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auchtermuchty
23-10-2007, 11:19
OK then guys, lets see your teams of the tournament......

15. Ignacio Corleto (ARG)
For me he was far and away the best performer at full back in the whole tournament. Some will say Montgomery and I have no problem with that, if you take Percy's boot away though he didnt do anything spectacular. With the other selections I have I dont need his boot so Corleto gets the call.

14. Takudzwa Ngwenya (USA)
With an absence of good right wing play in the tournament, although J.P. Pietersen was probably most consistent, our african born yank gets it for one moment of raw unadulterated pace. Skin Habana and you're quick, seriously quick. (Its been named try of the year too!)

13. Seru Rabeni (FJI)
This is more of a nod towards the Fijian team performances although Rabeni easily overshadowed the bigger names wearing a 13 shirt at the tournament.

12. Felipe Contepomi (ARG)
The good doctor was one of the stars of Argentina's meteoric rise through this tournament. Keep reading and you'll probably find another couple.

11. Bryan Habana (RSA)
Cant really leave out the tournament top try scorer. Honourable mention here for Shane Williams though.

10. Jonny Wilkinson (ENG)
This mans controlling/calming/bolstering influence coincided with Englands resurgence to a team that stood a chance every time they took the field.

9. Augustin Pichot (ARG)
Hardest decision I had to make. Gus drove the Puma pack like the little general he has always been and played like we all know he can. There was an international coming of age (bit late I grant you) for Gomarsall and Du Preez showed he will be a future force.

1. Rodrigo Roncero (ARG)
Really wanted to pick Sheridan here but Roncero was the outstanding forward of the whole tournament for me. Not only did he scrummage well but his loose play was nothing short of astounding for a prop.

2. John Smit (RSA)
I suppose there could be an argument here that if you are throwing in to Matfield and Botha you are always going to look good but he was the tournament winning skipper too.

3. CJ van der Linde (RSA)
Scrummaged well enough to cope with both the guys I wanted to pick for 1 and still managed to put in a good tackle count.

4. Simon Shaw (ENG)
Shaw's performance in this tournament has me asking where he has been for the last four years.

5. Victor Matfield (RSA)
Simply the best lock forward in the world at the moment and proved it every time he took the field.

6. Juan Smith (RSA)
I know he wears 7 but thats just the south africans being wierd. This guy was fantastic at the breakdown, always there and always hitting big when he had to.

7. Nili Latu (TGA)
The Tongan skipper was performing as though latter stage qualification was a matter of life and death for him personally. He gave Smith the hardest ride of the tournament when he replaced Roussow in the pool game after Latu had wiped the floor with him.

8. Vasco Uva (POR)
This guy was simply the best amatuer player of the tournament, indeed he put some of the guys with contracts to shame and I have no doubt he will be picked up somewhere. He was rightfully MoM against the Jocks.

JAFAD666
23-10-2007, 11:27
This guy has to be in. Anyone who goes 1 to1 with Chabal, and Seb sees stars has to be a top bloke ... Juan Manuel Leguizamón

Scaley brat
23-10-2007, 11:29
I just looked in my crystal ball and saw..... another list heading for the playground ! :PDT_Xtremez_31:

auchtermuchty
23-10-2007, 11:32
I just looked in my crystal ball and saw..... another list heading for the playground ! :PDT_Xtremez_31:

Its a rugby thread in the rugby club, if you've nothing constructive to add then please get lost.

rugby then work
23-10-2007, 14:03
I agree with quite a few of those, here's my picks that differ from yours:


14. Vilimoni Delasau (FIJ) Whilst I agree that Ngwenya has slightly more pace, I like the way that Delesau goes looking for work (something not very common in Fijian wings). With ball in hand he was a pleasure to watch.

9. Fourie du Preez (SA) For me he's the complete scrum half, he has quick hands, a great boot, can spot a gap as it opens up and has the pace to exploit it.

7. Thierry Dusautoir (FRA) He was awesome against NZ and from being only 4th/5th choice in Frances back row he has cemented his place in the side.

8. Gonzalo Longo (ARG) Longo has huge heart, he is technically an excellent 8 and inexhaustible when either carrying the ball or making the big hits. For me he was the real unsung hero of the Pumas' RWC.

3. Martin Scelzo (ARG) The best of a tremendous Argentine font row, I also rate Roncero, but believe Scelzo the better scrummager.

1. Andrew Sheridan (ENG) Powerful scrummager and great with ball in hand, he was one of the main reasons that the Aussie scrum was so completely destroyed in the 1/4 final.

tommo9999
23-10-2007, 15:37
Agree with quite a few but here's my selection:

15. Montgomery (Just very consistent).
14. Delasau (Lightning quick, intelligent).
13. Rabeni (Obvious choice).
12. Contepomi (Just well organised, never rushed).
11. Habana (Who can leave out the player of the year?).
10. Hernandez (Different class, either in hand or kicking).
9. Du Preez (Best 9 in the world right now and played like it).
8. Longo (Consistently the best in the tournament).
7. Latu (How good would he be in a better side?)
6. Qera (Very close call between him and Smith, but Gera more dynamic).
5. Matfield (Nuff said).
4. Shaw (Great to see him get a chance after keeping the bench warm).
3. Scelzo (Rock solid - what more do you want from your tighthead?)
2. Ledesma (Different class in the tight and the loose, world class).
1. Sheridan (Roncero runs him close, but he's just not as destructive).

Loads of other players played well - Paterson, Uva, Smit, Botha, McAllister, Robinson.