World Cup Squads

[tigerland12]

So with time fast running out - if not already - for players to stake a claim in their respective country's 30-man squad, we've put together a few line-ups that we think will do the business come September. Remember, this is done on form alone!


Argentina: 15 Martin Rodriguez, 14 Horacio Agulla, 13 Gonzalo Tiesi, 12 Marcelo Bosch, 11 Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, 10 Felipe Contepomi, 9 Nicolas Vergallo, 8 Juan Fernandez Lobbe, 7 Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 6 Genaro Fessia, 5 Patricio Albacete, 4 Mariano Galarza, 3 Martin Scelzo, 2 Mario Ledesma, 1 Rodrigo Roncero.
Not considered due to injury: Juan Martin Hernandez.


Australia: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 James O'Connor, 13 Digby Ioane, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Cameron Shepherd, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 David Pocock, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Sam Wykes, 3 James Slipper, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Not considered due to injury: Rocky Elsom, Wycliff Palu, Drew Mitchell, Salesi Ma'afu, Huia Edmonds, Rod Davies.


England: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Manu Tuilagi, 12 Matt Banahan, 11 Mark Cueto, 10 Jonny Wilkinson, 9 Danny Care, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Lewis Moody, 6 Tom Wood, 5 Tom Palmer, 4 Courtney Lawes, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Matt Stevens.
Not considered due to injury: Andrew Sheridan, Riki Flutey.


France: 15 Cédric Heymans, 14 Vincent Clerc, 13 David Marty, 12 Maxime Mermoz, 11 Maxime Médard, 10 François Trinh-Duc, 9 Morgan Parra, 8 Louis Picamoles, 7 Imanol Harinordoquy, 6 Thierry Dusautoir, 5 Lionel Nallet, 4 Julien Pierre, 3 Nicolas Mas, 2 William Servat, 1 Sylvain Marconnet.
Not considered due to injury: Aurélien Rougerie, Thomas Domingo.


Ireland: 15 Felix Jones, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Luke Fitzgerald, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 David Wallace, 6 Sean O'Brien, 5 Leo Cullen, 4 Paul O'Connell, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best, 1 Cian Healy.
Not considered due to injury: Rob Kearney, Jerry Flannery, Stephen Ferris.


New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliana, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Brad Thorn, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Not considered due to injury: Sam Whitelock, Isaia Toeava, Israel Dagg, Sean Maitland.


Scotland: 15 Rory Lamont, 14 Joe Ansbro, 13 Max Evans, 12 Sean Lamont, 11 Chris Paterson, 10 Ruaridh Jackson, 9 Rory Lawson, 8 Kelly Brown, 7 John Barclay, 6 Nathan Hines, 5 Alastair Kellock, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Allan Jacobsen.
Not considered due to injury: n/a


South Africa: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Patrick Lambie, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Andries Bekker, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Not considered due to injury: Fourie du Preez, Jannie du Plessis, Gurthro Steenkamp, Heinrich Brussouw, Juan Smith


Wales: 15 James Hook, 14 Leigh Halfpenny, 13 Jamie Roberts, 12 Jonathan Davies, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Ryan Jones, 7 Sam Warburton, 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Alun-Wyn Jones, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Iestyn Thomas.

That's from Planet Rugby, thought it was a decent read. The Australian side looks a bit strange though, Wykes over Horwill/Simmons? They're dreaming

 

[Larno]

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[Larno]

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[Larno]

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[Hawko]

I missed this one being annouced earlier on in the year

Provisional Tongan Squad:

Soane Tonga'uiha, Vaini Sona Taumalolo, Kisi Pulu, Tonga Lea'aetoa, Halani Aulika, Maleko Latu, Tukulua Lokotui, Sitaleki Timani, Emosi Kauhenga, Lisiate Fa'aoso, Paino Hehea, Joe Tu'ineau, Sione Kalamafoni, Sitiveni O. Mafi, Josh Afu, Samiu Vahafolau, Finau Maka, Viliami Ma'afu, Sione Timani, Ifalemi Taukafa, Atonio Halangahu, Semisi Telefoni, Ilaisa Ma'asi, Osaiasi Koloamatangi, Samisoni Fisilau, Daniel Morath, Etimoni Paea, Tomasi Palu, Soane Havea, Kurt Morath, Paula Kaho, Tevita Ula, Viliame Iongi, Mafile'o Kefu, Andrew Ma'ilei, Tomasi Sili, Alipate Fatafehi, Alaska Taufa, Viliami Helu, Atieli Pakalani, Tevita Halaifonua, Mateo Malupo, Vungakoto Lilo, Cooper Vuna, Siale Piutau, Hudson Tonga'uiha, Silivenusi Taumoepeau, Taufa'ao Filise, Sione Fonua, Pasuka Mapakaitolo.

If this stays as it is then Sitaleki Timani, Atieli Pakalani, Cooper Vuna and Siale Piutau will not be eligible to play for Japan, Australia or New Zealand at any time in the future.

 

[tigerland12]

Provisional Fiji Squad (to be cut):

Seremaia Baikeinuku, Vitoria Buatava, Sireli Bobo, Ilikena Bolakoro, Tevita Cavubati, Waisea Daveta, Adriu Delai, Graham Dewes, Ravai Fatiaki, Vereniki Goneva, Sekonaia Kalou, Sunia Koto, Sisa Koyamaibole, Wame Lewaravu, Nicky Little, Gabriele Lovobalavu, Waisale Luveniyali, Campese Ma'afu, Penijamini Makutu, Deacon Manu, Taniela Maravunawasawasa, Masi Matadigo, Joshua Matavesi, Kini Murimurivalu, Timoci Nagusa, Jimilai Naikadawa, Jone Nailiko, Sireli Naqelevuki, Akapusi Qera, Seru Rabeni, Malakai Ravulo, Ifereimi Rawaqa, Setefano Samoca, Nemia Serelevu, Netani Talei, Talemaitoga Tuapati, Waisale Vatuvoka, Viliame Veikoso, Malakai Volau, Napolioni Vonowale, Albert Vulivuli, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Apisalome Waqatabu.

Shame RUpeni Caucau wasn't selected, he has been playing so good for Toulouse. What happened to Nalaga from Clermont as well?

 

[barbarian]

What about Nenami Nadolo? Heard he was in decent form.

 

[Bullrush]

Shame RUpeni Caucau wasn't selected, he has been playing so good for Toulouse. What happened to Nalaga from Clermont as well?

I wonder why Isa Nacewa hasn't played for Fiji much either.....??

 

[lily]

What about Nenami Nadolo? Heard he was in decent form.

Do you or anyone else know where he is playing? He sought a release from Exeter and I haven't heard anything of him since.

 

[Slim 293]

I wonder why Isa Nacewa hasn't played for Fiji much either.....??

I was under the impression there was some bad blood there after Nacewa turned his back on Fiji because he wanted to play for the All Blacks, even though he couldn't.

 

[Bullrush]

I was under the impression there was some bad blood there after Nacewa turned his back on Fiji because he wanted to play for the All Blacks, even though he couldn't.

Really??...how silly. Manu Samoa would probably welcome Rodney So'oialo, Jerry Collins, Rudi Wulf, Tana Umaga, Ross Filipo etc into the squad tomorrow if they were allowed.

I mean honestly...Nicky Little or Isa Nacewa?? Who would you go with?

I wonder if Fiji would feel the same if it was Joe Rocokoco?? Or Sivivatu?

 

[tigerland12]

I wonder why Isa Nacewa hasn't played for Fiji much either.....??

I forgot about him, he was one of the best fullbacks in Europe this season. If the Islander countries actually got all possible players, surley they'd be a lot better then teams like italy,wales and scotland

 

[Nusadan]

I forgot about him, he was one of the best fullbacks in Europe this season. If the Islander countries actually got all possible players, surley they'd be a lot better then teams like italy, wales and scotland

Know it's a bit of a stretch to be thinking of this, but would these home nations have their own best interests in mind to make it less easy for these players in question to actually play for their countries in the RWC?

 

[dobduff11]

Rupeni opted out of the world cup himself, didnt put himself up for selection.

Nalaga left clermont a while back to go back to his village I think, that was the news on PR anyway.

Nacewa as slim said doesnt want to play for fiji because he was bitter about it costing him an All Blacks place.

Nems left exeter and apparently went back to aus but haven't heard anything either, maybe Lee is putting him up for a few nights I heard they get on exceptionally well.

 

[Swarley]

Tell you what, I reckon NZ's 2nd XV could go close to winning the comp. Have you seen the depth they have?

1. Tony Woodcock- Ben Franks- Jamie Mackintosh- Wyatt Crockett
2. Kevin Mealamu- Andrew Hore- Corey Flynn
3. John Afoa- Owen Franks- Neemia Tialata
4. Anthony Boric- Tom Donnelly
5. Brad Thorn- Sam Whitelock
6. Jerome Kaino- Adam Thompson- George Whitelock
7. Richie McCaw- Matt Todd- Daniel Braid
8. Keiran Read- Liam Messam- Victor Vito
9. Piri Weepu- Jimmy Cowan- Alby Mathewson- Andy Ellis
10. Daniel Carter- Aaron Cruden- Stephen Donald- Stephen Brett- Matt Berquist
11. Israel Dagg- Robbie Fruean- Hosea Gear- Sitiveni Sivivatu- Zac Guildford- Lelia Masaga
12. Sonny Bill Williams- Ma'a Nonu- Luke McAlistair- Richard Kahui
13. Conrad Smith- Jarryd Payne-
14. Joe Rokocoko- Cory Jane- Rene Ranger- Kade Poki- Sean Maitland
15. Mils Muliaina- Isaia Toeava- Tim Nanai-Williams-

Impressive

 

[Larno]

-snip- see first post of the thread

Not considered due to injury:
Shane Horgan (Boyne/Leinster) - Knee
Ian Humphries (Ballymena/Ulster) - Shoulder
Nevin Spence (Ballynahinch/Ulster) - shoulder

Devastated for Shaggy Horgan and Humphries Junior. Horgan in particular has been in fine form this season. Good to see Felix Jones in there though.

Not really bothered by the lack of Nevin Spence. He's a young Ulster centre who has done some good things this season but I feel is still a bit raw. He doesn't pass the ball much and has made some poor decisions at times (one horrible kick that blew a 3-man overlap comes to mind).

Would have liked to have seen Willie Faloon included in the squad, an Ulster 7 who offers something a bit different to the other candidates for the openside berth. Not necessarily to get selected for any 22s, but just to get him involved with the Ireland setup.

Big Stevie Fez is going to have a hard time reclaiming the 6 jersey from Sean O'Brien. I'm suprised they've included him given his lack of game time and injury troubles this season.

 

[Balls_SlanderandRuck]

All squads looking good so far. No nations seem to be missing too many key players, Fiji exlcluded with arguably their two aces missing in Nacewa and Cau'.

It'll be interesting to see how the Tri nation sides will come out of the battle at the end of the season. Aus already have taken a battering. They like Ireland and argueably Wales have a phenomenal first team, but the quality appears to drop a fair bit for the second XV. Ireland and Aus are starting to repair that however.

Carter and McCaw appear to be on their last legs this season, they've both taken a good few knocks already - It'll be interesting to see how they cope with the Boks, especially away Anxious times for Kiwis, *cough* 6 epic fails in a row looming *cough*

 

[Larno]

I'll reorganise this thread a bit. Squads are arranged poolwise in the first post with a basic sociopaths/fairies split if possible. Makes it all a bit easier to browse through.

 

[tranquility]

Can't comment much on the Scotland squad but the reintroduction of an in-form Johnny Beattie into the backrow at 8 would be a major plus for them, the 'Killer Bs' backrow of Brown, Barclay and Beattie caused havoc in the 2010 Six Nations. New man Jack Cuthbert might be one to watch in the backs too.

I really hope for everyone that Scotland puts in a good World Cup, it such a shame that they just have become also ran's too the point of second tier. What is Simon Taylor doing these days? or is he just past it?

 

[Larno]

I really hope for everyone that Scotland puts in a good World Cup, it such a shame that they just have become also ran's too the point of second tier. What is Simon Taylor doing these days? or is he just past it?

They are beginning to show signs of improvement under Andy Robinson but they are still in dire need of a playmaking/running 10, Deadeye Dick (Dan Parks) is just too limited.

As far as I know Simon Taylor is playing for Bath currently.