World Cup all time AB team
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Taylor would be just behind Nonu on this list- Maa would out weigh him by 30kg but as far a reliable 12 Taylor was vital. He carted up tackled everything and chased every kick like his life depended on it. I think Graham Lowe named him as a player he would love to have had back in the day.
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@Duluth said in World Cup all time AB team:
Who cares about normal people.. Shall we run some TSF polls?
If someone can post a list of all the names I'll create temp forum with 15 polls
Forum for TSF voting is open now:
https://www.forum.thesilverfern.com/category/41/best-ab-rwc-side -
I think centre will be the hardest position to pick for me personally - Stanley, Bunce and Smith all worthy contenders.
Maybe it would have been Umaga if:
- Hart had seen the future and gone Umaga at 13 instead of Cullen.
- Mitchell had played him.
- He had hung on until 2007 and we'd miraculously beaten the French with a drop goal after he directed the team to set for one with 10 minutes to go.
Sadly none of that happened.
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Some tough choices there.
I'd find room for MJ in any AB team but had to leave him out on this vote. I'd rate McCaw as a better 7 every time. Kaino as a better 6 in RWC games - he was unbelievably good in 2011 & 2015.
Ditto Brad Thorn at 4. BBBR is just, well, better in that position.
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@Nepia said in World Cup all time AB team:
I think centre will be the hardest position to pick for me personally - Stanley, Bunce and Smith all worthy contenders.
Yep. Ma'a was an easy choice at 12 so I finally went for Conrad as their combination and understanding was on another planet at times.
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@Victor-Meldrew said in World Cup all time AB team:
Some tough choices there.
I'd find room for MJ in any AB team but I'd rate McCaw as a better 7 every time. Kaino as a better 6 in RWC games - he was unbelievably good in 2011 & 2015.
Ditto Brad Thorn at 4. BBBR is just, well, better in that position.
I'm the opposite to you, MJ is a better rugby player and 7 for me, always has been - McCaw is a greater AB. The question asked for best openside, that's MJ for me so he got my vote. McCaw will have to be best off field captain following on from Andy Dalton in 1987. Or if we can pick reserves he'll make my reserves bench.
Kaino was the best player at the 2011 RWC so is an obvious pick. AJ Whetton was damn good in 1987.
I think I'm leaning your way with Conrad Smith as well.
Same with BBBR (and the added bonus he's a Magpie).
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@sparky said in World Cup all time AB team:
Toughest choice for me was Number 8.
Anyway, awesome to see the great Buck Vs Zinzan debate revived on the Fern.
I went Buck even though I'd probably take Zinny in an all time team due to how good Buck was in 87.
My hardest picks, i.e. I haven't chosen yet, are halfback/10 (although likely DC) and the two props.
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@Victor-Meldrew Conrad Smith's defence in 2011 was outstanding. He was past his best by 2015, but there was still no one better at timing the pass to the man in space. Sterling service from Conrad for NMS.
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10 - Mertz (95) slightly ahead of Carter (15). The fleet running Mertz that set a light our star studded backline.
7 - McCaw (11) ahead of Jones (87) and Kronfeld (95). Over the course of the 2011 RWC the way he managed the team, managed his performances throughout and lifted in the final. The quarter-final and semi-final were his best performances in terms of play but the way he led in the final and made tackle after tackle with that ankle was his most inspirational.
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@Duluth said in World Cup all time AB team:
Forum for TSF voting is open now:
https://www.forum.thesilverfern.com/category/41/best-ab-rwc-sideNice work sir! Deserved a bump up.
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@ACT-Crusader said in World Cup all time AB team:
10 - Mertz (95) slightly ahead of Carter (15). The fleet running Mertz that set a light our star studded backline.
Yes thank God we had Mehrts to put Lomu in space that tournament.
I wasn't brave enough to mention it earlier but if Mehrts is going to get a jersey in this team we may as well all have a laugh. Spencer in 2003 > Mehrts in 1995 and not particularly close. I haven't seen enough of the 1987 pool games and QF to comment on Fox, but due to injuries and rotation it would have to be between '03 Spencer and '15 Carter with the latter the clear winner.
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@DMX said in World Cup all time AB team:
Yes you have to put a massive premium on winners and final performances. Carters daggers in the final put him head and shoulders above Mehrts.
Mehrts had a few daggers of his own in 95 and 99 just in the wrong direction.
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