While
the rugby world digests Ian McGeechan’s
British and Irish Lions this
week – I thought it would be an
interesting exercise to pick a current world XV and
see how many of those Lions would make it. There are
some notable omissions (as there have to be) and I’m
sure there will be many of you that disagree with
certain selections (I certainly don’t agree with
everyone that has made the Lions squad) but I will
explain my reasoning as we go and should my team
ever get the opportunity to play the Martians – I
reckon we’d do ok.
Let’s
start at the front – where rugby starts anyway. You
should ignore whatever those little men with the
nice hair say.
Loose head - I desperately wanted Os Du Randt
but he made it clear this retirement is for real. To
steal a line from Buddha Handy – that is a man who
was born when meat was cheap. Assuming Os isn’t
available I’d opt for Andrew Sheridan.
Hooker – Searched high and low but there is a
dearth of really, really good hookers. Thank you for
those suggestions that Amsterdam would provide one
but I have settled on Bismarck du Plessis who nudges
out “Super Mario” Ledesma and Andrew Hore.
Tighthead – Some worthy candidates here but
there is only one player who can fill these shoes.
Carl Hayman. End of story.
Lock - Paul O’Connell is sure to be there. He
has been given the honour of leading the Lions and
his clash with my other lock, Bakkies Botha, will be
immense.
Flankers – This will be the area that causes the
most controversy as there are plenty of options.
Richie McCaw will take the No 7 jersey and I’ve
picked George Smith at six. They are both freakish
footballers in different ways – capable of changing
a game. Others that can consider themselves unlucky
are Martyn Williams, Schalk Burger and Juan Smith.
No. 8 – There are some talented candidates
around - Rodney So’oialo is a solid performer and
Imanol Harinordoquy is in special form at the
moment. In the end it was between Pierre Spies and
Sergio Parisse. I have opted for Parisse because he
is consistently outstanding in an average team.
Halfback – Here is another mouthwatering clash
when the Lions do tour. Fourie du Preez and Harry
Ellis are the two standouts in the world at the
moment. I opt for Ellis only because his form in the
6 Nations was excellent.
Flyhalf – Three sensational players for one
spot. Matt Giteau, Juan Martin Hernandez and Dan
Carter. I have omitted Giteau because the Australian
selectors can’t decide if he is a 9, 10 or 12. and
have decided on Hernandez – and before I start
getting death threats from Kiwi’s……
Inside Centre – Dan Carter (I just couldn’t
leave him out and he has shown he is more than
capable of dominating a game from the 12 jersey).
Outside Centre – Brian O’Driscoll and Stirling
Mortlock are the two standouts. I opt for Stirling
Mortlock because of his consistent ability to break
tackles.
Wingers – I apologise in advance to those Welsh
fans hoping to see Shane Williams in the team. No
way. Don’t forget how badly he was exposed in NZ on
the last Lions tour. Sitiveni Sivivatu takes one
spot and Lote Tuqiri the other. Both can change a
game and have unmatched work rates off the ball. My
bolter was going to be Napoli Nalaga (or any other
Fijian for that matter – Rupeni Caucaunibuca is
still carving up France’s Pro D2) but that is
disrespectful to proven performers like Brian
Habana.
Fullback – Mils Muliana is one of my favourite
players of all time (as is Chris Latham) but if we
are picking this team on form – Lee Byrne has the
jersey.
So
there we go. My World XV has four British Lions,
four New Zealanders, three Australians, two South
Africans, an Italian and an Argentinian.
Paul Dearlove's World XV:
1.
Andrew Sheridan (England)
2. Bismarck du Plessis (South Africa)
3. Carl Hayman (New Zealand)
4. Bakkies Botha (South Africa)
5. Paul O’Connell (Ireland)
6. George Smith (Australia)
7. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
8. Sergio Parisse (Italy)
9. Harry Ellis (England)
10. Juan Martin Hernandez (Argentina)
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu (New Zealand)
12. Dan Carter (New Zealand)
13. Stirling Mortlock (Australia)
14. Lote Tuqiri (Australia)
15. Lee Byrne (Wales)
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