South Africa, England and World Champions New Zealand all started a-fresh with new coaches in 2012, and with that influx of heads came new ideas, playing philosophies and also personell. While the best coaches often adapt their styles and selections to the latest law interpretations, one can at least see which types of players the current crop would be likely to invest their faith in under the current rules.
So, without further adieu, Dumptackle rugby blog presents its' wholly un-scientific prediction of the major test nations first XV's for RWC 2015. Some notable legendary players have been left out, not because they are not good enough at the moment but because father time may have caught up with them after four more years and due to the increased competitive nature of some countries, there could be superior alternatives.
What do you make of the predicted squads? Please leave your views in the comments section below!
Argentina
1.Marcos Ayerza, 2.Agustin Creevy, 3.Juan Figallo, 4.Patricio Albacete, 5.Manuel Carizza, 6.Tomas Leonardi, 7. Juan Manuel Lequizamon, 8.Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, 9.Nicolas Vergallo,10.Santiago Fernandez,12.Marcelo Bosch,13.Juan Martin Hernandez,11.Horacio Agulla,14.Gonzalo Camacho,15.Martin Rodriguez
Australia
1.Benn Robinson, 2.Tatafa Polota-Nau, 3.Ben Alexander, 4.James Horwill, 5.Rob Simmons, 6.Michael Hooper, 7.David Pocock, 8.Scott Higginbotham, 9.Will Genia, 10.Quade Cooper, 12.James O'Connor, 13.Ben Tapuai, 11.Digby Ione, 14.Cooper Vuna, 15.Kurtley Beale
England
1.Joe Marler, 2.Dylan Hartley, 3.Dan Cole, 4.Courtney Lawes, 5.Geoff Parling, 6.Chris Robshaw, 7.Tom Wood, 8.Tom Croft, 9.Ben Youngs, 10.George Ford, 12.Manu Tuilagi, 13.Jonathon Joseph, 11.Chris Ashton, 14.Christian Wade, 15.Alex Goode
France
1.Vicent Debaty, 2.Christopher Tolofua, 3.Nicolas Mas, 4Yoann Maestri, 5.Pascal Pape, 6.Alexandre Lapandry, 7.Thierry Dusautoir, 8.Luis Picamoles, 9.Morgan Parra, 10.Francois Trinh-Duc, 12.Wesley Fofana,13.Maxime Mermoz, 11.Jean-Marcellin Buttin,14.Alexis Palisson, 15.Maxime Medard
Ireland
1.Cian Healy, 2.Rory Best, 3.Mike Ross, 4.Donnacha Ryan, 5.Dan Tuohy, 6.Sean O'Brien, 7.Peter O'Mahony, 8. Jame Heaslip, 9.Connor Murray, 10.Jonny Sexton,12. Keith Earls, 13.Darren Cave, 11.Simon Zebo, 14.Craig Gilroy, 15.Rob Kearney
New Zealand
1.Wyatt Crockett, 2. Hika Elliott, 3.Owen Franks, 4.Brodie Retallick, 5.Sam Whitelock, 6.VictorVito, 7.Sam Cane, 8.Kieran Read, 9.Aaron Smith,10.Aaron Cruden, 12.Sonny Bill Williams, 13.Richard Kahui, 11.Julian Savea, 14.Zac Guildford, 15.Israel Dagg
Scotland
1.Ryan Grant, 2.Ross Ford, 3. Euan Murray, 4. Richie Gray, 5.Alastair Kellock, 6. Richie Vernon, 7.Ross Rennie, 8.John Barclay, 9.Mike Blair, 10.Duncan Weir, 12.Matt Scott,13.Nick De Luca, 11.Tim Visser, 14.Joe Ansbro,15. Stuart Hogg
South Africa
1.Tendai Mtwarrira, 2. Bismark DuPlessis, 3.Coonie Oosthuizen, 4.Eben Etzebeth, 5.Andries Bekker, 6.Willem Alberts, 7.Marcell Coetzee, 8.Pierre Spies, 9.Francois Houggard, 10.Johan Goosen, 12.Francois Steyn, 13.Jean DeVilliers, 11.Bjorn Basson, 14.JP Pieterson, 15.Patrick Lambie
Wales
1.Gethin Jenkins, 2.Matthew Rees, 3.Adam Jones, 4.Alun-Wyn Jones, 5. Luke Charteris, 6.Dan Lydiate, 7.Sam Warburton, 8.Toby Faletau, 9.Mike Phillips. 10.Rhys Priestland, 12.Jamie Roberts, 13.Jonathan Davies, 11.George North, 14.Alex Cuthbert, 15.Leigh Halfpenny
Alistair to retire from coaching WP and Stormers to start at 7 for SA in RWC 2015?
ReplyDeleteNot quite sure what you're getting at here???
DeleteNice teams. I reckon we could see someone like Beauden Barret involved.
ReplyDeleteMaybe at full back like at the JWC and then move Dagg onto the wing. Just a thought?!
Good Call JamesB.
DeleteI'm a big fan of Barrett. I think it's a possibility for sure although i'm someone who prefers players to stick to their preferred positions.
If you moved Dagg, I think you would take something away from his counter-attacking game.
In terms of Argentina I think your predicted team is a good one.
ReplyDeleteThere are a few players to watch out for. Backrower Tomás De La Vega is likely to take over the 6 shirt and be a genuine fetcher. Leguizamón is likely to remain at 7 while the other forward positions are unlikely to change. At scrumhalf Vergallo is likely to be replaced by the young Tomás Cubelli from Los Pampas XV while Martín Landajo, also from Los Pampas XV, should also be favored sooner rather than latter. They are both running scrumhalves unlike Vergallo who is a passer, and a great one, but not a runner.
Santiago Fernández will be 12 not 10 with Juan Martín Hernández to be the 10. Nicolás Sánchez and Ignacio Mieres are likely to cover 10. The wingers will be Juan Imhoff and Manuel Montero with Horacio Agulla likely to be the starting 13 with Fernández, Bosch or Rodríguez picked at 12. Fullback will be Lucas González Amorosino or possibly one of Joaquin Tuculet or the under 20 player Santiago Cordero.
Thanks for the comment Paul.
DeleteI tried to predict a team in which the best players could be accommodated. Seeing as Felipe Contepomi will not be around in four years time that left the 12 shirt open, so by moving Hernandez to 13 and Fernandez to 10 I thought it was a good way of keeping the best players on the pitch.
I haven't seen much of Cubelli but I have been impressed by what I have seen of Vergallo. It was never going to be easy replacing a legend in Pichot at scrum half, but I think Vergallo has done a stellar job thus far.
I'm sure they will be very competitive no matter what side they pick. Please know that I support your proposal of Argentina hosting a World Cup by 2023 too. Good luck!
NZ will struggle with Crockett at loosehead. He only gets selected for the ABs because he is a crusader. The rest are all ready ABs so a soft selection
DeleteIf you disagree with selections, you should name the players you would pick instead. I would welcome your input! Or would you rather hide behind the feeble veil of anonymity?
DeleteThere are many youngsters who could come though such as Charles Piutau, Liaki Moli, Francis Saili, Steven Luatua, Ben Tameifuna, Tawera Kerr-Barlow and Luke Whitelock.
Considering that the players which are available (and already capped for NZ) are young enough to be at the peak of their physical condition by 2015, I'm surprised you disagree with the team though.
We have seen with Steve Hansen's selection this year that he has an eye on the future and clearly the youngsters he picked for the tests against Ireland are the players which have been earmarked for significant roles in the next World Cup in England.
Wyatt Crockett at LH? I doubt it. He's rubbish. When he does square up (which isn't often when you llok at how he sets), he gets a pasting.
ReplyDeleteWho would be your pick for loosehead?
ReplyDeleteJamie MacIntosh is an option but I don't think his technique is good enough for International level.
Then there's the likes of Afeaki and Tameifuna but both really are tightheads.
So if you consider that Woodcock won't probably be around by then, that leaves Crockett. Can you think of anyone else?
Very good blog! I came here through a link in the Daily Telegraph.
ReplyDeleteIt's difficult to predict teams for four years time with any real accuracy but you've done a good job and stated your reasons for absences for certain players so it's hard to argue.
As an England supporter I like the look of your England team! Looks to have potential. I think there could be debate between how starts between Joe Marler and Alex Corbisiero, but as we saw in this June's tour, either is a viable option. Number 8 looks like a position which isn't settled either.
Also I noted you have Jean-Marcellin Buttin on the wing for the French. As a frequent watcher of the Top 14 on ESPN, I can tell you that he is one to watch. Hopefully he will bring back some flair to a French team which has been unusually lacking over the last few years.
Nice blog young man.
ReplyDeleteSome changes to the Scotland squad definitely required, however, as I'll get depressed if I think that that shower is our best chance at the next RWC:
1.Ryan Grant, 2.Ross Ford, 3. Euan Murray, 4. Richie Gray, 5.JIM HAMILTON, 6.KELLY BROWN, 7.Ross Rennie, 8.DAVID DENTON, 9.GREG LAIDLAW, 10.Duncan Weir, 12.Matt Scott,13.MARK BENNETT, 11.Tim Visser, 14.LEE JONES/JAMIE FARNDALE,15.Stuart Hogg
Now that would be a team worth watching...
Nice team. I think leaving David Denton out of the side I picked was a massive oversight on my behalg. The young man had a terrific season this year and was one of Scotland's most influential players.
DeleteAs for Greg Laidlaw, I suppose one could say he came of age towards the latter end of last season both for Edinburgh and Scotland but I remain slightly unconvinced. I did however enjoy watching young Duncan Weir though, so I hope he gets given his chance. Let them battle between themselves!
As for Lee Jones, he has a solid season for Scotland. Perhaps there could be room for manouvre in the side we both picked, with maybe Joe Ansbro at 13 and Lee Jones at 14?
Thanks for your comment!
Why not Sean Maitland on the wing instead of Ansbro for scotland? maybe put Ansbro in instead of DeLuca. I would also switch Zebo for Tommy Bowe.
ReplyDeleteScotland Team might look something like this although it is difficult to predict who is going to make a break through in the next couple of years:
ReplyDelete1. Ryan Grant
2. R Ford/P McArthur
3. Moray Low/Grant Shiells
4. R Gray
5. J Gray/ G Gilchrist
6. K Brown/ D Denton
7. R Rennie/ C Fusaro
8. J Beattie
9. C Cusiter/ Pyrgos/ Kennedy/ Laidlaw
10. D Weir/ T Heathcote
11. T Visser
12. M Scott
13. M Bennett
14. S Maitland
15. S Hogg
Ross Ford needs to go and seek a new challenge in France to rediscover his best form as at the minute he is well below par and stagnating at Edinburgh.