RWC Team of the Pool Stages

by **George Carlin** Mon 12 Oct 2015, 8:37 am

Just a bit of fun and just based upon the guys I enjoyed watching.

Tried to look for consistency of performance across all pool matches:

01 Marcos Ayerza (Argentina)
02 Stephen Moore (Australia)
03 Samson Lee (Wales)
04 Samu Manoa (USA)
05 Leone Nakarawa (Fiji)
06 Michael Leitch (Japan)
07 David Pocock (Australia)
08 Mamuka Gorgodze (Georgia)

09 Greig Laidlaw (Scotland)
10 Dan Biggar (Wales)
11 Bryan Habana (South Africa)
12 Robbie Henshaw (Ireland)
13 Ciaran Hearn (Canada)
14 DTH Van Der Merwe (Canada)
15 Ayumu Goromaru (Japan)

16 Scott Sio (Australia)
17 Dane Coles (New Zealand)
18 Sekope Kepu (Australia)
19 Lodewyk De Jager (South Africa)
20 Thierry Dusautoir (France)
21 Gareth Davies (Wales)
22 Bernard Foley (Australia)
23 Mike Brown (England)

Players who just missed out include:
Campese Ma'afu (Fiji)
Schalk Burger (South Africa)
Antony Watson (England)
Francesco Minto (Italy)
Julian Savea (New Zealand)
Nehe Milner-Skudder (New Zealand)
Nicolas Sanchez (Argentina)
Harumichi Tatekawa (Japan)
Telusa Veainu (Tonga)
Peter O'Mahony (Ireland)
Martín Landajo (Argentina)
Jesse Kriel (South Africa)

If you actually start to look at the stats to date, some of the choices are not as straightforward as you might think:
https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/stats/2015/players

by rapidsnowman Mon 12 Oct 2015, 12:15 pm

The 12 for Samoa against Scotland was amazing, though I didn't see his other games.

by rapidsnowman Mon 12 Oct 2015, 12:17 pm

Hard to look past Foley for 10 no matter how good Biggar has been.

by fa0019 Mon 12 Oct 2015, 12:18 pm

samson lee?

by lostinwales Mon 12 Oct 2015, 12:18 pm

rapidsnowman wrote:The 12 for Samoa against Scotland was amazing, though I didn't see his other games.

Fijian 12 was also a force of nature. There has to be a better prop than Samson Lee in there too

by **Biltong** Mon 12 Oct 2015, 12:21 pm

Leone Nakarawa (Fiji)

No way he was better than Lood de Jager

by fa0019 Mon 12 Oct 2015, 12:21 pm

lostinwales wrote:
rapidsnowman wrote:The 12 for Samoa against Scotland was amazing, though I didn't see his other games.

Fijian 12 was also a force of nature. There has to be a better prop than Samson Lee in there too

he only played in 2 matches too... 1 replacement game vs. Fiji and 1 vs. AUS.

by bedfordwelsh Mon 12 Oct 2015, 12:23 pm

Samson Lee? Even the most blinkered one eyed Turk Wink

would struggle to agree with you on that one, our scrum has been very poor. I think Warburton has had a very good tournament and had a huge game against England whilst Faletau has been great at the back of a beaten scrum.

by **Biltong** Mon 12 Oct 2015, 12:27 pm

Damien de Allende, completely ignored.

by flyhalffactory Mon 12 Oct 2015, 12:31 pm

I was massively impressed with de Allende who singlehanded destroyed our midfield of Scott and Vernon. But has he played in all the games Biltong?

by fa0019 Mon 12 Oct 2015, 12:35 pm

everyone has favourites.

In Ireland you will see Irish players favoured in 50/50s. In SA you will see springboks favoured in 50/50s and so on and so on and so on.

I'd have De Allende myself but maybe its because he's a local boy and we all love seeing him do well.

I'd put an entire Aussie front row mind, van der merwe of Canada and the Japanese captain for that single decision alone to go for the win (what a great example of the human spirit). Think I'd have him, Warburton and Pocock as my backrow.

by Tattie Scones RRN Mon 12 Oct 2015, 12:37 pm

Gethin Jenkins

by aqualung Mon 12 Oct 2015, 12:38 pm

Parisse played only one match, half-injured, and ate irish backrow alive. With only one match played he doesn't deserve any inclusion in the team, but what a player!

by **Biltong** Mon 12 Oct 2015, 12:41 pm

flyhalffactory wrote:I was massively impressed with de Allende who singlehanded destroyed our midfield of Scott and Vernon. But has he played in all the games Biltong?

Yeah he has mate.

by **Biltong** Mon 12 Oct 2015, 12:44 pm

my apologies he didn't play against Japan

by lostinwales Mon 12 Oct 2015, 12:44 pm

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:Gethin Jenkins

For what? most penalties given away in a match? He might just make it but he has a lot of competition from Cole and Marler steam

by fa0019 Mon 12 Oct 2015, 12:45 pm

Biltong wrote:my apologies he didn't play against Japan

ha, that makes his case stronger!!!

by rapidsnowman Mon 12 Oct 2015, 12:46 pm

Rory Best for hooker!

I'm totally biased but I don't care!

by **George Carlin** Mon 12 Oct 2015, 12:54 pm

Biltong wrote:Damien de Allende, completely ignored.

Calm down, Bilt. You already have 2 Boks in the starting 23.

Other people should feel free to post their own teams. Trust me when I say that this tends to lead to better discussion on threads rather than straightforward urination and moaning.

by **Biltong** Mon 12 Oct 2015, 1:03 pm

George Carlin wrote:
Biltong wrote:Damien de Allende, completely ignored.
Calm down, Bilt. You already have 2 Boks in the starting 23.

Other people should feel free to post their own teams. Trust me when I say that this tends to lead to better discussion on threads rather than straightforward urination and moaning.

I am calm George.

by whocares Mon 12 Oct 2015, 1:41 pm

fa0019 wrote:samson lee?

could have Slimani at TH, he was good at least till the Ireland game and scored 2 tries I think.

by marty2086 Mon 12 Oct 2015, 1:53 pm

Not one mention of Iain Henderson?

That loses you credibility immediately Rolling Eyes

by Geordie Mon 12 Oct 2015, 1:54 pm

That Samoan number 8 v Scotland was very impressive aswell as their 12. Both stood out on Saturday.

I like the fact so many "tier 2" players are in contention. I think this world cup has really shown the gap shortening....and that can only be a good thing.

by Geordie Mon 12 Oct 2015, 1:55 pm

marty2086 wrote:Not one mention of Iain Henderson?

That loses you credibility immediately

Totally agree one of the locks of the tournament so far.

by marty2086 Mon 12 Oct 2015, 1:56 pm

GeordieFalcon wrote:
marty2086 wrote:Not one mention of Iain Henderson?

That loses you credibility immediately

Totally agree one of the locks of the tournament so far.

One of the players for me, he's just getting better and better and playing like a man possessed

by **George Carlin** Mon 12 Oct 2015, 2:01 pm

GeordieFalcon wrote:
marty2086 wrote:Not one mention of Iain Henderson?

That loses you credibility immediately

Totally agree one of the locks of the tournament so far.

Manu is miles ahead in terms tackles made and linout steals. Nakarawa is there for his tackling and offloading. I love Henderson but I don't think I would have him before either of them or the Big Lode.

by Tattie Scones RRN Mon 12 Oct 2015, 2:04 pm

lostinwales wrote:
Tattie Scones RRN wrote:Gethin Jenkins

For what? most penalties given away in a match? He might just make it but he has a lot of competition from Cole and Marler

T'was a joke LIW

by mikey_dragon Mon 12 Oct 2015, 2:07 pm

Biltong wrote:Leone Nakarawa (Fiji)

No way he was better than Lood de Jager

Neither of them have anything on Joe Launchbury.

by marty2086 Mon 12 Oct 2015, 2:34 pm

Really?

Manoa Henderson Nakarawa
Games 4 3 4
Carries over gainline 26 18 19
Metres made 121 72 177
Turnovers 0 4 9
Lineouts Won 1 1 0
Lineout steals 0 1 2
Tackles made 34 34 34

So Manu is in for making the same amount of tackles and less lineout steals than Henderson?

by marty2086 Mon 12 Oct 2015, 2:37 pm

mikey_dragon wrote:
Biltong wrote:Leone Nakarawa (Fiji)

No way he was better than Lood de Jager

Neither of them have anything on Joe Launchbury.

The stats say otherwise

by geoff999rugby Mon 12 Oct 2015, 2:39 pm

Hogwash

3 teams come through the group stages undefeated and they only have 3 players in the starting 15 - yer right.

The irony being one of them - Moore - definitely wasn't the best 2

by **Biltong** Mon 12 Oct 2015, 2:43 pm

mikey_dragon wrote:
Biltong wrote:Leone Nakarawa (Fiji)

No way he was better than Lood de Jager

Neither of them have anything on Joe Launchbury.

De Jager has 21 carries across the gainline, how many does Launchberry have?

De Jager has 2 line out steals and 20 line out takes.

He has 50 tackles one missed.

by mikey_dragon Mon 12 Oct 2015, 2:44 pm

Guys, Launchbury = MOTM.

by **Biltong** Mon 12 Oct 2015, 2:46 pm

mikey_dragon wrote:Guys, Launchbury = MOTM.

Ah, yo are reffering to the public voting.

by eirebilly Mon 12 Oct 2015, 3:29 pm

I am surprised not to see Willie Le Roux's name mentioned here. I know its a personal thing but he is one of the best players around. Simply enjoy watching him.

by RubyGuby Mon 12 Oct 2015, 3:48 pm

DTH Van der Merve has had a great RWC, looking forward to seeing him in the Rabo 12

SOB also had a great game yesterday, I thought he punched above his weight anyway

thumbsup

by VinceWLB Mon 12 Oct 2015, 4:03 pm

Really liked Renaldo Bothma, he is one hell of a player and i would have him instead of Gorgodze who is too pedestrian for a modern day back rower.

by alive555 Mon 12 Oct 2015, 4:10 pm

Biltong wrote:
mikey_dragon wrote:
Biltong wrote:Leone Nakarawa (Fiji)

No way he was better than Lood de Jager

Neither of them have anything on Joe Launchbury.

De Jager has 21 carries across the gainline, how many does Launchberry have?

De Jager has 2 line out steals and 20 line out takes.

He has 50 tackles one missed.

Nakarawara is in a totally different class. Both in attack and defence

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/stats/2015/players/turnoverswon

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Mon 12 Oct 2015, 4:17 pm

RubyGuby wrote:DTH Van der Merve has had a great RWC, looking forward to seeing him in the Rabo 12

SOB also had a great game yesterday, I thought he punched above his weight anyway

DTH has been playing in the Pro 12 for the past 6 seasons ! Erm

by **Biltong** Mon 12 Oct 2015, 4:46 pm

alive555 wrote:
Biltong wrote:
mikey_dragon wrote:
Biltong wrote:Leone Nakarawa (Fiji)

No way he was better than Lood de Jager

Neither of them have anything on Joe Launchbury.

De Jager has 21 carries across the gainline, how many does Launchberry have?

De Jager has 2 line out steals and 20 line out takes.

He has 50 tackles one missed.

Nakarawara is in a totally different class. Both in attack and defence

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/stats/2015/players/turnoverswon

So he has more turnovers?

by **George Carlin** Mon 12 Oct 2015, 4:55 pm

I obviously wasn't clear in the OP.

This is a personal list of players who played particularly well and consistently throughout the pool stages and whom I enjoyed watching.

Whilst I took Opta's official match stats into account, each individual's performances overall were also weighted according to (a) how important they were to their team (b) the difficulty of their opposition during the pool stages and (c) the support they received from their teammates.

Is Canada's 13 better than Conrad Smith? Clearly not but I hope it's equally obvious that this is not what the selection above is about.

Otherwise the OP would consist of writing down the All Black starting 23 and asking everyone to move along to the next thread.

by RubyGuby Mon 12 Oct 2015, 4:56 pm

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:
RubyGuby wrote:DTH Van der Merve has had a great RWC, looking forward to seeing him in the Rabo 12

SOB also had a great game yesterday, I thought he punched above his weight anyway

DTH has been playing in the Pro 12 for the past 6 seasons !

Yeah but we'll now get to see him in Wales more as don't get to watch much of the Scottish games

thumbsup

by alive555 Tue 13 Oct 2015, 9:40 am

Biltong wrote:
alive555 wrote:
Biltong wrote:
mikey_dragon wrote:
Biltong wrote:Leone Nakarawa (Fiji)

No way he was better than Lood de Jager

Neither of them have anything on Joe Launchbury.

De Jager has 21 carries across the gainline, how many does Launchberry have?

De Jager has 2 line out steals and 20 line out takes.

He has 50 tackles one missed.

offs blinkered or what. what a load of drivel.

So you dont think this is impressive for a lock ? 9 turnovers ? thats 1 less than Pocock ffs. iN The whole tournament !

come on ! hes in a completley different league to Jager. Not even comparable.

Next you will be claiming Jager is a better attacking player ?? faster offloader making yards ?

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/108039

different class altogether.

Nakarawara is in a totally different class. Both in attack and defence

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/stats/2015/players/turnoverswon

So he has more turnovers?

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Tue 13 Oct 2015, 9:52 am

Good team but I would replace Laidlaw with the Welsh 9 and Faletau at 8 also.

by whocares Tue 13 Oct 2015, 10:23 am

fyi this Eurosport France best XV from the pool stage - like GC said it is not about who's the best but who's consistently performed very well during the pool stages hence the high number of players from smaller nations and the lack of kiwis etc (who also rotated more heavily their teams)

15 Goromaru - 2nd best scorer with 58 points
14 Habana - 5 tries and equals Lomu record
13 Bennett
12 De Allende
11 DTH VDM - 4 tries scored and plenty of pace and class
10 Foley
9 Laidlaw - 60 points scored
8 Gorgodze - twice MOM and 2 tries
7 Pocock
6 Leitch - best tackler (51) and 36 runs with ball in hand
5 De Jager - 50 tackles and some great runs
4 Henderson
3 Herrera
2 Coles - probably the best hooker in the wolrd
1 Sio

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