Edging it at 10: Jonathan Sexton
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Now that the dust has settled in the northern hemisphere, Planet Rugby looks at the guys who stole the show in week three of the November Tests.
Victories were picked up by France, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Tonga and Ireland in an entertaining round of international action.
So without further ado, here comes our offering - be sure to send in your own 15-1 team line-ups.
15 Andrea Masi (Italy) - One of the Azzurri's finest during their narrow defeat against Australia, the Wasp was a huge attacking threat - making over 100 metres with the ball in hand. Credit to Simon Zebo, who grabbed his first score for Ireland against the Pumas, and also Israel Dagg.
14 Fetu'u Vainikolo (Tonga) - Straight into the side after scoring a try his country will not forget for a long time. The Connacht wing's burst of pace left Tim Visser flat-footed and ultimately played a part in the sacking of coach Andy Robinson.
13 Conrad Smith (New Zealand) - 'Snake' was at his imperious best in Cardiff, his pass leading to flank Liam Messam's try on another dominant Saturday for the world champion All Blacks.
12 Jonathan Davies (Wales) - A positive note amidst the dross - Davies did his Lions chances no harm despite the heavy defeat against New Zealand, beating a handful of defenders. His effort in midfield when Jamie Roberts hobbled off sees him slot in here.
11 Craig Gilroy (Ireland) - The rise continues. Three tries against Fiji last week and now one on his senior Test debut against Argentina, whispers of the Lions are starting to increase.
10 Jonathan Sexton (Ireland) - A narrow race to this spot with Aaron Cruden and Frederic Michalak, but Johnny Sexton against Argentina looked like the Sexton from Leinster we have come to admire. Great distribution and kicking, plus two tries in an impressive shift.
9 Kahn Fotuali'i (Samoa) - Now seen as arguably the world's best scrum-half, Fotuali'i was always prominent, backing up a strong showing in Wales by constantly threatening France.
8 Duane Vermeulen (South Africa) - Was a colossus for the Boks and one feels that Pierre Spies will have a real task displacing the Stormers number eight when he returns from injury. Vermeulen never shies away from the physical and looks to have cemented his spot.
7 Richie McCaw (New Zealand) - Simply outstanding. 21 tackles to go with streetwise work at the breakdown. He anticipates so much before his opponents and was a cut above his rival sevens over the weekend. One more game to go until he can put his feet up for a bit.
6 Taiasina Tuifua (Samoa) - This positional shift is due to a blend of a lack of blindsides shining and the impressive form of the Samoan. He was superb against Wales the week before and backed that up against France as the islanders came mighty close to winning.
5 Luke Romano (New Zealand) - We almost handed our five jersey to the ever-improving Donnacha Ryan after another big effort from him. But Romano was a carrying machine for the All Blacks and finished his try well in Cardiff. Mention for Samoa's Joe Tekori.
4 Eben Etzebeth (South Africa) - Has been on the receiving end of a fair share of criticism of late and was once again in the thick of it against England, notably with scrum-half Ben Youngs. However, the physicality of the young lock was a key reason why the Boks won.
3 Census Johnson (Samoa) - Toulouse's star prop was one of the first names down on our teamsheet this week after an all-action performance that was highlighted by his nice chip kick that set up David Lemi's score. Owen Franks earns a mention as does Dan Cole.
2 Richardt Strauss (Ireland) - It was slim pickings in the hooking department this weekend but Strauss edges his cousin as our number two. Got 74 minutes in a strong team effort.
1 Cian Healy (Ireland) - Alex Corbisiero got the better of Jannie du Plessis at scrum-time while Sona Taumalolo put in another Herculean performance. But in Healy, Ireland and the British & Irish Lions arguably have the number one loosehead in the world game right now.
By Ben Coles and Adam Kyriacou
@bencoles_ and @PlanetRugbyAK
Comments
Spartacus says...
@APV1 - trust me - I do not have time or respect for the opinion of Stephen Jones, and my post was purely to illustrate what an idiot he is. Stuart Barnes and Mick Cleary have their moments of idiocy as well, but Stephen Jones is blinded and consumed by hatred for some countries (SA in particular).
Posted 11:18 29th November 2012
APV1 says...
@ Spartacus - please don't rely on S Jones for factual, sensible or objective rugby comment. He's an absolute berk of the highest order. Next thing we know, you'll be quoting Stuart Barnes and then we'll all be truly FUBAR!
Posted 10:23 29th November 2012
Spartacus says...
@sonsofsamoa, I didnt base my comment purely on the fact that France won. I watched the game and was puzzled by the adulation of Kahn, so watched again looking closely at the scrum half play for both sides. I thought Kahn allowed himself to get too involved in the breakdown, which meant that often other forwards were having to do his job. This meant that passes were slow/clumsy, and wasted several good opportunities. Where Kahn did stand back and allow his forwards to do their job he was sometime impetuous in trying to get quick ball, again wasting opportunities.And Samoa did have enough opportunities to win the game. So whilst Kahn looked bustling and active, he was not as effective as he could have been.
By comparison Parra is a master at keeping calm and doing his job, distributing the ball cleanly and effectively. He may kick more, but his kicks are good. And his penalty was impressive. France won because they stayed calm and took their points.
Why do you think this is all about a lack of respect for Samoa? I think everyone wants Samoa, and other teams, to become stronger and make international rugby more competitive. I personally love watching Samoa play, although have issues with some of the stuff that comes out after Samoa lose games.
Posted 09:44 29th November 2012
Spartacus says...
@nzmaoriboy - well according to Stephen Jones of The Times UK, Os du Randt was rubbish in all aspects and couldnt scrummage at all. He is also convinced that SA have never been able to scrummage.....
Posted 22:34 28th November 2012
sonsofsamoa says...
@Spartacus
How can you base Parra being better at scrumhalf just because his team won on the weekend?? Shows that you don't even follow Samoa.. Take nothing from the Manu Samoa.. Fotuali'i does everything and more to give the Manu Samoa a more competitive edge..
Posted 21:32 28th November 2012
nzmaoriboy says...
@Spartacus-that would be my only critique of Cian Healey..Does his workrate remain the same from minute 1 to full time (or substitution time) like Woody & Franks..But Os Du randt is still the BESTEST in the universe he he
Posted 18:06 28th November 2012
Spartacus says...
There is no denying that Kahn has talent, but please - he was not even the best scrum half on the pitch at the weekend. Parra had a better game, and his team won. @RobinMasters says it all.
As for Healy defenders, surely you must have noticed his many off days amongst his good games? He is nowhere near the best LH as he is so inconsistent.
Posted 11:23 28th November 2012
nzmaoriboy says...
Agreed Kahn is quality! easily the best if not the most consistant over the Autumn series..Genia is still the yardstick but he is still injured..So our SA-SA mate gets to strut his stuff ha ha. As to Healy I agree he is right up there with the best! His only competition is Woodcock & Robinson from Oz! Havent seen enough of Yannick from France...Cian has got everything you could ask for..Good scrummager,Great fitness,Good speed..And he has managed to keep his world cup form! this position would have been congested a year ago (Steenkamp,Roncero)
Posted 08:49 28th November 2012
sonsofsamoa says...
@missionary
Sorry mate a lot of the people on this forum agree and say Kahn is currently the best.. Critics would also agree.. Your on your own with that one with Aaron Smith.. Yes, Aaron Smith is good but he is no Genia.. Fotuali'i is the closest to an in form Genia right now, but Genia is out.. And why did Kahn need to stay patient for? The ABs approached him, but he turned them down.. He wanted to play for the Manu..
Posted 21:47 27th November 2012
Jcahill1 says...
@rugby rockstar
Corbisiero and Healy are both loose heads. Take 2 seconds to check your facts before you post.
Posted 20:41 27th November 2012
NHsaints says...
@rugby_rockstar nope, it was Cole who was getting the better of Healey but yes Corbisiero is probably the only real contender at LH against healey for the coming lions tour, he just needs to get fit.
Posted 18:29 27th November 2012
DrDeath says...
@rugby_rockstar
Forgot to mention, last game (where Ireland suffered in the scrum due to the loss of Ross and O'Connell) was at Twickenham, not Lansdowne Road where as I recall the previous season the Irish scrum did an absolute number on their English counterparts!
Other than that your recollection is excellent!
Posted 18:27 27th November 2012
DrDeath says...
@rugby_rockstar
Corbisiero played Loose head vs Ireland last season.
Healy also played LH!!
Can you explain how that scrum battle went??? Lol
Posted 18:17 27th November 2012
RobinMasters says...
Is anyone at PR aware that the French got their fourth place in the rankings thanks to the last three games they won against SH teams? What do they have to do to be considered as worthy players? Swap passports maybe...
Posted 17:35 27th November 2012
gleek says...
@ Rugby Rockstar - Nope, Tom Court was famous roasted by Corbisero in Twickers last year. Heally did give Ben Franks a torrid time during the summer tour and was part of an Irish front row that rode rough shot over the Puma's (no easy feat!)
@ missionary - Woodcock? A fine player but fails to make an impact against the best tight heads. Not really a problem for the All Blacks who only really use the scrum to restart play and rarely look to dominate at set piece. He is a functional part of the world's best team but a long way from the best LH in the world.
Posted 17:13 27th November 2012
Rosbif says...
@leinster_goy. Only a couple of weeks now till the Clermont back to backs, and a chance for Sexton to shine against fired-up opposition. As a neutral, I'll be looking forward to that mini-series :-)
(On that topic, I guess your national team guys will be back (jogging mainly, one assumes) against Zebre this weekend? Maybe H vd Merwe might get a run out since Roux popped his shoulder last week, and HvdM didn't exactly spend too long on the pitch at Twickers? Maybe SOB and Isa might get a gentle run for half a game or so, just to sharpen up too? Meanwhile, we at Toulouse will be hosting Clermont this Saturday (who are still a bit beaten up since they played Toulon last week). I wonder if they'll be sending their reserves so their 1st XV can be ready for your visit the week after? Will let you know!!....)
Posted 16:33 27th November 2012
Jockstrap says...
Cian Healy is the best LH in the world, and barring injury I'd bet the house he'll be the Lions LH come the summertime. People keep harping on about the 60 nil game last year but seem to forget that Ireland nearly beat the all blacks the week before, Ireland gave everything they had in that game at the end of a long season. No wonder they were drubbed the following week.
Posted 14:12 27th November 2012
rugby_rockstar says...
Didn't Cian Healy get destroyed by Alex Corbisero in last years six nations at landsdowne road???
You may have a argument for saying he had a good day at the office on Saturday but Lions? Form loosehead on the planet? Bit OTT.
Posted 09:49 27th November 2012
cuw3100 says...
Its great for the game that players like Khan F play for the smaller nations rather than take the easy way to top by playing for MIB or OZ. Quite a few in NZ are eligible for Samoa, FIJI, PNG, Tonga by ancestry. NZ has so many talented players; good players in the lower ranks will help increase competition and quality :)
Posted 07:24 27th November 2012
BradS says...
Michalak would appear to be the most noteworthy absentee - though otherwise it seems a pretty fair team
Posted 06:54 27th November 2012