Friday XV

[Banquo]

not on my card..but a few in there right enough.

I give in

[Galfon]

Too early for clues-es, but the fullback gives the game away.It's a silly one..

[Banquo]

Too early for clues-es, but the fullback gives the game away.It's a silly one..

ah ok, initially I struggled

[Galfon]

bingo!.

[Spiffy]

bingo!.

The power of three!

[Galfon]

Which of these names does not feature on any of the birth certificates of the Power-of-Three XV (and replacements), listed above ?

Mallinson, Welbon, Nero, Reames, Tarquin, Ragnar, Yankel, Vallance.

[Banquo]

Which of these names does not feature on any of the birth certificates of the Power-of-Three XV (and replacements), listed above ?

Mallinson, Welbon, Nero, Reames, Tarquin, Ragnar, Yankel, Vallance.

Tarquin?

[Galfon]

Yup, Tarquin does not feature.

[Lizard]

The Brad Shields Memorial Kiwi England XV

I don't think it is possible yet to select an entire, realistic XV of NZ-born, England-capped players, but here's my best shot. All players fit that description unless noted. I've struggled with locks and I'm not sure of the best positional arrangement in the midfield. Any improvements welcome:

1. Mako Vunipola
2. Dylan Hartley
3. Perry Freshwater (I know he's really a loosehead)
4. Martin Johnson (English-born but played for NZ U21)
5. Michael Paterson (uncapped but called into an England touring squad as injury cover)
6. Teimana Harrison
7. Brad Shields (uncapped but probable England selection later this year)
8. Thomas Waldrom
9. Willi Heinz (uncapped but was selected for England training camp)
10. Rikki Flutey
11. Ian Botting
12. Shontayne Hape
13. Ben Te’o
14. Denny Solomona
15. Mark van Ginsbergen

Other qualified players (all centers or outside backs) include:
Jamie Salmon (the only man capped by NZ and England)
Martin Donnelly (more famous as NZ test cricketer than an English rugby player)
Henry Paul (arguably more famous as NZ league player than an English rugby player)
Alan Adams
Ernest Fookes
Alick Palmer
Ernest Parsons

Just for balance, there have been 2 English-born All Blacks test players, and another 6 who played tour matches but no tests. All but one (John Gallagher) were probably colonists, being selected in 1884-1910.

[morepork]

Nice work. Good to see that ex-league backs on the right hand side of 10 have a safety net in the international arena.

[cashead]

Missed the boat XV - a XV of players that could have done more in NZ, but couldn't due to factors within and outside their ability to control. The focus will be primarily on the last 10~15 years. If you're desperate to include Duane Monkley, do your own.

1. Deacon Manu
2. Ash Dixon
3. Ben Tameifuna
4. Craig Clarke
5. James Broadhurst
6. Brad Shields
7. Luke Braid
8. Nick Williams
9. Kevin Senio
10. Marty Banks
11. Norm Berryman
12. Lefeimi Mafi
13. Rua Tipoki
14. Richard Buckman
15. Jared Payne

If this team had a bench, it'd be
16. Derren Witcombe
17. Michael Bent
18. Ben Afeaki
19. Blade Thomson
20. Brendon O'Connor
21. Jason Spice
22. Mike Harris
23. Charlie Ngatai

[Lizard]

Makes you wonder how different the Kiwi England XV would look if New Zealand ever selected its designated “Next Senior” team, capturing eligibility of that next tier down. NZ has always (i.e. since 2003) nominated the “Junior All Blacks” (which is a daftly-named “A” team, not an age-group side) but it hasn’t been selected since the 2009 Pacific Nations Cup.

This policy is probably NZ’s greatest gift to Pacific Island rugby.

[Lizard]

OK, who can guess the selection criteria?

1. Boxer Harding (Wales) / Alfred Brice (Wales)
2. Twyber Travers (Wales)
3. Jannie du Plessis (SA)
4. Bob Norster (Wales)
5. Robin Brooke (NZ)
6. Jerome Kaino (NZ)
7. Jean-Claude Skrela (Fra) / Josh Kronfeld (NZ)
8. Jehoida Hodges (Wales)
9. Francois Hougaard (SA)
10. Barry John (Wales)
11. Stuart Watkins (Wales)
12. Rusty Gabe (Wales)
13. John Dawes (Wales)
14. Willie Llewellyn (Wales)
15. JPR Williams (Wales)

[Galfon]

Something around not being English, or doing a notable thing such as being in a fist-fight in an international ?

[Lizard]

Something around not being English, or doing a notable thing such as being in a fist-fight in an international ?

Not a bad start. It’s something to do with playing against England.

[cashead]

Carded against England for a bit of argy-bargy?

[Numbers]

Carded against England for a bit of argy-bargy?

Most of those players are pre-card era so not that, this is tricky.

[Lizard]

Carded against England for a bit of argy-bargy?

Most of those players are pre-card era so not that, this is tricky.

Correct that it is not discipline related. Is it tricky? I’m not sure. It’s sort of related to the latest posts on Statistic of the Day.

[Galfon]

Could be something not done against England - such as losing to them...

[Lizard]

Could be something not done against England - such as losing to them...

Hot on the right track. None of these players ever lost to England. There is one more qualifying factor...

[zer0]

Most wins against England by position.

[Galfon]

Most caps in each position for players undefeated by Eng..?

[Lizard]

Most caps in each position for players undefeated by Eng..?

Pretty much.

Most starts v England without a loss, with majority of matches in nominated position (except for early players from pre-specialised forwards days).

[Galfon]

nice easy one..

International Select - Name that Group..
(Precise terminology required for the coconut..)

1. nicky
2. steve
3. tom
4. reginald
5. alan
6. ian
7. george
8. juan
9. aaron
10. brian
11. ollie
12. conrad
13. ryan
14. damian
15. ben

reps: craig, greg, steve, wayne,
simon, courtney.

[Banquo]

nice easy one..

International Select - Name that Group..
(Precise terminology required for the coconut..)

1. nicky
2. steve
3. tom
4. reginald
5. alan
6. ian
7. george
8. juan
9. aaron
10. brian
11. ollie
12. conrad
13. ryan
14. damian
15. ben

reps: craig, greg, steve, wayne,
simon, courtney.

Smith