With this Lions talk of selecting unique XVs, I was thinking about the idea of combined Southern Hemisphere and Northern Hemisphere sides going toe-to-toe with each other.
With the Lions, you obviously don’t include French players, who’ve regenerated themselves as a resurgent Test power. So, why not go all-in and come up with the challenge of beating South Africa on their own turf, given all of the world’s players to do so?
So, with players eligible from every rugby-playing nation except for South Africa, I select a team that would be best matched (not the best XV in the world) to take on the Boks.
15. Stuart Hogg
Scotland’s Mr Fantastic. More than capable under the high ball, smart kicking and quick feet. Easy selection given his Six Nations form.
14. Jordie Barrett
Justification: At 6″5, a big unit and full of skill to cover virtually anywhere albeit 9 in the backline, this is a fairly easy decision. JB has been awesome at goal in Super Rugby and has enough experience to deal with a kicking bombardment.
His height is an added bonus for cross-field kicks for a mismatch against Cheslin Kolbe. Can kick perfectly from 60 to 65 metres out.
13. Anton Lienert-Brown
Defensively sound and more than agile in attack with ball in hand. Criminally underrated.
Does the basics incredibly well and he is one of the better balanced centres in the world to deal with the physical threat of the Springboks.
12. Robbie Henshaw
At this rate, he could well win World Player of the Year, given how influential he has been. Wins collisions ball in-hand or not. He is adaptable and can be your crash ball or athletic, expansive centre.
11. Semi Radrada
Box office. Has put a factor of intimidation for the Bristol Bears. He’s big. He’s quick. He’s Semi Radrada, a Fijian superstar.
I wonder how his aerial battle would go against the Faf de Klerk-Handre Pollard axis. But given Cheslin Kolbe and Makazole Mapimpi’s odd defensive errors (which is a compliment to how improved both wingers are defensively now), surely you’re not keeping him quiet for 80 minutes?
10. Hardest spot to decide: Richie Mo’unga, Beauden Barrett and George Ford would get targeted like Lions sniffling braai at 10.
Mo’unga and Ford have to be covered and protected in defence and alter systems. Barrett hasn’t played 10 regularly enough for him to start there.
Finn Russell is a flashy player, but this Six Nations didn’t show if he can grab a tight match by the scruff of the neck. Owen Farrell is too off form and Johnny Sexton is too old.
Hence, I would go for Romain Ntamack. He’s young and has a sharp kicking game as well as pure attacking instinct. He’s proved his class on multiple occasions and warrants the berth.
9. Antoine Dupont
No questions here necessary.
Antoine Dupont (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
1. Rory Sutherland
Strong scrummager, wrecking ball in attack. Would probably start for the Lions if Gatland wasn’t a selector.
2. Julien Marchand
It’s odd that someone with questions over their line out is selected against South Africa. In play, Marchand is a different player. Ever-present and strong around contact, he is a clone of Malcolm Marx and a fitting one to take him on.
3. Tadhg Furlong
The hot stepper of Wexford is a big scrummager and is a true Test match animal. Showed his class in getting the better side of Kyle Sinckler in their most recent meeting.
A phenomenal player, and one who has helped revolutionise prop forward as a position in which soft hands and smart defensive and attacking reads are needed.
4. Iain Henderson
I didn’t really need to think twice about this. Henderson is so underrated but so effective. A line out weapon and one that never tires in defence, Henderson is Mr Reliable. Six turnovers and 15 line outs won this Six Nations.
5. Tadhg Beirne
Another easy pick. His athletic breakdown presence and line out usage is one you simply must have to even hope of competing against South Africa.
I’ve said on multiple articles how him, Henderson and Ryan are making Ireland set piece gurus. It should be no surprise that these three forwards feature heavily against the Boks.
6. Marcos Kremer
Big boy Kremer was insane in the Tri Nations. A fearsome figure on the pitch like him is needed to go toe-to-toe with Pieter Steph du Toit. He and du Toit are two of the world’s premier lock/flank hybrids along the likes of Beirne, Henderson and Maro Itoje. Kremer gets the dirty work done, and at 6″7 is another useful line out option.
7. Charles Ollivon
He edges it over Tom Curry. Had an imperious Six Nations and is an inspiration for France. Line out operator for France and picks some really smart lines in attack.
8. Harry Wilson
A surprise bolter. You sometimes get a feeling about someone who hasn’t proved themselves yet but just know they’re going to be immense. That’s the feeling I get with Wilson. He’s similar to Kieran Read with his soft hands and notorious bruising hits on opposition tens.
Bench
16. Dane Coles
17. Cyril Baille
18. Taniela Tupou
19. Brodie Retallick
20. Maro Itoje
21. Sam Simmonds
22. Tomos Williams
23. Beauden Barrett
Unders
Roar Pro
Theoretically, he shouldn't be. However his defence is solid and actually had a good try scoring record when he played there. Just not a long term place for him
Matty
Guest
England outclassed South Africa? I don't think you and I were watching the same game sweetheart ???? South Africa absolutely steam rolled England. The were stronger in the scrums, had quicker hands, swung the ball to the right players, stepped through so many attempted tackles, over-powering in the rucks and mauls, off-loaded at the right time etc... England were so broken by the end of the game. South Africa were word class in their precise destruction of an arrogant opponent.
Harry Jones
Expert
Just pick an AB team with Furlong, Ollivon, and Faletau.
Armchair Halfback
Roar Rookie
Coombes is a splendid choice MZ - actually I was a bit miffed that Coetzee got Pro14 player of the tournament ahead of him..
Armchair Halfback
Roar Rookie
Nice work MZ - Regan comes from an Offaly GAA family played for Birr RFC and Leinster U18 (Clubs). Also played for Ireland U20's.
Armchair Halfback
Roar Rookie
Nice work Unders, I'd have Radradra at 13, where he's been amazing for Bristol. Ringrose has had a poor year by his standards due to injury and loss of form. Glad you picked Iain Henderson, he's a bit underrated, but Ireland always play better when he's on board. Hoping to see Jordie in the 15 jersey for the AB's I like a big full back and with pace and a siege gun boot, he's one of the best at the back...
Wayne
Roar Rookie
Any news on the new AB's sponsor yet? I hear Altrad wants to advertise his new range of wines made from sour grapes.
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
Great experience for a young Irish lad....good luck to him.
pm
Roar Rookie
It was pure luck wasn't it? Clearly NZ were far better than England in the semi and then England clearly outclassed S.A in the final, but the ball just kept bouncing S.A's way. At least we've got someone like you around who can see it all clearly. Thank God for your honesty, Back in Black
Ben Simpson
Roar Pro
As evidenced for the ABs, Jordie should never be on the wing.
Highlander
Roar Guru
That was such a good report, hes being slapped round the head by Joe Moody and loving it. He came over to join the Otago NPC team, nothing to do with the Highlanders and has worked his butt off for a Super contract. In truth he is about number 5 on our list of locks, but when he had to step up I thought he was very good.
USrugger
Guest
Just like the Poms cleaned up the 'paper' Wannabes during RWC 2019, I guess,,,
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
Smith ability to march the forwards around, is by itself world-class.
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
No Sam Whitlock loses your credibility. Also, Jordie is not the best winger in SR, let alone the world
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
Carefully worded response there, Highlander....."seems to work most of the time" Btw, have you had a look at Jack Regan with the Highlanders ? I had not had him on my radar till I saw him play a couple of weeks ago. Interesting background, father a hurling "legend" in Offaly. Then went through the Ulster Academy, not Leinster's. Then let go by Ulster. No major rugby playing school listed anywhere, so suspect he has come through the club channel in Ireland. Surprising as the big schools usually pick up talented players who are emerging from those sort of sources. Just before clicking "Add Comment, did a search and found this, so answers many questions ! https://www.rugbypass.com/news/i-was-f-this-is-an-all-black-hitting-me-in-the-head-this-is-going-to-be-great-he-is-going-to-be-gone-one-of-their-main-players-regan-highlanders-super-rugby/
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
"New Zealand could send three sides to defeat the paper champions." Good to see you are in top form this morning, BinB :happy:
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
Good idea, this article, Unders. Thanks. Look forward to the discussion. "Antoine Dupont. No questions here necessary." He is a very good player for sure, and very much in the French mould. But I would still place Aaron Smith ahead of him for a team such as this. Smith has by far the better and more consistent pass, imo. And Smith has the more even game...not the highs of Dupont, but not the lows either. In a big powerful team of this nature, I would always pick Richie Mo'unga. His all round game is so very good. many of the world's greatest 10's down the ages have not been great defenders. Mo'unga is not bad, just prone to being trampled in a head on with a really hard big man. His side on and from behind tackling is first rate. Harry Wilson in the backrow....be interesting to read comments. Actually I will throw out a name here of a bolter emerging fro West Cork, who has not yet played in an International game....Gavin Coombes of Munster. He is a better player than Harry Wilson, I would judge...and this is a Qlder. speaking !
BackInBlack
Guest
It’s pure clickbait. New Zealand could send three sides to defeat the paper champions. England could send one fresh side and I’d bet the French (without losing players to cards) would dispatch them. We’re talking about the undisputedly luckiest side to ever ‘catch’ a World Cup
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@Unders You've picked an incredibly poor team AGAIN hahahahaha. Two Kiwi's (2) made your silly team predictably dominated by your UK favourites. And Lenart-Brown was not even a run-on AB centre in 2020. No Argies either. Please spare us the silliness of your selections :silly:
Highlander
Roar Guru
An enjoyable premise and read But if you want to beat the Boks, don't you just send out 15 All Blacks - seems to work most of the time :happy: