All Blacks reign in our pre-November internationals 'World XV'
With the autumn internationals just days away, what better time to put together a current ‘World XV’?
The best of the northern hemisphere have all done battle in the Six Nations and headed on their travels in the summer to take on the pick of the southern hemisphere, before The Rugby Championship crowned New Zealand as champions for the third year in a row.
The Super Rugby season has come and gone, as have the domestic competitions across the participating nations, whilst the northern hemisphere season has started again with gusto, after Leinster led the way at the tail-end of the 2017/18 campaign.
There is a premium on recent form, so if a player has missed a sizeable amount of time this year due to injury, they may have struggled to make the cuts.
So, do you agree with our assembled ‘World XV’? Or have we dropped some clangers?
- Ben Smith, New Zealand
The most ordinary looking man in rugby is arguably the most extraordinary player in the world. There are no weaknesses to Smith’s game. The full-back carries incisively, keeps phases alive, positions himself well in the back field, defends resiliently and has the kicking game to relieve pressure or create space for teammates. Even if the All Blacks decide to favour the scintillating talents of Damian McKenzie or the rising star of Jordie Barrett at 15, Smith would simply move over to 14 and continue to excel.
Silver: Willie le Roux, South Africa and Wasps
Bronze: Israel Folau, Australia and Waratahs
- Waisake Naholo, New Zealand and Highlanders
It is a measure of the strength of New Zealand rugby that Naholo can make a ‘World XV’ like this, yet his position in the New Zealand XV is no certainty heading into a Rugby World Cup year. Naholo is an exquisite finisher, brings the blend of footwork, speed and power to beat his opposite man in a number of ways, and boasts a much-improved defensive game than the one he displayed a couple of years ago. All of that said, if a new name emerges at full-back or Israel Dagg can find his way back to top form, Naholo could be the player sacrificed in the back three, with Smith moving over to the right wing.
Watch: Waisake Naholo burns three Wallaby bystanders.
Silver: Nemani Nadolo, Fiji and Montpellier
Bronze: Jonny May, England and Leicester Tigers
- Semi Radradra, Fiji and Bordeaux
Radradra has taken the game of XVs by storm and he has been in devastating form for Fiji, Toulon and Bordeaux this year. There are times when he shoots defensively and can’t get there, potentially creating a hole for the opposition to exploit, but the impact he brings offensively by far outweighs those moments. A fit, confident and well-rested Radradra could well be the difference between Fiji making it to the quarter-finals of next year’s Rugby World Cup, or them bowing out at the group stage.
Watch: Radradra talks about his Rugby World Cup dream.
Silver: Jack Goodhue, New Zealand and Crusaders
Bronze: Huw Jones, Scotland and Glasgow Warriors
- Kurtley Beale, Australia and Waratahs
The Australian has thrived for franchise and country since he returned from his stint with Wasps in the northern hemisphere. He has also filled in at fly-half when required, but it has been at 12 where he has really excelled in the gold and green. Owen Farrell went well with an England team that struggled for much of 2018, but Beale sneaks ahead of him with the positive impact he has had on the Wallabies, particularly with his ability to create space for the players outside of him.
Silver: Owen Farrell, England and Saracens
Bronze: Robbie Henshaw, Ireland and Leinster
- Rieko Ioane, New Zealand and Blues
Just the 22 tries for Ioane in his 21 matches so far for the All Blacks. It’s a scary level of production for the 21-year-old, who went from strength to strength this year and is already one of the first names on the All Blacks’ teamsheet. There is still talk that his best long-term position with New Zealand could be 13, but he is certainly dominating on the left wing as things stand. As complete a skill set as you’re likely to find in any wing playing Test rugby at the moment.
Silver: Aphiwe Dyantyi, South Africa and Lions
Bronze: Jacob Stockdale, Ireland and Ulster
- Beauden Barrett, New Zealand and Hurricanes
Barrett has come in for some criticism this year, partly due to his goal-kicking and partly due to the impressive form of Richie Mo’unga, who is waiting in the wings right behind the Hurricanes playmaker. That said, he is still the most effective player at his position in the world and he creates so many scoring opportunities during a game with his feet and hands, that his sometimes-shaky form kicking at goal is rarely decisive in matches.
Silver: Jonathan Sexton, Ireland and Leinster
Bronze: Richie Mo’unga, New Zealand and Crusaders
- Aaron Smith, New Zealand and Highlanders
Arguably a less than vintage year for the scrum-half position, with both Smith and Conor Murray, the two leaders at the position, not quite reaching their peaks, as well as dealing with some injury issues. Will Genia’s continued resurgence was enjoyable to watch, but it wasn’t quite enough to dislodge Smith from his spot at the top. The all-round game that Smith brings is still the best that rugby can currently offer up at the position and there is a good reason why he continues to keep the impressive TJ Perenara, for the most part, on the bench.
Silver: Will Genia, Australia and Rebels
Bronze: Conor Murray, Ireland and Munster
- Steven Kitshoff, South Africa and Stormers
Of this entire XV, no player may have improved more this year than Kitshoff. He wasn’t in a bad place to start it, but the dominance of his scrummaging and carrying seems to have moved on to an even higher level. With the experience and still potent ability of Tendai Mtawarira also available, the Springboks may have the best one-two punch at the position in world rugby.
Silver: Mako Vunipola, England and Saracens
Bronze: Rob Evans, Wales and Scarlets
- Malcolm Marx, South Africa and Lions
Dane Coles may well take revenge for his absence this autumn, but injury problems have plagued him in 2018 and the void has been emphatically filled by Marx. The critique on Marx last year was that his lineout work didn’t match up with the colossal impact he makes in the loose, but it is an area of his game that he has honed this year, to the point you certainly wouldn’t consider it a weakness any longer. If there’s a more destructive ball-carrier in international rugby, we have yet to see them.
Silver: Codie Taylor, New Zealand and Crusaders
Bronze: Guilhem Guirado, France and Toulon
- Tadhg Furlong, Ireland and Leinster
There may be tightheads who can match Furlong with their scrummaging, or others who can match his impact in the loose, but there are none that can match him in both. Another fine year turned in in Furlong’s burgeoning career and he is simply playing at a level above all other players at his position. There’s not much more to say than that.
Silver: Owen Franks, New Zealand and Crusaders
Bronze: Dan Cole, England and Leicester Tigers
- Eben Etzebeth, South Africa and Stormers
Obviously, Brodie Retallick would be a no-brainer selection here normally, but the Kiwi has missed his fair share of rugby this season. Etzebeth has had his injury struggles in Super Rugby, too, but the value he brought to the Springboks when he returned during The Rugby Championship was undeniable. Etzebeth may not be the most skilful lock in the world, but he is certainly one of the most impactful and with South Africa rediscovering a hard edge to their pack, his place in the engine room is crucial to their hopes of success.
Silver: Leone Nakarawa, Fiji and Racing 92
Bronze: Brodie Retallick, New Zealand and Chiefs
- Sam Whitelock, New Zealand and Crusaders
With the much-celebrated Retallick missing some of the year with injury, Whitelock’s arguably just as impressive game has been made even more apparent. He has dovetailed well with Scott Barrett at franchise and international levels and his mastery of the lineout is unsurpassed, certainly from an attacking and overall management perspective. He has had to be at his absolute best to see off the competition from the two players below.
Silver: Maro Itoje, England and Saracens
Bronze: James Ryan, Ireland and Leinster
- Peter O’Mahony, Ireland and Munster
If Whitelock is the king of the attacking lineout, then O’Mahony is the regent of the defensive set-piece. His ability to read attacking throws, quickness to react and impressive vertical ability have made him a threat to steal ball on almost every throw. Couple that with his impressive work at the contact area, as a tackler and a carrier around the fringes, and you have the preeminent blindside flanker in the game.
Silver: Liam Squire, New Zealand and Chiefs
Bronze: Pablo Matera, Argentina and Jaguares
- Siya Kolisi, South Africa and Stormers
Some players feel burdened by the added responsibility of captaincy, but that clearly hasn’t been the case for Kolisi, who has flourished with the increased expectations. He led his side to a series victory over England, before consistently performing at an elevated level in The Rugby Championship. Not only has he given the Boks a threat to pilfer at the breakdown, his mobility and work with the ball in hand has kept them moving forward against some tough defences.
Watch: Kolisi reacts to the news that he was to be made captain of the Springboks.
Silver: Ardie Savea, New Zealand and Hurricanes
Bronze: Sam Cane, New Zealand and Chiefs
- Kieran Read, New Zealand and Crusaders
Another player not without his injury problems but Read has come on strong in the last few months and re-emphasised just why he is so important to what the All Blacks do. Like O’Mahony, Read is another brilliantly-gifted lineout option in the back row, and with such focus on having an efficient lineout in the Test game, his value is high. Throw into the mix his carrying work and ability to keep phases alive, as well as his leadership, and the Kiwi runs away with it at this spot, especially with Billy Vunipola having had an injury plagued year.
Silver: David Pocock, Australia and Brumbies
Bronze: CJ Stander, Ireland and Munster
Watch: Ali Williams Part I: The AB’s ethos and lessons from the ’07 World Cup
Comments on RugbyPass
Who hurt this man.. LoL 😭
197 Go to commentsIt unfortunate for the Jaguares that they became formidable just as super rugby as we knew came to an end. However, the idea of bringing them back is nonsensical. While I enjoyed the Jaguares and the South African flavour of the comp, a selling point of this incarnation of super rugby is that all games are on a decent time for an Aussie audience.
2 Go to commentslol that’s your opinion Ben, All Blacks benefited from a forward pass try, SA played 77 min without a recognised hooker, missed a no try conversion and a penalty could have would have but didn’t
197 Go to commentsBrett, from my distant perspective, I hope you get to keep the Rebels. Any ideas of teams from Japan or Argentina are just crazy. Won’t happen. If you look at logistics, it is much easier to get to LA from Auckland, Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney than to Buenos Aires. All with direct non-stop daily flights. You may even get some “gringos” to watch the games, with some younger players compared to Giteau and Nonu who still “play” in the area. I think it is virtually impossible to get a competitive Argie team for SR. All Pumas are in Europe, almost all second tier players are also in Europe. Fringe players are in South American pro rugby tournament (and many still in the MLR!) but these players who might be most interested in joining a new Jaguares do not have the skills to compete. As I have been saying since the Jaguares joined, they should have had TWO teams to make logistics for visiting teams better and Argie player development improved as well. Jaguares/Pumas was not ideal. But this is where Pichot and his cronies did not think long enough. Further the country with he new president “No hay Plata” Milei is in a very difficult situation. Galperin, the richest man in Argentina owns the Miami franchise of MLR. I don’t think you can get him to invest in Argentina. Actually, he played rugby himself. He was a fly half. He is worth around $6 billion!
2 Go to commentsWell done Baby Boks we will take the Draw. No 9 senseless long passes in those conditions. let’s move on and hope for some good weather
4 Go to commentsHow did it end a draw. South Africa didn’t score any points as far as I can see
4 Go to commentsNo doubt this will be a fantastic occasion and I plan to be there, but I think the bean counters have won out over the rugby brains. In my opinion, it is foolhardy to give the Black Ferns the experience of playing in front of 60,000+ at Twickenham a year before they might be playing there in a World Cup Final. Better to play France at Twickenham and Black Ferns at Kingsholm. The difference in takings would be miniscule.
1 Go to commentsDom kant
197 Go to commentsBen is a little incel desperately trying to stir the pot and stay relevant. We used to get mad at his articles. Now we just feel sorry for him
197 Go to commentsPerhaps we may need to put an asterisk on NZ’s ‘87 WC win since the Boks weren’t there. You know, just as a reminder. Poor Ben Smith. Go cry somewhere else.
197 Go to commentsNz should have won. I didn't watch the game, but the ref was at fault and the bounce of the ball and the Bokke used the Bomb squad and the Bokke slow the game down and the Bokke scrum. They should remove the scrum. The Bokke are to strong. Not fair. Nz should have won
3 Go to commentsThanks for a much more balanced piece Ned and not that BS that Bin Smuth just posted a short while ago. read this article and then Bin Smuth’s and tell me there isn’t a huge difference🙄
3 Go to commentsWere the Baby Boks part of this game or did the Baby Blacks play themselves?🤔 That man Bin Smuth once again does a little write-up on the game and it is like 95% about the Baby Blacks🤣 Glad he ends off with the Baby Blacks were actually in cruise control for most of the game and weren’t actually playing for the win WTF🤣🤣 Maybe he was expecting the Baby Blacks to run rampant….
4 Go to commentsOne does not expect anything more from Ben Smith who epitomises the worst of New Zealand media arrogance and an inability to balance what he has to say about any team that beats the All Blacks. His reference to context is pathetically thin. He does not comment that Frizell deserved a red card given his blatant manipulation of his body to ensure that he could drop his body weight onto Mbonambi’s lower leg. No mention of the ball lost forward before the All Black’s try (lost in-field of the 5 metre line and gathered beyond). The All Black commitment and effort was superb and there was little in it. Given the Springbok passage to the final and the loss of their hooker in the first three minutes, their resolve and capacity to win their fourth final out of eight attempts (not three out of ten) deserves the praise that has been forthcoming from media around the world, worth reading and listening to. Ben should join his “pundit” friends on TV - he would fit in well. This sort of article reduces any credibility Rugby Pass has ever had. Why persist with this sort of nonsense? The man does his country and a rugby blog a disservice.
197 Go to commentsEtzebeth went on to say: “I would never dream of saying that systems stay in place following a change in captain. To say that would be deeply, deeply, disrespectful of Siya. A while back an Irish person told me they would be fine without Sexton, so I’m just responding to that.”
3 Go to commentsClose games are what we want to see…. What a match it was…. I am sure that everyone was drained by the end of it. The reality of it all there has to be a winner and a loser. The fact that we still talking about it is almost 6 months to the day Rugby is the winner.. Asante sana… Here is to 2027 and what it will bring out.
197 Go to commentsIt’s going to be a good game. COYQ
1 Go to comments“Shock”, the guy was casually saying he was just slightly surprised. Nowadays if you say anything it gets taken completely out of context. Calm down everyone.
156 Go to commentsAll I can say after reading this bitter, sour, sad piece is… Thank you very much! This will be read in the change room just before kick off on 31 August…
197 Go to commentsLook, we know contradicting opinions and wacky comments bring readers and clicks, so well done to RP for allowing always-wrong-Ben to say something here. However RP needs to put a disclaimer next to his comments for their own credibility. NZ was and is incapable of acknowledging their opp beating them. They refused so with Ire and with Arg in 2022 and also the Boks in 2023 x 2. Nothing Ben says here holds water, NZ attacked backwards, except when Kolisi and Kolbe was off And cyncialy took out Bongi, we played without lineouts for 75mins. Kolisi and Kurt-Lee almost scored twice. Thats 3 vs 2 for Boks, but the Boks opportunities was legal. Boks should have been 16-3 up by half time. Tacticaly the Boks attacked better defended better scrummed better (without a hooker) kicked better and crossed the whitewash more times. Boks beat Fr Eng Nz to win in 23, comeon give some credit at least. Even Federer Verstappen NY Mets, Mamoa, was able to see a great human sport achievement by the Boks and their DNA Boks #RWC27 !🏉
197 Go to comments