rugbyfan79
30th-August-2011, 11:30
Less than two weeks left to go now until kick off at the greatest Rugby spectacle on the planet.
Rugby World Cup 2011 kicks off on September 9 with the mighty All Blacks facing Tonga. A feast of rugby awaits us over the forthcoming weeks but nevertheless some star names will be missing through a combination of injury,lack of form or plain bad luck. Sports News Ireland makes a subjective choice for the best Fifteen who will be absent from the World Cup. Feel free to make your own suggestions at the bottom of the page:
15. Clement Poitrenaud (France) Any fans of the swashbuckling Toulouse player will be scratching their heads at Poitrenaud’s omission from the French squad. A marvel with the ball in his hands, the Frenchman has perhaps paid the price for a perceived suspect big game temperament which first came to light during Wasps Heineken Cup triumph against Toulouse in 2004.
Contenders: Felix Jones (Ireland)
14. Sitiveni Sivivatu. (New Zealand)
29 tries in 45 All Black test matches. Mesmerizing in possession, blistering pace, 29 years old in the form of his life with the World Cup in your home country. Still not good enough for the All Blacks though! The classy Chiefs wing was perhaps the most controversial omission from Graham Henry’s squad. Sivivatu pays the price for the All Blacks having an abundance of talent in the Wing slots with Guildford and Jane set to shine in his absence.
Other Contenders: Morgen Stoddart (Wales), Nikki Walker (Scotland)
13. Yannick Jauzion (France)
Yet another victim of Marc Lieveremont’s bizarre selection policy, Jauzion has oozed class in the French midfield for over a decade but his silken skills are sadly not required for the trip to NZ. A real shame for the rugby neutral.
12. Matt Giteau (Australia)
The gifted Wallaby was never truly trusted by Robbie Deans and his management cohorts and ultimately was dropped from the squad on the back of a squalid performance at outhalf against Samoa in an embarrassing recent loss for the Wallabies. 92 caps and 2 World Cups but still not good enough to make the trip to New Zealand.
Other Contenders: Gavin Henson (Wales), Ricki Flutey (England), Mathieu Basteraud (France), Luke McAlister (New Zealand)
continues here:
http://www.sportsnewsireland.com/rugby_irish/47462/
Rugby World Cup 2011 kicks off on September 9 with the mighty All Blacks facing Tonga. A feast of rugby awaits us over the forthcoming weeks but nevertheless some star names will be missing through a combination of injury,lack of form or plain bad luck. Sports News Ireland makes a subjective choice for the best Fifteen who will be absent from the World Cup. Feel free to make your own suggestions at the bottom of the page:
15. Clement Poitrenaud (France) Any fans of the swashbuckling Toulouse player will be scratching their heads at Poitrenaud’s omission from the French squad. A marvel with the ball in his hands, the Frenchman has perhaps paid the price for a perceived suspect big game temperament which first came to light during Wasps Heineken Cup triumph against Toulouse in 2004.
Contenders: Felix Jones (Ireland)
14. Sitiveni Sivivatu. (New Zealand)
29 tries in 45 All Black test matches. Mesmerizing in possession, blistering pace, 29 years old in the form of his life with the World Cup in your home country. Still not good enough for the All Blacks though! The classy Chiefs wing was perhaps the most controversial omission from Graham Henry’s squad. Sivivatu pays the price for the All Blacks having an abundance of talent in the Wing slots with Guildford and Jane set to shine in his absence.
Other Contenders: Morgen Stoddart (Wales), Nikki Walker (Scotland)
13. Yannick Jauzion (France)
Yet another victim of Marc Lieveremont’s bizarre selection policy, Jauzion has oozed class in the French midfield for over a decade but his silken skills are sadly not required for the trip to NZ. A real shame for the rugby neutral.
12. Matt Giteau (Australia)
The gifted Wallaby was never truly trusted by Robbie Deans and his management cohorts and ultimately was dropped from the squad on the back of a squalid performance at outhalf against Samoa in an embarrassing recent loss for the Wallabies. 92 caps and 2 World Cups but still not good enough to make the trip to New Zealand.
Other Contenders: Gavin Henson (Wales), Ricki Flutey (England), Mathieu Basteraud (France), Luke McAlister (New Zealand)
continues here:
http://www.sportsnewsireland.com/rugby_irish/47462/