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Ireland and Scotland sacked Argentina, the Eagles finally landed a win over the Canadians and Japan made noodles of the Italians.
England was valiant but came away from New Zealand with nothing, France’s foreign legion was repelled by Australian defence and counter-attack and Wales let the Springboks score nine tries in two weekends.
But who makes the 30-man June International squad?
At fullback Ben Smith, Willie le Roux, and Israel Folau look ready for the Rugby Championship, but I would start with le Roux and bring in Folau as a supersub. I would shift Smith to the wing. When Israel Dagg returns, that’s probably what will happen. Honourable mention to Irishman Rob Kearney and Chris Wyles of the USA.
My four wings are the miraculous Ben Smith, the very rugged Alex Cuthbert, the beastly Julian Savea, and deadly newcomer Cornal Hendricks, who pips the somewhat inconsistent Cory Jane. Bryan Habana misses out, to show I’m fair. Who would start? I’d like to see Savea and Cuthbert, but maybe to shore up the aerial department, it would be Smith and Savea.
In the midfield, I was disappointed by Wesley Fofana and Jon Davies. I’ll go instead with yet another in the long line of Kiwi centres, Malakai Fekitoa. Instead of pairing him with tackle-missing Ma’a Nonu, I’ll reward Jamie Roberts. The backups would be hard-charging Jan Serfontein (who tackles like he means it) and canny veteran Conrad Smith.
At flyhalf, it is slim pickings. Bernard Foley? Dan Biggar? A misfiring Aaron Cruden? I would hate to have Biggar be my playmaker in the last minute of the World Cup final – he’d try a 60-metre dropkick after he was 20 metres short with a 40-metre attempt.
I’d go with Foley, I suppose, and maybe Handre Pollard of the Baby Boks as my backup. Why not?
At scrumhalf, we have only two choices: Aaron Smith and Fourie du Preez. If you could combine them, you’d really have something. That hybrid would look strange, but he would rule world rugby.
The number eights are SANZAR. Wycliff Palu, Kieren Read, and Duane Vermeulen, with Vermeulen getting the start, having outplayed Toby Faletau, and being the most durable and consistent loose forward in world rugby for the last two years.
Read is his backup, and I’m sure he will fire in the Rugby Championship, having had a concussion-enforced sabbatical.
At blindside, Tom Wood and Dan Lydiate are all you need. They chop trees down. They are the same creature. They are one and the same.
The opensiders are clearly Francois Louw and Michael Hooper; with Richie McCaw only losing out because of his broken rib. I think Louw had to bear more of a breakdown load, so he starts. And he is the best rugby player in the world.
Leaping lineout lock is between the youthful Victor Matfield and Geoff Parling. Alun Wyn Jones is unlucky, but Matfield had his measure. Rob Simmons seems to have eaten a few more steaks, too. Sam Whitelock doesn’t look himself, but I am sure he will come right. Matfield starts and captains the side.
Enforcer lock? Brodie Retallick looks full of fire this year. Will Skelton had an impressive cameo. Joe Launchberry was also very good. Even though he is injured, I will exercise my one “Arbitrary Selection” and pick Eben Etzebeth to back up Retallick. I hope you realise how generous I am being.
In the front row, it was rather dismal. At hooker, Bismarck du Plessis was grumpy, but did bring his trademark hand-to-hand combat skills. Dane Coles probably finalised his World Cup plane ticket. Nobody else really impressed me.
On the loosehead side, James Slipper impressed me, along with Gethin Jenkins. Some of the other guys from the Big Three looked tired. I suppose Tony Woodcock picked it up in the third Test. But I’d go with Jenkins and Slipper.
At tighthead, Owen Franks was the best of the worst, and I’ll eat crow and say that Jannie du Plessis was actually not bad for once.
Squad
Willie le Roux, Ben Smith, Malakai Fekitoa, Julian Savea, Bernard Foley, Aaron Smith, Duane Vermeulen, Tom Wood, Francois Louw, Victor Matfield (c), Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Bismarck du Plessis, and Gethin Jenkins.
An Aussie playmaker unleashes a lethal backline of deadly All Blacks and one little guy from Bloemfontein. In the pack, an excellent Welshman, an honest Englishman, four big South Africans, and two fundamentally sound Kiwis.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.