Your Team of the Year (No IRB shortlist)

Lets be honest a lot of the people on the shortlist this year were unworthy of the list  because of lack of games time or even knowledge e.g. Jamie Roberts, Debaty, Mccaw, Carter.

Pick a team from both international and club sides, pick more on consistency than current form (team of the year). Just a fun way to sum up the year.

1. Marcos Ayerza - The core of Leicester and the most dominant loosehead scrummager at the moment. Corbiseairo was awesome for the lions but is always injured, same with Gethin and Domingo as well. But Ayerza does deserve a say I think
2. Bismark Du Plesis - Strong, quick, great at the break down and lets be honest just a tank
3. Adam Jones -  one of the best we wouldn't be Six Nations Champions or winners of the Lions series without him
4. Alyn Wyn Jones - Great player and always consistent for club and country, really stood up as Captain for the last Lions test
5. Brodie Retalick -  really has been outstanding for the All Blacks a very similar player to Alyn Wyn. Been consistent all year for the All Blacks
6. Willem Alberts -  isn't praised enough in my eyes, he i s brick wall in defense, always get over the gain line and has a great work rate for a man of his size
7. Michael Hooper -  Pocock hasn't played, Dusatoiur hasn't stood out in a weak French team, Mccaw hasn't played that much, Warburton not consistent enough. all the big known 7's in world rugby have been outstanding this year, the worst decision ever to drop him form that last ions test (for an Aussie supporter anyway  )
8. Kieran Read -  No other option in my eyes, i haven never really thought much of him until this year. A lot of other great 8's such as Picomoles and Parrise haven't been at their best either. Not IRB player of the year for no reason.

9. Fourie Du Preez -  no 9 has really stood out to me throughout the while year, pick Du Preez because he has been the most effective for his team when he played.
10. Aaron Cruden - I would put him ahead of Carter now, has been the most consistent 10 though the year and has used Ma Nonu really well.
11. Geore North -  Awesome for the Lions, Six Nations and when he actually gets his hands on the ball in a welsh jersey (can take a few games) he is lethal.
12. Jean De Villiers - he has been one of the best this year with Read and Halfpenny, i really think he can lead his current team of saffers to a great future. Greta captain and great all round player. Captain of the year.
13. Johnathan Davies/ Conrad Smith - I really couldn't choose, no other 13 has stood out as much as these two and both played about as much game time an another.
14. Julian Savea - a machine lets be honset, i don't see how the New Zealanders keep breeding these great wingers. Best Finisher in the world atm i think.
15. Leigh Halfpenny - Six Nations player of the tournament, Lions man of the series, just lost out to player of the year. He has been our best player by a county mile. The best thing for us is that it was only his second year as a fullback. Only better thing can come form him now.

16. Moore, 17. Tony Woodcock, 18. Juan Figallo, 19. Eben Etzabeth, 20. Chris Robshaw, 21. Johnny Sexton, 22. Ben Smith,23. Israel Folou

Imagine a Barbarians team like that, it would be lethal

5 Welsh player in a Team of the year list. Let the bickering begin!  

tomhughesnice wrote:5 Welsh player in a Team of the year list. Let the bickering begin!  

It's 4 actually. One undecided  

Jhamer25 wrote:

tomhughesnice wrote:5 Welsh player in a Team of the year list. Let the bickering begin!  

It's 4 actually. One undecided  

It should really be O'Driscoll since he outshone Davies on the Lions tour. Just saying.

well if you're going to include club players...

then has to be jonny wilkinson at 10...European player of the year, HC winner, has come back from terrible injuries. Universally loved within France (and that takes some doing being an Englishman let me tell you).

Cruden is an up and comer, this year wilko got the recognition in Europe he richly deserved.

amazing england manage to hang about at 3 or 4 in IRB rankings without a single name on the team sheet. gives me a lot of hope once todays young english players build on their progress.

and if wilko was at 10 then you could put Folau in at 15 as you wouldnt need a specialist kicker at FB... 

GunsGerms wrote:

Jhamer25 wrote:

tomhughesnice wrote:5 Welsh player in a Team of the year list. Let the bickering begin!  

It's 4 actually. One undecided  

It should really be O'Driscoll since he outshone Davies on the Lions tour. Just saying.

haha yes right

You know it's been a good year for fullbacks when Willie Le Roux isn't even getting mentioned!

At 15, actually, I would have him a little bit ahead of Halfpenny and Folau a little bit ahead of Le Roux. The thing about Le Roux/Folau is they both not only do the basics as well or nearly as well as Halfpenny (Halfpenny I think is the best positional player of the three, even if Folau covers the ground better and is also ridiculously good with high balls) but they surpass him in terms of attacking flair and creativity. Stodgy rugby has been on the outs this year, test matches are consistently won by the team scoring more tries and the best sides win because of their superior attacking game. Attack is what matters- might swing back to defence and kicking by the next World Cup but right now, it's all about flair.

If you're going to pick Halfpenny, its because of his kicking game but whoever you pick at 10 will also be a very consistent kicker (unless you pick Quade Cooper) and I feel like the 15 should be judged on his all-round game not on that one specialist skill.

Willie Le Roux, Leigh Halfpenny and Israel Folau would all make my Top 10 players of the year regardless of position but Halfpenny is number 3 of 3 for the fullback spot for me.

My honest pick;

1. Marcos Ayerza
2. Bismarck Du Plessis
3. Adam Jones
4. Brodie Retallick
5. Eben Etzebeth
6. Liam Messam
7. Richie McCaw
8. Kieran Read
9. Fourie Du Preez
10. Aaron Cruden
11. Julien Savea
12. Jean De Villiers
13. Conrad Smith
14. Ben Smith
15. Israel Folau

16. Stephen Moore 17. Alex Corbisiero 18. Owen Franks 19. Alun Wyn-Jones 20. Michael Hooper 21. Aaron Smith 22. Quade Cooper 23. Willie Le Roux

What about Farrell and Tomkins? Their creative spark for Saracens and England was truly a joy to behold  

Can I just say that i didn't make this thread to annoy anyone. That's my team and my decision, i don't expect everyone to agree with me. As Notch said you know how good a year the full backs have had when player like Kearney, Dagg, Folou an Le Roux haven't been considered. People are going yo say other players
If you don''t like my team create you own and mention hwy you think those players should be there.
Just thought it would be interesting to see other people''s views that's all.
I mainly picked for consistency in from through the year.
Make you own team and give your views if you don't agree with mine. That's why I set up this thread

Notch wrote:My honest pick;

1. Marcos Ayerza
2. Bismarck Du Plessis
3. Adam Jones
4. Brodie Retallick
5. Eben Etzebeth
6. Liam Messam
7. Richie McCaw
8. Kieran Read
9. Fourie Du Preez
10. Aaron Cruden
11. Julien Savea
12. Jean De Villiers
13. Conrad Smith
14. Ben Smith
15. Israel Folau

16. Stephen Moore 17. Alex Corbisiero 18. Owen Franks 19. Alun Wyn-Jones 20. Michael Hooper 21. Aaron Smith 22. Quade Cooper 23. Willie Le Roux

Fair enough, good team

Seeing that I have seen very little of the European club rugby I will have to select from international games only.

1. Beast Mtwarira was consistently the best scrummager in the RC, and during the Autumn internationals despite playing on three bogs was very good. His general play was solid allround and conceded very few penalties this year. But ultimately I believe Cyan Healy is currently the best loose head around. Overall he simply out performs any oter loosehead when you look at scrumming, general play and defence.

2. This one is difficult, Stephen Moore for Australia has been a rock all season, Adriaan Strauss superb, but ultimately inspite of the controversy of Yellow cards and elbows Bismarck du Plessis has the innate ability to influence games. He is masterful at the breakdown and acts as another pilferer, his ball carries are strong and although he made a few errors with his line throwing in the latter part of the Autumn series, he remains the best hooker in world rugby.

3. Tight head for me is a bit of a who has performed the best of a not so great season for tight heads, the new scrum engage caused tight heads accross the globe to have to adjust and ultimately I will go with Adam Jones for his efforts during the Lions tour.

4. Eben Etzebeth, he ruled the line outs during the Rugby Championship, he has ball carrying ability, defensive meanness and is simply a superb athlete.

5. Sam Whitelock. The only way I can describe him is if he was to partner Etzebeth it would be one of the most formidable locking partnerships in modern rugby.

6. Willem Alberts. Yes I know everyone will say I am biased, but I don't care. It is the softening up of opponents that he does, often unseen in defence that gives Louw and Vermeulen freedom to do the other stuff. Without him our pack does not have the same power or effectiveness.

7. Michael Hooper. Controversial I know, most would expect me to pick McCaw or Kane, but Hooper has performed as a lone ranger this season, his work rate in a struggling pack early in the season was commendable, and in the latter stages of the season, when Fardy and Mowen began to perform, his influence on the breakdown for Australia had the opportunity to shine, for me is a very balanced 7, he has great speed, high work rate and good linking ability.

8. Keiran Read, no need to say more.

9. I honestly do no know who to pick here, fourie Du Preez seems to be a popular choice, however his unavailability cuased us more harm than the good he did us when he was available. We should have given youngsters an opportunity and for that reason in good conscience I cannot pick him. Genia was inconsistent, Aron Smith had a good start to the season, but I am going left field here and will pick Conor Murray, purely because I thought his influence in the third Lions test was crucial.

10. I am thinking it is between Quade Cooper and Aaron Cruden. Cooper ended the season well, but Aaron Cruden for me has ruled the RC, not only the manner in which he attacks the line, but his tactical kicking has been simply brillinat this year, he has outshone every other flyhalf when you look at the balance of play.

11. Here I want to pick Habana, for me still one kf the best international wings in world rugby, George North has established himself and will go down as a legend of Welsh rugby, but how can you dismiss Julian Savea, his clinical finishing this year has been phenominal.

12. Many says Nonu has been better than Jean de Villiers, I disagree, Jamie Roberts played little part in the Lions series and again this Autumn he was injured, so for me considering the captaincy, leadership, example and professionalism Jean de Villiers have shown this year outs him in at 12. Then considering the superb tries he ahs scored as well, Nonu does not make it in my view.

13. There has been some strong performances at outside centre, Davies for the Lions, for Wales, Conrad Smith for the All Blacks, new comer JJ Engelbrecht for the Boks, Kuridrani for Australia. But ultimately for the general that he is and the manner in which he organises and controls the Outside backs of New Zealand it has to be Conrad Smith.

14. New Zealand had a number of players playing at right wing this season, Charles Piatua, Ben Smith and Corey Jane in the latter oart of the season after he came back from injury. But Ben Smith has been superb this season, even though he plays fullback most of the time.

15. Willie le Roux has announced himself on the international scene similar to Israel Folau, Halfpenny has been good, Dagg has been good. But for sheer ability in the air and on attack Israel Folau outshone everyone.

How is SOB not at least in the 23.

SOB has had a really consistent year. Carried Ireland in the 6N, was outstanding for the Lions and definitely deserved more than the one start, and then MOTM up against Richie.

Having said that I haven't seen too much of the other contenders apart from Hooper, but he is a must for the 23.

Also nothing against him but why are people picking Davies? Had a shocker against Ireland and struggled a bit throughout the 6N, was injured for the AIs, and was unconvincing for most of the Lions tests.
Not a bad player by any means, but hardly an outstanding year.

Cian Healy is the top loosehead in the world for me but didn't have his greatest year, what with the stamp and the injury with the Lions. You could say something similar for Conrad Smith.
On the other hand Conor Murray is certainly not as refined a player as Du Preez for example but he stepped up in the big games this year and has quietly been improving.

Very tough going for me, and I am really sturggling to select certain positions.

I was going to write a whole thing but i'll be brutal...

Beast
Duplessis
Jones
Etzebeth
Whitelock/AWJ
SOB
Hooper
Read
Genia
Sexton
Folau
Fofana
Ben Smith
North
1/2p/Le Roux

I know i'd going to get slated for certain positions, but this isn't my idea of who is the best player, but who has had the best year, from Jan 1 to today.

Jones is there by default

I couldn't decide between AWJ and Whitelock

SOB has been the form backrower in europe so had to pop him in

Genias form has been patchy but has anyone else been better? Since Aus aren't getting murdered all over the place he's been much better.

Had Carter or Cruden played more I wouldve selected them over Sexton

Fofana - WOW

I had to have Ben Smith after that RC season, but North and Folau HAD to be in there.

I couldn't decide between Halfpenny and Le roux.

Essentially in lots of places I was trying to fit 3/4 players into 2/3 slots, some were best of a bad bunch and others were HAD to be in.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:How is SOB not at least in the 23.

Well put him in your 15 or 23
For me, I know Sean is a great player but there are better out and out open side's out there. Sean is more of a blindside or number 8. Great work rate around the pitch, strong as an ox but isn't as effective as player like Hooper/Pocock at the break down.
Before you say Robshaw, i just feel that he has been the leading light with England this year. I feel he has been their standout player in nearly every game he has played. Sean is a better PLAYER than Robshaw (I think anyway)  but i just feel that Robshaw has been more consistent this year and overall had a better year than Sean.

1.Healy
2.Du Plessis - SA's strength at hooker is formidable with Strauss probably next best in the world after BDP
3.Jones
4.Etzebeth - Retallick also very impressive
5.Whitelock
6.O'Brien - Likely controversial but I view him more as a blindside than openside and feel he's been superb in the big games this season.
7.Hooper - Several options but Hooper has impressed me most
8.Read

9.Genia - Not many stand out options with all of them having faults so I've gone for the guy who at his best I enjoyed watching most however inconsistent he has been over the year. Du Preez, Murray and Smith the other options IMO
10.Cruden - Special mention to Quade for the commendable maturity and application that allowed him to return to form

11.Savea or North - Can't split the two, would just as happily have one or t'other
12.Fofana - Special mention to De Viliers who proved me very wrong in my view that he has become a crash ball merchant in recent times. Showed the range of his game he hasn't for a long time but Fofana still stands out IMO.
13.Conrad Smith
14.Ben Smith
15.Folau - Big competition from Le Roux, Dagg and Halfpenny

I like Hammers team, though I'd personally have Folau at fullback, Smith over Savea and Fofana over De Villiers.

I thought players who have been brilliant but injured need some recognition so I took some time to come up with this team of players who've played some great rugby season was scuppered by injuries.

Alex Corbisiero
Matthew Rees
Jannie du Plessis
Luke Charteris
Paul O'Connell
Liam Messam
Michael Hooper
Ben Morgan
Chris Cusiter
Dan Carter
Eli Walker
Gordon D'Arcy
Manu Tuilagi
Marlon Yarde
Ben Foden

Can I just say that i didn't make this thread to annoy anyone. That's my team and my decision, i don't expect everyone to agree with me. As Notch said you know how good a year the full backs have had when player like Kearney, Dagg, Folou an Le Roux haven't been considered. People are going to say other players

And not even a mention for the quite outstanding Mike Brown?

I find it amazing how many people have picked Hooper over Louw

Could those selecting J Davies or giving him an honourable mention pls explain how a lad that could barely pass at the start of the 6Ns finds his way into TotY? He is a good player, and did well with the Lions (not great), but really?

To remove natonal bias this team of the year plays NZ. Look at Ellis Park for the A team selection. They play the following:

1. Healy is immense in the loose and breakdown but your LH prop is there to scrum and so Ayerza gets the nod for me.

2. Du Plessis. All round work. No brainer.

3. Mas. The short props have adapted well to the new scrum criteria and I think Jones has struggled as the year has gone on.

4. Etzebeth. For his lineout work alone.

5. Lots of competition for 4 with AWJ, POC etc but 5 less so. I will go left field and say Albacete because he was badly missed at the start of the RC and brought a lot of composure to the lineout when he returned.

6. SOB. For his breakdown work above all. Think there are ball carriers but when he is in the zone like he was against NZ then he is invaluable for getting your side possession. SA back rowers would probably do more with the ball but this guy gets you the pill.

7. Hooper. Ditto for SOB. This guy can work on his linking skills and carrying work and ruck work but you can bet your bottom dollar that this guy can get you the ball and in today's game, counter attack is przed above all else.

8. Would say Picamoles but sadly he has been injured so we all want to see this guy in a decent team and what he can do so Parisse for me.

9. Genia has been dropped twice by Link. That just goes to show how poor he was this year so I cannot put him in the team of the year on that basis alone. Murray for me for being an unlikely hero in high profile games.

10. Quade Cooper. He wasn't dropped. He was left out. Semantics you might say but when this guy was purring at the end of the year, you want him in your team of the year to play this hypothetical match. Attack is king and none of the other contenders showed enough of this to warrant a place. Leave your control to the pack. We want whoompha in the backline.

11. North has had great consistency and still more to see from this kid but like the fine wine Devilliers who just seems to get better with age, Habana for me. If he had stayed on at Ellis Park who knows what the result would've been.

12. DeVilliers. Improved his game and improved his side. My captain. Immense year for him and his Bok side.

13. Tough one without Conrad Smith here. BOD is on the wane and Tuilagi has been injured. Englebrecht has been caught out defensively and I don't want to give it to JD2 by default. So a two fingered Gallic salute to you and Fritz gets my vote!

14. He may be defensively liable but I like how this guy busts the defensive line so Le Roux for me.

15. Would like to see how Mike Brown goes on attack with a cohesive backline but his standout work for me has been his defensive work and strong running up of the ball inside the English half. Folau has been a revelation on attack but against NZ and SA or England we didn't see the Folau that wreaked havoc in Argentina, Ireland, Italy and Wales. Taking the Wales game where he made the break and had a man outside him I still think he is bombing chances as much as he's creating them. Would like to see how Mike Brown goes on attack with a cohesive backlineMaybe I'm being too harsh on the guy as he's still learning but much for the same reason as Parisse, let's give Halfpenny team orders to run the ball instead of kicking it and give him free range to come up into the line and to have no fear of leaving the back exposed.

Gatland forwards coach, Schmidt backs coach and Meyer the overall coach.

Nigel Owens to ref the game to reward the man for providing an example of how to ref a game and to give us hope that refereeing can be done well and that you can actually have no gripes about the ref after the game.

kia kaha

1. Ayerza
2. Du Plessis
3. Adam Jones
4. AW Jones
5. Etzebeth
6. Alberts
7. Hooper
8. Read
9. Murray
10. Cruden
11. Savea
12. De Villiers
13. Ben Smith
14. North
15. Folau

my 15 of the year. with approving nods to:

Halfpenny
Strauss
Hibbard
Corbisiero
Le Roux
Habana
Louw
Moore
Cummins
SOB
Lawes
Luatua

1. Ayerza
2. Du Plessis
3. Adam Jones
4. Etzebeth
5. Whitelock
6. Messam
7. Hooper
8. Read
9. Du Preez
10. Cruden
11. North
12. De Villiers
13. Conrad Smith
14. Ben Smith
15. Folau

1. Cian Healy
2. Bismarck du Plessis
3. Adam Jones
4. Eben Eztebeth
5. Sam Whitelock
6. Liam Messam
7. Francois Louw
8. Kieran Read

9. Will Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. Julian Savea
12. Jean de Villiers
13. Conrad Smith
14. Ben Smith
15. Israel Folau

16. Stephen Moore
17. Alex Corbisiero
18.Jannie du Plessis
19. Brodie Retallick
20. Michael Hooper
21. Aaron Smith
22. Aaron Cruden
23. George North

Notch wrote:My honest pick;

1. Marcos Ayerza
2. Bismarck Du Plessis
3. Adam Jones
4. Brodie Retallick
5. Eben Etzebeth
6. Liam Messam
7. Richie McCaw
8. Kieran Read
9. Fourie Du Preez
10. Aaron Cruden
11. Julien Savea
12. Jean De Villiers
13. Conrad Smith
14. Ben Smith
15. Israel Folau

16. Stephen Moore 17. Alex Corbisiero 18. Owen Franks 19. Alun Wyn-Jones 20. Michael Hooper 21. Aaron Smith 22. Quade Cooper 23. Willie Le Roux

I was going to tap out my team. Then I realised Notch basically did it for me.
 
Hard to disagree with this - standout players of the year for me are Ben Smith, Falou and Read - nobody else really comes close (even McCaw). I was going to query Messam until I remembered his monster Super Rugby season and how pivotal he was to the Chiefs winning. Cruden has to take the 10 shirt - from a testicular cancer diagnosis to All Blacks incumbent in 4 years is amazing.

I can see the majority of people agree with a front row of 1. Ayerza, 2. Du Plesis, 3. Adam Jones which I think would we one of the most formidable front row ever. A few went foe Healey whcih is inderstnadable, I like Healy a lot and but the only game he really impressed me in this year was his last international game against New Zealand; with injury and form it was hard for m to put him there. Shame but either Helaey or Ayerza fit the bill quite well.
A lot are split between Alyn Wyn, Etzabeth, Retalick and Whitelock as well. Really any of them would have been in my team of the year I just think Alyn Wyn and Retalick because they are like work horses and are very similar in their style of play so would compliment each other really well.

Jhamer25 wrote:

Notch wrote:My honest pick;

1. Marcos Ayerza
2. Bismarck Du Plessis
3. Adam Jones
4. Brodie Retallick
5. Eben Etzebeth
6. Liam Messam Luatua
7. Richie McCaw Michael Hooper
8. Kieran Read
9. Fourie Du Preez
10. Aaron Cruden Dan Carter
11. Julien Savea
12. Jean De Villiers
13. Conrad Smith Jon Davies
14. Ben Smith
15. Israel Folau Halfpenny

16. Stephen Moore 17. Alex Corbisiero 18. Owen Franks 19. Alun Wyn-Jones 20. Michael Hooper 21. Aaron Smith 22. Quade Cooper 23. Willie Le Roux

Fair enough, good team

Maybe its not that good when you look at some of the players..... Adam Jones has played better last year and our own Ryan Grant was at least on par with him in the 2013 6Ns, Cruden has been inconsistent in the big games, McCaw really! SOB had a better game when Ireland lost against the ABs, Messam really!!, I saw the powder puff attempt of Israel Folau on North for his second try,not good at all, Quade Cooper has had as many poor games as he has had good in 2013.

The IRB said NZ are the team of the year. It's official. Nothing to see here in this thread.  

I wouldn't have Hooper in the team, the only consistent thing I disagree with. Any of Mccaw, Robshaw, SOB or Louw over him for me (probably Louw)

BROWN!!!!!!

That said, I can understand why people think he should be in the team, I just think that they are being misled by a lot of effort and flash but little actual influence on the match

The same reason CJ why Pocock caught the eye. No all-round game but extremely effective in one facet: turnover ball. And when that turnover ball leads to a try or points then it becomes even more prized. McCaw has shed his turnover ability for an all round game. How much work does he get through and how much does Hooper. Look at the stats in the Bledisloe and it's quite a difference. It depends on what you want and what you prize most. Turnover ball or carries and hitting rucks and big hits.

I think Hooper is excellent at making the breakdown but too easily pushed off the ball- he isn't a limpet like Poccock, and I'd say Mowen has been as good as Hooper there this year. I think Hooper is overrated in that aspect too, Australia certainly weren't dominant at the breakdown in a lot of their matches this year

Don't get me wrong I rate Falou

But come on brown this year over him by a mile.

Brown has made key international winning plays. Falou and aus have been way below par. Aus have not won any key games this year.

It's not a contest for me and I am pretty shocked at the lack of picks for brown and the almost 100% falou picks.

I love Mike Brown, but hasn't Folau scored a million tries or something?

So what.

No offence to any English supporters on here, yea you can all say Brown an he has been very consistent this year but i wouldn't put him in a world squad of 38 .
Robshaw was by far the best English player of this year, Mike Brown was second but really Brown doesn't come close to the likes of Halfpenny, Folou, le Roux, Kearney or Dagg.The only games he has really stood out was in the Autumn internationals, bit too late to be considered in team of the year by then.

If tries aren't matching winning plays I don't know what are...

What games did he win..

Ireland and Wales .

Come on mate..

Were was he v England, nz or South Africa.

Or the lions.

They have lost every game against the other 3 teams in the top 4 .

Where was falou?

I really don't rate Hooper, he's basically just fast with little physicality.

Failing to see what Healy has done this year to justify inclusion...anyway.

1. Ayerza (Corbs a close 2nd)
2. BdP - easy
3. Jones - sneaks in despite current form
4. Etzebeth
5. Van der Merwe - fantastic 2nd half of year
6. Wood
7. Louw
8. Read

9. FdP
10. Cruden
11. Savea
12. JdV
13. Davies
14. Smith (Habana has been fantastic)
15. Folau

Look at the try to Tomane. Turnover by Hooper. My point about match winning plays. I don't actually rate Hooper over the likes of Louw but I do recognize that he has made big plays and tries have resulted. That's what gets noticed. Louw gave a great pass to Habana but it depends on what you prize most.

Brown was immaculate on defence and his run ups with the ball but so too was Halfpenny. Folau wasn't as solid with that by a long shot but he offered things on attack that the others didn't. Not their fault but it's what gets you noticed. Dagg sets up more now than he scores but that doesn't stop him from being a good player. brown caught the eye more against NZ but does that mean Dagg is a lesser player?

Brown & Robshaw are classic examples of being under-appreciated (apart from by the English) by not being flashy. They're sort of in the Richard Hill mould. Do the stuff, do it well, don't make a fuss.

Brown is every bit in the same league as the other FB contenders. He is consistently England's best back. He always makes ground. He does all the FB things well. About on par with Dagg. Halfpenny is good positionally (like Brown), has a boot (like Brown) and kicks his goals (like Br..., ok no); Brown's better in attack. Folou's great in attack but doesn't like a big boy running at him. Le Roux looks good so far (bit of a new boy to me). Kearney's got a bit of a way to go to get back to his best. Brown for me.

ChequeredJersey wrote:I love Mike Brown, but hasn't Folau scored a million tries or something?

Sorry to break it to you CJ mate but I hear he just wants to be friends...!

Hooper - the problem with a lot of no.7's of that ilk is that if they are allowed to do what they do best - hunting for turnovers - they can look fantastic. If you adapt your game and get enough bodies into the rucks they can be almost totally negated. If they don't have other strings to their bows they can become anonymous.

Barney McGrew did it wrote:Brown & Robshaw are classic examples of being under-appreciated (apart from by the English) by not being flashy. They're sort of in the Richard Hill mould. Do the stuff, do it well, don't make a fuss.

Brown is every bit in the same league as the other FB contenders. He is consistently England's best back. He always makes ground. He does all the FB things well. About on par with Dagg. Halfpenny is good positionally (like Brown), has a boot (like Brown) and kicks his goals (like Br..., ok no); Brown's better in attack. Folou's great in attack but doesn't like a big boy running at him. Le Roux looks good so far (bit of a new boy to me). Kearney's got a bit of a way to go to get back to his best. Brown for me.

actually, until this series of AIs, Brown was massively underappreciated by everyone except an enlightened few he happen to be lucky enough to follow quins the only games he got last year for england were on the wing!

he has been the revelation of the year for england. his problem is that he doesnt do anything flashily enough to really stick in the memory when compared to 1/2P's kicking, Folau's try-scoring, Dagg's pace, etc, etc. brown's best ability is his consistency.

that being said, i wouldnt say he has earned the right to be in anyones team of the year. unproven on the really big stage of 6N and RWC in the position.

Except those who also offer something else...

Anyway, that's not the point- Hooper is more of a runner than a fetcher anyway, and I still dispute that a "specialist 7" is a thing