The one player without whom the World Cup is lost...

I think Pollard is irreplaceable at 10, but so much of our game hinges on 9. In that regard, Faf becomes indispensable. I think we become a much less effective side without him. 

I pretty much agree with everything else. Kerevi allows the Aussie backs to assert themselves and play through the opposition, making for a very tough side to stop. For many years they have been a team of crabs, dancing behind the gainline. 

I think Nic White @ 9 also comes into the mix with Aussies too... Kerevi would be big loss though as definitely straightens the line... Aussies need to get premium 5/8 sorted and quickly...

Also think Saffas need Faf  - the bok team has gone from predictably average to consistent winners since his inclusion. Pollard is irreplaceable.

Poms like Kiwis have depth - but I would add George Ford to the mix.

England - Owen Farrell

lolol sharkbok - too true... I thought that as well till perth offered me a glimmer of hope.

Is that Vinnie the 42year old from the Pacific Islands?  LMAO

Mozart left out Japan - their key player being Labuschagne.  Ignorance is bliss in his case.  

I'd say Billy at #8 and Mako at loosehead would both be a big loss for the Poms. I don't think we've ever established what position Vinnie plays . . . Moffie seems to be the only person who's ever hear d of him.

So Japan rated at no 9 i s not a major country,   You have a team in there not in the top 9,  Caught in the normal way Mozart,  Time for updating your homework for a change.  

So Japan rated at no 9 i s not a major country,   You have a team in there not in the top 9,  Caught in the normal way Mozart,  Time for updating your homework for a change.  

One of the teams you list is below 9 and after all Japan is the host country,   Wake up to reality please. 

They beat Meyer's donkeys in  the 2015 WC - did they not?

Not interested in what you come up was to batting - what count is thr rating of teams.    

Sexton and Murray are the key men for Ireland. Sexton is the lynchpin of everything Ireland do. Problem is that Johnny Sexton getting injured is abit like death and taxes, its going to happen. Though Joey Carberry is a fine replacement for Sexton if he's fit.

Murray's form in the 6 nations wasn't good but there is no way he will be dropped unless injured.

Peter O'Mahony has been struggling for form for a few months now and has been able to impose himself on games as he use to. 

Next 3 warm up games will indicate if the 6 nations was just a blip for Ireland or an indication of along term trend.

Stav

Is Stander out of contention for the WC?

I am surprised that Mozart chose O'Mahony  as the key player - he norally has a policy - age before beauty.

My problem with Ireland is that some Irish are getting a bot long in the tooth,  Sexton at 34, Best at 37 and Healy at 32 are not spring chickens at all.   Is that not the reason why Ireland struggled a bit in the 6-Nations t his year? 

@clever

Stander will be in the team unless injured. Again I think his form has dipped a bit since last year but you could say that about a lot of players.

Don't get me wrong O'Mahony is a great and important player for Ireland, but Sexton is the absolute most vital cog in the Irish team.

I think you may be right about the Irish team. I fear this world cup was simply a year two late for us and age has caught up with some of the players. If this was last year I'd saw we would genuine contenders and maybe 2nd favorites only slightly behind NZ. But on current form the southern hemisphere teams along with England and Wales will be very difficult matches for us.

I do think Sexton's form is still good, just he's rather fragile and injury prone. Difficult to see him lasting a full world cup.

This is Bests last hurrah and he's retiring after the world cup. 

Stav

The problem with older players are they become more injury prone and takes longer to recover - at least that is what my impression of the situation is,  They also struggle when they have to play four test in four weeks and then has to play in the quarters and semi - should their team qualify.

That was the problem in the 2015 WC in the case of SA.   There were 8 players in the SA squad  that was unplayable in the series and some played as little as 30 minutes from the bench.   That had a bad effect on performances - especially after the "golden oldies" was humiliated  by the Japanese.

I do not think there will be s similar selection disaster again this year - but we will have tos ee what Erasmus came up with,         .