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In 2005, an IRB Rugby Aid match was held between a combined team from the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere to raise funds for the United Nations World Food Programme following the dreadful 2004 Tsunami.
The Southern Hemisphere ran out winners, thumping the North 54-19.
Currently, the top 10 international sides in rugby are:
1. New Zealand (93.70)
2. South Africa (88.23)
3. Ireland (85.76)
4. England (85.40)
5. Wales (84.07)
6. Australia (82.95)
7. France (79.74)
8. Argentina (78.23)
9. Samoa (75.39)
10. Scotland (74.79)
As multiple Northern Hemisphere teams start to climb, it got me thinking about possibly implementing a three-game series, held every year between the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere.
It would be similar to the State of Origin in rugby league, or the NBA All-Star game in American basketball: showcasing the best and/or most popular individual players in each position and region.
As for when it would be played, perhaps just following the Super Rugby season (mid-July), which is also only just over one month after the three main competitions in Europe conclude – the Aviva Premiership (England), Top 14 (France) and Pro12 (Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Italy).
There is no doubt that the brand of rugby played would be exciting, and the games would bring in additional revenue.
So how would each team be selected?
There is the option of leaving it up to the fans to decide, with supporters from each region selecting the best players in each position to represent them. Otherwise a panel of former greats could determine who plays.
The line-ups below demonstrate a showing of reasonable consistency at international level, along with the form of the recently concluded Six Nations.
Northern Hemisphere
1. Joe Marler (England)
2. Rory Best (Ireland)
3. Dan Cole (England)
4. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
5. Paul O’Connell (Ireland)
6. Chris Robshaw (England)
7. Sam Warburton (Wales)
8. Sergio Parisse (Italy)
9. Conor Murray (Ireland)
10. Jonathon Sexton (Ireland)
11. Yoann Huget (France)
12. Wesley Fofana (France)
13. Robbie Henshaw (Ireland)
14. George North (Wales)
15. Rob Kearney (Ireland)
16. Cian Healy (Ireland)
17. Guilhem Guirado (France)
18. Mike Ross (Ireland)
19. Courtney Lawes (England)
20. Thierry Dusautoir (France)
21. Ben Youngs (England)
22. Tommy Bowe (Ireland)
23. Leigh Halfpenny (Wales)
Southern Hemisphere
1. James Slipper (Australia)
2. Agustin Creevy (Argentina)
3. Owen Franks (New Zealand)
4. Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)
5. Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
6. Liam Messam (New Zealand)
7. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
8. Duane Vermeulen (South Africa)
9. Aaron Smith (New Zealand)
10. Aaron Cruden (New Zealand)
11. Julian Savea (New Zealand)
12. Jean De Villiers (South Africa)
13. Tevita Kuridrani (Australia)
14. Israel Folau (Australia)
15. Willie Le Roux (South Africa)
16. Tendai Mtawarira (South Africa)
17. Wyatt Crockett (New Zealand)
18. Bismarck du Plessis (South Africa)
19. Kieran Read (New Zealand)
20. Ruan Pienaar (South Africa)
21. Ben Smith (New Zealand)
22. Juan Martin Hernandez (Argentina)
23. Israel Dagg (New Zealand)
Evidently, there is class all over the park, and some very tough decisions had to be made in the selection of my squads.
So, who would be in your team and would you like to see an event like this take place?
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.