(1980-2015) Best Aussie vs Rest Of World

[Stev50]

1980-2015 Made up sides: Best Aussie vs Best Rest of World
Aussie:
1)Lockyer 2)Boustead 3)Big Mal 4)Greg Inglis 5)Eric Grothe Snr 6)King Wally(c) 7)JT 13)Brad Fitler 12)Brad Clyde 11)Willie Mason 10)Blocker 9)Andrew Johns 8)Lazo Bench: Petro Civoneciva/Gene Miles/Jarryd Hayne/Craig Gower
ROW:
1)Jonathan Davies 2)Jason Robinson 3)Inga Tuigamala 4)Dean Bell 5)Manu Vatuevei 6)Gary Schofield 7)Shaun Johnson 13)Ellery Hanley(c) 12)Mark Graham 11)SBW 10)Kevin Ward 9)Kieren Cunningham 8)Kurt Sorensen
Bench: Adrian Morley/Gareth Ellis/Robbie Paul/Richie Barnett
This would be one cracker game!

Thought long and hard about Sirro/or Bob Linder instead of Willie Mason. But Mason was awesome 2002-2007, he was often in those years the best forward in the game. Mayse was so big and strong, he had it all.

 

[langpark]

1980-2015 Made up sides: Best Aussie vs Best Rest of World
Aussie:
1)Lockyer 2)Boustead 3)Big Mal 4)Greg Inglis 5)Eric Grothe Snr 6)King Wally(c) 7)JT 13)Brad Fitler 12)Brad Clyde 11)Willie Mason 10)Blocker 9)Andrew Johns 8)Lazo Bench: Petro Civoneciva/Gene Miles/Jarryd Hayne/Craig Gower
ROW:
1)Jonathan Davies 2)Jason Robinson 3)Inga Tuigamala 4)Craig Innes 5)Manu Vatuevei 6)Gary Schofield 7)Shaun Johnson 13)Ellery Hanley(c) 12)Mark Graham 11)SBW 10)Kevin Ward 9)Kieren Cunningham 8)Kurt Sorensen
Bench: Adrian Morley/Gareth Ellis/Robbie Paul/Richie Barnett
This would be one cracker game!

Awesome idea!

Though I have to say I've always found Vatuvei to be a bit over-rated. I'd go for Brian Carney in his spot instead.

Maybe Casty on the bench if you're looking for a token Frenchman too?

PS: Craig Gower?? Seriously!??!

 

[deluded pom?]

Willie Mason? Seriously?

 

[Stev50]

Craig Gower you question?
You have to have a utility in the squad who has the ability to play halfback or hooker or at least 2-players in squad that can do both.
Des Hasler/Gower/Toovey/Craig Wing/Kurt Gidley come to mind. Gower out of that lot was the best in those 2-spots overall. Brett Kenny/Laurie Daley couldn't play halfback/hooker nor could Steve Rogers. So you must have a halfback/hooker "Utility" off the bench in most circumstances if an injury happens. Danny Burderus/Cam Smith came close, but Craig Gower was a better halfback than those 2, who did play halfback sometimes.
Brian Carney was damn good, as was the 2-Tongan boys Tevita Vaikona/Lesley Vainikolo. Maybe I'm biased as I saw more of Manu Vatuevi. Joe Lydon was damn good too, as was Alan Bateman handy and Martin Offiah of course and Ryan Hall.
Was searching for French guys, Casty not up to this squad, there's been some better French guys last 30-35 ears than him. Stanley Gene could basically play all positions, he was a star for Hull and PNG. Ruben Wiki went damn close to making this squad as did Sam Burgess/Steve Kearney/George Burgess/James Graham. I forgot Dean Bell,and added him at an unlucky Craig Inness expense.

 

[langpark]

Craig Gower you question?
You have to have a utility in the squad who has the ability to play halfback or hooker or at least 2-players in squad that can do both.
Des Hasler/Gower/Toovey/Craig Wing/Kurt Gidley come to mind. Gower out of that lot was the best in those 2-spots overall. Brett Kenny/Laurie Daley couldn't play halfback/hooker nor could Steve Rogers. So you must have a halfback/hooker "Utility" off the bench in most circumstances if an injury happens. Danny Burderus/Cam Smith came close, but Craig Gower was a better halfback than those 2, who did play halfback sometimes.
Brian Carney was damn good, as was the 2-Tongan boys Tevita Vaikona/Lesley Vainikolo. Maybe I'm biased as I saw more of Manu Vatuevi. Joe Lydon was damn good too, as was Alan Bateman handy and Martin Offiah of course and Ryan Hall.
Was searching for French guys, Casty not up to this squad, there's been some better French guys last 30-35 ears than him. Stanley Gene could basically play all positions, he was a star for Hull and PNG. Ruben Wiki went damn close to making this squad as did Sam Burgess/Steve Kearney/George Burgess/James Graham. I forgot Dean Bell,and added him at an unlucky Craig Inness expense.

Fair point about Gower, though for what it's worth and just for a bit of argument's sake, in the role of utility i think Shaun Berrigan was one of the best.


Ok, now admit it, Willie Mason, that one was a piss-take wasn't it? :lol: I could name at least a dozen forwards that were better than him!

 

[The Partisan]

Going off on a tangent .....


Have NZ or France ever played a 'Rest of the World' / 'Other Nationalities' etc team ?

Know Australia has and am pretty sure England has too.


Think the PNG / French blokes in 1988 were a bit tokenistic .....like to think a World Invitational team would be a bit different looking now.

 

[expansionist]

Vatuvei would be let nowhere near any rep team of my choosing! Especially considering the multitude of great wingers from the years in question.

Good concept though, interesting reading

 

[typicalfan]

Daley centre, Inglis wing, Boustead out.

Smith to hooker, Johns to bench if you want JT over Joey. Gower out.

Mason out. I'd consider Tallis or BK.

Gene Miles out and Webcke in.

I actually think Johns and Wally would make a good combo more so than JT and Wall but that is personal opinion

 

[mikail-eagle]

No space for Adrian Lam and Marcus Bai in the World Team ??

 

[Matua]

Johnson at 9? WTF. He wouldn't be rated over Jones and Freeman of that era - maybe at the end of his career, but not now.

No Laurie Daley in the Oz team which has Miles, Gower and Hayne? Ok.