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The RugbyPass Index 'World XV'
International rugby is now all but finished for 2018, as the November internationals are set to come to a close this weekend and the only fixture left to play after that is between the Barbarians and Argentina at Twickenham.
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Ireland garnered the headlines with their composed downing of the All Blacks in Dublin, South Africa continued to show they are a force to be reckoned with and Wales maintained their upward trend as they attempt to peak at the upcoming Rugby World Cup.
We have put together a World XV based purely on the RugbyPass Index, but which selections are the most controversial? Would Peter Horne or Luke McGrath be making anyone’s World XV? The numbers suggest that perhaps they should…
- Damian McKenzie, New Zealand (92)
There may have been some early teething issues, but McKenzie has largely translated his scintillating Super Rugby form onto the international stage with the All Blacks, thus securing his spot at the top of these rankings. Perhaps the most notable talking point is the absence of Israel Folau, who cannot even crack the top three, with Wales’ Mr Reliable Leigh Halfpenny and Scotland’s incisive Stuart Hogg taking second and third respectively.
Silver: Leigh Halfpenny, Wales (91)
Bronze: Stuart Hogg, Scotland (87)
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Watch: Pete Samu and Izack Rodda talk to the media ahead of Australia’s match with England.
- Liam Williams, Wales (91)
Williams’ spot here is a sign of the evolution and growing ambition of Wales under Warren Gatland of late. Being part of a Saracens side running roughshod over English rugby doesn’t hurt, either, as his influence in scoring moments metric is running off the charts some weeks. The fact Williams has been able to see off competition from New Zealand’s Ben Smith should tell you all about his form over the last year.
Silver: Ben Smith, New Zealand (89)
Bronze: Cheslin Kolbe, South Africa (88)
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- Jack Goodhue, New Zealand (91)
The transition for Goodhue from Super Rugby to international rugby has been as seamless as anyone could have hoped for and that has been reflected in his impressive RPI score. He seems to have cemented himself into the 13 jersey for the All Blacks going into a Rugby World Cup year and his form and skill set in that spot will allow Steve Hansen to make an informed and complementary decision at inside centre.
Silver: Garry Ringrose, Ireland (87)
Bronze: Huw Jones, Scotland (85)
- Peter Horne, Scotland (87)
A surprise name here for many and perhaps an indication of a position more in-flux across the world’s top teams, as much as it is of Horne’s impressive form. The performances and results for Scotland and Glasgow Warriors don’t lie, though, and Horne merits his position here. It should be noted, however, that had Owen Farrell continued in his role at inside centre for England, he would have commanded this spot with an RPI of 90.
Silver: Ryan Crotty, New Zealand (87)
Bronze: Robbie Henshaw, Ireland (86)
- Jacob Stockdale, Ireland (89)
Stockdale is on track to break all Irish rugby try-scoring records and his potent offensive ability has been felt by the likes of New Zealand, England and Australia this year. Having been shut out by Ireland and England, Rieko Ioane’s RPI has dropped somewhat, with his influence on scoring moments taking a particular knock.
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Silver: Steffan Evans, Wales (88)
Bronze: Rieko Ioane, New Zealand (87)
- Jonathan Sexton, Ireland (92)
Having been in a ding-dong battle with Beauden Barrett all season long for the accolade of top fly-half in the game, Sexton has surely put that debate to bed over the last month. The Leinsterman has guided his province and country to an unprecedented season of success, whilst Barrett has come under intense pressure from his deputy, Richie Mo’unga.
Silver: Beauden Barrett, New Zealand (92)
Bronze: Richie Mo’unga, New Zealand (91)
- Luke McGrath, Ireland (87)
Another surprise inclusion here, with Conor Murray’s stock having taken a hit due to injury and Aaron Smith’s level of performance falling a bit shy of his usual lofty standards. McGrath has prospered briefly for Ireland, with the majority of his RPI score coming from his effervescent performances with Leinster, where he arguably doesn’t get the credit for his creative work, due to the presence of Sexton.
Silver: Gareth Davies, Wales (86)
Bronze: Aaron Smith, New Zealand (85)
- Cian Healy, Ireland (86)
What a resurgence it has been for Healy, with many people writing off his career a couple of years ago when he was battling through a number of significant injuries. He has been in fine form in 2018, taking his starting spot back from provincial teammate Jack McGrath. Fans of French rugby will welcome the sight of one of their props back in the mix, with Dany Priso hot on the heels of the Irishman.
Silver: Dany Priso, France (85)
Bronze: Steven Kitshoff, South Africa (82)
- Malcolm Marx, South Africa (92)
An errant display at the lineout against England did bring a momentary dip for Marx, but his performances otherwise have been more than impressive enough to keep him at the top of the rankings, despite intense competition from Scotland’s Fraser Brown. Marx’s improved accuracy at the lineout this year, the England game aside, has been a key component behind his rise to this level.
Silver: Fraser Brown, Scotland (92)
Bronze: Codie Taylor, New Zealand (91)
- Tadhg Furlong, Ireland (88)
If there’s a surprise here, it’s that Vincent Koch has got so close to Furlong. The Irishman has been in imperious form for a couple of years now and is widely regarded as one of the very best players on the planet, but the South African is not far behind him and, like Williams earlier, is profiting from an undefeated season to date with high-scoring Saracens.
Silver: Vincent Koch, South Africa (88)
Bronze: Rabah Slimani, France (84)
- Devin Toner, Ireland (91)
There are just 100ths of a point between Toner, Eben Etzebeth and Brodie Retallick and it’s a mark of the quiet efficiency of the lock’s play this year that he is able to oust two such prolific players from the top spot. His lineout work is understandably excellent, but it’s his defence in the loose and his involvement in attacking movements which have seen him keep pace with the higher profile stars of the southern hemisphere.
Silver: Eben Etzebeth, South Africa (91)
Bronze: Brodie Retallick, New Zealand (91)
- Maro Itoje, England (92)
Itoje is England’s sole representative in this XV, a mark of both their struggles earlier in the year and the intense competition that has come on from Irish and South African players in particular over the last 12 months. The Englishman gets in just ahead of Ireland’s James Ryan, although if there were no distinction between number fours and number fives, both Itoje and Ryan would be the starting locks, with RPI scores of 92.
Silver: James Ryan, Ireland (92)
Bronze: Sam Skinner, Scotland (90)
- Peter O’Mahony, Ireland (93)
O’Mahony currently boasts the second highest RPI around and is clearly a class apart at the position. Even the closest challenger, Scott Barrett, is a lock at Super Rugby level and has played a role on the flank for the All Blacks due to the potency of the combination of Retallick and Sam Whitelock in the engine room, as much as anything else. O’Mahony has set himself up as the premier defensive lineout threat in world rugby.
Silver: Scott Barrett, New Zealand (90)
Bronze: Liam Squire, New Zealand (85)
- Ardie Savea, New Zealand (93)
From the second highest RPI score to the highest, Savea has flourished in 2018, making the most of the unfortunate neck injury suffered by Sam Cane. The combination of the freedom he has been given in Super Rugby and the increased playing time with the All Blacks, has seen Savea’s talent shine and register an RPI score reflective of it.
Silver: Sean O’Brien, Ireland (88)
Bronze: Matt Todd, New Zealand (88)
- Kieran Read, New Zealand (92)
Read is back at the very top following a significant amount of missed time in recent seasons, as well as injuries affecting the years of both Billy Vunipola and Taulupe Faletau. The influence Read exerts in the moments building up to a score separate him from the competition here, as well as his lineout ability, where he is one of, if not the most adept offensive jumping threat currently plying their trade in the international game.
Silver: CJ Stander, Ireland (90)
Bronze: Warren Whiteley, South Africa (89)
Watch: Jim Hamilton visits Jamie George’s house in St Albans for the latest edition of Rugby Pads.
Comments on RugbyPass
What was the excuse for the other knockout blowouts then? Does the result not prove the Saints were just so much better? Wise call to put your eggs in one basket when you’ve got 2 comps simultaneously finishing.
27 Go to commentsReally hope Kuruvoli and his partner rock the Canes.
1 Go to commentsI wonder what impact Samson has had on their attack, as the team seems less prone to trundle it up the middle, take the tackle and then trundle it up again. I lost faith in the coach last year as the Rebelss looked like a 2nd/3rd rate South African team. I also disliked Gordon standing back, often ignored as the forward battle went on and on. Maybe its our Aussie way of not getting off our A***’s until the enemy is at the gate.
83 Go to commentsThanks for the write up. Great to see the Rebs winning, I am a little interested in how they will go against the remaining kiwi teams, I think they’ve only played Hurricanes and Highlanders but how great to see these players performing!! I also see Parling has a job beyond June 30! A good move by RA? Also how do you fix the Rebels previously scratchy defence?
83 Go to commentsbe smart - go black
13 Go to commentsNext week the Crusaders hopefully have Scott Barrett back. Will be great to have the captain back. Hopefully he will be the All Black captain as well.
12 Go to commentsExciting place to be for the young fella. I expected he was French Polynesian when I saw him included in the France 6N squad (after seeing him in NZs), and therefor be strong grounds we might loose him to rugby down here. Good, in that he is good enough to warrant such a profile, and from a journalism’s fan interaction aspect, to finally get a back ground story on the fella. Hope he has settled into NZ OK and that at least one rugby country will fit with him to help his development, which, if so, he should surely continue for a few years, and then that he can experience France to it’s fullest with a bit more maturity and less reliance on family than you would have at his current age. A good 3 or 4 years before he would be ready for International duty if he wanted to wait. Of course he already sounds good enough to accept a call up, and to cap himself, in the more immediate future (he’d have to be very very good in the case of the ABs), and he’ll get a great taste of that being with the Canes who have a bunch who are just a few years further into their career and looking likely Internationals themselves.
13 Go to commentsI remember towards the end of the original broadcasting deal for Super rugby with Newscorp that there was talk about the competition expanding to improve negotiations for more money - more content, more cash. Professional rugby was still in its infancy then and I held an opposing view that if Super rugby was a truly valuable competition then it should attract more broadcasters to bid for the rights, thereby increasing the value without needing to add more teams and games. Unfortunately since the game turned professional, the tension between club, talent and country has only grown further. I would argue we’re already at a point in time where the present is the future. The only international competitions that matter are 6N, RC and RWC. The inter-hemisphere tours are only developmental for those competitions. The games that increasingly matter more to fans, sponsors and broadcasters are between the clubs. Particularly for European fans, there are multiple competitions to follow your teams fortunes every week. SA is not Europe but competes in a single continental competition, so the travel component will always be an impediment. It was worse in the bloated days of Super rugby when teams traversed between four continents - Africa, America, Asia and Australia. The percentage of players who represent their country is less than 5% of the professional player base, so the sense of sacrifice isn’t as strong a motivation for the rest who are more focused on playing professional rugby and earning as much from their body as they can. Rugby like cricket created the conundrum it’s constantly fighting a losing battle with.
4 Go to commentsOh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
27 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
4 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
4 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
13 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
27 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to comments