The best of the best is a term often used in rugby but just who would make an All Stars side from the Rugby Championship?
Here’s one man’s opinion on just that!
Read the full program for Round Six of TRC here
01. JOE MOODY (ALL BLACKS)
The big loose head prop hasn’t played too much footy over the past 12 months but he has shown in the past two Tests (against Argentina in Brisbane and the Springboks in Townsville) that there is plenty of life in this old dog.
The 32-year-old was an essential part of the win over the Boks last weekend and looks set to add to his Rugby World Cups he won in 2011 and 2015
02. CODIE TAYLOR (ALL BLACKS)
The All Blacks No.2 has always done his core roles well throughout his 63 Tests for the top ranked side in the world but his running game in the wider corridors has become a real game breaker.
Just look at the way that he made his way through the Springbok defence in the early minutes of the Test against the Springboks to set up Will Jordan’s try. That was evidence of how much this part of his game has come on.
Before the weekend I thought that he was holding the spot for Dane Coles but that may not be the case for too much longer.
03. TANIELA TUPOU (WALLABIES)
What’s not to like about a tight head prop who thinks that his skills wouldn’t be wasted if they moved him into the No.10 jumper. There are many layers to the 130kg plus Wallaby on and off the field who on his day can turn a game with his scrummaging, his robot defence and his pinball wizard running game.
Nepo Laulala and Ofa Tuungafasi were right in the mix for this spot but the wider range of skills that Tupou would bring to the table at the front end of a game could not be ignored.
04. BRODIE RETALLICK (ALL BLACKS)
This is the sort of bloke that you would love playing with but absolutely hate playing against - big feet, all elbows and just that touch of aggression in everything he does meant that he was one of the first picked in this side.
It took Retallick a couple of Tests to get back up to pace after a couple of years in Japan but he was mightily effective in the Bledisloe Cup series and of course the 100th Test nail biter against the Springboks.
05. PABLO MATERA (LOS PUMAS)
This is a bit of a left field selection but there is just so much to like about throwing the former Los Pumas skipper into the second row. He’s good at line out time, carries the ball well and works hard off the ball.
The thing that I like most about having him in this side is the ‘mana’ that he would bring to the table - like his Los Pumas teammate Marcos Kremer there is a certain edge to his game. A great addition and tactically very sound.
06. SIYA KOLISI (CC) (SPRINGBOKS)
Leading the Springboks is one of the toughest jobs in world sport and Kolisi seems to be handling all the ups and downs with considerable style. He already has a list of achievements that most in world rugby would swoon over - a Rugby World Cup triumph in Japan and a series win over the British and Irish Lions top off the list.
He was a little bit flat at the front end of The Rugby Championship but his games against the Wallabies in Brisbane and the All Blacks in Townsville demanded that he be given the No.7 jersey.
07. MICHAEL HOOPER (cC)(WALLABIES)
The Stan Sport commentary team have made this point constantly throughout the course of this year’s Rugby Championship - that we just come to expect a nine or 10 out of 10 performance from Hooper each week and that he’s marked hard by fans and critics alike. His performances and leadership have been right up there and he deserves the fetcher spot.
08. ARDIE SAVEA (ALL BLACKS)
The All Blacks skipper has shown some tactical,nous and durability throughout the Rugby Championship this year. He has also shown adaptability to play anywhere across the backrow without needing time to settle into jersey six, seven or eight. The perfect ball to throw the pill to if there’s not much on because he’s great in contact and has some of the best post contact metres in championship.
09. NIC WHITE (WALLABIES)
Lots of talent to pick from at the base of the scrum throughout the four nations that we chose from here but the energy that White brings to the game was something that I just couldn’t go past. He does all the things that world class No.9s do but his running game when things start to loosen up is top shelf.
White’s growing experience at Test level and the styles of games that he has had to play in the UK and France got his nose in front in this selection battle. Probably the best all rounder of the scrumhalves that we had to pick from.
10. HANDRE POLLARD (SPRINGBOKS)
The Springbok No.10 hasn’t been able to get a win in Australia so far but there were signs against the All Blacks last weekend that his kicking and game management skills had returned.
Just the sort of bloke that you need at the front end of a game to set the tone and get your side into the grind of winning a Test match. I reckon he would work well with his centres Samu Kerevi and Rieko Ioane in what is an awesome looking middle of the field.
11. MARIKA KOROIBETE (WALLABIES)
He’s off for a bit of R and R with the family before the start off the Wallabies spring tour but the Fijian-born ‘Energiser Bunny’ is an essential part of the vibe of this side.
What impresses most about Koroibete is his work rate away from the edges - he just doesn’t sit out in the tram tracks waiting for someone on the inside to set him clear.
Not many people get around him in defence and his kick chasing game is up there with the best in the world.
12. SAMU KEREVI (WALLABIES)
I must admit that I wasn’t sure whether Dave Rennie’s gamble to bring Samu Kerevi back into the Wallabies fold was going to work but a handful of Tests later there are many out there saying that he’s the best No.12 in the world.
He’s worked on a number of things while in Japan with the Suntory Sungoliath and it was there for all to see in his game against Los Pumas in Townsville last weekend - good carries, great defence and an eye for the gap were all part of his game.
13. RIEKO IOANE (ALL BLACKS)
His 30 tries in just over 40 Tests says something about what the younger Ioane brother is all about. He’s fast, runs great angle and is excellent under the high ball so handy to support his fullback when the big up and under are incoming.
His form flattened out a touch a little over 12 months ago but Rieko has been in rare form right throughout the majority of this Rugby Championship.
14. WILL JORDAN (ALL BLACKS)
I like a winger who scores tries and that is just why Will Jordan gets a spot on the right edge in this side. Jordan has now scored 12 tries in his eight Test matches and is in such a rich vein of form that many more are on the way when the All Blacks head to the UK for the spring tour.
His work off the ball to support the breaks made by the men in the middle of the field is a big plus in his game - just look at how hard he worked to get the off load from Codie Taylor on the weekend against the Boks.
15. JORDIE BARRETT (ALL BLACKS)
For a Kiwi boy it was a real ‘Boys Own’ moment - 48m out near the sideline, one point behind in a monumental tussle in the 100th Test match against the Springboks. The skipper throws you the ball and says do your best.
If you are Jordie Barrett you set yourself, take a couple of deep breaths - in through the nose and out through the mouth - and nail it. Final score 19-17 against the greatest of rivals.
But Barrett is much more than just a goal kicker, he’s good under the high ball (an important skill in these days of the box kick) and can really light up in attack. He’s a real factor at the back end of games.
THE BENCH
16. JULIAN MONTOYA (LOS PUMAS)
The Los Pumas skipper has had a handy Rugby Championship despite not ticking the win column so far. Accurate at line out time and a good scrum organiser.
17. TREVOR NYAKONE (SPRINGBOKS)
A bit of good old South African beef to bring off the bench. Impressed throughout the Rugby Championship with his defence and carries.
18. NEPO LAULALA (ALL BLACKS)
The All Blacks strong man is just the type you need to come on and stabilise your set piece at the back end of a game.
19. SCOTT BARRETT (ALL BLACKS)
Pretty close to getting the nod in the starting XV of the All Stars but certainly provides oodles of value off the pine.
READ MORE:
THE WIN: Wallabies dominant Pumas
FIVE THINGS: Kellaway continues to impress
THE THRILLER: Springboks overcome All Blacks
20. AKIRA IOANE (ALL BLACKS)
The older Ioane brother has really come of age through this year’s TRC and if he keeps working hard a RWC could be his.
21. TJ PERENARA (ALL BLACKS)
TJ’s form has kept Faf de Klerk out of the 23 and his running game is the reason why we have gone with the Kiwi. He’ll spice things up late.
22. BEAUDEN BARRETT (ALL BLACKS)
Played second fiddle to Richie Mo’unga early in the international season but has shown in the later stages of TRC that he’s not far off top form.
23. SEVU REECE (ALL BLACKS)
Just the bloke to have on the edges late in the piece when things start to loosen up and the defences are tired.
