Predict your stars of the world cup

ok, before you diss me i agree this is a very subjective post, but i'd like to see who people think will be the 3 most impressive forwards and backs of the of the world cup.

my 3 forwards are: pocock, sean o'brien, k read (controversially leaving mccaw out as refs seem to have him figured out)

my 3 backs are: zac guildford, sonny bill, quade cooper

i've picked backrows partly as breakdown dominance will be a key deciding factor in winning games, and in the backs i've gone for the 3 best game breakers in my view.

i dont expect anyone to go for the same 6 but interested to see other views too.

I don't know if i could predict 6 but I think Beale from Aus, Richie Gray from Scotland and Coutney Lawes from England could all get a lot of good publicity on the back of their performances.
I didn't see all of this morning's match but Zac Guildford seems to be slightly hesitant when he gets the ball. Once he knows that he isn't going to get tackled staright away, he definites comes into his own. Against poor opposition, I think he willdo well but, to me, to be a star you have to perform well in the closer games

Hmm very difficult to pick out 6 and who knows what will happen.

I think O'Brien, Brad Thorn and Pocock will really stand out in the forwards nad I expect it to be a real tournement for the back rowers.

In the backs Sonny Bill Williams, Hosea Gear and Jonny Sexton.

Sean O'Brien and SBW to be the stand out players in the tournement

I am not too sure i could pick six player to be honest.

If i was picking just for England.The three players i would pick is Chris Ashton, Ben Foden, Courtney Lawes.Other players/s maybe Tom Waldrom,I get a feeling that if,if,he is given a chance he will take it with both hands.

SOB
Warburton
SBW
Matfield
Genia
O'Connor

SOB
Kaino
Dusotoir
Cooper
Beale
Mapusua (i just want to see him at his best now hes left irish but he is a great player)

Sam Whitelock, Juan Smith and Tatafu Palota-Nau in the forwards.

Jacques Fourie, Miguel Rodriguez and Sexton in the backs.

I'm gonna say Whitelock, Lawes and Hartley.
For the backs SBW, Beale and Foden

'controversially leaving mccaw out as refs seem to have him figured out'

Wow. What a statement.

Forwards: Mccaw, Read, Harinordoquy.

Backs: Carter, Sonny Bill, O'Connor.

The Crux or Southern Cross. Only question is 4 red or 5 White plus the Commonwealth star?

Guilford? hahaha no.... i doubt he'll travel tbh.

Not a best players list, but a few things I am looking forward to:
- O'Brien as I haven't had the opportunity to take a look yet.
- Broussow, pocock and McAwe as the time maybe right for one of the youngsters to assume the title
- The Argentine and French packs
- Sonny Bill, who I think will be the on field star of the tournament
- From purely a Waratahs point of view, Polota-Nau and Beale
- Robbie Deans giving his press conferences in NZ and all the ensuing frothing at the mouth

Sean O'Brien won ERC player of the year and his uncanny ability to break tackles makes him great to watch. He still doesn't have many caps though. We'll see if he can step up and be as influential against the big international sides. Foden is also a player to watch.

rawa86 wrote:'controversially leaving mccaw out as refs seem to have him figured out'

Wow. What a statement.

Forwards: Mccaw, Read, Harinordoquy.

Backs: Carter, Sonny Bill, O'Connor.

ok maybe i left him out because i hate how good he is. You have to admit that when he's played this year he hasn't been at his best. when crusaders lost to the reds i'm pretty sure it was Mccaw who conceded the penalty that cost them the game....

Could a "lesser star" like Gio Aplom, Digby Ioane light up the place I wonder?

If he's given the chance then I think Faletau will step up to the mark for Wales and prove he can be our No8 for years to come.

Feckless Rogue wrote:Sean O'Brien won ERC player of the year and his uncanny ability to break tackles makes him great to watch. He still doesn't have many caps though. We'll see if he can step up and be as influential against the big international sides. Foden is also a player to watch.

That's what I've been hearing FR. Irish have a real strength in the backrow by the sounds.

Forwards- Sam Warburton, Richie Gray, French number 8 whose name I will not embarrass myself by misspelling.

Backs- George North, SBW, Quade Cooper.

Forwards: Kaino, McCaw and Read (who I think will establish themselves as one of the great back row trios).

Honourable mentions: SOB and Pocock.

Backs: Carter, Foden and Beale.

Honourable mentions: SBW and Cooper.

Scottish honourable mentions - Richie Gray in the pack, and Sean Lamont at centre/wing. If we make the QF, these will be our key players.

boomeranga wrote:

Feckless Rogue wrote:Sean O'Brien won ERC player of the year and his uncanny ability to break tackles makes him great to watch. He still doesn't have many caps though. We'll see if he can step up and be as influential against the big international sides. Foden is also a player to watch.

That's what I've been hearing FR. Irish have a real strength in the backrow by the sounds.

Yes and no. Stephen Ferris is injured and Denis Leamy is a shadow of who he used to be. Shane Jennings is a guy who looks great at club level but never delivers when stepping up. Sean O'Brien is untested really as an international. David Wallace and Jamie Heaslip are looking the part.

Forwards: A French front row, O'Brien, Pocock, Mathfield, Lawes, Read

backs: Sexton, SBW, Beale, Foden, O'Connor, Adam Ashley Cooper

If he's fit to go to the World Cup, I think Aurelien Rougerie could be outstanding for France at centre.

Backs - SBW, Beale, O'Connor

Forwards - Botha, Read, POC

Only 1 NH which says everything

I'm not going to try and pick 3 from the world, but I think Lawes and Foden could have a big impact for England.

red_stag wrote:

boomeranga wrote:

Feckless Rogue wrote:Sean O'Brien won ERC player of the year and his uncanny ability to break tackles makes him great to watch. He still doesn't have many caps though. We'll see if he can step up and be as influential against the big international sides. Foden is also a player to watch.

That's what I've been hearing FR. Irish have a real strength in the backrow by the sounds.

Yes and no. Stephen Ferris is injured and Denis Leamy is a shadow of who he used to be. Shane Jennings is a guy who looks great at club level but never delivers when stepping up. Sean O'Brien is untested really as an international. David Wallace and Jamie Heaslip are looking the part.

Staggy, I'm sure that is sacrilege!!!