World XV Based on Caps

Banta

So with all the talk lately on international caps lately (in the Irish press relating to BOD mostly) and just for a laugh really, I thought it would be interesting to see what a 'World XV' based on caps would be, thinking "I wonder would it make a great team". So based on caps (and taking people out of position in some cases, i.e. Flanker just being the backrow, not delving into positions. Same with the back 3)... here's a World XV based on caps:

1 Jason Leonard (119)
2 John Smit (111)
3 John Hayes / Tony Woodcock (107)
4 Fabien Pelous (118)
5 Nathan Sharpe (116)
6 Martyn Williams (104)
7 Richie McCaw (124)
8 George Smith (111)
9 George Gregan (139)
10 ROG (130)
11 David Campese (101)
12 Phillipe Sella (111)
13 BOD (137)
14 Gareth Thomas (103)
15 Percy Montgomery (102)

I must admit, when I started, I thought it would sound like a better team.

By the end of this 6N championship, it's likely that Parisse will replace Williams in the backrow - 3 more caps to have more. Then the backrow really does look pretty good. Jenkins is likely to replace Hayes/Woodcock, but Woodcock will take that back during the summer and probably have more than Jenkins by the end of their respective careers. Mealamu needs 2 more caps to over take Smit - dunno how likely that is, anyone? Habana is the only other name that may change in the list in the next couple of years, but that would be at the expense of Campese unfortunately.

The Lions caps are counted as International, so not just representing your own country.

Anyone else expect this to be a better team when you read the topic title?

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Hon the BULL!

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Serious team too!

thomond2006

OP, Chris Paterson has 109 caps (according to wiki) so he has to go in there somewhere if you're basing it solely on caps.

Banta

thomond2006 wrote: »

OP, Chris Paterson has 109 caps (according to wiki) so he has to go in there somewhere if you're basing it solely on caps.

I counted him as more as Fly-Half - I think he had most of his caps there than any where else, thus the reason for that. Happy to rectify it though if told otherwise. Likewise Thomas was listed as 'Utility Back' but he was mostly played back 3, with the odd centre appearance, if I remember rightly.

Just realised, if proven wrong, that puts Paterson in there instead of Campese... I'm not I could drop Campese for Paterson haha :P but I will if facts say I should.

aimee1

Was Paterson not a full back who filled in at FH?

Yeah_Right

Woodcock only plays loosehead prop so it has to be Hayes.

Mealamu needs 2 more caps to over take Smit - dunno how likely that is, anyone?

Pretty likely barring injury. I believe he is contracted till after the world cup. And its one position the ABs don't have a lot of depth in.

Banta

aimee1 wrote: »

Was Paterson not a full back who filled in at FH?

Started out as FH, then there was a lot of debate on who should be FH, Parks or Paterson, before they settled with Paterson on Fullback.

Yeah_Right wrote: »

Woodcock only plays loosehead prop so it has to be Hayes.

I just based this on "Prop", but you're right in what you say. I might go through the list and do it positionally and then see which team is better actually based on a players preferred position actually. (Or will I keep coding this web project... hmm...)

bilston

For once a "Greatest" XV that actually means something!

I wonder what a XV of the highest try scorers for each position would look like.

Which team would be better?

Here is the back line for the try scoring XV anyway (I've not included the Japanese players because a lot of their tries would have come against worthless opposition, harsh I know but bite me!)

15 Christian Cullen 46
14 Shane Williams 60
13 Brian O'Driscoll 47
12 Gareth Thomas 41 (played across the backs but he was the next centre on the list after BOD, alternatively next on the list was Tana Umaga, but for the sake of team harmony I think we'll go with Alfie!)
11 David Campese 64
10 Dan Carter 29
9 Joost Van Der Westhuizen 38 (what a player, my favourite player when I was a teenager)

Tox56

bilston wrote: »

15 Christian Cullen 46
14 Shane Williams 60
13 Brian O'Driscoll 47
12 Gareth Thomas 41 (played across the backs but he was the next centre on the list after BOD, alternatively next on the list was Tana Umaga, but for the sake of team harmony I think we'll go with Alfie!)
11 David Campese 64
10 Dan Carter 29
9 Joost Van Der Westhuizen 38 (what a player, my favourite player when I was a teenager)

Jesus

Banta

bilston wrote: »

For once a "Greatest" XV that actually means something!

I wonder what a XV of the highest try scorers for each position would look like.

Which team would be better?

Here is the back line for the try scoring XV anyway (I've not included the Japanese players because a lot of their tries would have come against worthless opposition, harsh I know but bite me!)

15 Christian Cullen 46
14 Shane Williams 60
13 Brian O'Driscoll 47
12 Gareth Thomas 41 (played across the backs but he was the next centre on the list after BOD, alternatively next on the list was Tana Umaga, but for the sake of team harmony I think we'll go with Alfie!)
11 David Campese 64
10 Dan Carter 29
9 Joost Van Der Westhuizen 38 (what a player, my favourite player when I was a teenager)

Sweet Jebus indeed!!!! I was a big JVDW fan myself. Was playing SH in school at the time, and he just broke the stereotypical mold in so many ways. Tough reading about everything going on with him now (as it is really with everyone with MND though really, to be fair)

Care to do the pack as well? :P

Yeah_Right

Try scorers for all countries (not just Tier 1)
The guy at FB was listed as wing/FB, Thomas got in as he is a utility, 1 or 2 loose forwards were listed as back rowers, and the LH prop is prop/hooker.

Not exactly a team that would have you quaking in your boots I don't think. The greatest number of caps team would win me thinks.

15. Onozawa (Japan) 55
14. Ohata (Japan) 69
13. BOD (Ireland) 47
12. G. Thomas (Wales) 41
11. Campese (Aus) 64
10. Carter (NZ) 29
9. Van der Westhuizen (SA) 38
8. Ormaechea (Uruguay) 33
7. Kikutani (Japan) 31
6. Charvis (Wales) 22 or Gorgodze (Georgia)
5. Chehhhinato (Italy) 21
4. Sporleder (Argentina) 14
3. Taumalolo (Tonga) 14
2. Wood (Ireland) 15
1. Mendez Azpillaga (Argentina) 14

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Yeah_Right wrote: »

Try scorers for all countries (not just Tier 1)
The guy at FB was listed as wing/FB, Thomas got in as he is a utility, 1 or 2 loose forwards were listed as back rowers, and the LH prop is prop/hooker.

Not exactly a team that would have you quaking in your boots I don't think. The greatest number of caps team would win me thinks.

15. Onozawa (Japan) 55
14. Ohata (Japan) 69
13. BOD (Ireland) 47
12. G. Thomas (Wales) 41
11. Campese (Aus) 64
10. Carter (NZ) 29
9. Van der Westhuizen (SA) 38
8. Ormaechea (Uruguay) 33
7. Kikutani (Japan) 31
6. Charvis (Wales) 22 or Gorgodze (Georgia)
5. Chehhhinato (Italy) 21
4. Sporleder (Argentina) 14
3. Taumalolo (Tonga) 14
2. Wood (Ireland) 15
1. Mendez Azpillaga (Argentina) 14

Might look better if we limited to top tier nations?

Yeah_Right

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

Might look better if we limited to top tier nations?

Yeah it would. The backline is decent (I'm sure those Japanese boys would love being on the end of it) but the pack does nothing for me. Apart from Wood there aren't any names that I would consider great.

Philo Beddoe

A lot of forwards there more noted for their try-scoring than anything else.

I can't believe Colin Charvis got 22 tries!

Bridge93

Banta wrote: »

5 Nathan Sharpe (16)

Sharpe did well to make the team with 16 caps! :pac:

Neil3030

Here's one for the George Hooks of this world; Most Lions Test Caps.

1 Millar (9)
2 Meredith (8)
3 Price (12)
4 McBride (17)
5 Williams (10)
6 Corry (7)
7 Murphy (8)
8 Davies (8)
9 Jeeps (13)
10 Bennett (8)
11 Bebb (8)
12 Gibson (12)
13 O'Driscoll (8)
14 O'Reilly (10)
15 Irvine (9)

Seeing as a lot of these guys played before I was born, I also dug up the team of most capped Lions in the professional era, i.e., a test in the 1997 series and beyond.

1 Jenkins (5)
2 Wood (5)
3 Smith (6)
4 Johnson (8)
5 O' Connell (7)
6 Croft (6)
7 Back (5)
8 Corry (7)
9 Dawson (7)
10 Wilkinson (6)
11 Williams (4)
12 Gibbs (5)
13 O'Driscoll (8)
14 Evans (7)
15 Robinson (5)

Couple of position tie-breakers - I put Wilkinson in ahead of Jones, and Drico in ahead of Guscott.

Also, Bowe (5) has more test caps than Williams (4), but I felt it fairer to save the 11. jersey for a specialist left wing.

Banta

It's changed quite a lot since the start of this year! 7 new players to the team in bold. Some debate perhaps to be had here...

As of Nov. 30th 2014

1 Jason Leonard (119)
2 Keven Mealamu (123)
3 Gethin Jenkins (115)
4 Fabien Pelous (118)
5 Victor Matfield (121)
6 George Smith (111)
7 Richie McCaw (138)
8 Sergio Parisse (108)
9 George Gregan (139)
10 Ronan O'Gara (130)
11 Bryan Habana(106)
12 Phillipe Sella (111)
13 Brian O'Driscoll (141)
14 Adam Ashley-Cooper* (104)
15 Chris Paterson (109)

Did some more research on Paterson, and it turned out he didn't play at 10 as much as I had initially thought. So, he makes the list. I think I may have had some bias previously as I just couldn't bring myself to 'drop' Campese for Paterson. I just thought I had more memories of him at 10 than anywhere else. Apologies to those that corrected me previously.
Is this team better that it was at the start of the year? Difficult! It's lost Campese, but gained Habana. Jenkins over Woodcock (110)? I'm not so sure about that. The backrow is much better balanced now though.
Jean DeVilliers looks to be up and coming to the team soon (Over Sella! That'll be a tough update.) Looks like ROG as the 10 jersey for a few years until Carter (I suspect) catches him.

* Cooper is listed at Centre on Wiki (but Australian office site says "centres, wing and fullback"), but I've always considered him back 3. Listed 103 Wiki Caps list (updated Nov 30) and 103 on his Wiki page but updated on Nov 23rd. Were there no caps this weekend's games? Can't be right, so I've listed him down at 104. Matfield only has 120 on Wiki, but 121 on Boks website, so I think it's just not been update yet on Wiki.

Don't thik this team will change for a bit, despite the 6 Nations 2015.

Is the team better than it was at the start of the year?

As of Feb. 7th 2014
1 Jason Leonard (119)
2 John Smit (111)
3 John Hayes / Tony Woodcock (107)
4 Fabien Pelous (118)
5 Nathan Sharpe (116)
6 Martyn Williams (104)
7 Richie McCaw (124)
8 George Smith (111)
9 George Gregan (139)
10 ROG (130)
11 David Campese (101)
12 Phillipe Sella (111)
13 BOD (137)
14 Gareth Thomas (103)
15 Percy Montgomery (102)

Fireball07

Did Gethin Jenkins ever play TH prop?

Deano7788

Banta wrote: »

It's changed quite a lot since the start of this year! 7 new players to the team in bold. Some debate perhaps to be had here...

As of Nov. 30th 2014

1 Jason Leonard (119)
2 Keven Mealamu (123)
3 Gethin Jenkins (115)
4 Fabien Pelous (118)
5 Victor Matfield (121)
6 George Smith (111)
7 Richie McCaw (138)
8 Sergio Parisse (108)
9 George Gregan (139)
10 Ronan O'Gara (130)
11 Bryan Habana(106)
12 Phillipe Sella (111)
13 Brian O'Driscoll (141)
14 Adam Ashley-Cooper* (104)
15 Chris Paterson (109)

Did some more research on Paterson, and it turned out he didn't play at 10 as much as I had initially thought. So, he makes the list. I think I may have had some bias previously as I just couldn't bring myself to 'drop' Campese for Paterson. I just thought I had more memories of him at 10 than anywhere else. Apologies to those that corrected me previously.
Is this team better that it was at the start of the year? Difficult! It's lost Campese, but gained Habana. Jenkins over Woodcock (110)? I'm not so sure about that. The backrow is much better balanced now though.
Jean DeVilliers looks to be up and coming to the team soon (Over Sella! That'll be a tough update.) Looks like ROG as the 10 jersey for a few years until Carter (I suspect) catches him.

* Cooper is listed at Centre on Wiki (but Australian office site says "centres, wing and fullback"), but I've always considered him back 3. Listed 103 Wiki Caps list (updated Nov 30) and 103 on his Wiki page but updated on Nov 23rd. Were there no caps this weekend's games? Can't be right, so I've listed him down at 104. Matfield only has 120 on Wiki, but 121 on Boks website, so I think it's just not been update yet on Wiki.

Don't thik this team will change for a bit, despite the 6 Nations 2015.

Is the team better than it was at the start of the year?

As of Feb. 7th 2014
1 Jason Leonard (119)
2 John Smit (111)
3 John Hayes / Tony Woodcock (107)
4 Fabien Pelous (118)
5 Nathan Sharpe (116)
6 Martyn Williams (104)
7 Richie McCaw (124)
8 George Smith (111)
9 George Gregan (139)
10 ROG (130)
11 David Campese (101)
12 Phillipe Sella (111)
13 BOD (137)
14 Gareth Thomas (103)
15 Percy Montgomery (102)

Unfortunately, after yesterday I don't think JdV will be making it onto the team.:(

Banta

Fireball07 wrote: »

Did Gethin Jenkins ever play TH prop?

As I did initially, loose or tight heads - just considered "props", likewise with backrow, and back 3. If it makes you feel any better, put Jenkins at 1 and Leonard at 3 (as he had caps at both). Would make sense I suppose.

UnitedWeStand

Philo Beddoe wrote: »

A lot of forwards there more noted for their try-scoring than anything else.

I can't believe Colin Charvis got 22 tries!

McCaw has 25 tries. I find that ridiculous as someone like Ferris on the other hand managed only two in his international career. Given Ferris's hard nosed style and McCaws fairly unassuming figure for his position, it seems mental that. Guess it shows how smart the guy is, always in the right position as a leader. Scored 11 against Australia alone might add.

Sangre

UnitedWeStand wrote: »

McCaw has 25 tries. I find that ridiculous as someone like Ferris on the other hand managed only two in his international career. Given Ferris's hard nosed style and McCaws fairly unassuming figure for his position, it seems mental that. Guess it shows how smart the guy is, always in the right position as a leader. Scored 11 against Australia alone might add.

Makes sense. The likes of Ferris and SOB arae primarily used to break the gainline not finishes scores. McCaw on the otherhand is an incredible link player and always on the shoulder of players to finish off tries.

Journeyman_1

He's also played 130~ caps for the best team in the world, that will help

Bridge93

Where did Chris Patterson come from all of a sudden!? He wasn't gaining caps this year surely?

jacothelad

Bridge93 wrote: »

Where did Chris Patterson come from all of a sudden!? He wasn't gaining caps this year surely?

Where have you been hiding. Patterson is retired. One of the best |Scottish players of the pro era.

Bridge93

jacothelad wrote: »

Where have you been hiding. Patterson is retired. One of the best |Scottish players of the pro era.

As I thought. Not in the team at the start of the year, Percy Montgomery is. End of the year Patterson appears at fullback.
Meant more as a joke, don't think anyone believes Patterson is still playing

Banta

Yeah, as I said, I always Paterson played more at 10. At least that's how I always though of it. But did some more research on it since the first post and saw that I was incorrect (as some had pointed out). He's played a lot more at 14/15 than at 10. So, put him in the end of year list.

Glass Prison 1214

Ireland's most capped 15

1. Marcus Horan (67)
2. Rory Best (78)
3. John Hayes (105)
4. Donnacha O'Callaghan (94)
5. Paul O'Connell (96)
6. Simon Easterby (65)
7. David Wallace (72)
8. Jamie Heaslip (69)
9. Peter Stringer (98)
10. Ronan O'Gara (128)
11. Dennis Hickie (62)
12. Gordan D'Arcy (81)
13. Brian O'Driscoll (133)
14. Shane Horgan (65)
15. Girvan Dempsey (82)

Yeah_Right

Glass Prison 1214 wrote: »

Ireland's most capped 15

1. Marcus Horan (67)
2. Rory Best (78)
3. John Hayes (105)
4. Donnacha O'Callaghan (94)
5. Paul O'Connell (96)
6. Fergus Slattery (61)
7. David Wallace (72)
8. Jamie Heaslip (69)
9. Peter Stringer (98)
10. Ronan O'Gara (128)
11. Dennis Hickie (62)
12. Gordan D'Arcy (81)
13. Brian O'Driscoll (133)
14. Shane Horgan (65)
15. Girvan Dempsey (82)

I'm bored in work today and this inspired me to come up with an ABs team based on caps.

1. Tony Woodcock (110)
2. Keven Mealamu (123)
3. Owen Franks (67)
4. Ian Jones (79)
5. Ali Williams (77)
6. Rodney So'oialo (62) Third highest loosie but for a specialist blindside, Jerome Kaino (56)
7. Richie McCaw (137)
8. Kieran Read (72)
9. Justin Marshall (81)
10. Dan Carter (102)
11. Jonah Lomu or John Kirwan (63) I'm going with Jonah
12. Ma'a Nonu (94)
13. Conrad Smith (85)
14. Joe Rokocoko (60)
15. Mils Muliaina (100)

Subs
16. Sean Fitzpatrick (92)
17. Greg Sommerville (66)
18. Craig Dowd (60)
19. Chris Jack (67)
20. Zinzan Brooke (58)
21. Piri Weepu (71)
22. Andrew Mehrtens (70)
23. Tana Umaga (74) Played at 11, 12, 13 and 14 so misses out on a starting wing spot.

Fireball07

Glass Prison 1214 wrote: »

Ireland's most capped 15

1. Marcus Horan (67)
2. Rory Best (78)
3. John Hayes (105)
4. Donnacha O'Callaghan (94)
5. Paul O'Connell (96)
6. Fergus Slattery (61)
7. David Wallace (72)
8. Jamie Heaslip (69)
9. Peter Stringer (98)
10. Ronan O'Gara (128)
11. Dennis Hickie (62)
12. Gordan D'Arcy (81)
13. Brian O'Driscoll (133)
14. Shane Horgan (65)
15. Girvan Dempsey (82)

Simon Easterby won 65 caps apparently, so that would put him ahead of Slattery.

And Geordan Murphy played on the wing a few times for Ireland, he won 74, would you put him ahead of Hickey based on that?

Some look pretty untouchable, although it will be easier to get caps for some players starting now, as subs are pretty much always used and there are more sub places (easier for props anyway).



Conor Murray has around 30, aged 25... he could definitely break Stringer's record, as formidable as it is. Can't see anyone touching ROG or BOD tbh.

timaru89

Tommy Bowe not far off a wing spot

former legend

Fireball07 wrote: »

Simon Easterby won 65 caps apparently, so that would put him ahead of Slattery.

Conor Murray has around 30, aged 25... he could definitely break Stringer's record, as formidable as it is. Can't see anyone touching ROG or BOD tbh.

You'd have to back O'Mahony to overtake Easterby, Healy to overtake Horan and Bowe to overtake Horgan

The rest of them are safe enough for a while anyway.

Podge_irl

Fireball07 wrote: »

And Geordan Murphy played on the wing a few times for Ireland, he won 74, would you put him ahead of Hickey based on that?.

Hell no!

Glass Prison 1214

Fireball07 wrote: »

Simon Easterby won 65 caps apparently, so that would put him ahead of Slattery.

Your right. An oversight on my part.

former legend wrote: »

You'd have to back O'Mahony to overtake Easterby, Healy to overtake Horan and Bowe to overtake Horgan

The rest of them are safe enough for a while anyway.

I would imagine that Trimble has a chance of overtaking Hickie as well, he's on 55 caps