Team of the Year - 2009

FridaysWell

So tell me. . .
What is your team of the year?

My own would be:

15. Rob Kearney



14. Tommy Bowe



13. Brian O'Driscoll



12. Matt Giteau


11. Maxime Medard


10. Dan Carter


9. Fourie Du Preez


8. Jamie Heaslip

7. Richie McCaw

6. Rocky Elsom

5. Paul O'Connell

4. Victor Matfield

3. Ben Alexander (sorry no small pic)


2. William Servat

1. Tendai Mtawarira

My opinion, the best team.

You?

little173

Muliana
Bowe
Drico
Nonu
Habana
Steyne
Du Preez
Heaslip
McCaw
Brussow
O'Connell
Matfield
Smit
Du Plessis
Jenkins

thomond2006

Based on club and country performances:

15. Kearney
14. Bowe
13. BOD
12. Roberts
11. Habana (tough one, probably forgotten someone)
10. Carter
9. Du Preez

1. Robinson (most underrated player in the world imo, best front-five passer I've ever watched and good scrumagger, Jenkins was excellent also)
2. Du Plessis (no standout hookers this year to be honest)
3. Castrogiovanni
4. Matfield
5. POC
6. Elsom
7. Brussow (Pocock's run of form came too late)
8. Heaslip

16. Flannery
17. Jenkins
18. Alexander
19. Botha
20. Pocock
21. Genia
22. Sexton
23. Sivivatu

Honourable mentions: Healy, Woodcock, Thorn, Ferris, Harinordoquy, Giteau, Fitzgerald, D Armitage, Muliaina

If France were consistent, this team would be full of their players.

little173

Are you joking about Sexton??? I mean, seriously, the best Outhalf in the entire world over the course of this year...? He has only played 2 International games right or am I missing something?

danthefan

Sexton!? Despite only playing 6 months of the year Carter is on another planet to every other OH in the world.

thomond2006

little173 wrote: »

Are you joking about Sexton??? I mean, seriously, the best Outhalf in the entire world over the course of this year...? He has only played 2 International games right or am I missing something?

danthefan wrote: »

Sexton!? Despite only playing 6 months of the year Carter is on another planet to every other OH in the world.

Alright, alright.

Knew that would be contentious.

You're probably right.

Fixed.

Ian_K

1. Tendai Mtawarira
2. Stephen Moore
3. John Smit
4. Victor Matfield
5. Paul O'Connell
6. Heinrich Brussow
7. Rocky Elsom
8. Jamie Heaslip
9. Fourie Du Preez
10. Morne Steyn
11. Cory Jane
12. Jamie Roberts
13. Brian O'Driscoll
14. Tommy Bowe
15. Rob Kearney

little173

danthefan wrote: »

Sexton!? Despite only playing 6 months of the year Carter is on another planet to every other OH in the world.

You are right he is, and probably the best ever, his display against France in the AI was astonishing but Steyne had a greater influence over the big games in 2009. He kicked all 31 points to achieve a very rare double over New Zealand, he followed that up with seven penalties and a monster drop to sink the Wallabies in Cape Town, he then scored 18 points in total against Australia on their home turf and ended with a 100 per cent kicking record (two penalties, two conversions, one drop) against New Zealand in Hamilton to seal the title for South Africa.
Added into the mix the Super 14 in which he was top scorer with 189 points and then the Lions Series, he basically won the lot.

GiftofGab

1. Jenkins
2. Du Plessis
3. Smit
4. Matfield
5. O'Connell
6. Brussow (Elsom missed out because he didnt play enough at international level)
7. McCaw
8. Heaslip
9. Du Preez
10. Carter (Carter would wipe the floor with Steyn)
11. Habanna
12. Giteau (Very close call with Roberts)
13. BOD (Player of the year 2009)
14. Bowe
15. Kearney

There's alot of quality back row players around now a days. Heaslip did well to take that No. 8 spot. Parisse and Spies are quality players.

The only negotiations with that team are No. 1, 2, 6 and 12. The rest all have a solid place on that team.

danthefan

Kearney
Nalaga
BOD
Nonu
Sivivatu
Carter
Du Preez
Heaslip
McAwe
Elsom
Matfield
Botha
Alexander*
Du Plessis
Robinson*



*I may have Alexander and Robinson in the wrong positions.

danthefan

little173 wrote: »

You are right he is, and probably the best ever, his display against France in the AI was astonishing but Steyne had a greater influence over the big games in 2009. He kicked all 31 points to achieve a very rare double over New Zealand, he followed that up with seven penalties and a monster drop to sink the Wallabies in Cape Town, he then scored 18 points in total against Australia on their home turf and ended with a 100 per cent kicking record (two penalties, two conversions, one drop) against New Zealand in Hamilton to seal the title for South Africa.
Added into the mix the Super 14 in which he was top scorer with 189 points and then the Lions Series, he basically won the lot.

I really don't care what Steyn did tbh, Carter is far far better.

little173

danthefan wrote: »

I really don't care what Steyn did tbh, Carter is far far better.

I agree, except that wasnt the subject of the thread, so not taking account of performances throughout the year is kind of missing the point.

davyjose

thomond2006 wrote: »

Last edited by thomond2006; Today at 18:00. Reason: I was wrong about Sexton.

You were wrong about Carter too, tbh. Giteau is easily the best Out-half in the world right now.

Sangre

GiftofGab wrote: »

1. Jenkins
2. Du Plessis
3. Smit
4. Matfield
5. O'Connell
6. Brussow (Elsom missed out because he didnt play enough at international level)
7. McCaw
8. Heaslip
9. Du Preez
10. Carter (Carter would wipe the floor with Steyn)
11. Habanna
12. Giteau (Very close call with Roberts)
13. BOD (Player of the year 2009)
14. Bowe
15. Kearney

There's alot of quality back row players around now a days. Heaslip did well to take that No. 8 spot. Parisse and Spies are quality players.

The only negotiations with that team are No. 1, 2, 6 and 12. The rest all have a solid place on that team.

Brussow wears 6 on his jersey but he is as open-side as they come.

davyjose

1 Jenkins
2 Du Plessis
3 Alexander
4 Matfield
5 POC
6 Elsom
7 McCaw
8 Heaslip
9 Du Preez
10 Giteau
11 Habana
12 Nonu
13 BOD
14 Bowe
15 Muliaina

No French. The French are an awesome team, but I don't feel any player stands out as best in their position, although almost all very, very good. So my team is made up mostly of the best 4 teams in the world.

davyjose

*People putting Brussow in team:In SA & sometimes France the openside and Blindside numbers are reversed,Brussow is an openside i.e 7*

1. Barcella
2. Du Plesis
3. Alexander
4. Matfield
5. Botha
6. Elsom
7. Pocock
8. Jamie Heaslip
9. Fourie Du Preez
10. Carter
11. Habana
12. giteau
13. O'Driscoll
14. Bowe
15. Kearney

davyjose wrote: »

You were wrong about Carter too, tbh. Giteau is easily the best Out-half in the world right now.

Are you having a laugh?
Hes arguably the best 12 in rugby,who is sometimes played at 10 with disasterous consequences.He is a rubbish 10,excellent 12 and Dan Carter is on a different planet to him in probably both positions.

Chucky the tree

davyjose wrote: »

You were wrong about Carter too, tbh. Giteau is easily the best Out-half in the world right now.

Carter is the best OH at the moment. His game against France was unreal and I've never been fully happy with Giteau's bottle either.

davyjose

Viviana Miniature Revolution wrote: »

*Are you having a laugh?
Hes arguably the best 12 in rugby,who is sometimes played at 10 with disasterous consequences.He is a rubbish 10,excellent 12 and Dan Carter is on a different planet to him in probably both positions.

Goose Giteau hasn't played 12 for the Wallabies in 2 years. Are you telling me that he's been rubbish for the last two years? Giteau is not Australias burden, not by a long shot. they had a poor Tri-Nations, but giteau is a wonderful player IMO. you have him as your 12, but he doesn't even play centre anymore ... are you having a laugh?

Chucky, I'll concede that Carter is the best ten in the World, if everyone else agrees that McCaw deserved world player of the year. The guy has hardly played, so putting him in your first XV means you're basing it on a ahndful of games/reputation. Also, if you watched the Wales game, the same week, you'll see Giteau wasn't too shabby himself.

davyjose

davyjose wrote: »

Goose Giteau hasn't played 12 for the Wallabies in 2 years. Are you telling me that he's been rubbish for the last two years? Giteau is not Australias burden, not by a long shot. they had a poor Tri-Nations, but giteau is a wonderful player IMO. you have him as your 12, but he doesn't even play centre anymore ... are you having a laugh?

Dont look at the number he wears on the back,or where the action is happening.
Look at his positioning,he stands at second reciever for the most part with Cooper at first.
Look at their recent tour matches,he is most definitely a better 12 than 10 and thats why Deans has them alternate position a huge amount of times through matches.

He cannot control a game at 10,lacks tactical kicking and doesnt get the space he gets at 12.

thomond2006

Giteau is a 12 with 10 on his back.

Watch the Wales vs Aus game for proof.

Stick_man

15: Kearney

14: Bowe

13: O Driscoll

12: Roberts

11: Habana

10: Carter

9: Du Preez

8: Heaslip

7: Brussow

6: Elsom

5: O Connell

4: Matfield

3: Alexander

2: Du Plessis

1: Roncero

jackreds

15. Mils Muliaina
14.Tommy Bowe
13.Brian O Driscoll
12.Matt Giteau
11.Bryan Habana
10.Dan Carter
9.Fourie Du Preez
8.Jamie Heaslip
7.Heinrich Brussow
6.Rocky Elsom
5.Paul O Connell
4.Victor Matfield
3.Ben Alexander
2.Bismarck Du Plessis
1.Fabien Barcella

handsomecake

15. muliaina
14. jane
13. smith
12.giteau
11.nalaga
10.carter
9. genia
8.read(future all black captain,re watch the france game.....incredible)
7.mccaw
6.elsom
5.botha( i despise the man though)
4.matfield
3.alexander
2.du plessis
1.robinson

Kenteach

15. I'd pick Kearney, can see why Muliaina gets picked also though.
14. Bowe. No contest
13. BOD. No contest
12. A few contenders here, I'd pick Roberts over Giteau, then Nonu (would be happy with any of them in a team of 2009 to be honest).
11. Nalaga (don't think the Habana of 2009 did enough, sorry).
10. The interesting one. I think we'd all have Carter in here like a shot ordinarily, but you can't argue with the impact Steyne had in 2009.
9. Du Preez. End of.
8. Heaslip. Awesome year.
7. Brussow (although he won't survive at the top for as long as McCaw has)
6. Elsom. Despite handful of internationals.
5. O'Connell.
4. Matfield.
3. Alexander.
2. Du Plessis.
1. Robinson.

Good to see the other selections, also. We all see things differently at times!

Bod13

15. Kearney - Good but reserved in the 6 nations, was amazing for the lions and great AI series. Great for Leinster all season

14. Bowe - The Ospreys best signing despite al their big names. Will play anywhere in the backs, has pace and power with great running lines, had a fantastic year for club and country

13. Bod - Was robbed of the IRB player of the year, probably his best year of rugby in an incredible career

12. Roberts - there is a lack of outstanding inside centres at the moment, but Roberts on his form for the blues and the lions earlier this year gets it for me

11. Heymans - even just for that try against the all blacks. Suffers because of the French -give everyone a game - selection policy but a world class player

10. - M.Steyn - has been a revelation for South Africa, his place kicking is outstanding and he suits the Boks gameplan perfectly and was quality for the Bulls all year

9. - Du Preez - comfortably the stand out 9 in the world, unlucky not to get the IRB player of the year award too

8. - Heaslip - a huge season for Ireland Leinster and the Lions. Scored important tries, is a powerful runner, great at the breakdown and is so good at the back of a scrum

7. - Brussow - you simply cant clean this guy out at ruck time, he benefits from having the powerful boks pack around him but once he gets his hands on the ball at a ruck you are screwed

6. - Dustauoir - Elsom was incredible for Leinster last year but until the AI's he was disappointing for Australia. Dusautroir was outstanding for France and Toulouse. He is a tackling machine, shows great leadership, is great at the breakdown and carries and supports the ball carrier well. Class player

5. - Matfield - One of the best locks of all time, simple as that

4. - Botha - the enforcer in the Boks pack, great in the lineout and scrum and a man ever player would want to be lining up beside him

3. - Alexander - the way the auusie scrum has improved in the last 12 months is a testimant to the two props and the coaching staff, not only can he scrum but offers plenty around the park

2. - Du Plessis - So acurate with his darts, a great ball carrier, incredible rucker, everything you would want in a hooker

1. - Robinson - Like alexander he is the cornerstone of the new powerful aussie scrum, plays like a 6 around the park too.

irishbucsfan

handsomecake wrote: »

8.read(future all black captain,re watch the france game.....incredible)

I'm a big fan of his, but to say he was the best 8 in 2009 is a bit of an overstatement. He has a long way to come in my opinion. He gets lost in the more physical games.. whereas Heaslip is an out and out scrapper who manages to get all over the ball and his performance seems to increase proportionally to the physicality of the game he's playing. Heaslip was excellent for Leinster in the early part of the year (even if he was outshone by Rocky) then for Ireland and the Lions he was one of the best players on both teams, then his performance against South Africa was nothing short of exceptional.

Kieran Read might well be a future star, but do you really think he outplayed Heaslip this year?

Size=everything

1. Tendai Mtawarira
2. Du Pleiss
3. Alexander
4. Botha
5. Matfield
6. Elsom
7. Brussow
8. Heaslip
9. Du Preez
10. Carter
11. Habana
12. Giteau
13. O'Driscoll
14. Bowe
15. Kearney

Nearly 1/3 of that team was Leinster's team last year just goes to show you how good a team they were! Come back Elsom! (though i am actually very happy with McLaughlin so far...)

anonymous_joe

15. - Kearney - It's almost Muliaina. But I'll allow bias and Lions games to win this one for Leinster's finest full back. Though I dare say if Ireland had played the ABs it'd be Mils...

14. - Erm. This one got decided last. It's a tie between Bowe and Cory Jane I think. Neither really deserves it in all honesty. Bowe wasn't quite there for the actual Lions tests, Jane's been very good, but not excellent...

13. - BOD - I'm Irish, cold day in hell before Conrad Smith or Jacques Fourie get at least the consideration they deserve

12. - Roberts - Giteau might be the world's best 12 but he's hardly played there. Berick Barnes, Quade Cooper, Ma'a Nonu, JDeV amongst others have all looked good, but in all honesty, barring Roberts heroics in the Lions tour, there hasn't been much outstanding play from 12. Contrast that to 13 where three players have had an almighty battle with some staggering performances.

11. - Habana - Played awful during the Lions tour and was still more than capable of scything through us with contemptuous ease on more than one occasion. Not to mention how much he irritates people (always a sign of excellence (or of being a bit of a cnut...)) his superlative performances for the Bahbahs capped a year that while far from his highest possible standards let us all see what a lethal little bugger he is.

10. - Dan Carter - I dream of saying Sexton, I really do, but just no. In a year where big names have struggled, Wilkinson, O'Gara, Giteau, Steyn, Pienaar, etc, most have struggled, or worse. Carter though, has, well, been Carter. He's too good to hate.

9. - Fourie Du Preez - He's really rather good.

And now for the pack:

1. - Benn Robinson - the world's best loosehead. By a mile.

2. - Stephen Moore - I think Du Plessis was better than decent, but his discipline is awful. He's too likely to fcuk up and get a yellow.

3. - Ben Alexander - Has an Aussie front row ever been the world's best? This one has been.

4. - Bakkies Botha - Default

5. - Victor Matfield - One bad game against the Irish. Involved the Boks WC winning forwards coach giving a crash course in evil Dutch to our boys and then telling them the calls. Paulie got the better of him once all year. No-one else came close.

6. - Rocky Elsom - How could a Leinster fan say otherwise? He's taken us to a HC victory and is now captaining Australia. Quite the year. Stephen Ferris is almost there.

7. - McCaw - with a caveat - he was manshamed repeatedly this year by Heinrich Brussow. The young Bok has been almighty at openside, and is far and away the best openside in the world now. But as Parisse is for Italy, McCaw is for NZ - he's not just their 7, he is that team. This really is the worst NZ team ever. If McAwe's injured in 2011, they'll struggle to get out of their group. (Note: That's not true.)

8. - Heaslip - My Leinster bias is showing. Again. His Lions tour varied from competent all the way to rather excellent, but in the AIs he was astonishing. Did unholy things to the Boks a few weeks ago as well. Honourable mentions for Parisse and Harinordiquy as well. Imanol and Jamie are impossible to split, so I allowed bias decide for me.

irishbucsfan

anonymous_joe wrote: »

1. - Benn Robinson - the world's best loosehead. By a mile.

Your selection is spot on... Except for one word. Is Benn Robinsons really a mile better than Jenkins? I wouldn't say so. I wouldn't be able to decide between them...

anonymous_joe

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Your selection is spot on... Except for one word. Is Benn Robinsons really a mile better than Jenkins? I wouldn't say so. I wouldn't be able to decide between them...

Hmmm. This season, I'd say yes. In general, nah, you're right. And that's not fair on that French lad whose name escapes me, or even Tendai 'not South African' Mtwatwa That lad the Saffers nicked from Zimbabwe.

BIG DOG 82

No Mick O'Driscoll ?

irishbucsfan

anonymous_joe wrote: »

Hmmm. This season, I'd say yes. In general, nah, you're right. And that's not fair on that French lad whose name escapes me, or even Tendai 'not South African' Mtwatwa That lad the Saffers nicked from Zimbabwe.

Yeah I was trying to think of that French lad's name as well. Although if I'm being honest I'm basing my opinion of his ability entirely on that South Africa match.

And I don't believe Mtawarira is in the same class as Jenkins or Robinson, yet. Although he could well get there, as could Healy I suppose.

Stev_o

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Yeah I was trying to think of that French lad's name as well. Although if I'm being honest I'm basing my opinion of his ability entirely on that South Africa match.

.

Barcella

anonymous_joe

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Yeah I was trying to think of that French lad's name as well. Although if I'm being honest I'm basing my opinion of his ability entirely on that South Africa match.

And I don't believe Mtawarira is in the same class as Jenkins or Robinson, yet. Although he could well get there, as could Healy I suppose.

Well the likes of Healy and Mtawawrira are young and learning, but both are developing astonishingly quickly. I do think the 'South African' is further along though.

Stev_o wrote: »

Barcella

That's the one. He's looking good alright. Going to cause Hayes a few nightmares before the 6N I'd imagine. Not to mention Gert Smal.

FridaysWell

anonymous_joe wrote: »

That's the one. He's looking good alright. Going to cause Hayes a few nightmares before the 6N I'd imagine. Not to mention Gert Smal.

Problem. Should have found a replacement long ago.
Get him out! (For more matches) then find a replacement quick!

anonymous_joe

I don't think Hayes'll be the only tighthead having an unpleasant 6N.

FridaysWell

anonymous_joe wrote: »

I don't think Hayes'll be the only tighthead having an unpleasant 6N.

Wait Healy doesn't live in Sandymount.....

:mad:

Cuz he being a loosehead would make tightheads uncomfortable.

irishbucsfan

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Your selection is spot on... Except for one word. Is Benn Robinsons really a mile better than Jenkins? I wouldn't say so. I wouldn't be able to decide between them...

Neither of them have a patch on Barcella imo.
To watch a loosehead drive every opponent back by a number of feat in SA case 20 feet is a sight to behold.Neither of them have a patch on his scrummaging ability,which is so good its worth more than anything in the loose.

Fair enough if he just won a few penalties but this lad obliterates scrums,thus allowing them no foward ball.

irishbucsfan

Viviana Miniature Revolution wrote: »

Neither of them have a patch on Barcella imo.
To watch a loosehead drive every opponent back by a number of feat in SA case 20 feet is a sight to behold.Neither of them have a patch on his scrummaging ability,which is so good its worth more than anything in the loose.

Fair enough if he just won a few penalties but this lad obliterates scrums,thus allowing them no foward ball.

Yeah but we're talking about the whole of 2009, not just one match

anonymous_joe

FridaysWell wrote: »

Wait Healy doesn't live in Sandymount.....

:mad:

Cuz he being a loosehead would make tightheads uncomfortable.

Heh, well there aren't a huge amount of outstanding tightheads in the 6N for next year.

I mean, England are missing about a dozen, Scotland's won't play for religious reasons... Other than Castro no-one's an amazing tighthead.

Viviana Miniature Revolution wrote: »

Neither of them have a patch on Barcella imo.
To watch a loosehead drive every opponent back by a number of feat in SA case 20 feet is a sight to behold.Neither of them have a patch on his scrummaging ability,which is so good its worth more than anything in the loose.

Fair enough if he just won a few penalties but this lad obliterates scrums,thus allowing them no foward ball.

He does need to do it consistently. (Internationally.) Don't watch enough Top 14.

Stev_o

Viviana Miniature Revolution wrote: »

Neither of them have a patch on Barcella imo.
To watch a loosehead drive every opponent back by a number of feat in SA case 20 feet is a sight to behold.Neither of them have a patch on his scrummaging ability,which is so good its worth more than anything in the loose.

Fair enough if he just won a few penalties but this lad obliterates scrums,thus allowing them no foward ball.

SA pack was poor up North though it has to be said they never looked interested. New Zealand walked right through him two weeks later with Kaino getting a easy try from a scrum 5 meters out. He's good but id say Robinson is better at his more consistent high level scrummaging (which is extremely impressive) and his work rate both on the ball and off.

little173

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Your selection is spot on... Except for one word. Is Benn Robinsons really a mile better than Jenkins? I wouldn't say so. I wouldn't be able to decide between them...

Agreed and arguments for Barcella are strong too considering what the French did to NZ in the Summer as well, he was excellent. I think Jenkins is a terrific player, he holds his own in the scrum and his tackle count is comprable to an Open Side.

Annon - Joe - Good descriptions - slightly disagree with some of your selections but only marginal calls. I think Smit deserves his place, he has been a great leader for SA this year and they have been the dominant force. I keep POC in there more out of sentiment, Bakkies is immense and certainly adds so much balast to the Bok pack. Agreed with comments on Giteau dont think you can name him as the best 12 of the year when he doesnt play there despite what a good footballer he is.

Ciaran-Irl

anonymous_joe wrote: »

Heh, well there aren't a huge amount of outstanding tightheads in the 6N for next year.

I mean, England are missing about a dozen, Scotland's won't play for religious reasons... Other than Castro no-one's an amazing tighthead.


He does need to do it consistently. (Internationally.) Don't watch enough Top 14.

Adam Jones has come on a huge amount in the last year. Would be worried about the welsh front row if they can keep Jenkins, Rees and Jones injury free. French will cause problems as well. If Sheridan and Vickery get fit for the 6N, we could be in for a horrible time.

I hope Mike Ross & Buckley get plenty of game time in the meantime.

anonymous_joe

Ciaran-Irl wrote: »

Adam Jones has come on a huge amount in the last year. Would be worried about the welsh front row if they can keep Jenkins, Rees and Jones injury free. French will cause problems as well. If Sheridan and Vickery get fit for the 6N, we could be in for a horrible time.

I hope Mike Ross & Buckley get plenty of game time in the meantime.

SHeridan's broken until after the 6N. VIckery has the same problem as Hayes.

Wales Italy and France will all dominate us in the front row unless Hayes' form picks up a good bit. He's not scrummaged well lately.

toomevara

I cannot believe nobody has picked Martin Castrogiovanni, pound for pound the most accomplished scrummager in world rugby. The guy demolished the Boks for Leicester, turned around the following weekend and demolished/embarrased (take your pick) the All Black scrum for Italy at the San Siro. Two of the most accomplished scrummaging performances I've ever seen and while I rate Alexander, he's nowhere near the level of Castro.

This guy is one of the best rugby players of the last decade.

danthefan

toomevara wrote: »

I cannot believe nobody has picked Martin Castrogiovanni, pound for pound the most accomplished scrummager in world rugby. The guy demolished the Boks for Leicester, turned around the following weekend and demolished/embarrased (take your pick) the All Black scrum for Italy at the San Siro. Two of the most accomplished scrummaging performances I've ever seen and while I rate Alexander, he's nowhere near the level of Castro.

This guy is one of the best rugby players of the last decade.

Then Paddy O'Brien came out and said he was scrummaging illegally the whole time against NZ. Overrated player imo, got no change out of the Irish scrum in the 6N.

Ian_K

Lads you're all raving about Barcella based on one performance against the All Blacks... i'll agree he was outstanding in that game but was very ordinary during the 6 nations... can't comment on his club performances as i havnt seen many but there is no way he deserves to be on the team of the year

toomevara

danthefan wrote: »

Then Paddy O'Brien came out and said he was scrummaging illegally the whole time against NZ.

He tested the ref, found him wanting, and pushed the limits of the law, like every good prop...got no problems with that, a canny player.

toomevara

toomevara wrote: »

He tested the ref, found him wanting, and pushed the limits of the law, like every good prop...got no problems with that, a canny player.

How come Healy dealt with him handily if hes such an accomplished scrummager?
The guy is a has been.

irishbucsfan

toomevara wrote: »

He tested the ref, found him wanting, and pushed the limits of the law, like every good prop...got no problems with that, a canny player.

Richie McProp.

I'd say he was delighted when he realised what he could get away with that way.

Stick_man

Ian_K wrote: »

Lads you're all raving about Barcella based on one performance against the All Blacks... i'll agree he was outstanding in that game but was very ordinary during the 6 nations... can't comment on his club performances as i havnt seen many but there is no way he deserves to be on the team of the year

Precisely which is why I went for Roncero, though the great Jenkins pushes him very close.