An All Blacks team of the decade to play the Wallabies

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By stash, 18 Dec 2009 stash is a Roar Pro

Tagged:: All Blacks, International Rugby, Rugby Union, wallabies

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After Hoy’s excellent Wallaby side of the decade, I’ve put together an All Blacks side of the decade. A couple of players had played their best rugby before 2000, but are deserved nevertheless.

Surprisingly, there still a number of current players – though it’s no real surprise to see Carter and McCaw here.

A lot of wing options for New Zealand, so Rocko and Sivvy miss out this time. I would have liked to have included a couple of up and comers, including Richard Kahui, Cory Jane, and even Zac Guilford.

Nevertheless, you would be pretty concerned about the scoreline if you pitched up against this squad.

How would Hoy’s Wallabies match up against this All Blacks team?

15 Chris Cullen
Before his knee problems, Cullen was pure excitement, as he ran from deep and weaved through opposition lines as if they were stagnant.

14 Doug Howlett
A prolific try scorer, Howlett evolved as the game did and became excellent under the high ball and vicious in defence. Jeff Wilson was unlucky to miss out.

13 Tana Umaga
Both Conrad Smith and Aaron Mauger make way for the man with the mana. Coming in from the wing to center, Tana was not only had to take down in the midfield, but his opposites ran away from him.

12 Maa Nonu
Running with Umaga beside him, it was hard to spot the player, let alone stop them. Nonu’s skills are getting better over time and he’s kept the mongrel.

11 Jonah Lomu
Lomu peaked in ’99 and health would rob rugby of its first superstar of the professional era. Big, bad and with 3 or 4 players hanging off him, Lomu was a sight to behold and scared the heck out of the opposition.

10 Dan Carter
What can I say? It’s Dan the Man. Super sleek, he brings his cool calm collective self to almost every game and every other side wants him. The erratic but talented Carlos Spencer goes to the bench as cover.

9 Byron Kelleher
Not the first pick of everyone, mongrel wins over at halfback with Justin Marshall to the bench. While prone to running hot and cold, his pass was faster and crisper, his defence ruthless, and his sniping runs hard.

8 Rodney So’oialo
Rodney is now on the wane and relegated to the bench, but he’s been solid and tough for many years. He gets the 8 jumper.

7 Richie McCaw (C)
The All Blacks Talisman, labeled a cheater by his detractors and a master by his peers. McCaw plays like a man obsessed. He takes the captains role here. We did manage to get cover for him in the shape of Josh Kronfield who’s on the bench.

6 Jerry Collins
The hitman. No-one wants to get tackled at full steam by Jerry Collins. Probably finished Kefu’s career and left behind numerous trampled bodies in his wake and great with the ball in hand.

5 Ali Williams
Sorely missed for the 2009 season, Ali is all over the park from the set piece to appearing on the wing, rampaging breaks in midfield and even known for the good grubber now and then.

4 Brad Thorn
Old as the hills (for professional rugby) and hard as nails. Him and Bakkes Botha are as uncompromising as they come. Needs to be tapped on the shoulder to tell him the game is finished, this guy eats ever-ready batteries for breakfast.

3 Carl Hayman
Bring back Carl – the big man. What can I say, he’s a great player. We all know this already. Kees Meeuws sits quietly waiting in the background for his 10 minutes.

2 Kevin Mealamu
If only Kevin could throw straight. The rest of his game is maturing like a good wine – and he’s excellent off the bench.

1 Tony Woodcock
Woodcock thinks he’s playing scrum instead of rugby. And why not, he’s great at it. His opposing numbers would prefer he wasn’t.

Reserves:
Mils Muliaina, Justin Marshall, Carlos Spencer, Anton Oliver, Chris Jack, Kees Meeuws, Josh Kronfield

The coaching job goes to Henry.

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The Crowd Says (23) | Page 1 of Comments

Brendan said | December 18th 2009 @ 3:33am | Report comment

Stash
Surely Aaron Mauger was/is a better centre than Ma?? May people are of the opinion that one reason the AB’s lost to France in the ’07 was because Mauger didn’t play as his cool head, organisational brilliance and allround game would have settled the Ab backline.

I would also question the omission of Chris Jack, surely he was better than either thirn or William’s?

PS what’s happened to Knives Out, anyone??? I haven’t seen a comment or thread from him in ages?? Perhap’s he’s changed his name?

Reply
- stash said | December 18th 2009 @ 12:43pm | Report comment
  
  Aaron Mauger was also a second five eight as well – was he ever a centre specialist? I liked Mauger, but have gone for the more aggressive team hence Kelleher as opposed to Marshall at half back.
  
  I went for Ali over Chris Jack – but Chris Jack is on the bench.
  
  Actually I would like to see more people choose their bench selection when choosing teams
  
  Reply
  - Jerry said | December 18th 2009 @ 1:11pm | Report comment
    
    I don’t bother selecting a bench when doing these theoretical teams as for me it’s about choosing the best in their position. I’m not interested in who was the best at covering a position he rarely played.
    
    And I think Brendan’s referring to Mauger as a centre in the “inside centre” vein rather than arguing he should have the 13 jersey.
    
    Reply
    - stash said | December 18th 2009 @ 4:33pm | Report comment
      
      Actually, I think it is good to have a reserve selection – Robbie Dean’s downfall this year was bad bench choices (and timing of replacing). Today, more than ever, the bench is an strategical and integral part of the game as opposed to only having second stringers waiting for an injury to occur.
      
      Reply
      - Jerry said | December 18th 2009 @ 4:47pm | Report comment
        
        Fair enough – like I said, I don’t really feel the need as I feel it’s “First XV – the best in their positions”.
        
        If I did have to select a bench, I’d have to apply the normal criteria – versatility would be paramount. Hence, I’d probably go for the likes of Brad Thorn or Reuben Thorne as my loosie/lock replacement (as I’d have Jack in my starting pack). Similarly, someone like Leon MacDonald would push for selection as he can cover a few positions and can kick goals. I probably wouldn’t select him, however. Greg Sommerville would walk a spot on the bench as he can cover both sides of the scrum to international standard.
        
        I guess it’d be
        
        Jeff WIlson, Justin Marshall, Andrew Merhtens, Josh Kronfeld, Reuben Thorne, Greg Sommerville, Anton Oliver.
        
        WIlson could conver the back 3 and centre at a pinch. Thorne covers blindside and lock – if Rodney is injured McCaw goes to 8 and Josh comes on. Merhts gets the reserve 10 spot – if Mauger is injured, Carter would shift out to 12.
        
        Was hard to leave Brad Thorn out, but I thought Reuben would provide a bit more loose cover while still being able to play it tight. He’s probably about as good as Brad in the lineout anyway.
        
        Reply
Frank O'Keeffe said | December 18th 2009 @ 3:40am | Report comment

I was never a great fan of Byron Kelleher. In particular I remember a game from 2006 in Brisbane against Australia, which New Zealand won 13-9, where Kelleher’s passing rendered Carter unable to exert much influence on the game. People were creaming over Larkham v Carter before the game, but Larkham was never in it because the Aussie scrum was poor at the time and he never had a platform. Carter didn’t get into it because Kelleher was a liability.

I think Justin Marshall should walk into the 9 jersey.

I wouldn’t pick Lomu in the side either, and I am a Lomu fan. I admired Jonah in the 2000 Blesidloe Cup game where he scored the winning try, and in 2001 he did tremendous in setting-up the try that put New Zealand in the lead (before Kefu scored the winning try). If I recall correctly, he palmed off one Wallaby, two tried to bring him down, he poped a pass up and New Zealand scored. It was especially impressive since he was hemmed in and had little space to work with.

Joe Rokocoko is the first All Black winger I’d put down this decade and he’s not in your team. Sivivatu deserves a mention I think. Currently he’s the best broken-field runner in the world. But Howlett on the other wing is probably a better choice. So yeah Joe and Doug.

Aaron Mauger is sooooooooo far ahead of Nonu it’s not even funny. Of all the selections that’s the one that looks out of place. Nonu’s a classic, it’s only until you hate him that he pulls out a tremendous MOTM performance that makes you think twice.

The second row is tricky. The great All Black side of 2005-2007 didn’t have a great line-out, but Chris Jack was of tremendous value to that side. He was a tireless workhorse. So is Brad Thorn. Despite not always performing well in the line-out this year (to put it mildly), Brad Thorn’s work around the ground this year has been second to none, and that includes the South African locks. Matfield would walk into any side in the world because he’s a freakish line-out exponent, and Botha is good in the line-out too, they’re a pair that compliments each other very well. So if I’m picking a current World XV I’d have the Saffie locks. HOWEVER, in terms of work around the ground and offering constant workrate and grunt, I’d put Brad Thorn ahead in that category. Considering people were wondering how washed-up he might be this year and how his body would hold up, he’s been an amazing asset to the All Blacks this year. Definitely one of the All Blacks five best players this year (along with Woodcock, McCaw, Carter, and Sivivatu).

I swear there’s an All Blacks backrower I’m forgetting here. But even if there is, that backrow was everything you wanted from 2005-2007. Tremendously balanced. Hopefully people will remember Rodney for the tremendous player that he was. Not a devastating carrier by any means, but he converted so many 50/50 moments into turnover ball.

Reply
- stash said | December 18th 2009 @ 12:57pm | Report comment
  
  Marshall was a great half back without a doubt – I just think Kelleher didn’t get as much game time as he deserved. He would run on as reserve and pass out the ball at about 100mph (that no-one could catch) such was his frustration. Some would say the same has occurred with Weepu.
  
  Rocko’s bad form this year left a bad taste in my mouth – and Howlett deserves his place. Look Lomu couldn’t pass and didn’t know what recycling was… but we forget what a presence the big fella was when he arrived on the scene. I vividly recall Percy Montgomery catching a high ball – seeing Lomu, he ran away “backwards” and then ran into touch (where he should have been penalised). Lomu scared people!! Rocko was class but not scary.
  
  (Rocko could have got the bench but Mils is more versatile)
  
  The scary guy gets the 11 jersey
  
  Reply
  - ohtani's jacket said | December 18th 2009 @ 5:55pm | Report comment
    
    There’s no way Cullen or Lomu belong on this sort of team.
    
    They’d be locks for the best of the 90s and might even make an all-time XV, but when you’ve got a guy who is the second most capped All Black of all time (Mils) and a great with record for most Test tries in a single year (Joe), you really ought to come up with a list that actually reflects All Black rugby from 2000-09.
    
    Reply
Jerry said | December 18th 2009 @ 3:57am | Report comment

15 Muliaina
14 Howlett
13 Umaga
12 Mauger
11 Rokocoko
10 Carter
9 Kelleher
8 So’oialo
7 McCaw
6 Collins
5 Jack
4 Williams
3 Hayman
2 Mealamu
1 Woodcock

This lineup may well have played a fair few fixtures as it’s basically made up of players from the 05/06 squad.

Notable omissions were:

Christian Cullen (Mils has played more of the decade and Cullen only had two good years)
Sivivatu (Howlett takes it for consistency),
Jonah (similar reasons to omitting Cullen),
Conrad Smith (Tana just that bit better),
Justin Marshall (I always felt Kelleher was the better player, especially post 2000),
Reuben Thorne (I’ve never sided with the folks who labelled him a suitcase, but Collins the more dynamic and destructive player)
Brad Thorn (really only two good years – 08 & 09 which isn’t enough IMO),
Anton Oliver (Keven just that bit better).

Brendan – anyone who says that about Mauger and the 07 1/4 wasn’t paying attention to his form that year. He was very under par and Luke McAlister was one of the form AB backs that year.

Reply
- ohtani's jacket said | December 18th 2009 @ 10:24am | Report comment
  
  Jerry wins!
  
  It’s not really that contentious considering how many of these guys won 50 or more caps this decade.
  
  Reply
  - Jerry said | December 18th 2009 @ 1:08pm | Report comment
    
    Yeah – Other than Kelleher and Umaga, all of these guys debuted around 2001-03 and formed the backbone of the AB’s for 7-8 years of the decade.
    
    Reply
Hansie said | December 18th 2009 @ 11:41am | Report comment

I think Jeff Wilson and Justin Marshall have to be in this team. Wilson was a freak.

Reply
- stash said | December 18th 2009 @ 12:48pm | Report comment
  
  Yeah well, I did say that Wilson was unlucky to miss out to Dougie (if only he had got THAT try) and Marshall’s on the bench (so if Kelleher goes cold we’re in good hands).
  
  Reply
- Jerry said | December 18th 2009 @ 1:00pm | Report comment
  
  Wilson falls into the Cullen/Lomu category though even more so. He only played 6 matches for the AB’s from 2000 on and it’s just not enough to put him over Howlett playing 60 and setting the record for most tries by an All Black in test rugby. If it were an all time team it wouldn’t be an argument whether Cullen, Lomu and Wilson* would rank higher than Mils, Dougie and Joe, but it’s not.
  
  *though I’d still go for JK for the all time right wing spot.
  
  Reply
Gary said | December 18th 2009 @ 11:42am | Report comment

“Needs to be tapped on the shoulder to tell him the game is finished”

Ah the real tight five forwards the way it used to be. LOL

Reply
stash said | December 18th 2009 @ 1:25pm | Report comment

Here’s the match up with Hoys Wallaby squad, posted earlier

1. Benn Robinson…………………………Tony Woodcock
2. Stephen Moore…………………………Kevin Mealamu
3. Benn Alexander……………………….Carl Hayman
4. James Horwill…………………………..Brad Thorn
5. John Eales……………………………….Ali Williams
6. Owen Finnegan………………………..Jerry Collins
7. George Smith……………………………Richie McCaw
8. Toutai Kefu………………………………Rodney So’oialo
9. Wil Genia…………………………………Byron Kelleher
10. Stephen Larkham……………………Dan Carter
11. Joe Roff………………………………..Doug Howlett
12. Matt Giteau…………………………….Maa Nonu
13. Stirling Mortlock………………………Tana Umaga
14. Ben Tune……………………………….Jonah Lomu
15. Chris Latham………………………….Christian Cullen

Here’s the reserve bench for NZ:
Reserves: Mils Muliaina, Justin Marshall, Carlos Spencer, Anton Oliver, Chris Jack, Kees Meeuws, Josh Kronfield

Hoy’s team might need some reserves as well…

Reply
- Hoy said | December 18th 2009 @ 2:44pm | Report comment
  
  nah, they’ll be right for the 80!
  
  Reply
- Rusty said | December 18th 2009 @ 2:50pm | Report comment
  
  Pretty tight matchup – would be a great game
  
  Reply
Hoy said | December 18th 2009 @ 2:47pm | Report comment

Would be a good game. I thought your backs look bloody good, but then I see Larkham, Mortlock, Tune etc, and they aren’t that bad either.

Forwards are pretty even too. Could come down to the night really. A lot in the Wallabies team were in the dominating era earlier this decade too, so they know they can beat the All Blacks.

Reply
katzilla said | December 18th 2009 @ 5:43pm | Report comment

Mauger for me at 12. And I’d take Meg Ryan at 9 over Kelleher. More consistent over a longer period.
Although through that decade, and for a little while now halfback is the only position where we comparatively have had a weakness. In every position over this decade, except 9, we could say we had the best player for a time in their respective position.
When will our next Sid show up?

Reply
- ohtani's jacket said | December 18th 2009 @ 6:00pm | Report comment
  
  Does anyone really want Marshy and his blindside moves on the team? Marshall would go on the bench for a 90s side behind Bachop.
  
  Reply
  - Jerry said | December 18th 2009 @ 6:42pm | Report comment
    
    The only real competition for the reserve spot would be Cowan, Weepu or Leonard (unless you’re mental and reckon Andy Ellis deserves it). Weepu’s probably the closest, but he doesn’t really offer much more than Marshall did. I agree, I’d have Bachop as starter for a 90′s side.
    
    Reply
  - katzilla said | December 18th 2009 @ 7:36pm | Report comment
    
    Um, if this team were to play now then yes. With the 5 metre scrum offside line the blind side moves of Marshall would be stupendous. He was before his time! Even before the IRB!
    
    Reply