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'Robbery': Fans outraged over World Rugby's Team of the Decade as All Blacks and England stars miss out

(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

The announcement of World Rugby’s Team of the Decade on Tuesday has brought with it an avalanche of criticism from fans over the selection and non-selection of certain players.

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The game’s global governing body released a XV of the best players in test rugby from between 2010 and 2019 at the World Rugby Awards Special Edition, as selected by an awards panel.

Featuring some of the games biggest names such as newly-crowned World Rugby Player of the Decade and two-time World Cup-winning All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, there was no shortage of star power across the composite side.

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Owen Farrell takes blame for England kick | Autumn Nations Cup

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Owen Farrell takes blame for England kick | Autumn Nations Cup

Other iconic figures named in the side include New Zealand’s Dan Carter and Ma’a Nonu, South Africa’s Bryan Habana, Ireland’s Brian O’Driscoll, Australia’s David Pocock and Italy’s Sergio Parisse.

There were some notable names left out of the squad, though, with fans quick to take to Twitter in response to World Rugby’s announcement to highlight where the selection panel had gone wrong in their decision-making.

Perhaps the most questionable decision came at halfback, with Ireland’s Conor Murray winning the nod over World Cup-winning All Blacks scrumhalf Aaron Smith.

The latter has been widely regarded as one of, if not the, best No. 9 on the planet since his test debut in 2012, leaving many fans perplexed as to how the 97-cap veteran missed out.

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Another contentious points of selection came on the wing, with some criticising the addition of Welsh wing George North ahead of powerhouse All Blacks sensation Julian Savea.

It’s a similar story in the midfield, with many unsure of O’Driscoll’s inclusion given he retired in 2014, meaning he missed most of the decade’s international rugby.

Some pointed to former All Blacks centre Conrad Smith and current Wales star Jonathan Davies as two worthy replacements.

Meanwhile, many would argue former Italy captain Sergio Parisse’s selection at No.8 is validated due to his longevity and excellence over the years, but others were insistent that ex-All Blacks skipper Kieran Read should have been picked instead.

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https://twitter.com/GumbaliciousDef/status/1336059772282560512

https://twitter.com/LengofRichardll/status/1336060787501232134

https://twitter.com/ThavasRas/status/1336075582497550339

The team still featured a total of seven All Blacks through McCaw, Carter, Nonu, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Ben Smith and Owen Franks, which is far more than what England can boast.

No players from the world number two side made the cut for the XV, with England perhaps paying the price of a quarter-final exit at the 2011 World Cup followed by disastrous campaign in 2015 where they bombed out in pool play on their home turf.

Still, it was a decade that saw the English finish runners-up at last year’s World Cup and claim three Six Nations titles, during which time stars such as Owen Farrell and Maro Itoje made their name on the global stage.

The lack of English flavour left some fans aggrieved, while others defended the selections of the likes of North and Murray despite widespread criticism on social media.

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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