Following the conclusion of the Tri Nations I have attempted to name what I think is the best possible XV made up of players from Australia and New Zealand.
To make it more interesting, and to stop it from being 90 per cent All Blacks, let’s say there has to be close to an equal amount of All Blacks and Wallabies in the side, and only the players eligible for the Tri Nations are eligible for selection, not including injuries.
1. Joe Moody
This was the obvious choice here. James Slipper has been playing some good footy recently, but Moody never seems to have a bad game.
2. Codie Taylor
For me Dane Coles is a weapon off the bench. He can attack the fringes of defences and cause havoc late in games. Both Kiwis are miles ahead of their Australian hooker counterparts.
3. Taniela Tupou
Has real X-Factor at the tighthead position, if he can stop giving away so many penalties, he would be my first choice in a world XV.
4. Scott Barrett
If Brodie Retallick was eligible then this spot would go to him. Scott Barrett seems to have too many brain fades leading to him giving away stupid penalties. Patrick Tuipulotu has real potential but as of right now, Barrett is the better player.
5. Sam Whitelock
Dependable and quality. The easiest selection.
6. Harry Wilson
The makeup of the backrow is where it starts to get tricky. I think Wilson still looks a little uncomfortable at the back of the scrum with the ball at his feet, which is why he’s named at 6 here, but his form throughout the year should be rewarded.
7. Sam Cane
I think Sam Cane has been phenomenal this year. He’s third in the Tri-Nations for tackles won, second in offloads, sixth in carries and has six turnovers over his last four games.
8. Ardie Savea
Dominant force in attack and defence. Despite him only being 6’1 ish he is still solid in the lineout and dangerous at the back off the scrum.
9. Aaron Smith
I still think Smith is the best halfback is the world (Antoine Dupont isn’t far off though). His service from the breakdown and leadership on the field in unparalleled.
10. Beauden Barrett
Richie is a real talent and has plenty to offer but Barrett is still one of the most dangerous backs in the world with ball in hand.
11. Marika Koroibete
He plays like a well-trained Doberman, and I mean that as a compliment. Give him clear instructions on what his role is in the team and he’ll be a devastating weapon.
Marika Koroibete celebrates scoring a try. (Photo by David Ramos – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
12. Matt To’omua
Jack Goodue is a 13 not a 12 and Laumape is still quite limited, although his skills are improving. Matt To’omua gives solid defence, a second ball player in attack and another strong leader on the field.
13. Jordan Petaia
Naturally gifted, if he can stay healthy has the potential to be one of the best. Needs to put the grubbers on the shelf for a while though.
14. Filipo Daugunu
Neither team have a real set 14. Jordie is a fullback and being wasted there for the All Blacks. Tom Wright has been solid but Daugunu offers some real X-Factor as well as a strong over-the-ball presence in those wide channels. Give him another crack.
15. Jordie Barrett
Could be the form 15 in the world, he’s currently criminally under-utilised at 14.
16. James Slipper
17. Alan Alaalatoa
18. Dane Coles
19. Luhkan Salakaia-Loto
20. Michael Hooper
21. Hoskins Sotutu (If 6-2 bench)
22. Nic White
23. Richie Mo’unga
24. Reece Hodge (if 5-3 bench)
Let me know where I went wrong in the comments.
yeah very true....No rugby till next year....I did see this article today tho which was good timing....It shows that the coaching staff are looking for more or something different to the current selections in the whole 2 playmaker debate... https://www.rugbypass.com/news/we-are-keen-for-him-to-play-some-rugby-at-10-ian-foster-weighs-in-on-the-all-blacks-dual-playmaker-debate/
Paulo
Roar Rookie
I had a much longer response, but then thought, ‘why bother?’ We know where we each stand and I don’t see either of us changing our minds any time soon. It’s all good... except... I can’t think of any more games coming up?
LOL
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Ok
Paulo I have seen you critisize selections in the past yet with BB its suddenly “people who know better than us” are right when it suits your own prefferences…Well Surely “people who know better than us” also selected BB as WPOTY from the 10 position twice….Surely “people who know better than us” also never had RM in their ABs 10 plans until Dmac got injured and forced selectors to come up with a 15 as 2nd playmaker? And why is it that these “people who know better than us” havnt selected RM to receive these awards? Why did Dmac make the Abs as the backup 10 2 years before RM did yet RM is older? Why did it take so long and a season ending injury to another player for RM to be given a start? Could it be “people who know better than us”? RM has too many errors in his game…..He is a Carlos Spencer……Pure genius and flawed genius all in the 1 package and is he a slow learner? Why does he still go for the perfect kick for touch and have too many going dead? Thats such a simple fix why isnt it being sorted? Im sure Coaches would have spoken to him about it yet it continues at SR and Test level and costs opportunity as it did in the 2 point loss to Aus….. His defensive game is generally very good and his attacking game can be pure genius but he has too many bad decisions in his game and can you think of a game where he has dominated the game with his game management? He dominates games where the forwards dominate games…..He fails when under constant pressure…. What other duel playmaker options do we have? Yeah fair question. Why dont they try RM at 15? Cant trust him there maybe? He played more 15 as a junior than BB did so give it a go…..OR……Maybe put a 15 at 15 and BB at 10 and work out other ways to breakdown the rush defence…..It looks to me as tho Hansen and co ( Inc Foster ) have only thought of 1 option….Maybe they could try to find other options like other coaches around the world do…The ABs backline has not functioned well since RM came in to 10….Its patchy at best and sometimes just plain ordinary….this is under RMs guidance….Or is it BBs guidance? Who knows who runs the backline as the use of 3 different line kickers, 3 different goal kickers etc shows that this current line of thinking is flawed…….I dont know who’s fault that is but its real…..And the ABs are suffering form and scoring options because of it and the backs have had way to many stutters last year and this year for it to be called a success to have RM at 10…..Not that its all his fault but its under his watch at 10…..Did you notice in the last test how many times BB was running the 10 position? Maybe the “people who know better” are seeing it and reacting to it…..
MM. RM is a Carlos Spencer...he has some genius and he has some faults.....He isnt as bad as QC was but he has too many errors in him and his game gets very self centred at times.... Why was BB put to 15.....Why not have RM at 15? If he's so great that is..... So WPOTY is not some kind of proof that BB is better tha RM? RM has a whole bunch of these awards does he? RM hasnt even been nominated!!! Cant even make the cut!!!!
J Jones
Roar Rookie
Better would be Anzacs, British Lions, SAF/FRA Tournament But not this year....
Paulo
Roar Rookie
“ I will ask you tho how it is you believe RM is better when its RM who has played there and BB keeps getting selected at 15. Coaches took the best 10 in the world…” Because people much smarter in rugby than you or me, keep selecting him there and putting BB at 15 - you said it yourself. I think what you’re asking though is how do we know RM is better than BB, if BB doesn’t get a shot. Well, we know because BB was the incumbent 10, and he didn’t do enough to keep his spot - in most people’s opinion. In regards to this season, the winning and losing of this season has not been solely determined by our 10. It just hasn’t. It wouldn’t have taken much to get to an 83% win rate this year, we had a draw and a loss by 2. So yea, 50% win rate is not AB standard, and yet 2 of the wins we did get set records. So how do you measure the season? And is it even fair too considering this year? The main thing, whether RM or BB is the better 10 becomes a moot point though. The real question is, what better duel playmaker options do we have? We do have other options, but none as good as this set up. And make no mistake, the duel playmaker is the key to unlock these defences right now, hence why all top teams have gravitated to that. BB previously did not cope on his own at 10 against these rush defences. Hence the need for change.
moaman
Roar Guru
Jacko, Seriously mate, every time we have had this discussion, you cite those crazy WPOTY awards as if this is some kind of proof that Beaudy is a superior 10. How about a thorough analysis of what attributes make him better than RM? Hint. It's not his sideways running and nor is it his hospital passes to hapless 12s. It certainly isn't his superior goalkicking. Hmmmmm......could it be his performances off the bench as a super-sub (when he was much quicker) that you are thinking of?
Harry Jones
Expert
Looks leaner.
PapanuiPirate
Roar Pro
I wrote him off a couple years back. Thought he needed to get out of Auckland to mature (How often has that been the case over the years!) but very happy to be proven wrong.
Harry Jones
Expert
Add Kremer, Sánchez, Petti, Delguy. Maybe Matera.
Harry Jones
Expert
Agree. 6 was iffy. Happy for Akira. Been one of my favourite players for a while.
PapanuiPirate
Roar Pro
Exactly the same as my team Harry. Though I think based on evidence that if he had played the whole 1st game against Australia Akira Ioane might be pushing one of Sotutu and Wilson.
Damn fine looking secretary I make too MM
haha only us rugged loyal supporter left eh? I will ask you tho how it is you believe RM is better when its RM who has played there and BB keeps getting selected at 15. Coaches took the best 10 in the world...2 years running as best player in the world...and put him to 15 because they had a theory.....BB has never slipped from grace due to any performance problems its all been to satisfy a coaches itch.......Put him back at 10 and watch the ABs start winning at 80% again instead of the 50% this year.....But it needs to be for a SR season and then tests as its hardly fair to drop him back at 10 and expect him to be the best again instantly...
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Haha. Blame my Mum. She told me "i before b, except after o". I'll try to do better. ;)
moaman
Roar Guru
How long does Marika K have to play before you get a handle on his name, Bobby? (Just asking for a friend). :laughing:
moaman
Roar Guru
"NZ have got 4 centres better than he is now" At least 4.
moaman
Roar Guru
TJP????? I'd have Beauden at 15 since we never saw JB there (did we?) and TJP would only make my bench were he 9 & 10 cover.