In: Justin Marshall Out: Matt Dawson (JM one of the best 3 in the tournament)Tim said:Fullback: Mils Muli'aina (NZ)
Left Wing: Joe Rokocoko (NZ)
Right Wing: Doug Howlett (NZ)
Outside Centre: Stirling Mortlock (Aus)
Inside Centre: Carlos Spencer (NZ)
1st 5/8: Johnny Wilkinson (Eng)
Halfback: Matt Dawson (Eng)
#8: Lawrence Dellaglio (Eng)
#7: Richie McCaw (NZ)
#6: George Smith (Aus)
#5: Martin Johnson (c) (Eng)
#4: Chris Jack (NZ)
#3: Phil Vickery (Eng)
#2: Keven Mealamu (NZ)
#1: Bill Young (Aus)
NZ: 7 Aus: 3 Eng: 5
In: Jerry Collins Out: Lawrence Dallaglio (no comparison)
In: Neil Back Out: Richie McCaw (just)
In: Mike Tindall Out: Carlos Spencer (not an Inside)
In: Lote Tiquri Out: Joe Rockocko (hard choice)
On the bench:
Kees Meuws (covers props)
Steven Thompson (covers hooker)
Ben Kay (covers second row)
Phil Waugh (covers flankers, smith covers # 8)
Matt Dawson (covers halfback)
Stephen Larkham (covers flyhalf, fullback)
Elton Flatley (covers flyhalf, inside centre, tindall covers outside centre, mortlock covers wings, howlett also covers FB).
so the bench covers every position.
so close:
Jason Robinson - he's a freak, but it's just to damn hard to find a spot
Joe Rockocko - would've been in the team, but the fact Howlett can play FB as well just got him in the team
Carlos Spencer - woulda been on the bench, but Larkham's versatility and 'freak' factor (although Carlos has a lot of that himself) got him the spot instead
Nathan Sharpe - just falls short of Kay
Richie McCaw - the guy is fantastic, but there's to many other class back rowers around.