11 . turmeric 25 Oct 2011 01:36 PM
A final add to this debate - Dusautoir was awesome in the final but no one has said much about Rougerie. I thought he was outstanding in the final. Harinordoquy, Servant, Nallet and Pape all played very well too. After that game I certainly think France would deserve a few players in a world team that's for sure! I think Donald cements a spot at 10 as well right?? :)

9 . Real Deal 21 Oct 2011 04:51 PM
I noticed you slipped Nonu in at 13 so you could get Jamie Roberts in the line-up.. very sneaky! Digby Ioane was called on to defend at 10 (out of position), play outside a jittery fly-half and a weak forward pack, and still managed to shine. I'd have him ahead of North. I like the courage that North displayed, just made too many errors?

7 . deep 21 Oct 2011 01:49 AM
Kaino has been a consistent performer and at all levels of competition, but especially in the biggest internationals. It's guaranteed hard out, hard-man D and guaranteed go-forward when he's on the park. He's the reason other players have the chance to look good. And over all that, just look at how he 'rag dolled' Digby on the weekend passed! He's head and shoulders ahead for me.

5 . turmeric 20 Oct 2011 09:31 PM
In terms of French players I think Yachvili, Clerc, Dusautoir, Jean-Baptiste Poux, and Harinordoquy are world class players but for me they are all pipped in their respective positions by the others I have named. Also I would never go as far as to say France dont deserve to be in the final because obviously they have won the games that count, but I certainly do not think they are in the top 2 best teams in the world. I would suggest Australia, South Africa and Wales are more than liekly better teams than France.

In terms of my team being top heavy with ABs I admit I am more familiar with the Kiwi players and that I will always be a bit biased as I am a proud AB supporter however in defense of having so many ABs I genuinely believe they are 10 points better than any other team at the moment, they have class across the whole park, players I havent even mentioned could quite easily command spots in a world team like Woodcock (now he's back to his best) and Conrad Smith for example. I agree its more fun to name a more global team but for me this is a list of the best players going around in their respective positions.

Who do you guys will get IRB player of the year? I really hope it's Kaino. He and Thorn are the core of the AB team IMO. But on top of that this year in particular Kaino has really stepped up on the offensive side as well.

3 . The Swede Eaters 20 Oct 2011 05:35 PM
Yeah I was thinking of Ioane but thought that him, Kieran Read and Dan Carter didn't really play enough matches to warrant selection. Read was injured and then looked rusty until the semi final. Your team seems very All Blacks heavy. I know they are the best team but it is fun to have some players from other teams. You have no French players despite them making the final.

1 . turmeric 20 Oct 2011 04:47 PM
Hey guys, here’s my XV but one which doesnt really take into consideration limited time due to selection policies/injuries etc it's just the team I would select if I had to chose the best team in the world from what Ive seen this world cup.

15 Israel Dagg
14 Corey Jane
13 Ma'a Nonu
12 Jamie Roberts
11 Digby Ioane
10 Dan Carter
9 Mike Phillips
8 Kieran Read
7 David Pocock
6 Jerome Kaino
5 Paul O'Connell
4 Brad Thorn
3 Martin Castrogiovanni
2 Keven Mealamu
1 Owen Franks

Morne Steyn – Im sorry but I just cant get my head around why on earth you would want him there?? The only thing he does well is kick but for me that is one of the major reasons SA didn’t advance past the quarters. Their whole tactics revolve around Steyn who cant pass or run to save himself. Sorry but Steyn for me doesn’t even come into consideration. If I cant have Carter b/c of injury I’d have Cruden or Priestland.
George North – Although he had a good tournament (and was unstoppable against Namibia when he came on) I thought he looked a bit ordinary and probably showed his age/inexperience against France. He wouldn’t be in my Cup XV because of that.
Dannie Roussow – I was a big fan during the early pool games until I watched the guy closely, realised he doesn’t like to tackle, hits a small number of rucks for a lock and really only shone because of his ball carrying skills against weak teams. I’m afraid when it comes to the tough (and most important) stuff he is severely found out.