Picking a Tier 2 RWC XV
With the Pacific Nations Cup currently playing host to the pick of world rugby’s tier two nations aside from Georgia, what better time to debate what a prospective tier two Rugby World Cup XV could look like?
The upcoming finals in the Japan will give plenty of these players an opportunity to make an impact in international rugby on a more even footing than they would usually be given.
From the devastating Fiji back line and back row stars to the muscle and control of Georgia’s front row and half-backs, the global game does not lack for talent in the second tier.
Read on to see who makes our combined XV, with Japan, Tonga, Samoa and USA also offering up candidates for selection.
- Telusa Veainu (Tonga)
Veainu might not currently be in Tonga’s PNC squad but, if fit and available, he is a certainty to be in their 31-man RWC squad. Since arriving at Leicester Tigers, he has lit up the Gallagher Premiership with his dazzling footwork and excellent counter-attacking skills. An injury-disrupted 2018/19 campaign should see him eager to re-establish himself in Japan later this year.
Alternative – Alivereti Veitokani (Fiji)
- Josua Tuisova (Fiji)
The 25-year-old is off to Lyon this summer after a very impressive six-year stint at Toulon where he was a constant source of tries on the outside. The power he is able to generate through his size and speed is among the very best in global rugby and both Australia and Wales will be wary of the threat he poses at the RWC.
Alternative – Alapati Leiua (Samoa)
- Semi Radradra (Fiji)
Perhaps not quite as defensively rounded out as he is in attack, Radradra has the ability to rip holes in defensive lines and is yet another potent ball-carrier that Fiji will be able to call on. The centre hit the ground running at Toulon after his shift from rugby league and although the buzz has lessened somewhat around him over the last 12 months, he is more than capable of lighting up the RWC, something which could pave the way for a return to the NRL.
Alternative – Timothy Lafaele (Japan)
- Levani Botia (Fiji)
Although not guaranteed to be in the centres, with the La Rochelle man also very comfortable at flanker, Botia has been one of the most exciting players in European rugby over the last few years. He will keep Fiji moving forward and getting over the gain line and will be another thorn in the side of their Pool D opponents.
Alternative – Paul Lasike (USA)
- Vereniki Goneva (Fiji)
Again, it’s hard to look beyond the Fijian players at this position, despite Canada’s DTH van der Merwe and the Japan pair of Kenki Fukuoka and Kotaro Matsushima also impressing. Goneva gets the nod here based on his consistency and ability to still, even at 35 years of age, leave defenders stuck in the ground or grasping at thin air.
Alternative – Filipo Nakosi (Fiji)
https://twitter.com/btsportrugby/status/1116785718813233153?s=20
- AJ MacGinty (USA)
There is not quite the pool of talent at this position as there is in the rest of the back line, although MacGinty has shown his ability to execute a gameplan and a run a team at both Connacht and Sale Sharks, as well as with the USA. Tier two fly-halves rarely make it at the highest level in Europe, although Brive will be looking to buck that trend with the signing of Tedo Abzhandadze.
Alternative – Tedo Abzhandadze (Georgia)
- Vasil Lobzhanidze (Georgia)
From the under-18s to senior international rugby, Lobzhanidze has taken every step in his budding professional career with, seemingly, remarkable ease. The Brive player will link up with Abzhandadze this summer at club level in what should prove a hugely important pairing for the Georgian national team.
Alternative – Sonatane Takulua (Tonga)
- Guram Gogichashvili (Georgia)
The rise of Gogichashvili over the last 12 months has been extremely impressive and is enough to see him edge out Georgian veteran Mikheil Nariashvili here, although the Lelos could well opt for experience in their starting XV later this year. The Racing 92 loosehead looks to be firmly on the path to becoming the next wonderfully destructive Georgian prop in the Top 14.
Alternative – Keita Inagaki (Japan)
- Shota Horie (Japan)
Japan’s experienced hooker has proven time and time again that he can cut it at Super Rugby and international levels against the toughest of opponents. At 33 years of age, this will likely be Horie’s last RWC and potentially one of his last times in the Japan jersey, with the impressive Kosuke Horikoshi coming up fast behind him on the depth chart.
Alternative – Joe Taufete’e (USA)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dXJelCfp_4&feature=youtu.be
- Ben Tameifuna (Tonga)
The big Tongan tighthead might not be the most athletic or well-conditioned of props currently playing in the second tier of international rugby, but he offers formidable impact on the pitch. You could also take your pick of a couple of Georgians here, as the tier two nations continue to produce high-quality props at a noteworthy rate.
Alternative – Titi Lamositele (USA)
- Leone Nakarawa (Fiji)
Nakarawa is widely regarded as one of the best second rows in world rugby and his skill set is almost unique at the position. Few players can keep phases alive as well as the Fijian does, and he is yet another dangerman for the tier one nations to keep an eye on in Japan later this year.
Alternative – Albert Tuisue (Fiji)
- Chris Vui (Samoa)
After an exceptional campaign with Bristol Bears, where he was one of the key contributors to keeping the club in the Premiership, Vui is the glue in the Samoan forward pack. Samoa’s fortunes may have faded of late relative to the successes that Fiji have enjoyed, but the work rate in defence and set-piece ability of Vui will help them in their efforts to claim a scalp or two at the RWC.
Alternative – Steve Mafi (Tonga)
- Kazuki Himeno (Japan)
The options come thick and fast in the back row, with the likes of Maama Vaipulu and Sione Kalamafoni all also in the mix, though Himeno’s performances for the Cherry Blossoms have set him apart in recent seasons. The 25-year-old injects physicality and work rate into the Japanese back row, which has a stock of options on a level with many of their tier one rivals.
Alternative – Peceli Yato (Fiji)
- Semi Kunatani (Fiji)
Everything hasn’t quite clicked for Kunatani at Harlequins yet, although there were signs at the end of last season that he was beginning to become fully acclimatised to English rugby. His potent carrying ability can singlehandedly wreck opposition gameplans and given how Fiji will likely opt to use him at the RWC, he is going to be a box office attraction at the tournament.
Alternative – Michael Leitch (Japan)
- Viliame Mata (Fiji)
The depth of options at No8 is exceptional, with Sione Vailanu, Tyler Ardron and Beka Gorgadze just some of the players missing out. Mata has followed in the footsteps of Nakarawa by moving to Scotland and not only prospering individually, but also by energising his club, Edinburgh. If teams allow the game to become loose against Fiji, the islanders will hurt them.
Alternative – Amanaki Mafi (Japan)
WATCH: Nadolo, the exclusive RugbyPass documentary on legendary Fijian player Nemani Nadolo
Comments on RugbyPass
An 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
1 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 Crusades , you can keep going.
1 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!😭😭😭 !!!
24 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
24 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.
24 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to commentsLike tennis, who have a ranking system, and I believe rugby too, just measure over each period preceding a world cup event who was the longest number one and that would be it. In tennis the number one player frequently is not the grand slam winner. I love and adore the All Blacks since the days of Ian Kirkpatrick when I was a kid in SA. And still do because they are the masters of running rugby and are gentleman on and off the field - in general. And in my opinion they have been the majority of the time the best rugby team in the world.
24 Go to commentsHaving overseas possessions in 2024 is absurd. These Frenchies should have to give the New Caledonians their freedom.
21 Go to commentsBell injured his foot didn’t he? Bring Tupou in he’ll deliver when it counts. Agree mostly but I would switch in the Reds number 8 Harry Wilson for Swinton and move Rob Valentini to 6 instead. Wilson is a clever player who reads the play, you can’t outmuscle the AB’s and Springboks, if you have any chance it’s by playing clever. Same goes for Paisami, he’s a little guy who doesn’t really trouble the likes of De Allende and Jordie Barrett. I’d rather play Carter Gordon at 12 and put Michael Lynagh’s boy at 10. That way you get a BMT type goalkicker at 10 and a playmaker at 12. Anyways, just my two cents as a Bok supporter.
14 Go to commentsThanks Brett, love your articles which are alway pertinent. It’s a difficult topic trying to have a panel adjudicating consistently penalties for red card issues. Many of the mitigating reasons raised are judged subjectively, hence the different outcomes. How to take away subjective opinions?
11 Go to commentsYes Sir! Surprising, just like Fraser would also have escaped sanction if he was a few inches lower, even if it was by accident that he missed! Has there really been talk about those sanctions or is this just sensational journalism? I stopped reading, so might have missed any notations.
11 Go to commentsAI is only as good as the information put in, the nuances of the sport, what you see out the corner of the eye, how you sum up in a split second the situation, yes the AI is a tool but will not help win games, more likely contribute to a loss, Rugby Players are not robots, all AI can do if offer a solution not the solution. AI will effect many sports, help train better golfers etc.
45 Go to comments