Wallabies captain Michael Hooper and teammate Samu Kerevi have been named in the World Rugby dream team of 2021.
THE WORLD RUGBY PLAYER OF THE YEAR HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED
Players from seven nations – Australia, England, France, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland and South Africa – won a place in the team decided by a World Rugby panel and named on Wednesday.
All four of ther men’s player of the year nominees, which inlcludes the two Wallabies along with Frenchman Antoine Dpont and Maro Itoje of England.
The players selected boast a combined 850 caps for their countries with the world champion Springboks having the most representatives with five, followed by New Zealand with three.
“To contribute a third of the World Rugby Dream Team not only underlines how good the Springboks performed in a very difficult season, but also how our individual players rose to the occasion – and this is true for more than just these five,” said SA Rugby president Mark Alexander.
“It’s certainly a well-deserved accolade in what was an important season for the national team following a long absence from international rugby due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The competition for this award was tough, and for a handful of our players to be in the mix in a year in which they finished the season as the top team in the world makes this an even more notable achievement.
“A sincere congratulations to Siya, Eben, Malcolm, Lukhanyo and Makazole for this significant recognition.”
Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber added: “The entire Springbok team and coaching staff are delighted for the players.
“It is a fantastic achievement, and it shows the class and skill level of the players we have within our squad and in the country. We all share in their excitement.”
France and England dominated the women’s Dream Team while no Australians made the side – unsurprising considering their dearth of opportunities.
Six nations are represented in the women’s selection with Canada, Italy, New Zealand and Wales each providing one player. France provides six players, one more than England with all four Women’s 15s Player of the Year nominees making the cut.
The Dream Teams
Men
1. Wyn Jones (Wales) 2. Malcolm Marx (South Africa) 3. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland) 4. Maro Itoje (England) 5. Eben Etzebeth (South Africa) 6. Siya Kolisi (South Africa) 7. Michael Hooper (Australia) 8. Ardie Savea (New Zealand) 9. Antoine Dupont (France) 10. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand) 11. Makazole Mapimpi (South Africa) 12. Samu Kerevi (Australia) 13. Lukhanyo Am (South Africa) 14. Will Jordan (New Zealand) 15. Stuart Hogg (Scotland)
Women
1. Annaëlle Deshayes (France) 2. Agathe Sochat (France) 3. Sarah Bern (England) 4. Safi N’Diaye (France) 5. Abbie Ward (England) 6. Zoe Aldcroft (England) 7. Karen Paquin (Canada) 8. Poppy Cleall (England) 9. Laure Sansus (France) 10. Caroline Drouin (France) 11. Abby Dow (England) 12. Beatrice Rigoni (Italy) 13. Stacey Fluhler (New Zealand) 14. Caroline Boujard (France) 15. Jasmine Joyce (Wales).
biltong
Guest
It stops being humorous after the twentieth time Jacko, then it is just repetitive and obsessive behaviour.
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
“To contribute a third of the World Rugby Dream Team not only underlines how good the Springboks performed in a very difficult season" - but also how poorly the AB's have performed since Foster has been in control
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Or maybe Kolisi would find the humour in it you completely missed Biltong.
biltong
Guest
Oh my word, one would almost expect Kolisi to read the roar just for the benefit of reading your bitter comments.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
Oh ok, I clearly didn't keep a close enough eye on the All Blacks for the whole season and only remember Akira ripping into the Wallabies, but he is still a better 8 than an out of position 7 like Ardie.
Ex force fan
Guest
The Boks men are doing something well as they dominate dream team in 7s and 15s.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Ahhh the independent adjudicator..... Good idea.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Why not have rep's from emerging nations, that are not there mate?
Ace
Guest
When you said hooper i stopped reading.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
It came down to who answered their phone.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Who does your mate say is better?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Yeah it’s just the whole world that’s got it wrong
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Honestly Rhys, Blackadder performed far more consistently than what Akira did. Even Jacobson, was better, as far as their workrate went.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Wtf is Itoje doing there Harry? he was just, well mainly Eben's ' rag doll ' during that pathetic Lions tour. You can't tell me he's better than de Jagger, Mostert, even Whitelock. Eben should be there.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Agree, as IMO, it's a team from the amatuer era. In the past they had ' tours'. Like not this 8 game, including test matches rubbish. They were true tours of up to & over 25 games. If anything the Lions have only ever won a series in Aotearoa just the once in 71.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
That another reason why Razor should be there Bro.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Why two Poms & two Kiwi's?. In truth it really shows the incompetence of those in WR that they set those chosen,up as fall guys, for having these people doing THEIR ( WR ) job. Also should not there be equality in the selected panel? Like Woodward & Robinson??? ffs.
Brian Westlake
Roar Rookie
Is it your nationality that convinces you? Askin for a mate
Harry Jones
Expert
Can we please test that theory! Haha! I would love to start Kits-Marx-Malbec and at 55/60 bring on Ox-Bongi-Trev or Koch or Tank.
Harry Jones
Expert
There were three opensiders on the panel, and they ended up with three opensiders in the loose trio! Hahaha!