June International Series' World XV
With the northern hemisphere season over, the June series all played out and the southern hemisphere season approaching its showpiece events, the Rugby Championship and the Super Rugby playoffs, what better time than this to put together a World XV?
We have gone heavy on recent form, so there are plenty of top players who have missed out – yes, we’re looking at you, England – and the recent dominance of Ireland in the northern hemisphere and South Africa’s resurgence under Rassie Erasmus has seen them record significant representation alongside the ever-impressive All Blacks.
Do you agree with our XV? Who would have made the cut in your team?
- Willie le Roux, South Africa and Wasps
Until recently, this was arguably a two-horse race between Ben Smith and Israel Folau, with the potential for Jordie Barrett to come up fast on outside.
After a stunning season with Wasps, in which he led the league in try assists, le Roux has successfully translated that form from club to country, shining with the Springboks and helping ease two debutant wings into international rugby either side of him.
Both Folau and Smith have been playing well of late, but if we stay true to our commitment to form, the nod must go the way of le Roux.
- Waisake Naholo, New Zealand and Highlanders
Honourable mentions for Keith Earls and Jonny May, two players not deemed ‘superstars’ yet amongst the most consistent performers for their respective sides, but the All Black just nudges ahead of them.
One-on-one with a defender, there is no more potent finisher in the game as stands, with Naholo capable of beating his man with brute force, speed or with his impressive footwork. He works hard as a support-runner, too, as well as eagerly looking for work off of his wing.
- Semi Radradra, Fiji and Toulon
A surprising shout, perhaps, given that Anton Lienert-Brown continues to boost his stock and Ireland’s options of Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose both excel in the 13 jersey.
That said, Radradra has been destructive, particularly for Toulon in the Top 14 and Champions Cup, but also for Fiji, in their recent win over Georgia, and the Barbarians, in their defeat of England at Twickenham. We could include his impressive showing at the London 7s, too, though that lies outside the remit of this, ahem, XV.
- Kurtley Beale, Australia and Waratahs
Beale’s return to form has been a source of great optimism for Wallabies fans and he’s done enough in recent months to see off Owen Farrell at this position, who has been one of England’s few shining lights in a testing period.
Beale’s decision-making has been particularly impressive for Australia, with the versatile centre invariably making the right choice as to when to pass, run or kick in their recent series with Ireland, as well as having the composure to execute those skills with precision.
Without Beale pulling the strings outside of Bernard Foley, Ireland would likely have found the series a much easier proposition.
- Rieko Ioane, New Zealand and Blues
The Six Nations form of Jacob Stockdale keeps him close but Ioane is on a different level at the moment, something which, admittedly, hasn’t been made easier by the Blues’ decision to move him inside to 12 and 13 semi-regularly.
It’s not just his finishing and predatory instincts for an intercept, two areas in which Stockdale is certainly a match for the Kiwi, it’s also his industry in defence and in support of attacking breaks by his international and club teammates. There are no weaknesses to his game and, at just 21 years of age, that is a scary prospect.
- Jonathan Sexton, Ireland and Leinster
Maybe this is unfair on Beauden Barrett, who has yet to play in the Rugby Championship this season, and puts too much focus on Sexton’s achievements in the Six Nations and Champions Cup, but it just feels is if the Irishman is in slightly better nick than the Kiwi.
He pulls the strings of his back lines at international and provincial levels with aplomb, has made countless pivotal one-on-one tackles on adept carriers and inevitably nails the crunch kicks in tight games. This is not to do a disservice to Barrett, who can create moments of magic that even Sexton cannot dream of, but the Leinsterman gets the nod as the form 10 in a World XV.
- Conor Murray, Ireland and Munster
If any Kiwis reading weren’t in a full-on rage after the omission of Barrett, the decision to go with Murray over Aaron Smith may well tip them over the edge.
Smith is unarguably the best all-round nine in world rugby, but Murray has the edge on him in form right now and the Irishman’s biggest competition was posed by the rejuvenated Will Genia and the effervescent Faf de Klerk. As good as they have both been, in a tight game, the control of tempo and challengeable kicking game that Murry brings to the mix wins him the nod.
- Dany Priso, France and La Rochelle
Mako Vunipola may be the benchmark at the position and Steven Kitshoff certainly shone against England, proving too much for both Kyle Sinckler and Harry Williams, but Priso has quietly raised his game down in New Zealand.
After a fine season with La Rochelle, Priso backed up that club form by being one of the French players to come out of the 3-0 series loss to New Zealand with their stock improving. As a playmaker on the gain-line, there were shades of Vunipola to Priso’s play, whilst his scrummaging was not far short of the destructive job Kitshoff did on the Highveld.
- Codie Taylor, New Zealand and Crusaders
With Dane Coles and Malcolm Marx both injured, the hooker jersey was wide open coming into the June series and Taylor delivered every inch of his club consistency on the international stage.
He’s not as explosive as either Coles or Marx, but he does what is required of him at the set-piece, offers a potent carrying threat, supports his teammates’ breaks and contributes significantly at the breakdown.
- Tadgh Furlong, Ireland and Leinster
No mention of competition here, with Furlong having taken the tighthead position to another level over the last couple of years.
He didn’t start the revolution of the position, with many other mobile, ball-handling tightheads coming before him, but he has certainly been the most impressive. For all he offers as a carrier and at the contact area, Furlong is arguably also the best scrummaging tighthead in the international arena, something which separates him from all others at time of writing.
- James Ryan, Ireland and Leinster
This young second-row is going from strength to strength right now and his growing reputation was further enhanced by winning both the PRO14 and Champions Cup, and swiftly following it up with Ireland’s first series win over Australia since 1979.
He was pivotal, too, in Australia, packing down in the engine room for all three matches and making telling contributions in both the tight and the loose.
- Scott Barrett, New Zealand and Crusaders
A mention here for Franco Mostert, who’s international form has been excellent, and Maro Itoje, who finished the club season in rampant form for Saracens, but neither quite matches up to Barrett at this moment in time.
He beats brothers Beauden and Jordie to a spot in this XV and will be giving Steve Hansen a headache as to what to do when a trio of Barrett, Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock are all fit and available.
- David Pocock, Australia and Brumbies
Pocock’s duel with Peter O’Mahony was a very enjoyable subplot to Ireland’s tour of Australia and it was the Irishman who posed the biggest threat to usurping Pocock’s spot here.
At defensive breakdowns, there is no better operator in world rugby than the Australian who, once he has latched on to the ball, is all but impossible to remove. He also makes an impact on attacking breakdowns, clearing out defensive players with precision and force and allowing his team to prosper with quick ball. Probably underrated by many as a ball-handler, too.
- Siya Kolisi, South Africa and Stormers
Sam Cane, James Davies and Dan Leavy were all close and some may say Kolisi’s impact on the field has been overexaggerated because of his accomplishments off the field, as the Springboks’ first black captain. Those people would be wrong.
Kolisi has exemplified the calm, composed and clinical play of the new-look Springboks under Erasmus and though the Stormers have been struggling in Super Rugby, the flanker has consistently played at an elevated level in the club game.
- Duane Vermeulen, South Africa and Toulon
Unfortunately, Billy Vunipola still looked a way off his best as he continued to recover from injury late in the northern hemisphere season, but that should take nothing away from the return to the international arena of Vermeulen.
He has been a solid performer for Toulon in the Top 14 but it has been his recall to the Boks that has seen him return to his dominant and marauding best. He tore into England across all three Tests this month and the men in white had no answer to stop him in the first two contests.
Comments on RugbyPass
Did footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
10 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
10 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
34 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
34 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to comments