The World Cup final is upon us and, happily, pretty much everyone agrees that the best two teams in the world right now will be competing in it. But were you to merge them and make a super, cross-Tasman invitational team, who would make the XV?
COMBINED NEW ZEALAND/AUSTRALIA XV
15. Ben Smith (New Zealand)
14. Nehe Milner-Skudder (New Zealand)
13. Ma’a Nonu (New Zealand)
12. Matt Giteau (Australia)
11. Julian Savea (New Zealand)
10. Dan Carter (New Zealand)
9. Aaron Smith (New Zealand)
1. Scott Sio (Australia)
2. Stephen Moore (Australia)
3. Sekope Kepu (Australia)
4. Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)
5. Sam Whitelock (New Zealand)
6. Scott Fardy (Australia)
7. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
8. David Pocock (Australia)
Final score: New Zealand 9, Australia 6
A year ago if you’d told me I’d pick this team with more Australians than Kiwis in the pack, I’d have told you to have your head examined. But their group of eight forwards has been up there with the greatest revelations of the tournament, and as such five of them make it into the pack.
The front row of Sio, Moore and Kepu has, largely, had the upper hand in the scrums in every game they’ve played (granted, the latter two had trouble against Argentina – but then who hasn’t?). Moore pips Coles for his leadership and also his ability to executes a hooker’s basics better – if there were one of the two you’d want throwing a game-winning lineout in the final minute, it’s Moore.
The engine room is all New Zealand – Retallick and Whitelock are the two best locks in world rugby bar none, so no argument there. The back-row is tougher – Scott Fardy is finally getting the praise he deserves and his influence is greater than people realise, so he pips Kaino. Having McCaw and Pocock in the same back-row would mean the opposition’s quick ball would be at a premium.
The back-line is where New Zealand dominates. The half-back selection is pretty unequivocal – where Genia and Foley have blown hot and cold, Carter is rediscovering his best form and Aaron Smith is categorically the best scrum-half in the world. I’ve cheated a bit in the centres and moved Nonu to 13, but his running lines off the shoulder of a distributor like Giteau is too tasty a prospect to ignore – and is one that Toulon fans may well be enjoying next year.
The back three is where some of the toughest calls come. Israel Folau at his best is impossible to leave out – but he’s been far from it this World Cup, so Ben Smith – who is probably on a par anyway – takes the 15 shirt. Savea walks into the team as the best finisher in the world, while I’ve gone for the threat of the unknown that Milner-Skudder offers over the more pragmatic – but hugely talented – Ashley-Cooper.
So there you have it. To be honest you could make a cogent argument to reverse pretty much all of the decisions. And to take it to another level – how many players from other nations would realistically make it into that team? Very few – dare I say it – if any.
By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
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