I’m picking Dan Vickerman in my World XV team to partner Bakkies Botha in the second row.  A few people have suggested that I pick Pelous or O’Callaghan, but I’m opting for the South African Wallaby ahead of those other choices.
Vickerman’s lineouts are strong - he gives Matfield a run for his money every time […]

Doc Craven would be turning in his grave if he knew that I still hadn’t selected my frontrankers. He always used to say that the two most important players in the team are the tighthead prop, and the reserve tighthead.
There is no danger of Gareth picking a prop on the flank, but there is a […]

I don’t really need to say to much about this selection. Burger is a freak talent and i’m elated to have him in my side.
Anyone keen to go fiddling in the ruck with Hayman, Bakkies, Schalk and Collins on the loose?
I thought not.
Gareth’s World XV
1. Tony Woodcock (7)
2. Keven Mealamu (6)
3. Carl Hayman (3)
4. […]

I’m really pleased with the way my back three have taken shape. And there are a couple of options in the number 11 role - Shane Williams of Wales and All Black, Smokin Joe! But Habana is an easy choice for me. There are few players that can win a Test match in an instance…Habana […]

Left wing is the last position left where one of us hasn’t selected a player and I’ve elected to pick the best left wing in the World for my XV.
Sivivatu continues to impress for the ABs with his blistering pace, swerve and acceleration.  He is difficult to mark and has a far better all round […]

Gareth has already picked an entire frontrow - which leaves me with heaps of time to complete mine (unless of course he’s planning of selecting Pieter de Villiers at flank?)
It is really only in the outside backs that we’re all still fighting for the big names. There are a couple of exciting players around - […]

Sebastian who?
I realise there is going to be a dogfight for wingers - but I can think of at least four that will do the business for me. So I thought I would pick the best loosehead around to go with my monster pack.
I hope this Chabal character likes picking grass out of his […]

As if my latest selection needed any further justification, I thought some of you might enjoy this:

A Kiwi journalist recently wrote: “Sebastien Chabal is not your typical French rugby player.
There is something about Sebastien Chabal.
He’s the thick-bearded 29-year-old with the the long, dark grey-streaked hair and the hunched muscular shoulders.
He’s also the French flanker who plays his rugby like Jerry Collins, more primal power than Gallic flair, and bounced All Blacks […]

I’ll be honest here (let’s step away from the gamesmanship for a second, shall we?) and admit that I was going to pick Paul O’Connell.
The difference is that I was going to pick him as my number 5 lock.  My ‘loose’ lock as some like to call it. Dave has picked him - and he […]