Matthew “Polar Bear” Hawkins, USA 7s Captain, takes the Thursday slot on RWU. Tuesday’s man is English 7s star Mathew Drew Turner. Today they’re putting in a little O.T. as per the Rugby World Cup. Prevaricating Kiwi Johnathan Wicklow Barberie moderates.
JWB: Gentleman, we really appreciate you coming in on a weekend but duty calls and you two never have been men to shirk their duty. The task is simple, yet oh, so difficult. Each of you must pick your RWC Dream Team; your starting 15, excluding players from your home country. Explaining further for those out late last night: Polar Bear Hawkins can’t pick Team USA players and Tuesday’s Turner can’t pick Team England players, not even Mr. Tindall, who is deserving but ‘preoccupied’ at the moment. Polar Bear, you go first:
MH: This is not as easy as it seemed when you suggested it, but here goes:
POS/ PLAYER/COUNTRY:
1. Matt Stevens: England
2. Bismarck Du Plessis: South Africa
3. Owen Franks: NZ
4. Brad Thorn: NZ
5. James Horwill: Australia
6. Heinrich Brüssow: South Africa
7. Richie McCaw: NZ
8. David Pocock: Australia
9. Will Genia: Australia
10. Dan Carter: NZ
11. Alesana Tuilagi: Somoa
12. Ma’a Nonu: NZ
13. Brian O Driscoll: Ireland
14.Tommy Bowe: Ireland
15. Israel Dagg: NZ
JWB: That is a strong side! Let’s see what Turner has:
POS/ PLAYER/COUNTRY:
1. Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira: South Africa
2. Bismarck Du Plessis: South Africa
3. Owen Franks: NZ
4. Victor Matfield: South Africa
5. Ali Williams: NZ
6. David Pocock: Australia
7. Richie McCaw: NZ
8. Jerome Kaino: NZ
9. Francois Hougaard: South Africa
10. Dan Carter: NZ
11. Digby Ioane: Somoa
12. Sonny Bill Williams: NZ
13. Jague Fourie:South Africa
14.Cory Jane: NZ
15. Israel Dagg: NZ
MDT: I would have chosen Schalk Britz at hooker – but he wasn’t selected for the RWC and should have been. As for an English player, I would select Dylan Hartley over Du Plessis.
JWB: Tough choices men, especially without your fellow countrymen allowed. We’ll grade them out later in the tourney but right now, you’re looking solid.
Please weigh in with your thoughts and RWC Dream Team selections – it’s no easy task!
