As per tradition, Aussie D ran a rigorous and democratic selection process in the forum to select the 2010 G&GR World XV. No doubt there’ll be plenty of challenge, but for mine it looks (perhaps surprisingly) balanced with only 4 of the #2 side in the world making the cut.
Remember, it’s not about reputation or latent talent, just performance over time in 2010.
1 Gunthro Steenkamp (SA)
2 Stephen Moore (Aust)
3 Owen Franks (NZ) / Martin Castrogiovanni (It)
4 Brad Thorn (NZ)
5 Nathan Sharpe (Aust)
6 Juan Smith (SA)
7 Richie McCaw (NZ)
8 Keiran Reid (NZ)
9 Ben Youngs (Eng)
10 Dan Carter (NZ)
11 Drew Mitchell (Aust)
12 Ma’a Nonu (NZ)
13 Conrad Smith (NZ)
14 Corey Jane (NZ)
15 Kurtley Beale (Aust)
2 Stephen Moore (Aust)
3 Owen Franks (NZ) / Martin Castrogiovanni (It)
4 Brad Thorn (NZ)
5 Nathan Sharpe (Aust)
6 Juan Smith (SA)
7 Richie McCaw (NZ)
8 Keiran Reid (NZ)
9 Ben Youngs (Eng)
10 Dan Carter (NZ)
11 Drew Mitchell (Aust)
12 Ma’a Nonu (NZ)
13 Conrad Smith (NZ)
14 Corey Jane (NZ)
15 Kurtley Beale (Aust)
Got a barbarian side that you reckon could take it on? Let us have it