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Rugby World Cup - First XV
Rugby World Cup - First XV as picked by RNZ's sports team.
Number 1 - Cian Healy (Ireland). A loosehead prop who is a solid scrummager and great with ball in hand. Credit: AFP
Number 2 - Dane Coles (New Zealand) The All Blacks rake has taken the role of a hooker to a new level. Credit: AFP
Number 3 - Marcos Ayerza (Argentina). A tighthead prop with so much experience, hard to leave out. Credit: AFP
Number 4 - Victor Matfield (South Africa). The 38-year-old lock still dominates the lineout. Credit: AFP
Number 5 - Brodie Retallick (New Zealand). The All Blacks lock was named World Player of the Year, who adds so much in the loose. Credit: AFP
Number 6 - Thierry Dusautoir (France). The French captain is a beast of a blindside flanker. Credit: AFP
Number 7 - Richie McCaw (New Zealand). The All Blacks captain can still dominate the breakdown. Credit: AFP
Number 8 - Duane Vermeulen (South Africa). A typical Springbok brute and a straight ball runner. Credit: AFP
Number 9 - Aaron Smith (New Zealand). On his day he's untouchable and the All Blacks base their game plan around him at halfback. Credit: AFP
Number 10 - Johnny Sexton (Ireland). He's a first five who can control the game and kick the goals. Credit: AFP
Number 11 - Nemani Nadolo (Fiji) A flying winger who can break tackles. Credit: AFP
Number 12 - Ma'a Nonu (New Zealand). He is such a threat that he commands two defenders and can break the line. Credit: AFP
Number 13 - Jonathan Joseph (England). The current England player of the year is a centre who knows how to find the try line. Credit: AFP
Number 14 - Ben Smith (New Zealand). Ben Smith is clearly in the First XV - so we've shifted him to the wing to get him into the team. Credit: AFP
Number 15 - Israel Folau (Australia) The Wallabies fullback is the complete player, who is superb in the air. Credit: AFP
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