Best Imported 22 of the professional era.

Neil3030

Rules: No project (Strauss, White, etc) or eventual IQ (Gleeson, Court) players. Out and out imports only.

Myself and a mate have been discussing this, this morning. Here's our list so far. We're completely stuck at hooker (bench and starter) and the best candidate at 7 we could come up with was Wannenberg (nudged it ahead of Ofisa) .

Edited: after some suggestions: Isa and Dougie swapping wings, Ollie moved to Hooker, Langford on the bench ahead of Thorn, Matt Sexton onto bench at Hooker.

Edited again: Ollie back at LH, Sexton in at Hooker, Afoa dropped and Stan on the bench to cover LH and TH. Ollie can cover hooker. One slot left on the bench.

1. Ollie
2. Sexton
3. Botha
4. Muller
5. Hines
6. Williams
7. Wannenburg
8. Rocky
9. Pienaar
10. Contepomi
11. Isa
12. Halstead
13. Tipoki
14. Dougie
15. Warwick

22: Danielli
21: Holwell
20: Whitacker
19: Ofisa
18: Langford
17: Stan
16: AN Other

Any suggestions?

tolosenc

Strauss count as an import?

Robbo

Adrian Flavin as a hooker?

Neil3030

tolosenc wrote: »

Strauss count as an import?

Project, soon to be IQ.

Robbo wrote: »

Adrian Flavin as a hooker?

Irish, no?

bilston

Matt Sexton as a hooker maybe?

Tight enough between Steinmetz and Danielli for the bench spot. I suppose if this was a real matchday squad Wariwck could probably cover centre so Danielli would just get the nod.

I don't think Wannenberg has ever 7 for Ulster, no idea if he did in SA. Could Rocky not play 7 with P3 at 8? Again I'm not sure if Elsom has ever played O/S, with Smith and now Pocock I guess he hasn't done it at test level.

Still that's a cracking team.

Neil3030

bilston wrote: »

Matt Sexton as a hooker maybe?

Tight enough between Steinmetz and Danielli for the bench spot. I suppose if this was a real matchday squad Wariwck could probably cover centre so Danielli would just get the nod.

Yeah we wanted to lean more towards wing cover, given that Ica and Dougie could cover FB. We actually had it down to Danielli or Payne though.

I don't think Wannenberg has ever 7 for Ulster, no idea if he did in SA. Could Rocky not play 7 with P3 at 8? Again I'm not sure if Elsom has ever played O/S, with Smith and now Pocock I guess he hasn't done it at test level.

Yeah we went through a load of combinations, even moving Hines to 6, Rocky to 7, bringing Thorn off the bench into the SR. We've just been so strong in Irish back row forwards that imports are surprisingly thin on the ground.

totallegend

Neil3030 wrote: »

Myself and a mate have been discussing this, this morning. Here's our list so far. We're completely stuck at hooker (bench and starter) and the best candidate at 7 we could come up with was Wannenberg (nudged it ahead of Ofisa) .
Any suggestions?

Ollie le Roux filled in at hooker a couple of times for Leinster, did a reasonable job of throwing in fairness to him. I don't think there have ever been any hooker imports who have been remotely decent.

The "worst imports" thread was a lot easier actually.

Neil3030

totallegend wrote: »

Ollie le Roux filled in at hooker a couple of times for Leinster, did a reasonable job of throwing in fairness to him. I don't think there have ever been any hooker imports who have been remotely decent.

The "worst imports" thread was a lot easier actually.

That's actually the best shout yet, I'd say.

Jesus christ I pity the poor bastards that come up against a front row of Stan, Ollie and Botha.

Robbo

Neil3030 wrote: »

Project, soon to be IQ.



Irish, no?

My apologies, that'll learn me to be on the phone at the same time as posting.

CIARAN_BOYLE

Neil3030 wrote: »

Yeah we wanted to lean more towards wing cover, given that Ica and Dougie could cover FB. We actually had it down to Danielli or Payne though.



Yeah we went through a load of combinations, even moving Hines to 6, Rocky to 7, bringing Thorn off the bench into the SR. We've just been so strong in Irish back row forwards that imports are surprisingly thin on the ground.

I'd swap Isa (spelling) and dougie. Dougie always plays 14 for Munster while Isa has played in all back three positions.

bilston

Neil3030 wrote: »

Yeah we wanted to lean more towards wing cover, given that Ica and Dougie could cover FB. We actually had it down to Danielli or Payne though.

I think you have to take Danielli over Payne at this stage as Payne has only played 3 or 4 games, plus if Strauss isn't eligible then neither would he.

Edit - realised you were probably talking about Shaun Payne and not Jared! Was he not IQ himself?

geotrig

halstead instead of de villiers anyday even the combination of mafi adn tipoki worked very well ,
what about john langford ?

Neil3030

bilston wrote: »

I think you have to take Danielli over Payne at this stage as Payne has only played 3 or 4 games, plus if Strauss isn't eligible then neither would he.

Edit - realised you were probably talking about Shaun Payne and not Jared! Was he not IQ himself?

Shaun Payne and you are right indeed. Missed that!

justsomebloke

Jesus, even in a made up team Isa is being screwed with being shifted all over the place:D

Timothy Bryce

Christian Cullen.

Neil3030

geotrig wrote: »

what about john langford ?

Probably showing my age here, but don't remember Langford at all. Who'd you have him in over?

totallegend

Neil3030 wrote: »

Probably showing my age here, but don't remember Langford at all. Who'd you have him in over?

He was a good second-row, I'd probably put him on the bench ahead of Thorn on the basis that Thorn we don't yet know what Thorn's legacy will be at Leinster.

Neil3030

totallegend wrote: »

He was a good second-row, I'd probably put him on the bench ahead of Thorn on the basis that Thorn we don't yet know what Thorn's legacy will be at Leinster.

Cool, done.

Neil3030

What would people say to moving Hines to 7?

irishbucsfan

Matt Sexton at hooker surely?

Will Green would be a strong contender too. Michael Swift for his epic contribution to Connacht rugby? Although Langford had a reportedly huge effect on two young Munster locks who went on to be fairly decent...

irishbucsfan

Neil3030 wrote: »

What would people say to moving Hines to 7?

Didn't play there AFAIK.

Neil3030

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Matt Sexton at hooker surely?

Will Green would be a strong contender too. Michael Swift for his epic contribution to Connacht rugby? Although Langford had a reportedly huge effect on two young Munster locks who went on to be fairly decent...

Swift is IQ. Irish parents.

Would you have Langford in ahead of Muller or Hines?

Neil3030

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Didn't play there AFAIK.

I know but we're badly stuck for a 7. Would he be better at 7 than Wannenberg or Ofisa?

Clearlier

Timothy Bryce wrote: »

Christian Cullen.

Begs the question as to whether we're picking a team based on the best players (he's in obviously), the level of the players when they were here or their overall impact.

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Although Langford had a reportedly huge effect on two young Munster locks who went on to be fairly decent...

I understood it was on the whole squad actually - brought Munster (well most of them - Claw is an exception to everything) into the professional era. He's a classic example of somebody who may not have been the best player but who had a huge impact overall.

Would have thought that Halstead might have had a shout over deVilliers. On the lower impact but better player scale I would have Holwell in ahead of Contepomi (but I'm aware that not many share my view of Contepomi).

siltirocker

Warwick at 12 instead of JDV.

He went from amateur player in Sydney to Connacht's top scorer ever in 2 seasons playing number 12.

jacothelad

totallegend wrote: »

Ollie le Roux filled in at hooker a couple of times for Leinster, did a reasonable job of throwing in fairness to him. I don't think there have ever been any hooker imports who have been remotely decent.

The "worst imports" thread was a lot easier actually.

Matt Sexton. Superb hooker.

totallegend

If Ulster go on and reach the final or win the whole thing, there could be a big shout for sticking Terblanche in on the basis of 'impact on an Irish team', he's been a class act anytime I've seen him this year.

thomond2006

jacothelad wrote: »

Matt Sexton. Superb hooker.

In what years did he play?

lemansky

thomond2006 wrote: »

In what years did he play?

2001-2004 I think. Could be off by a year or so either end though!

Podge_irl

Clearlier wrote: »

Would have thought that Halstead might have had a shout over deVilliers. On the lower impact but better player scale I would have Holwell in ahead of Contepomi (but I'm aware that not many share my view of Contepomi).

I think 10. Holwell 12. Contempomi would be the best midfield combination personally. Spooner/Conters would have been great fun to watch too.

Deilginis

Mike Brewer number 8 and revert Elsom to natural number 6 position.

Flincher

Halstead at 12 anyone?

His contribution to Munster in 06 was massive. Immense in the knock out stages. Inspired signing.

porterbelly

Naoupu in 09/10 had an impact similiar to Elsom when he arrived in Connacht mid season. Transformed us and we went on a great run getting to the Amlin semi, winning man of the match awards week in week out. Showing signs of getting back to that form in his last few games this season. Honourable mention.

jacothelad

Robbie Kempson was the best overseas prop ever to play in Ireland.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/international/2682613.stm

ya id take halstead over de Villiers theres nothing like an inside center that will get you over the gain like every time and he drew a 2nd defender most times as well isa and dougie will appreciate the extra bit of space

Neil3030

OK, I've put Halstead in at 12.

Also moved Sexton to starting hooker. Ollie has gone back to LH, stan on the bench covering TH/LH.

We have one slot left on the bench. No cover at hooker, unless Ollie is considered adequate. In which case the spot could go elsewhere.

Still not happy with the situation at 7 though!

Neil3030

Neil3030 wrote: »

Seems to be a lot of love for Halstead. If I put him in at 12, I can then either drop JDV entirely or put him on the bench instead of Danielli, what do people reckon?

i drop him all together if its for what he did while here if its for what he did during his career drop them both and bring in cullen

Deilginis

Mike Brewer and or Dean Oswald for 8 & 7...you know who these players are i take it Neil3030??

Neil3030

Deilginis wrote: »

Mike Brewer and or Dean Oswald for 8 & 7...you know who these players are i take it Neil3030??

Not a hope. What am I, 90? :P

irishbucsfan

Will Green would be in with a chance as well.

Flincher

I'm sure Jim Williams played a bit at 7 in Celtic League games. He might also have started the 04 Semi Final against Wasps there when Wallace was sick and Keogh came into the team.

Reynecke could fit in as sub hooker, a very decent player.

bilston

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Will Green would be in with a chance as well.

I'll never forget his try against Bath, admittedly all he had to do was flop over the line, but the footwork of BOD in the build was simply incredible. BOD was unreal that day...arguably his greatest performance in a non international?

jacothelad

Dion O'Cuinneagain......

totallegend

Depending on how Ulster's season finishes, there could well be a shout for Terblanche here. Any time I've seen him this season, he's been nothing short of majestic at FB and if Ulster get to the final or even win it, I think he'll have been a big part of it.

A back three of Terblanche/Howlett/Nacewa has a nice look to it.

bilston

totallegend wrote: »

Depending on how Ulster's season finishes, there could well be a shout for Terblanche here. Any time I've seen him this season, he's been nothing short of majestic at FB and if Ulster get to the final or even win it, I think he'll have been a big part of it.

A back three of Terblanche/Howlett/Nacewa has a nice look to it.

He has really bought into the whole ethos of the squad. It's a shame he didn't come here a few years ago.

I was actually against his signing at the beginning but I've been proved wrong.

RMD

Rocky Elsom at 6 anybody?

Only here for 1 season but was the most important Leinster player that season IMO, amazing season with great consistency.