The New Zealand herald's chief sportswriter and rugby correspondent Liam Napier is one half of the podcast with Elliott Smith and when asked to pick his combined Ireland-New Zealand team, Napier goes for a 10-5 split in favour of Ireland.

Share
11th October 2023
02:43pm BST

The New Zealand herald's chief sportswriter and rugby correspondent Liam Napier is one half of the podcast with Elliott Smith and when asked to pick his combined Ireland-New Zealand team, Napier goes for a 10-5 split in favour of Ireland.
12 Bundee Aki
The New Zealand duo give Aki his dues by stating he's well in contention for World Rugby player of the year, and this earns him his place over Jordie Barrett.
11 James Lowe
Mark Telea has impressed for the All Blacks but Lowe's experience earns him the shout.
10 Johnny Sexton
"I don't have a lot of love for Johnny, I'm going to be honest," says the journalist, before giving picking Sexton over Richie Mo'unga.
"I think he can be very self-entitled and is very confronting [in] his approach to match officials.
"He comes across as a guy that can't be touched, at times, without some kind of reaction, but he is an absolute lynchpin for Ireland."
9 Aaron Smith
A true legend of All Blacks rugby and he gets the nod over Gibson Park.
8 Ardie Savea (over Caelan Doris)
"Ardie probably has a wee bit more to his game. But Doris is a phenomenal player for Ireland."
7 Josh van der Flier
The Wicklow man is picked over All Blacks captain Sam Cane.
6 Shannon Frizell
"I think O'Mahony can run a bit hot and cold actually, and that's why I'm going Shannon Frizell. At his peak, I think he's one of the most physically dominant loose forwards going around.
5 Scott Barrett
"Iain Henderson is up for grabs, but I'm going for Scott Barrett - based on his compelling form this year, I think he's become one of the best locks in the world. Amazing work-rate."
[caption id="attachment_293972" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 8: Scott Barrett of New Zealand looks on during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between France and New Zealand at Stade de France on September 8, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images)[/caption]
4 Tadhg Beirne
Gets the nod over All Black legend Sam Whitelock.
3 Tadhg Furlong
Is selected over his opposite number Nepo Laulala.
2 Dan Sheehan
Is selected over Codie Taylor, who has been capped 79 times for New Zealand.
1 Andrew Porter
Is selected over the more inexperienced Ethan de Groot.
Related articles:
Explore more on these topics: