Plenty of quality players didn’t make the cut of coaches Michael Cheika and Steve Hansen, so it’s worth reflecting on who we won’t see at this year’s World Cup.
Here is a composite All Blacks/Wallabies team made up of players who missed the Rugby World Cup cut – the best from New Zealand and Australia in each position.
Some of the players named here are considered by many commentators and punters to have been extremely unlucky to miss out on the respective All Blacks and Wallabies teams for the tournament. Players such as Charles Piutau, James Horwill, Nic White and Jeremy Thrush come to mind in that regard.
I have not considered injured players such as Aaron Cruden, who would surely have been heading to the RWC if he was fully-fit.
I’ve picked George Moala as a No 12, as there are whispers that All Blacks coach Hansen sees him as the player to replace Ma’a Nonu from next year onwards. He played at inside centre/second five-eighth for the New Zealand Barbarians against the Maori Blacks in July, so it’s a pretty good indication he’s going to play there.
The order of players’ names in each position is not of any significance – New Zealand players named first and Australian players named second.
Apologies to the South African and Argentine rugby fans, but I just do not know enough about all the players considered unlucky to miss out on the Springboks and Los Pumas Rugby World Cup squads.
15. Israel Dagg/James O’Connor
14. Cory Jane/Taqele Naiyaravoro
13. Ryan Crotty/Chris Feauai-Sautia
12. George Moala/Samu Kerevi
11. Charles Piutau/Nic Cummins
10. Lima Sopoaga/Christian Lealiifano
9. Andy Ellis/Nic White
8. Nasi Manu/Scott Higginbottom
7. Ardie Savea/Matt Hodgson
6. Brad Shields/Dave Dennis
5. James Broadhurst/James Horwill
4. Jeremy Thrush/Sam Carter
3. Nepo Laulala/Ben Alexander
2. Hika Elliot/James Hanson
1. Joe Moody/Tetera Faulkner
What do you think Roarers? Who would you pick in your best of the rest sides to contest a Bledisloe Cup?
Phantom
Roar Rookie
select a combined team and enter them under the name Norfolk Island. They would embarrass many countries.
BlueBlood
Guest
He would fit the vacant 13 jersey well! But I am happy to see him playing well in Melbourne.
Johnny Boy Jnr
Guest
I can't resist...."A move to the Waratahs will change that quick smart !"
BlueBlood
Guest
bit left of field but what about Mitch Innman? Im surprised he hasn't got a cap yet
REDSpat
Guest
The 2 lists are impressive actually. Yet, when comparing each position, most of the time (for me 11 out of 15) the AB guys seem to have been far better than their WBs colleagues... from what I saw of the 2015 SuperXV campaign.
Golden
Guest
I would probably have to go with: 1. Tetera Faulkner 2. James Hanson 3. Ben Alexander 4. Sam Carter 5. James Horwill 6. Scott Higginbotham 7. Liam Gill 8. George Smith 9. Nick White 10. Christian Lealiifano 11. Nick Cummins 12. Samu Kerevi 13. Mitch Inman 14. Taqele Naiyaravoro 15. James O'Conner 16. Saia Fainga'a 17. Benn Robinson 18. Laurie Weeks 19. Rory Arnold 20. Lopeti Timani 21. Nick Stirzakar 22. Jack Debrezcini 23. Tom English
Golden
Guest
Benn Robinson would be filthy that he also missed out on a place in the best of the rest squad. Nevertheless, I think it is warranted that Tetera Faulkner gets the nod over him.
Dan Fan
Guest
There is absolutely no basis for your assertion that the Wallabies have the better backs. The AB leftovers include 3 RWC winners plus others who have performed extremely well for the ABs in the past (Piutau and Crotty). And I would go with Brad Shields at 8 and Blade Thompson at 6 for the ABs forwards.
Joey
Guest
Two formidable teams there. A fair few countries would love to have some of these quality players in their world cup squads.
marto
Guest
HIGGERS KEREVI O`CONNOR HORWILL GILL and HANSON should be in the 31
Jamieson Murphy
Roar Guru
I would have put Liam Gill in there somewhere. He was unlucky to miss out on the WC squad. But they look like two formidable teams - I think NZ is stronger in the forwards, and the Wallabies are a tad stronger in the backs. Who do you think would win?
ethan
Guest
My thoughts exactly. I'd probably also pick George Smith at 8, Higgers at 6, and Dennis on the bench. Jones over Carter as well. Two quality teams there, although that Aussie backline defence would get cut to ribbons.
Seb V
Guest
Hodgson is good but no Liam Gill is crazy.