Anzac xv

[RugbyFuture]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ar-for-wallabies/story-e6frey4i-1225916676061

ANZAC game on radar for Wallabies

* Iain Payten
* From: The Daily Telegraph
* September 10, 2010 12:00AM

THEY say if you can't beat 'em, join them.

And while the Wallabies are intent on finally beating New Zealand tomorrow night in Sydney, the prospect of joining forces with the All Blacks could be on the radar as well.

Putting together the best players from the Wallabies and the All Blacks in an ANZAC XV and possibly playing in Europe has been discussed behind closed doors at the Australian Rugby Union.

And though no firm plans have been established, the idea of uniting the world's top two teams was welcomed by both the Wallabies and All Blacks captains this week.

An ANZAC team has played just once before against the British Lions in 1989 at Ballymore. The "fourth" Test was not a true trans-Tasman side, however, with most Kiwis electing to withdraw to play in the NPC.

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Twelve of the run-on side that lost 19-15 were Australian.

Though a reprise of the ANZACs v British and Irish Lions in 2013 would be mouth-watering, it's understood the Lions tour schedule has already been mapped out and contains no room for such a game.

Instead, a possible ANZAC XV game - or even SANZAR XV - has been looked at for after a World Cup. There are no inbound tours in June during World Cup years, and Barbarians-style games against several home nations would draw big crowds and big money.

Given no formal talks have been held with the NZRU yet, such a tour next year would be unlikely, however.

The IRB would also need to tick off the idea.

But the players are keen. Asked if he'd be interested in playing in an ANZAC XV this week, Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom said: "There'd be enormous appetite for that, from both the players and the fans. Definitely. Whether it could happen is another question."

Kiwi counterpart Richie McCaw added: "It'd be a bit of fun, yeah. If it was played in like a Barbarians atmosphere, it'd be good. The guys enjoy those relaxed experiences.

"But the trouble is finding a time to play it."

 

[DPK]

IIRC, a few posters here mentioned only Pocock and Robinson could challenge for spots in the AB's team. So it's "The All Blacks ft. Bam Bam and Fat-cat"?

 

[jason]

With no bias whatsoever, here's my line-up (assuming both sides at full fitness):

1. Robinson
2. Polota Nau
3. Franks
4. Thorn
5. Horwill
6. Kaino
7. McCaw
8. Read
9. Genia
10. Carter
11. Ioane
12. Nonu
13. Smith
14. Jane
15. Muliaina

16. Moore
17. Woodcock
18. Sharpe
19. Elsom
20. Giteau
21. Ashley Cooper
22. Dagg

That team would tear shit up.

EDIT: shit I forgot Pocock...maybe him in for Kaino...McCaw and Pocock working together would dominate.

 

[barbarian]

Think this is just another article inspired by an idea written on a whiteboard in some conference room at ARU HQ. "Anzac XV" is probably scrawled next to "League vs Union game" and "Have a functional second-tier comp". All valid ideas that will never happen.

 

[qwerty51]

With no bias whatsoever, here's my line-up (assuming both sides at full fitness):

1. Robinson
2. Polota Nau
3. Franks
4. Thorn
5. Horwill
6. Kaino
7. McCaw
8. Read
9. Genia
10. Carter
11. Ioane
12. Nonu
13. Smith
14. Jane
15. Muliaina

16. Moore
17. Woodcock
18. Sharpe
19. Elsom
20. Giteau
21. Ashley Cooper
22. Dagg

That team would tear shit up.

EDIT: shit I forgot Pocock...maybe him in for Kaino...McCaw and Pocock working together would dominate.

Can't have Horwill and Thorn, two of the shorter locks. Sharpe for Horwill.

 

[jason]

Mate Horwill's 2m - same as Sharpey and Eales. You have a point though, both are enforcers as opposed to lineout specialists. Sharpe for Horwill, fair enough.

 

[qwerty51]

Really? He seems pretty short to me, must be because he's so wide too

 

[Gagger]

Fuck it, I reckon this is a chance for more of a flair team, rather than best ANZAC XV, which is more realistic as the Kiwis would no doubt dribble on about "protucting their IP" and forbid Sir Richie and DC from crossing the road unprotected leading up to the RWC.

15. Gilbert or Izzy
14. Sivi
13. Smith
12. Nonu
11. Diggers
10. Qwade
9. Sanchez
8. Reid
7. George Smith or Bam Man
6. Rocky
5. Sharpie
4. Thorne
3. Alexander
2. TPN
1. The Myth

I'll let you pick the bench.

 

[Sully]

The problem with ANZAC talk is that pretty soon some Kiwi will come out and say none of the wallabies are good enough. The rest of them will agree. Game over. And they will miss the point of the whole exercise. Which is friendship and Fun.

And Money if you're a cash strapped union.

 

[fatprop]

If we are picking the wounded, Genia is the only Aus who deserves to start

1. Woodcock
2. Hore
3. Franks
4. Thorn
5. Williams
6. Kaino
7. McCaw
8. Read
9. Genia
10. Carter
11. Sivi
12. Nonu
13. Smith
14. Jane
15. Muliaina

16. Polota Nau
17. Robinson
18. Sharpe
19. Elsom
20. Weepu
21. Cooper
22. Ashley Cooper

 

[liquor box]

I think it should be a SANZAR team and play a Test in England on the end of year tour when the SH teams are their against a 6 Nations "best of" team.

Bill it as a NH v SH and it would be huge.

Maybe to ensure that it has an even number of players you could try sharing the team, every third year you provide 1,2,3 or 4,5,8 or 6,7 in the forwards as for the backs every third year you provide 9,10 or 11,14,15 or 12,13.

Every third year you get to coach.

This sets out rules as to who provides the players to the team and then you dont get a stacked team from one country .

Obviously the big issue here is that it wont be the best possible team, but it provides a fairer system to ensure you have some of your own team to support. the NH might also like this as it would be a weaker team they would fancy their chances against.

 

[en_force_er]

Id rather see a SANZAAR (the extra A is for Argentine) team. The team would be harder to make and it would be more than NZ + 3 or 4 players.

Picture a team of:

1. Roncero
2. Polota-Nau
3. Franks (the younger one, forget if it's Owen or Ben)
4. Thorn
5. Matfield
6. McCaw (plays a more blindside style game)
7. Pocock
8. Fernández Lobbe
9. Genia
10. Carter
11. Habana
12. Nonu
13. Smith
14. Ione
15. Juan Martín Hernández (admittedly I haven't seen him do much more than kick since the WC, but I haven't seen him play much either so I'll give an Argie the benefit of the doubt)

16. Du Plessis
17. Franks (the other one)
18. Horwill
19. Burger (to have a genuine 6 on the best as insurance)
20. Weepu
21. Contemponi (10/12 utility)
22. Ashley-Cooper (13-15 utility)

That side would give the Lions a whole lot of pain.

 

[Joe Blow]

In the true spirit of Baa Baa rugby it would be better to mix it up a bit.

2 Wallabies and an AB in the front row.
1 each in the second row
2 ABs and a Wob in the back row
1 each in the halves
1 each in the centres and on the wings
one or the other at fullback.

mixed bench

 

[Scotty]

If the did it, they would probably just run a quota system, to ensure near to equal representation.

Justice for the All Blacks.

 

[Sydney Wallabies]

Think this is just another article inspired by an idea written on a whiteboard in some conference room at ARU HQ. "Anzac XV" is probably scrawled next to "League vs Union game" and "Have a functional second-tier comp". All valid ideas that will never happen.

As far as a functional second tier comp goes, I know I put the idea in the ideas for ARU thread but expanding the Shute Shield to interstate teams is the only way to have a proper second tier competition.

I know our Queensland fans won't like it but a Brisbane team in the Shute Shield would be brilliant.

Same goes for the Canberra Vikings.

 

[Tank]

If the did it, they would probably just run a quota system, to ensure near to equal representation.

how about putting numbers 1-15 in a hat and pull out 5 numbers for each of the SANZAR countries - each country then has to supply players for the positions they were drawn. The coach would appoint the bench (on the understanding that their needed to be a couple from each) to ensure he can cover some sort of gameplan or 5:2 split or whatever...

 

[Scarfman]

Like someone suggested - I'd love to get the Argies into the front row. Then we could really fuck up the B&I Lions. Smash the confidence of a whole generation of NH players.

 

[Richo]

11. Habana

On form, I doubt Habana gets to carry the water.

 

[Jnor]

Like someone suggested - I'd love to get the Argies into the front row. Then we could really fuck up the B&I Lions. Smash the confidence of a whole generation of NH players.

I'm pretty sure an Anzac team would be able to do that without the help of either SA or the Argies. Come to think of it the ABs could probably make a decent fist of it without help from anyone.

The idea of an Anzac, or SANZAR or SAANZAR test against the NH teams in a baabaas style is very appealing to me but I think domestically at least the Anzac idea would be the biggest cash cow for the ARU/NZRU

 

[MajorlyRagerly]

Haha.. nice try fella's.... I know the point of this thread on the eve of an important game! It's so somebody can say something silly and then LG can have a new signature for his profile over on TSF after the Wallabies get up tomorrow!

Anyway, I'd play it barbarians style... hence one uncapped.. see if you can spot him!

Beale, Jane, Sonny Bill, Carter, Ioane, Cooper, Burgess, REad, McCaw, Smith, Horwill, Thorn, Alexander, Mealamu, Woodcock.

All the best ball runners in the same team. Practically no balance whatsoever!