Team of the tournament?

spiralism

With two games left in the tournament, who would you pick as the team of the World Cup and why?

Hagz

I'd pick the team that wins it cause they wins it

Nah, I'd pick Wales, just cause they surprised me.

liammur

Hagz wrote: »

I'd pick the team that wins it cause they wins it

Nah, I'd pick Wales, just cause they surprised me.

I'd go for wales too, they absolutely demolished us and played a great brand of rugby.

Monty Burnz

Wales for me too, although their only real win of note was against us Sure, NZ are better, but they haven't exceeded expectations like Wales have. Pity we won't have the final we and Wales deserved.

liammur

Very true. Poor quality overall and disappointing tournament.

Cill Dara Abu

Yup Wales for me too, they play Rugby the way it should be played.

dub_skav

Samoa for me, played some excellent rugby and despite having their fixtures stacked up nearly made it anyway

Cypher_sounds

Ha got to be New Zealand for me, very clinical and hopefully they go on to win the Web Ellis Cup next Sunday, very deserving winners.

If Wales had beaten SA or gotten to the final i would have probably picked them.

Digifriendly

liammur wrote: »

Very true. Poor quality overall and disappointing tournament.

This is an interesting observation and I'm inclined to agree but not sure that last tournament was much better to be honest if I'm permitted to make the comparison. Wet weather probably didn't help some of the games as spectacles. Would like to have seen some scintillating back play in latter stages especially semi-finals but badly lacking as I suppose defences are so well organised in this level of the modern game. We see very few length of the field tries now which is a pity. Maybe laws need to be tinkered with to ensure more open play but unsure how to be honest much can be changed. If NZ win next weekend I'll go for them as team of the tournament but if France win it's Wales for me.

Kiwi_knock

If New Zealand go on and win it I would say they were the team of the tournament. They have been clinical and they have played some attractive rugby as well.

I only saw Wales against us, but I have to say they were very impressive. Certainly the surprise of the tournament, promising things for them in the future.

thomond2006

Team - Wales

World XV
Woodcock, Best, Jones, Gray, POC, Warburton, Pocock, O'Brien;
Phillips, Priestland, Clerc, Nonu, Roberts, Jane, Dagg

Lot of tough choices there, particular 2, backrow, 9 and 10. I've probably forgotten a few names.

cgpg5

Wales for me, many didn't even see them even getting out of their group instead they should've beaten SA and should be in a RWC final. Notable mentions- Samoa and I thought Canada (for minnows) were impressive.

Disappointments- Australia (despite reaching semis), the awful England and Fiji.

irishh_bob

liammur wrote: »

Very true. Poor quality overall and disappointing tournament.

was it any worse than the 2007 tournament , id say no , the 1999 world cup was particulary poor aswell bar the nz - france semi

walshb

liammur wrote: »

I'd go for wales too, they absolutely demolished us and played a great brand of rugby.

What game was that?

handsomecake

thomond2006 wrote: »

Team - Wales

World XV
Woodcock, Best, Jones, Gray, POC, Warburton, Pocock, O'Brien;
Phillips, Priestland, Clerc, Nonu, Roberts, Jane, Dagg

Lot of tough choices there, particular 2, backrow, 9 and 10. I've probably forgotten a few names.

one of your backrow has to be kaino. he has owned everyone he has played. scored 4 tries too. played nearly every minute too.

i would say drop o brien for kaino. plus o brien got ran over by a scrum half.he should hand back his man card:D

cgpg5

My best 15 so far- 15. Dagg 14. Jane 13. Nonu 12. Roberts 11. North 10. Priestland 9. Phillipps 1. Healy (tbh not many contenders) 2. Mealamu (would always make my team) 3. A. Jones (who else??) 4. Horwill 5. POC 6. Kaino 7. Warby/Pocock (did Pocock play enough rugby) 8. Faletau

ambid

Depends on how the final goes, but have to give NZ lots of credit. McCaw is carrying an injury, Cowan has lost form, and losing both Carter and his stand in are all huge blows. I was impressed with Cruden today but also impressed with how they have split Carter's responsibilities among some of the other players.

I hope they do it. They are under incredible pressure and have had major problems to overcome.

(And when we stuff them in the summer tour next year we can then claim to be world champions!)

wixfjord

walshb wrote: »

liammur wrote: »

I'd go for wales too, they absolutely demolished us and played a great brand of rugby.

What game was that?

The qf remember?

Tonga anyone?

thomond2006

handsomecake wrote: »

one of your backrow has to be kaino. he has owned everyone he has played. scored 4 tries too. played nearly every minute too.

i would say drop o brien for kaino. plus o brien got ran over by a scrum half.he should hand back his man card:D

Forgot about Kaino, he's been class alright.

Noffles

After watching today I would day NZ as the team.of the event, they looked very impressive today.

Wales would obviously then follow, surprised me in every game, could of beaten SA, beat a tough Samoa, thrashed the minnows and then beat a highly rated Irish team... The rugby was powerful and well thought out... Intelligent bulldozers..

And its not over yet ¦~}

onlyrocknroll

Has to be New Zealand for me. Four wins and four bonus points in the group stages without getting out of first gear. Beat Australia very comfortably, and all that with a run of bad luck.

EKClarke

France

roycon

priestland - ha
wouldnt even get on the irish panel. since when to wales play "a great brand of rugby" - they went for bulk over ball skills in the backline in my opinion. jamie roberts has been ****e for 3 years. hes good as a big ball carrier but nothing more. id still have rougerie and bod ahead of him

thebman

Wales team of tournament. Shouldn't have even been in contention with 14 men but made France look like they were the ones a man down.

NZ have been great to watch too

Monty Burnz

EKClarke wrote: »

France

Indeed. Surely there must be some recognition for being the worst team ever to reach the final? (narrowly shading the 2007 England side...)

[Jackass]

1. Tonga'uiha (Tonga)
2. Mealamu (New Zealand)
3. Pulu (Tonga)
4. Lawes (England)
5. Thorn (New Zealand)
6. Pocock (Australia)
7. McCaw (New Zealand)
8. O'Brien (Ireland)

9. Weepu (New Zealand)
10. Priestland (Wales)
11. Earls (Ireland)
12. S.B. Williams (New Zealand)
13. Tuilagi (England)
14. Jane (New Zealand)
15. Dagg (New Zealand)

Some calls a bit out there, Sonny Bill is just too good and watching him is an absolute pleasure. Plays second fiddle to the solid Nonu, but in terms of pure skill and show boating, there's no one better in the world.

Would have the entire New Zealand back three, only for Earls having a very good tournament and scored about 5 tries or something? Not his biggest fan, but fair play when deserved.

Priestland is about the only stand out 10 in the tournament.

Weepu took on so much responsibility for NZ, took all the pressure off Cruden with his clearing kicks, place kicks, took a bit of stick after the semi, but I think he's been extremely good.

Tuilagi is just another player I love to watch. Massive talent and has been good. Again not many stand out 13's.

Pocock, McCaw & O'Brien all have to be in the back-row, so made it fit. Honurable mention Ferris.

Tonga was my team of the tournament, unlucky to lose to Canada which would have put them in the quarters, knocking out France. My favourite moment of the competition was them laying into the French scrum, and for that alone, I take their props.

Lawes has been another great young English player, so physical, great player, great to watch.

Mealamu and Thorn just two of an entire pack that could be picked.

.ak

AB's for me have been the only consistent team of the tournament. Not one bad showing. On that merit they'd be my team of the tournament.

Followed closely by Wales, who have played out of their skins.

Followed then in third by Ireland. Biased? No. They played beyond expectations based on a lousy previous 18 months, won all their pool games and lost to a very very good Welsh side. I'd be ranking them above Wales, as Wales have looked shaky at times (Samoa/French matches?), but they had the beat on Ireland and probably played the best out of any QF team during the QFs. (AB's looked rattled at times against the Pumas).

iroced

I'll go for Wales too. They played some very good rugby being strong in defense/scrum with one of the best scrumhalf of the WC and a very good backline. If they had a consistently good kicker they would be in the final for sure.

RugGol

15 Dagg (NZ)

14 Jane (NZ)
13 Bosch (Arg)
12 Roberts (Wales)
11 Ioane (Aust)

10 Carter (NZ)
9 Phillips (Wal)

8 Pariisse (Itl)
7 Pocock (Aust)
6 Ferris (Irl)

5 Thorne (NZ)
4 Horwill (Aust)

3 Jones (Wal)
2 Best (Irl)
1 Roncero (Arg)

handsomecake

[Jackass] wrote: »

1. Tonga'uiha (Tonga)
2. Mealamu (New Zealand)
3. Pulu (Tonga)
4. Lawes (England)
5. Thorn (New Zealand)
6. Pocock (Australia)
7. McCaw (New Zealand)
8. O'Brien (Ireland)

9. Weepu (New Zealand)
10. Priestland (Wales)
11. Earls (Ireland)
12. S.B. Williams (New Zealand)
13. Tuilagi (England)
14. Jane (New Zealand)
15. Dagg (New Zealand)

Some calls a bit out there, Sonny Bill is just too good and watching him is an absolute pleasure. Plays second fiddle to the solid Nonu, but in terms of pure skill and show boating, there's no one better in the world.

Would have the entire New Zealand back three, only for Earls having a very good tournament and scored about 5 tries or something? Not his biggest fan, but fair play when deserved.

Priestland is about the only stand out 10 in the tournament.

Weepu took on so much responsibility for NZ, took all the pressure off Cruden with his clearing kicks, place kicks, took a bit of stick after the semi, but I think he's been extremely good.

Tuilagi is just another player I love to watch. Massive talent and has been good. Again not many stand out 13's.

Pocock, McCaw & O'Brien all have to be in the back-row, so made it fit. Honurable mention Ferris.

Tonga was my team of the tournament, unlucky to lose to Canada which would have put them in the quarters, knocking out France. My favourite moment of the competition was them laying into the French scrum, and for that alone, I take their props.

Lawes has been another great young English player, so physical, great player, great to watch.

Mealamu and Thorn just two of an entire pack that could be picked.

where is jerome kaino.
why is tuilagi in your team
how is earls in your team
why is lawes in your team
sonny bill played shag all at 12

handsomecake

RugGol wrote: »

15 Dagg (NZ)

14 Jane (NZ)
13 Bosch (Arg)
12 Roberts (Wales)
11 Ioane (Aust)

10 Carter (NZ)
9 Phillips (Wal)

8 Pariisse (Itl)
7 Pocock (Aust)
6 Ferris (Irl)

5 Thorne (NZ)
4 Horwill (Aust)

3 Jones (Wal)
2 Best (Irl)
1 Roncero (Arg)

parisse ahead of kaino?

.ak

handsomecake wrote: »

parisse ahead of kaino?

Parisse is a far superior 8 than Kaino. Kaino's a flanker first, 8 second.

The_Kew_Tour

Wales for me.

Personally though I think it's been awful world cup.

Warper

Easily New Zealand. They play the best rugby and are a joy to watch. I think it has been no worse than other World Cup, easily better than France 2007.

RugGol

handsomecake wrote: »

parisse ahead of kaino?

Yes Parisse is a class player - really good skills and good hands

If Parisse was playing in a better team then those skills would be more apparent

Batigol

15 Dagg (NZ)

14 North (WAL)
13 Tuiliagi (ENG)
12 M'Nonu (NZ)
11 Tuiliagi (SAM)

10 M Steyn (S. Africa)
9 Weepu (NZ)

8 Harinorduquay (France)
7 O'Brien (IRE)
6 Kaino (NZ)

5 Horwill (Aus)
4 Rossouw (S.Africa)

3 Franks (NZ)
2 R. Best (IRE)
1 Jenkins (Wales)


Jane, Warburton, Faleatu, Mealamu could all be easily interchanged into that as well. Also Jaime Roberts

Fishooks12

15. Daag
14. Corey Jane
13. Nonu
12. Roberts
11. Ashton
10. Preistland
9. Yachvilli
8. SOB
7. McCaw (Warburton loses out after being sent off)
6. Kaino
5. POC
4. Thorn
3. Franks
2. Best
1. Healy

iroced

After this morning game, and whatever happens in the final, it has to be Wales for me. They played great rugby just missing an effective kicker.

Fishooks12

iroced wrote: »

After this morning game, and whatever happens in the final, it has to be Wales for me. They played great rugby just missing an effective kicker.

They weren't too aspiring in attack today

Australia deserved today's win, they were the better team

iroced

Fishooks12 wrote: »

They weren't too aspiring in attack today

Australia deserved today's win, they were the better team

I partially agree. But Australia defense is one of the best. They managed to frustrate Wales, best example being Shane Williams drop goal attempt. Though Wales scored twice. I know the second try was for nothing but Australia did not want to concede, they wouldn't have defended for 4-5 min if not.
If Wales had converted their penalties and S. Williams try, they could have potentially been 9 points ahead. Would have been a total different game then.

But my point is more on a general view of Wales performance at this WC. They were for me the best team to watch, the one that played the most entertaining rugby. Nice attacking rugby without running like headless chicken (something they were specialist in doing) with strong basics (defense, scrum, agressivity).

Fishooks12

iroced wrote: »

I partially agree. But Australia defense is one of the best. They managed to frustrate Wales, best example being Shane Williams drop goal attempt. Though Wales scored twice. I know the second try was for nothing but Australia did not want to concede, they wouldn't have defended for 4-5 min if not.
If Wales had converted their penalties and S. Williams try, they could have potentially been 9 points ahead. Would have been a total different game then.

But my point is more on a general view of Wales performance at this WC. They were for me the best team to watch, the one that played the most entertaining rugby. Nice attacking rugby without running like headless chicken (something they were specialist in doing) with strong basics (defense, scrum, agressivity).

Ya I agree that they played some seriously watch-able rugby

Still think the kiwis have bee the most consistent performers, and attractive to boot (the style of play now not the players )

andrewdcs

Standout team has to be Wales, though they unloaded both barrels on themselves in the semi, they still cudda-wudda-shudda. They were pretty poor against Samoa and Aussie (knackered, mentally physically imho) but against us and France, what might have been.


Obv NZ are the actual team of the tournament, who else would have made a final with their injury list?