2011 Team Of The Tournament

[Lee Grant]

I am reluctantly starting this thread because there is an old World XV thread that has been reprised and somebody has posted rules for it. These indicate that all games in 2011 are to be considered.

But some people are just talking about the RWC in the thread.

So to separate the apples from the oranges, this thread is to list players who performed best in the tournament without any regard to how the players played in any game before 9/9/11.

Folks may take into account the level of the teams they have played against in the RWC, or not, and/or may take into account the standard of their own team.

No doubt seeing some players more often, such as when their teams play in the finals, may sway your opinion, but maybe a players from non-qualifying teams have taken you interest more in fewer games.

 

[cyclopath]

Lee, are you after the best players by number / position (allowing for the 6/7 Sth Africa v the World dichotomy), or are you after a "team", taking into account combinations?
I'm guessing you are after the best 15 players in their positions, but please correct me before I derail your thread!


Yeah best players per position plus reserves, though the selection of two players in the midfield of the same team that wear black jerseys, as an example, may be tempting as a combination. If you have already chosen one midfielder, choosing his team mate may be a decider if you can't chose between the team mate and a player from another country.

Flankers should be picked as the majority in the world does - openside at 7 and blind side at 6. No regard should be made as to left wing or right wing, though fullbacks should be fullbacks.

Cheers LG

 

[light]

Locking in 11. Kahui, 14. Clerc, 12.Nonu, 7. Warburton and 8. Parisse.. The rest will have to wait till the final whistle is blown

 

[RugbyReg]

Nonu does seem a lock at 12, but gees Jamie Roberts has impressed me.

 

[Bullrush]

Both Paul Williams and Kahn Fotuali'i have been very very good for the Manu

 

[Waylon]

Yes, it is vital we have a separate thread for the "team of the tournament". We can't have it corrupting "team of the year"

Don't pick your team too early. The winners will dominate selections.

 

[tigerland12]

It's too early for me to post a side. At the end of the pool stages I want to start a thread about the Top XV players from the minnow sides, I reckon it'd be an interesting team.

But yeh too early for threads like this in my opinion

 

[Hugh Jarse]

It's too early for me to post a side. At the end of the pool stages I want to start a thread about the Top XV players from the minnow sides, I reckon it'd be an interesting team.

But yeh too early for threads like this in my opinion

In most footy teams there is a Best and Fairest Award (often Best seldom Fairest) and a Most Improved Award.

A long bow, but slightly modifying this traditional part of Rugby End of Season awards, do we take the Best and Fairest in each Position 1-15 (and bench) as being just that, the Best across RWC in just RWC games, and also select the "Most Improved" being a second team 1-15 and bench.

The Individual "Best and Fairest"s would form the Team of the Tournament.

I would expect that most of the selections in the "most improved" team, would come from Countries ranked 10 or lower at the start of the RWC.

Just a thought.

 

[light]

How about..

WC Dream Team or "MVP's".
Those that have been around a while and are well known, will be predominantly from the stronger teams who finish in the top few places. Team of the Tournament, not based on highest point scoring or most tries but more so contributions that are invaluable. Post Grand-final team
1. Cian Healy (IRE)
2. Bismark du Plessis (RSA)
3. Martin Castrogiovanni (ITA)
4. Luke Charteris (WAL)
5. Dannie Russouw (RSA)
6. Jerome Kaino (NZL)
7. David Pocock (AUS)
8. Sergio Parisse (ITA)
9. Piri Weepu (NZL)
10. Rhys Priestland (WAL)
11. George North (WAL)
12. Jordie Roberts (WAL)
13. Ma'a Nonu (NZL)
14. James O'Connor (AUS)
15. Israel Dagg (NZL)

16. Stephen Moore (AUS)
17. Juan Figallo (ARG)
18. Alun-Wyn Jones (WAL)
19. Sean O'Brien (IRE)
20. Kahn Fotolaui'i (SAM)
21. Richard Kahui (NZL)
22. Vincent Clerc (FRA)


WC "Emerging Talent" Team. - President's XV if you like.
Those we never saw before the WC who have starred for their teams. These are players from the minnows who have stuck it to the bigger teams, extra credentials to those not on professional contracts that have outplayed their opposite number. These will be mainly decided before the knockout stages, and players MAY NOT be part of a team that progresses from the group stage. Members may not be of a Top 10 nation. Players who have been selected by the majority of voters or highest percentage by the end of the final group round will be selected.

1. Mike McDonald (USA)
2. Marius Tincu (ROM)
3.
4.
5. Mamuka Gorgodze (GOR)
6. Adam Kleeburger (CAN)
7. Jacques Burger (NAM)
8. Aaron Carpenter (CAN)
9.
10. Ander Monro (CAN)
11. Kosuke Endo (JAP)
12.
13. DTH van der Merwe (CAN)
14. Danie Van Wyk (NAM)
15. Chrysander Botha (NAM)


NB: Your selection is considered to be a vote.

 

[Hawko]

What about DTH van der Merwe at 13. I reckon he's been really impressive. Aaron Carpenter deserves consideration too.

 

[light]

I'll pay that Hawko, DTH has been superb for the Canadians. Would be brilliant with better supply and forward ball, his defence looks well above standard.

 

[Bruwheresmycar]

See how the USA #8 goes in his last game. I think he could secure at least a bench spot the way he has played. The USA backrow is pretty decent in general.

 

[light]

Victor Gresev from Russia would have to be a candidate for the 8 jersey too, he's absolutely carving the fantasy comp up, and looked impressive in what I saw of him against the Yanks, might leave that one till after the Wallabies get a hold of him though. Not sure if Felatau (WAL) should qualify for this team, would anyone who follows European rugby know how big this guy is in Wales? Has he been identified as talent previously and should we have expected him to be so dynamic against the Springboks? Surely that performance would allow for him to walk into this team.

 

[Braveheart81]

1. Mike McDonald (USA)? He has played a couple of excellent games.

 

[Richo]

6. Kleeberger (CAN) has been really good too.

 

[exISA]

Gorgodze(illa) from Georgia had a stormer against England.

 

[Sir Arthur Higgins]

I would have Kleeberger at 7 over Clever and instead put Clever at 6 (he's played there before and is probably more suited to 6...he is a big unit)
I would think you take the welsh 8 out of there. yes they are not top 5, but hardley emerging.

I would replace him with Gorgodzilla. He must terrify anyone he plays against.

Samoan number 9 has been very impressive. no wonder he starts for the saders.

Italy have a few sharpe looking backs as well.

 

[light]

Edited my original post of the 'Emerging team', when a player gets more than 2 votes they become italicised, 3 and they are selected/bolded. 1 only counts as a nomination.

Might help us keep the team's on page one, I know LG likes that.

 

[tigerland12]

My side from the developing (second tier countries). Excluding the Islander nations because there would be a dominance of Samoans.

1- Macdonald (USA)
2-Marius Tincu (Japan)
3- Mihaita Lazar (Romania) hasn't been many stand out props for mine
4-Jamie Cudmore (Canada)
5- Mumuka Gorgodze (Georgia) pretty sure he can play Lock, given there is alot of quality loosies
6- Jaques Burger (Namibia)
7- Todd Clever (USA)
8- Aaron Carpenter (Canada)
9- Fumiaki Tanaka (Japan)
10- Ander Monro (Canada) Kotze and Alridge have only had one good game each
11-Kosuke Endo (Japan
12-Iulian Dumitrias (Romania)
13-Danie Van Wyk (Namibia)
14-DTH van der Merwe (Canada)
15- Chrysander Botha (Namibia)

HM: Shota Horie (Japan hooker), Adam Kleeberger (Canada), Ovidu Tonita (Romania), Victor Gresev (Russia 8), Alexander Yanyushkin (Russia 9)

Edit: I don't know how people are forgetting Jaques Burger, he has been nothing short of amazing, brutal ball carrier and great leader for Namibia.

 

[Sir Arthur Higgins]

didn't include in my previous post, but definitely DTH at 13.
I would go Ander Monro at 10 over Arlidge. Ander was great against Tonga and fantastic against Japan, plus he is the man.