1. Benn Robinson, Australia
I think this is an excellent team.
My only disagreements with Paul would be that I would have selected Rob Kearney of Ireland as full-back (although Ashley-Cooper would be the first back reserve selected – he is a better winger and centre than a full-back), Louis Picamoles from France would replace Parisse as No. 8 (Picamoles was missing in France’s two test losses against New Zealand in 2009, after starring in the first test in NZ as well as against SA in Toulouse).
I also think Polata-Nau from Australia offers more than Bismarck du Plessis around the field. He is also not the puffed-up bully that du Plessis tries to be.
What do Roar readers think of this team?
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The Crowd Says (8) | Page 1 of Comments
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Dasher said | December 17th 2009 @ 7:15am | Report comment
Maybe Paul O’Connell over Matfield.
Mr Sports said | December 17th 2009 @ 7:32am | Report comment
I’m afraid i don’t see enough northern hemisphere rugby to comment on a complete world XV. However i can say that there is no way Ashley-Cooper would even make my best of the southern hemisphere team (Mils Muliana is well ahead of him for starters).
Also as much as i love Polata-Nau as a Waratahs fan there is no doubt in my mind that Bismarck is the best hooker in the southern hemishpere at the moment.
Bay35Pablo said | December 17th 2009 @ 7:45am | Report comment
Didn’t see enough NH rugby to comment, but 2 Italians making that list is interesting.
James D said | December 17th 2009 @ 8:28am | Report comment
Hmm my fifteen would go.
15 – Mils Muliana (On his form against France) – NZ
14 – Corey Jane – NZ
13 – BOD – Ireland
12 – Jamie Roberts – Wales
11 – Cedric Heymans – France
10 – Dan Carter – NZ
9 – . Fourie du Preez – SA
8. Sergio Parisse – Italy
7. Richie McCaw – NZ
6. Rocky Elsom – Aust
5. Victor MAtfield – SA
4. Paul O’Connell – Ireland
3. Martin Castrogiovanni – Italy
2. Tatafu Polota Nau – (Def better than Moore and Du Plessis)
1. Benn Robinson – Aust
Bench would have Johnny Wilkinson (still has it) – Dave Pocock – Rob Kearney (Irish Fullback) – Will Genia – Ben Alexander (both sides of the scrum) – Bakkies Botha and Louis Picamoles.
I think thats a pretty good line up.
jus de couchon said | December 18th 2009 @ 12:35am | Report comment
An alternative team to play them.
15 Steyn
14 Siviatu
13 Williams
12devilliers
11Gitteau
10 Hernandez
9 Gennia
8 Harrinordeque
7 Moody
6 Thorn
5 S.B.Williams
4 Chabal
3 Hayman
2 Smith
1 The Beast
andrew said | December 18th 2009 @ 9:27am | Report comment
I agree with Mr Sport Ashley-Cooper is not the best fullback in the southern hemispheres, so you are way of the mark with that on. Polata-Nau can not hit a barn yard door with his lineout throwing so he has to be no chance.
Also from seeing the Heineken Cup, Rocky would go close, even thou he was a bit inconsistent for Australia.
oslo said | December 18th 2009 @ 11:27pm | Report comment
Unfortunately Rocky played quite poorly in almost every international for Australia this year so to pick him in an international XV of 2009 is not a goer. If Polata-Nau is not a selection – who could you pick as hooker ? Andrew Hore – ordinary player – Shute Shield standard at best. Swaswreiscki from France is probably the most talented but like Polata-Nau he has to play as second string in the French national side – behind Servat.
My reserves would be – Swaswreiscki (France), Barcella (France), Thorn (NZ) and Spies (SA) and Genia, Giteau and Ashley-Cooper (all from Australia)
Wavell Wakefield said | December 18th 2009 @ 11:36pm | Report comment
1. Barcella, 2. Hore, 3. Marconnet, 4. Shaw, 5. Matfield, 6. JM Fernandez Lobbe, 7. McCaw, 8. Heaslip, 9. Du Preez, 10. Carter, 11. Jane, 12. Roberts, 13. O’Driscoll, 14. Bowe, 15. Kearney