Which country has the best No 10 selection for the RWC?

We all know who the leading No 10 is in the world. But if a back-up is needed, who has the best selection to fill the out-half slot? Assuming most squads will only travel to NZ with two natural 10s in their line-up with a third utility back as back-up, which country has the best Number 2s/back-ups in their squads?

Wales have Hook, Jones, and ...?
England have Wilkinson and Flood and Hodgson.
Ireland have Sexton, O'Gara and likely Wallace as No 3.
South Africa have players such as M Steyn, James, F Steyn, Lambie?
Argentina have Contemponi
New Zealand have Carter and Slade??
Australia have Cooper and Giteau?

Register your vote, feel free to comment, or if you want to add in a player or country as well, they'll get included. You can cancel/change your vote.

Slade gets a full start and outing against a full SA in Port Elizabeth this weekend so we might know a bit more then. Doesn't get a lot harder than a bruised Boks team at home...

Sorry, Mods - messed up posting this into the International section. Don't know how to fix it.

Edit: And if by magic, it moves. Thank you.

Wales: Hook, Jones, Priestland.

South Africa also have Butch James,
Aus have Cooper, Giteau, Barnes.
Scotland: Jackson, Parks, Paterson(?).
France: Skrela, Tranduc, Traille.

I've gone for Ireland. Forget about Wallace who won't play 10 unless there's a major emergency. However I think Sexton and O'Gara are two of the best 10's in the NH right now and between them Ireland have pretty much all their bases covered.

ROG brings a wealth of experience, great game reading abilities, incredible mental strength and a tactical kicking game that is second to none.

Sexton brings a physical edge, pace, swagger and a more instinctive attacking game with the ball in hand but both are excellent all round players who can play a varied game when needed.

Unlike with Flood and Wilkinson who are good friends, there's a bit of spice and competitiveness between ROG and Sexton which seems to bring out the best in both players, especially ROG.

I put Scotland, in the hope that by merely stating it, it might turn out to be half true.

In truth I'd say New Zealand.

FES
Scotland have the opposite problem to NZ - The ABs have a great 10 but inconsistency with squad depth.
Scotland have great consistency, problem is that all the options are either a bit rubbish or total sh...

funnyExiledScot wrote:I put Scotland, in the hope that by merely stating it, it might turn out to be half true.

In truth I'd say New Zealand.

Lol - so did I

Shocked at the England vote. NZ have the best fly-half in the world but behind him I'm going to go as far to say they have absolutely nothing.

Wales have good options right now, but 2 of of those outside-halves will be required to play 12 and 15 at some point.

Difficult to see past Dan Parks!!

To be honest I'd say NZ. All this is taking injuries into account and while much has been made of what would happen to NZ if Carter were to suffer an injury, the truth is that if he doesn't then it's NZ's biggest strength.

Btw his defence was amazing against Aussie, an effort Wilkinson would have been proud of.

disneychilly wrote:To be honest I'd say NZ. All this is taking injuries into account and while much has been made of what would happen to NZ if Carter were to suffer an injury, the truth is that if he doesn't then it's NZ's biggest strength.

Btw his defence was amazing against Aussie, an effort Wilkinson would have been proud of.

That's ducking the issue though, disneychilly.

The question is posed around which nation has the best stocks/depth/quality at the RWC. Carter is the acknowledged No 1. The poll is clearly based on something happening to a nation's first choice OH. Who do they have in reserve to step up to the plate, and how does that compare to other nations. So why would you say NZ?

Given that most nations ten is fixed on to play most if not all of the major matches its not really a question of 1st choice but which team has the best 2nd choice flyhalfs...

Which team would suffer the most from their first choice flyhalf being injured?

Pot Hale wrote:

disneychilly wrote:To be honest I'd say NZ. All this is taking injuries into account and while much has been made of what would happen to NZ if Carter were to suffer an injury, the truth is that if he doesn't then it's NZ's biggest strength.

Btw his defence was amazing against Aussie, an effort Wilkinson would have been proud of.

That's ducking the issue though, disneychilly.

The question is posed around which nation has the best stocks/depth/quality at the RWC. Carter is the acknowledged No 1. The poll is clearly based on something happening to a nation's first choice OH. Who do they have in reserve to step up to the plate, and how does that compare to other nations. So why would you say NZ?

I would say it's because he's reasonably confident Slade can do the job if needed. I doubt we'd be quite so confident if the #2 flyhalf was McAllister, Donald or Cruden. Bearing in mind that Dagg's not a bad goal kicker either should Carter be out injured and Slade go off leaving Weepu at 10.

This morning North Harbour released Luke Mcalister, effective immediately. He flies out to Toulouse on Saturday.

Weepu can kick too

Lest you forget Piri Weepu is a considerable FH and a competent kicker.
If Colin Slade does`nt make the starting gate could do worst than Matt Berquist,or chuck Young Anscom in the deep end he s about O`connors age.

Opted for France, just ahead of Australia. Some strength and a change of style, gives France a plan B

Went for Aus, although don`t agree with the 3 players in the poll. Sure Cooper is right but would not Beale and Barnes (if fit) be a better alternative to O'Connor and Giteau may not even make the squad. Either way there is more than one world class backup in that squad. I've not seen anything yet from Slade to make me think he is an international class back up to Carter.

Think Ireland probably have the best in the NH, although I think they would struggle against the tri-nation teams without Sexton. I do rate ROG, but more of a finisher to a game as opposed to a player who can win the really big games from the start. Same for Wilkinson really, both players who can close games out but do they have the flat standing running game to challenge New Zealand or Australia?