1
Picking a 'Rugby World Cup XV' up to this point
So far, this Rugby World Cup has lived up to its billing as the most competitive yet. Japan sit at the top of Pool A with only one round left, Uruguay overcame Fiji, Tonga pushed France close, and Namibia look like they could finally pick up their first RWC victory in their final pool game against Canada.
ADVERTISEMENT
Unsurprisingly, given the strength of the tournament, there have been some astonishing collective performances. However, plenty of individuals have also caught the eye.
Rhiannon Garth Jones picks a XV of the tournament so far.
- Beauden Barrett, New Zealand
Could he be both the best No10 and No15 in world rugby? Barrett may have his weaknesses but he is absolutely lethal on the counter-attack.
- Cheslin Kolbe, South Africa
His footwork, understandably, gets the plaudits but Kolbe is also excellent under the high-ball, despite conceding quite the height advantage to most of his competitors, and defensively solid too.
- Timothy Lafaele, Japan
The outside centre looks like he could get into most squads right now. Powerful but slick in attack, he is so important to everything that Japan do well.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1181135834948526080
- Samu Kerevi, Australia
Wales arguably have the best defence in the world and even they couldn’t contain him. A threat every time he gets anywhere near the ball.
ADVERTISEMENT
- Semi Radradra, Fiji
So impressive. Pops up all over the pitch and causes damage every time. A real shame we won’t see what he could do in a knockout game.
- George Ford, England
Providing a helpful demonstration of the rugby cliché, ‘has the ball on a string’. Doesn’t look like he’ll be relinquishing the No10 jersey any time soon. Felipe Barchesi of Uruguay has also impressed.
- Gareth Davies, Wales
Still doesn’t quite have the complete package but his performances so far have shown why he is so important to Wales. Crucial in defence, lethal in attack.
https://twitter.com/rugbyworldcup/status/1180786022038282240
- Tendai Mtawarira, South Africa
Still going after 114 caps, it’s a sign of how strong South Africa are in the pack that the Beast is second choice. Has impressed in all three games so far, with his tackling as powerful as ever.
ADVERTISEMENT
- Julian Montoya, Argentina
It’s been a disappointing tournament for the Pumas but a hat-trick of tries in one half is an impressive return for any hooker.
- Allan Alaalatoa, Australia
A very modern prop. Strong and savvy in the scrum but so mobile around the field that you could imagine him doing a job in the back row.
- Maro Itoje, England
It’s a golden period for second rows in rugby right now but Itoje always stands out. Athletic, intelligent, powerful, and wonderfully consistent.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1180494924426313730
- Alun-Wyn Jones, Wales
Hard to remember when he last had a bad game. His excellence is now so consistent that you hardly notice it. Put in an astonishing 25 tackles against Australia.
- Kazuki Himeno, Japan
A revelation. Has played all three games so far and outshone his more well-known back row colleagues with his handling, physicality, and ability over the ball.
- Juan Manuel Gaminara, Uruguay
Justifies nearly every cliché in the book. Smaller than most scrumhalves but seems to never stop tackling and has led his team wonderfully so far. Elsewhere, Italy’s Jake Polledri has proved his country have nothing to fear from Sergio Parisse’s retirement.
- Ardie Savea, New Zealand
The type of player you feel could probably fill-in anywhere in the pitch, Savea has impressed in every facet of the game. The same could be said of Fiji’s Peceli Yato, whose absences have coincided with Fiji’s struggles.
Watch: Matt Giteau and Mike Tindall predict their World Cup winners
Comments on RugbyPass
Will rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
2 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
2 Go to commentsBilly's been playing consistently well for 2 - 3 seasons now and deserves a look in at the top level. Ioane and ALB are still first choice but there needs to be injury cover and succession. His partnership with Jordie gives him first dibs you'd think. Go the Hurricanes.
3 Go to commentsIt’s not up to Wales to support Georgian Rugby. That’s up to International Rugby and Georgia. I sympathise with Georgia’s decent attempt to create this fixture. But for Wales the proposed match up is just a potential stick to beat them with and a potential big psychological blow that young Welsh team doesn’t need. (I’m Irish BTW.)
2 Go to commentsCale certainly looks great in space, but as you say, he has struggled in contact. At 23 years old, turning 24 this year, he should be close to full physical maturity and yet there exists a considerable gap in the power and physicality required for international rugby. Weight doesn’t automatically equate to power and physicality either. Can he go from a player who’s being physically dominated in Super rugby to physically dominating in international rugby in 1 or 2 years? That’s a big ask but he may end up being a late bloomer.
28 Go to commentsIf rugby wants to remain interesting in the AI era then it will need to work on changing the rules. AI will reduce the tactical advantage of smart game plans, will neutralize primary attacking weapons, and will move rugby from a being a game of inches to a game of millimetres. It will be about sheer athleticism and technique,about avoiding mistakes, and about referees. Many fans will find that boring. The answer is to add creative degrees of freedom to the game. The 50-22 is an example. But we can have fun inventing others, like the right to add more players for X minutes per game, or the equivalent of the 2-point conversion in American football, the ability to call a 12-player scrum, etc. Not saying these are great ideas, but making the point that the more of these alternatives you allow, the less AI will be able to lock down high-probability strategies. This is not because AI does not have the compute power, but because it has more choices and has less data, or less-specific data. That will take time and debate, but big, positive and immediate impact could be in the area of ref/TMO assistance. The technology is easily good enough today to detect forward passes, not-straight lineouts, offside at breakdown/scrum/lineout, obstruction, early/late tackles, and a lot of other things. WR should be ultra aggressive in doing this, as it will really help in an area in which the game is really struggling. In the long run there needs to be substantial creativity applied to the rules. Without that AI (along with all of the pro innovations) will turn rugby into a bash fest.
24 Go to commentsSouth Africa rarely play Ireland and France on these tours. Mostly, England, Scotland and Wales. I wonder why
2 Go to commentsIt was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
2 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
3 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
24 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
3 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
28 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
2 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
3 Go to comments