It’s fair to say that World Rugby’s team of the year for 2021 hasn’t been greeted by applause from every corner of planet rugby.
Ireland and France, conquerors of New Zealand recently, have just one representative each, while England, who defeated world champions South Africa last time out, have the same number along with Six Nations champions Wales and Scotland.
The suggestion has been made that because it’s so tight at the top of the international game, the dream team was never going to please everyone.
Which seems fair enough.
South Africa, though, do supply five players to the selection.
Here is the World Rugby XV: Stuart Hogg (Scotland); Will Jordan (New Zealand), Lukhanyo Am (South Africa), Samu Kerevi (Australia), Makazole Mapimpi (South Africa); Beauden Barrett (New Zealand), Antoine Dupont (France); Wyn Jones (Wales) Malcolm Marx (South Africa) Tadhg Furlong (Ireland) Maro Itoje (England) Eben Etzebeth (South Africa) Siya Kolisi (South Africa) Michael Hooper (Australia), Ardie Savea (New Zealand).
Is there a better alternative XV out there based on efforts in 2021?
Hard to say.
But the one below would fancy their chances of giving any side a run for their money.
15. Jordie Barrett (New Zealand)
The 6ft 5in All Black has had a big 2021, making his country’s No. 15 jersey his own with a series of stellar displays in the Rugby Championship. He’s quick, can kick a ball further than some people go on holidays and uses his commanding height to dominate the air.
14. Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)
Sidestepping maestro named players’ player of the year in South Africa after proving the difference in the Lions series, when he won the man-of-the-match award in the decisive third Test. Also lifted the Champions Cup and Top 14 titles with Toulouse, along the way scoring some quite brilliant tries.
(Image: EJ Langner/Gallo Images)
13. Semi Radradra (Fiji)
A stop-start 2021 hit by injuries, but the Fijiian genius still won Olympic sevens gold and helped Bristol Bears top the Gallagher Premiership regular-season table. When he is in full flight, nothing short of a surface-to-surface missile can stop him, and even then there would be no guarantees.
12. Damian de Allende (South Africa)
If his South Africa midfield partner Lukhanyo Am has rightly attracted plaudits this year, it would be a borderline crime not to acknowledge the worth of de Allende. England found him a handful in the November Test at Twickenham, when the big man had one of his best games for the Springboks. A strong carrier and resolute defender, he is worth his weight in gold to the men in myrtle green.
11. Marika Koroibete (Australia)
The best wing in the world — so reckoned former Wales coach Scott Johnson about Koroibete in 2021. “We’re always seeking world XV players, and he’d be in a world XV right now,” said Australia’s director of rugby. Koroibete has speed and power and proved key to the Wallabies’ back-to-back Rugby Championship victories over South Africa.
10. Romain Ntamack (France)
His run from behind his own line against New Zealand last month was one of the rugby moments of the year, with the ice-cool Ntamack bewildering opponents with his sense of adventure and willingness to embrace risk. He appears to view pressure as being something for others to endure and brings a touch of class to proceedings, always seeming to have time.
9. Aaron Smith (New Zealand)
Age shall not wither. He is 33 now but he is still Stanley knife sharp and continues to have the finest service in the game. His advancing years have equipped him with experience which he uses to run matches.
(Image: Getty Images)
1. Steven Kitshoff (South Africa)
He may not always start for South Africa, but do not be fooled: Kitshoff remains one of the most devastating scrummagers in world rugby, a key component of the Springboks’ bomb squad of replacements who are used to blow the opposition away at scrum-time in the second halves of games. He’s also a force around the field.
2. Bongi Mbonambi (South Africa)
His role in the South African set-up is usually different from Kitshoff’s in that he tends to start, helping to sap the energy out of the opposition early doors. At 5ft 9in and just over 17st he is immensely powerful and a formidable scrummager. An important reason, then, why the Springboks have finished the year as the world’s number one ranked team.
3. Taniela Tupou (Australia)
At times against Wales last time out, the 21st 4lb Tongan Thor looked capable of destroying the home scrum on his own. For sure, he’d be a handy man to have on hand if the requirement was to shove a petrol tanker up a hill on a cold morning. No other assistance would be needed. For good measure, the Wallaby tighthead is also a devastating carrier and sharp handler. A one-off.
4. Cameron Woki (France)
Anyone wanting a glimpse into the future need look no further. The multi-skilled France lock runs like a stag, shoves his weight in the scrums, jumps high at the lineouts, handles like a back and achieves turnovers. Able to play in the back row as well, he is one of the reasons Les Bleus are confident about their chances at the World Cup they are hosting in 2023.
5. Sam Whitelock (New Zealand)
There are big names out there such as Eben Etzebeth and Maro Itoje, along with Lood de Jager and Brodie Retallick, but all will respect Whitelock, the heart and soul of the New Zealand pack for more than a decade. He continues to stand tall against any opponent, never going missing, always fronting up. A true players’ player.
6. Courtney Lawes (England)
One of the players of the Lions tour and an immense force for England in their recent autumn Tests, when he led the side. After an injury early in the year, he returned to hit a rich vein of form. A hard hitter who has enjoyed maybe the best spell of his career.
7. Tom Curry (England)
‘A special player’. So said Adam Jones of Curry in the summer. If the Englishman occasionally gave away a penalty too many on Lions duty, he is one of the world’s best at pilfering opposition ball and can also carry and tackle strongly. Eddie Jones could probably do him a favour by using him exclusively at openside, but wherever he plays the Sale man is an asset. Rounded off a fine year with a strong display against South Africa.
8. Gregory Alldritt (France)
It could have been Duane Vermeulen here, but Alldritt has been superlative from gun to tape. He has been described as the engine of the France pack, a player who never stops working, whether in attack or defence. Played a key role in the win over New Zealand. Formidable? That sounds about right.
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