PIERS FRANCIS THE ENGLAND AND NORTHAMPTON CENTRE CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST – EXCLUDING CURRENT TEAMS
1. Angus Ta'avao –A good friend from my early days in Auckland. He's a very big man with the biggest quads and calves around but also possesses silky footwork and handling skills too. Super Rugby experience with the Chiefs, Waratahs and Blues.
2. Pat Leafa – Another Marist boy who I was with in the Auckland academy. A great leader, superb core skills and was a truly humble guy to be around. Very Keven Mealamulike. Was at the Rebels for quite a while but is now in France with Vannes.
3. Sami Aiono – Aggressive around the park but will need reminding of the laws of the game so we can keep him on the field. A fun guy, hugely passionate and will lead the charge off the field. Success is guaranteed with a Bombay RFC/Counties Manukau player in my team.
4. Jimmy Tupou – A natural leader. When he speaks others listen. An athletic player for Counties Manukau. I believe he is in Japan now.
5. Tom Quarry – A bit of an unknown quantity but another good mate from my Marist days. Has hands like feet but huge work-rate and ruck clearing ability to deliver the fast ball that I want to play with. Every team needs a big, hardworking lump at lock like Tom.
6. Heinrich Brüssow – Was with him for a short time at Saints and he's a tremendous player – the sort you want in your team not against you. If you don't have the ball, he will be sure to get it back for you in double-quick time.
7. Jordan Taufau – Another Counties Manukau boy who spent a bit of time with Leicester and is now at Lyon. He's an immensely passionate guy and will give you 100 per cent every time! Calls himself ‘The Beast'. Runs hard and is good to have a laugh with.
8. Steven Luatua – First got to know him from our Auckland academy days when we had a very good group of players coming through at the same time. A leader, big in stature but has speed and offloading ability and will provide muchneeded lineout options in my pack.
9. Cobus Reinach – As the saying goes, speed kills defences and that's what I want in my team! Once he's through, he's gone. A good mate and a fantastic player. Has to be in my team.
10. Ihaia West – A ‘pocket rocket' who can create or finish off any line break. Has great acceleration. I was him at the Blues. Set to move to Toulon next year. Paired with Cobus would be an electric half-back partnership!
11. Tino Nemani – Another guy from my early Auckland/Marist days. Every team needs a flying Fijian and Tino has crazy power with or without the ball. Was in the Chiefs squad when they won Super Rugby. A huge talent who's not had the best of luck with injuries.
12. Augustine Pulu – A very hard, passionate guy who leads from the front. I've gone for a bit of unorthodox positioning as he normally plays nine, but he's well capable of playing 12 and I need both him and Cobus in the team. Has size and aggression.
13. George Moala – Strong and fast and would create a terrifying Tongan partnership with Augy! Ripping it up in the Top 14 with Clermont.
14. Toni Pulu – Raw speed and great finishing ability. Unfortunately has had as many injuries as I've had, which is saying something! Started out with him at Counties Manukau. He's currently with Western Force.
15. Charles Piutau – A handy left boot with a crazy ability of breaking the defensive line. Has done pretty well for himself since he left NZ, with Ulster and now Bristol. Was a pleasure to play provincial rugby with him.
