World XV

That time of year where it's a bit of fun to throw around ideas on the hypothetical World XV.

Paul Cully of Sydney Morning Herald gives a fairly decent attempt, with some good explanations too. As always there are areas of debate, for example I think Pocock at 7 and Read at 8 are a bit lucky.

As an aside - most of the players below (and fringe players mentioned in the article) will be involved in the Lions v All Blacks series - exciting times.

1. Jack McGrath (Ireland)
2. Dane Coles (New Zealand)
3. Owen Franks (New Zealand)
4. Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)
5. Maro Itoje (England)
6. Chris Robshaw (England)
7. David Pocock (Australia)
8. Kieran Read (New Zealand)
9. Conor Murray (Ireland)
10. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)
11. Liam Williams (Wales)
12. Owen Farrell (England)
13. Jonathan Joseph (England).
14. Israel Dagg (New Zealand)
15. Ben Smith (New Zealand)

It'd be pretty bold to put Owen Franks and Kieran Read in a 2016 World XV.

@Tim was another I saw online yesterday, had both Vunipolas in it (over Franks and Read) didn't have BFA at 15, didnt have Pocock but otherwise I think it was the same

@KiwiMurph said in World XV:

1. Jack McGrath (Ireland)
2. Dane Coles (New Zealand)
3. Owen Franks (New Zealand)
4. Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)
5. Maro Itoje (England)
6. Chris Robshaw (England) Kaino (New Zealand)
7. David Pocock (Australia) Hahaha fuck no. Hooper (Australia)
8. Kieran Read (New Zealand)
9. Conor Murray (Ireland)
10. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)
11. Liam Williams (Wales)
12. Owen Farrell (England) Hensjaw (Ireland)
13. Jonathan Joseph (England).
14. Israel Dagg (New Zealand)
15. Ben Smith (New Zealand)

Unlucky players:

• TJP - really came into some blinding form when the ABs needed him to. Still doesn't have the all-round game of Murray.
• CJ Stander. Well impressed with his efforts (actually the entire Irish backrow)
• Billy Vunipola. Australia must be wondering what could have been if he stayed.
• WP Nel and Tadhg Furlong who both appear to scrummage well and be involved across the park. I'd also mention Kepu but he gives away more penalties than Moody and Crockett combined.

It's also tough on Whitelock/Retallick, as one of the two will always be left out of these sorts of lists.

@Tim said in World XV:

It's also tough on Whitelock/Retallick, as one of the two will always be left out of these sorts of lists.

In my mind, they're without peer as a combination.

This type of thing is always massively subjective. It's funny we had such a good year, but i am not sure many of our players should be there.

From the one posted, I think Farrell, Read, Pocock, Robshaw, and Franks are all mistakes. Did Williams even play left wing?

The only AB i think would be unlucky is ALB (surprisingly). I can't think of a midfielder that had the kind if impact he had for us this year.

SOB at openside. Maybe one of the French loosies at blind? If not i would be happy with the other Irish flanker. They were pretty impressive. The Irish tighthead for sure. Not sure about the wing though. Vunipola for sure at 8

I reckon billy is overrated. Hughes was more impressive in one game than billy has been, it's just he filled a role that noone else usually does for England and is a completely different type of player than anyone's used to.

Billy was Australian?

Born in Brisbane.

Is it a World XV based on recent form or on the whole year ? Because if it is the latter, no Australian would be selected. Moreover, Conor Murray and Jack McGrath were far from outstanding in the 6N. My team would be :

Vunipola
Coles
Franks
Retallick
Itoje
Kaino
Haskell
Vunipola
Smith (was himself before entering the ChCh airport)
Barrett
Williams
Fofana
ALB
Dagg
Smith

Reminds me. I had better get onto the ToTY.

Will get onto it on the weekend.

Apologies for delay and thanks for reminding me.

The Argentinian number 8,Isa has been the best in that position this year in my opinion

Pocock being there gives the list no credibility which is a pity because he actually did pretty well in other parts.

Smith better than Murray for balance of the year (but if selecting best players in the world now it is defendable - which this list is not).

Itoje fantastic but Whitelock better - his lineout work and ball playing ability is being chronically underrated here, perhaps injury for first part of EOYT counts against him.

Read would be the weakest selection aside from those.

Seems to be a lot of people rating Read on the EOYT version, not the earlier season edition.

Having said that though, I would go Isa at 8.

I don't get Pocock at all. Hooper maybe, even though I don't really like him as a player.

Conor Murray on the basis of what? Sorry he has not been the best halfback in the world this year.

Neither his kicking nor his passing have been world class.

@mooshld said in World XV:

Conor Murray on the basis of what?

The team needs a halfback. All other options soiled themselves at various points of the season too.

@rotated On the basis of needing a half back you could take Genia. general play has been fine this year and as far as I know has managed to keep it in his pants while at the airport.

Personally I think Smiths good games which were outstanding out weigh his bad this year and he would still be my first pick.

TJP has had a pretty good year. Can't comment on any of the NH players having only seen the against the ABs. No Wallabies or Saffas would be near the team IMO.

On scrum halves, Smith has been the benchmark this year (and last) but looks as though his form fell off after the airport khazi incident. The 9s from Aus and SA have not set the world alight. From what I've seen, Genia shows glimpses of the player he was but not enough to warrant selection. Of the NH 9s, I would say the stand outs have been Webb and (latterly) Youngs. Murray has been good but not consistently up to his previous standards. If the French settled on one of their several decent 9s it might be a different story.

If selecting purely on the value they bring to their side I would say it's a toss up between Webb and Smith with Youngs making a late charge. If we're picking on who is the most complete player I'd pick from Smith and Murray and hope they both regain their mojo.