In 2005, an IRB Rugby Aid match was held between a combined team from the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere to raise funds for the United Nations World Food Programme following the dreadful 2004 Tsunami.
The Southern Hemisphere ran out winners, thumping the North 54-19.
Currently, the top 10 international sides in rugby are:
1. New Zealand (93.70)
2. South Africa (88.23)
3. Ireland (85.76)
4. England (85.40)
5. Wales (84.07)
6. Australia (82.95)
7. France (79.74)
8. Argentina (78.23)
9. Samoa (75.39)
10. Scotland (74.79)
As multiple Northern Hemisphere teams start to climb, it got me thinking about possibly implementing a three-game series, held every year between the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere.
It would be similar to the State of Origin in rugby league, or the NBA All-Star game in American basketball: showcasing the best and/or most popular individual players in each position and region.
As for when it would be played, perhaps just following the Super Rugby season (mid-July), which is also only just over one month after the three main competitions in Europe conclude – the Aviva Premiership (England), Top 14 (France) and Pro12 (Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Italy).
There is no doubt that the brand of rugby played would be exciting, and the games would bring in additional revenue.
So how would each team be selected?
There is the option of leaving it up to the fans to decide, with supporters from each region selecting the best players in each position to represent them. Otherwise a panel of former greats could determine who plays.
The line-ups below demonstrate a showing of reasonable consistency at international level, along with the form of the recently concluded Six Nations.
Northern Hemisphere
1. Joe Marler (England)
2. Rory Best (Ireland)
3. Dan Cole (England)
4. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
5. Paul O’Connell (Ireland)
6. Chris Robshaw (England)
7. Sam Warburton (Wales)
8. Sergio Parisse (Italy)
9. Conor Murray (Ireland)
10. Jonathon Sexton (Ireland)
11. Yoann Huget (France)
12. Wesley Fofana (France)
13. Robbie Henshaw (Ireland)
14. George North (Wales)
15. Rob Kearney (Ireland)
16. Cian Healy (Ireland)
17. Guilhem Guirado (France)
18. Mike Ross (Ireland)
19. Courtney Lawes (England)
20. Thierry Dusautoir (France)
21. Ben Youngs (England)
22. Tommy Bowe (Ireland)
23. Leigh Halfpenny (Wales)
Southern Hemisphere
1. James Slipper (Australia)
2. Agustin Creevy (Argentina)
3. Owen Franks (New Zealand)
4. Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)
5. Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
6. Liam Messam (New Zealand)
7. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
8. Duane Vermeulen (South Africa)
9. Aaron Smith (New Zealand)
10. Aaron Cruden (New Zealand)
11. Julian Savea (New Zealand)
12. Jean De Villiers (South Africa)
13. Tevita Kuridrani (Australia)
14. Israel Folau (Australia)
15. Willie Le Roux (South Africa)
16. Tendai Mtawarira (South Africa)
17. Wyatt Crockett (New Zealand)
18. Bismarck du Plessis (South Africa)
19. Kieran Read (New Zealand)
20. Ruan Pienaar (South Africa)
21. Ben Smith (New Zealand)
22. Juan Martin Hernandez (Argentina)
23. Israel Dagg (New Zealand)
Evidently, there is class all over the park, and some very tough decisions had to be made in the selection of my squads.
So, who would be in your team and would you like to see an event like this take place?
Breeze101
Roar Rookie
Northern & Southern Hemisphere teams must at lease have 1 player selected with the best teams ranked inside the top 20 within the World Rugby Rankings for the concept to have any relevance. If selection is purely base for tier 1 nations then what's the point Rugby test matches provide that spectacle Anyways like British Irish Lions vs Barbarians for example.
winston
Guest
I'd like to see the top 2 or 3 teams of each hemisphere play some kind of tournament between world cups. Or a barbarian N vs S instead of 3 v 4th game which really has no meaning to the tournament or the players
taylorman
Roar Guru
Savea has probably created the biggest gap between no.1 and 2 in his position than any other position. Daylight between he and the rest on 2015 form. I'd say all round Ben Smith ticks the most boxes at fullback. Le Roux and Folau have either positional of defensive issues where Ben Smith has no obvious weaknesses and more energy than both. There are things the AB's can target with Le Roux and Folau. Smith does present anything easy if we're on the opposition, but if a combination of the three existed in the one person he'd probably be wearing a red cape.
Jerry
Guest
3 whole years since they won it. It's not quite All Black level World Cup drought yet, Bakkies.
Bakkies
Guest
Their firsts can't even win the JWC these days
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
Thanks for your comment Bozo! Glad you enjoyed the game, I couldn't agree with you more and I hope that it could be implemented in the future! I like your point that it would be a game of free-flowing rugby, as that is what it would be.
Bozo
Guest
I went to the match at twickenham, it was fantastic fun. As an australian supporter to have gregan passing to mehrtens then on to Berger was electric. There was a whole horde of us antipodeans in the stands and it was amazing to be cheering for the same side. Unfortunately the Northern hemisphere had some key platers pull out just before the match which lead to a one sided but thoroughly enjoyable romp. Anyway I think it would be great fixture and a wonderful way to pull countries together in joint celebration. You would want equal representation from each nation as it is about the best of the northern countries vs best of the southern countries not the best country (which would be the all blacks vs whoever). The jerseys would be fantastic and it would be great to be a supporter going along for some free flowing expansive rugby.
Geoff
Guest
I suppose it's a bit inflammatory... but a New Zealand Colts Third XV could probably take on the Northern Hemisphere...
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
I don't agree, Ned. I think more people are invested in the concept than you might think. During the November internationals, it is not uncommon for supporters of AUS/NZ/SAF to express their desire to see the Rugby Championship nations beat all of their respective NH opponents. Why would they do this if they were ambivalent?
Bakkies
Guest
O'Brien ahead of Robshaw. Brown offers more in attack then Kearney.
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
A coach from the best nation within each hemisphere would be selected. So Hansen (NZ) to coach the South and Schmidt (Ireland) to coach the North. I think casual fans would be interested initially, after finding a game between new sides that has rarely been seen before. I apologise for my poor use and choice of wording. It's definitely an interesting thought!
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
Terry, in this hypothetical I am choosing a maximum of four players from each nation. Savea would certainly make the cut if this restriction did not exist.
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
Hi Dave! So you're saying that the best team in the Australian conference, the Brumbies, aren't of any quality? The Brumbies sit second overall and made the semi-finals last year, they also possess a number of Wallabies and in my mind, they're easily one of the best teams in the competition. The Waratahs killed them on the pitch. I'm a Brumbies fan, and the Waratahs played much better than we did, so to say the Waratahs haven't played anyone of quality is a bold statement. Even the Highlanders are half-decent this season.
Eddard
Roar Guru
So New Zealanders would coach both Hemispheres? I would certainly watch, but ultimately I would be hoping for a good game of rugby. I wouldn't really care who won. I doubt more casual fans of rugby would be interested. A hemisphere is not a region. Maybe if you had Europe vs Oceania it would create a bit more passion from fans, but I think even that would still have a very exhibition type feel. Best to keep such matches for one off charity events IMO.
SP
Guest
Except this time, it'd be the Old World Imperial invaders who'd get slaughtered.
Dave from Mt Druitt
Guest
The Tahs have yet to play anyone of any quality so I wouldn't get to excited about statistics. McKenzie was a big one on Statistics but the team will the best statistics didn't necessary win the game. Just a thought!
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
Thanks Eddard: I feel that players, audiences and organisations do pride themselves and care about their specific region. In the media, especially the Northern Hemisphere, you see comparisons between the two on a regular basis. A few articles have even been written for the Roar on the exact topic. It would be interesting to see who would come out on top of a duel between the best players in each region. Both hemispheres are renowned for playing vastly different styles of Rugby - North (kicking) and South (running) to provide an example. It would add fuel to the fire in preparation for RWC's and Internationals. Additionally, the coach from the best region could be selected, which would incite the coach and also give them something to work towards. For example, Steve Hansen (NZ) would coach the South, and Josef Schmidt (Ireland) would coach the North.
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
NRC_Australia: Thanks for taking time to read my article! I'm glad you think it's a good concept, I feel it could work in the current World Rugby schedule and the format the current game is in. Would add some spice and something for individual players to work towards. It has the capacity of generating a heap of money for the game as a whole and provides the game with a series that's new, much like the twenty twenty did for cricket.
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
melbourneterrace: Thank you very much for taking the time to read my article! I can understand where you're coming from on the first point, but there's no doubting the class of the players listed above. Therefore, I'm sure they could bring together a spectacle for us all to indulge in and appreciate. Possibly instead of a scrum, you could implement a tap'n'go, as teams wouldn't have had time to practice together, subsequently creating an unsafe environment. As you can see from the NBA and NRL, the players selected don't all play together on a regular basis, but still manage to produce the goods. I'm sure the players would be interested in a match of the sort, and it would be great for both them and the fans to see something that doesn't regularly happen. On your second point, this would be the one main problem with the game/series, finding time to fit it in. It's hard to do within the calendar year, but I think i've found a half-decent time for when it could be played. This could mean it does affect some of the other competitions, however, for the sake of the game, I think it's worthwhile option.
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
Israel Folau is the best fullback in World Rugby. You can tell by looking at the statistics from the best club rugby competition on earth. In the 2015 Super Rugby season, Folau has achieved: - 68 carries (2nd) - Ben Smith (4th, 59) - 23 defenders beaten (1st) - Ben Smith (8th, 16), Andries Coetzee (10th, 16) - 609 metres (1st) - SP Marais (5th, 430), Ben Smith (9th, 331) - 14 offloads (1st) - Ben Smith (5th, 11), SP Marais (8th, 8) I would include Charles Piutau here, however, he has been playing at various positions all over the park this season. As you can also see, Dagg or Le Roux don't feature within the top 10. I understand that injuries can cause issues, but Folau is simply the best option if the Northern vs Southern Hemisphere game was played today. In my opinion, the fullback position is the most competitive position at the current time. Wille Le Roux, Leigh Halfpenny, Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Rob Kearney, Stuart Hogg and Mike Brown, to name a few, all could be worthy of a spot in a World XV. Folau seeks for the ball, gets himself involved in the game, his teammates even look for him on the field. He is an important player, not just for the Waratahs, but also for the Wallabies. Just because he doesn't score tries, doesn't mean he's doing terribly - other individuals are evidently scoring them instead, he just helps create them. I have Le Roux at fullback because I think he's a great player, and Folau is a better winger than Le Roux. Since I wanted them both in my side, I moved Folau to the wing.