A XV of World Cup-rejects that could win in Japan
The Rugby World Cup will showcase the best talent the globe has to offer but a growing number of players will be unavailable due to eligibility rules or are unlikely to be picked for a trip to Japan.
With that in mind, RugbyPass has compiled the best of the World Cup-rejects that could make a deep run in Japan if pulled together to create a ‘World XV’ for the showpiece event.
15. Charles Piutau (New Zealand)
The world’s highest paid player would be a lock for the 15-jersey. Unable to make a switch of allegiance to Tonga ahead of the World Cup, Piutau would be one of the first picked here. At 27-years-old, the former All Black is the prime of his career and deserves the chance to shine on the big stage.
14. Simon Zebo (Ireland)
Racing’s Irish import is in scintillating form in Paris, notching 12 tries in 20 appearances for his new club. However, with Ireland adopting a hard stance on eligibility for overseas players, Zebo’s phone hasn’t been ringing. His electric play would fit nicely on the end of this ‘World XV’ backline.
13. Malakai Fekitoa (New Zealand)
Another ex-All Black currently plying his trade in Toulon, Fekitoa would be a boom pick to fill the 13 jersey of this team. His aggressive defence would cause opposition fits and his undoubted attacking firepower would ignite this star-studded backline. At 26-years-old, the former Highlander would surely be on the radar of Steve Hansen’s World Cup squad had he remained in New Zealand, but unfortunately, we won’t be seeing him in Japan.
12. Jan Serfontein (South Africa)
The former Springbok midfielder would bring trademark ‘Bok’ physicality for our midfield and offer outside support for the 10 channel in defence. The 2012 World Rugby Junior Player of the Year has been exiled in France since 2017 when he joined Montpellier and despite Rassie Erasmus relaxing the rules of overseas-based players, the former Blue Bull hasn’t been involved with the Springboks yet. He will be an unlikely omission but could join this side.
11. James O’Connor (Australia)
The youngest ever debutant in Super Rugby doesn’t quite have the same explosive agility as he did in his younger days, but James O’Connor still possesses experience at the highest level and a desire to one day play internationally again. The former Wallaby with 44-caps was at one stage one of the best wingers in the world, and is now playing for Sale Sharks in the Premiership as a utility back. With Castle not keen to relax the Giteau-law, O’Connor won’t be flying Qantas to Japan with the Wallabies squad. Santiago Cordero (Argentina) would also be in the squad to cover the wing position.
10. Danny Cipriani (England)
The form flyhalf of the Premiership in recent years, Gloucester’s Danny Cipriani is on the outer of Eddie’s World Cup plans. The mercurial playmaker made a return on the tour of South Africa but hasn’t been seen since. With six months to go until England’s opening match, unless injury strikes we probably won’t be seeing ‘golden wrists’ in the land of the rising sun. With a backline full of weapons, Cipriani is the best 10 to set them free. Former All Black Lima Sopoaga could back-up Cipriani and get the call-up if Cipriani gets the call-up.
9. Nic White (Australia)
The former Brumbies halfback is plying his trade at Exeter Chiefs, and like O’Connor doesn’t have enough caps to be called upon by Michael Cheika. That doesn’t mean the former Wallaby isn’t in form though, with White himself saying he’s found his best form of his career in the North. With Cipriani offering playmaking, a halfback like White can handle the exit kicks with his accurate box-kicking. We would also take Bryn Hall of the Crusaders who doesn’t seem to be in the All Blacks plans.
8. Steven Luatua (New Zealand)
Another Bristol Kiwi ex-pat, former All Black Steven Luatua is a diverse loose forward that can play blindside or at the back at 8. When he is on form, Luatua possesses great skills along with strong carrying making him a dynamic pick for this World XV pack.
7. Liam Gill (Australia)
A few rate Liam Gill as the best openside in Australia, even more rate him as the second best. Gill is a seven who is brilliant over the ball in a fetcher role and can provide a lineout jumping option, as well as having good hands and passing skills. If required he could even offer a drop goal option in tight games. At 26, he is in his career prime but never made a debut for the Wallabies. We would also give Sam Warburton a call and tell him he wouldn’t have to captain to sweeten the deal.
6. Sean McMahon (Australia)
One of the more damaging ball carriers you will find in World Rugby. The 24-year-old was just hitting his straps at the Rebels before shocking all and signing with Suntory in the Top League. His decision to stay on and sign with the Sunwolves all but ruled out his chances of playing in the World Cup and is now dealing with a long injury lay-off. If he is fit in time, he is a definite pick at 6.
5. Jonny Hill (England)
The young Exeter lock will probably play at the World Cup at some stage, potentially in 2023 for England. At 24-years-old he is old enough to play with the big boys, despite not making an international debut yet. He was picked in Eddie Jones’ squad for the South Africa tour last year but with Courtney Lawes, Joe Launchbury, George Kruis and Maro Itoje all ahead of Hill in the pecking order, it is unlikely he will be there in 2019. If Jones won’t use him, we will.
4. Will Skelton (Wallabies)
The former Waratah and now pin-up boy for weight-loss through rugby, Will Skelton is in fine form for Saracens in the Premiership. His reduced body size has added mobility and work rate to his game, while he still has the ability to do everything he did before, just more of it. He won’t be picked by Cheika due to the Giteau-law so Skelton is a great fit for our World XV second row.
3. Joe Marler (England)
The Harlequins prop has retired from international rugby which means he won’t be playing in Japan. He qualifies for this team on that basis, so if we can convince him to join the World XV, Marler will play prop for us.
2. Bismark Du Plessis (South Africa)
The 34-year-old Springbok with 79-caps has all the experience needed to anchor this pack. He also brings World Cup-winning experience to our team, having won in 2007 and knows what it takes to beat the All Blacks. The hooker is still currently playing with Montpellier in the Top 14 but doesn’t seem to be in Rassie’s plans. He was named in his squad last year but withdrew mysteriously with injury. He last played for the Boks at the 2015 World Cup.
1. Etienne Falgoux (France)
The Clermont prop is an underrated asset that has performed well in the Top 14. The 26-year-old recently won his first French cap coming off the bench against Scotland. Given that France will continue to do French things, who knows whether he will get another one anytime soon. If Falgoux does indeed make the French squad, we will call on his club teammate, the ‘Tongan Bear’ Loni Uhila, the former Hurricane.
Coach – Previous World Cup-winners Jake White/Graham Henry or for a younger option without international experience yet, Dave Rennie or Scott Robertson who both have two Super Rugby titles.
Rugby World Cup city guide – Oita:
Comments on RugbyPass
Why cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to comments