S14: Team of the Week, Round 13
Mon, 12 May 2008 16:53
Nick Evans: \'Did I make it?\'
Consistency is not something our team selections are known for, but then again we look at the teams on a weekly basis and make our pics on that week's performance only.
It means that this week there is a much bigger spread and plenty of changes.
The Sharks edged the other teams in our selection and look to be hitting their straps at the right time - if only they can sneak into the play-offs now. They have four players in our weekly selection.
The Waratahs, Stormers, Blues and Lions have two each - while the Reds, Crusaders and Hurricanes make up the numbers with one each.
Only three players are back from last week - No.8 Ryan Kankowski (Sharks), lock Andries Bekker (Stormers) and second row forward Brad Thorn (Crusaders).
Team of the Week - Round 13:
15 - Nick Evans (Blues):
He started off as the Blues' first-choice flyhalf and produced some outstanding performances. Then came a
slump and a shift to fullback and now he is every bit as influential as he was in those early rounds.
14 - Odwa Ndungane (Sharks):
There are those of us who feel he has always been the better of the Ndungane twins, even though Akona became the Springbok. There is no doubting who is having the better season and he is wearing black-and-white, with a Shark on his chest.
13 - Morgan Turinui (Reds):
Some critics felt he made a big mistake by moving to the lowly Reds. Now he is blossoming and challenging Stirling Mortlock for the Wallaby No.13 jersey.
12 - Walter Venter (Lions):
For a young man in his debut Super 14 season he is showing remarkable maturity, while his development as both an attacking and defensive force is what really impressed us.
11 - Sireli Naqelevuki (Stormers):
He is growing in stature with every game he plays and is now a key element in the Stormers
backline.
10 - Kurtley Beale (Waratahs):
He has just turned 19, literally weeks ago, but the quality of his game in the Newlands slush at the weekend was that of a veteran - certainly far better than that of his more seasoned opponent.
9 - Chris Jonck (Lions):
Coaches always talk of it being 'an opportunity for young players to show their worth' when a regular gets injured. Jonck showed just how much truth there is in that statement by being the catalyst in the Lions' victory.
8 - Ryan Kankowski (Sharks):
Having made his mark on the Sevens circuit, Kankowski has now set the Super 14 scene alight with his pace, vision and sublime handling skills.
7 - Phil Waugh (Waratahs):
His ability at the breakdown and his barnstorming runs is what opponents fear most. His leadership is what his teammates respect most.
6 - Jacques Botes (Sharks):
It
was a close call on this one, but we leaned ever so slightly to Botes. He is incredibly quick and follows the ball closely all game. He has been unlucky so far not to earn a Springbok call-up, but that may change soon.
5 - Andries Bekker (Stormers):
The most consistent of all the No.5 jumpers in the competition.
4 - Brad Thorn (Crusaders):
Ditto at No.4.
3 - John Afoa (Blues):
The All Black prop continues to improve in leaps and bounds. Still relatively young at only 24, he continues to impress in the Super 14.
2 - Andrew Hore (Hurricanes):
This no-nonsense hooker, who has an eye for scoring tries, continues to steal a march on his rivals in the race for the All Black No.2 jersey.
1- Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks):
It will be a huge shock (at least to us) if his name is not among the 40-odd read out by new Springbok coach Peter de
Villiers when the national training squad is revealed on Saturday.
Individual selections for Week 13:
Paul Dobson XV: 15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Morgan Turinui, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Peter Hynes, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Phil Waugh, 6 Juan Smith, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 John Afoa, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Phil Coetzer XV: 15 Lote Tuqiri, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Anthony Tuitavake, 12 Walter Venter, 11 Sireli Naqelevuki, 10 Isa Nacewa, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Phil Waugh, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar, 5 James Horwill, 4 Adriaan Fondse, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Steve Farrell XV: 15 Nick Evans, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Morgan Turinui, 12 Walter Venter, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Chris Jonck, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Joe van Niekerk, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 James Horwill, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Beast Mtawarira.
Howard Kahn XV: 15 Nick Evans, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Stirling Mortlock, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Sireli Naqelevuki, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Chris Jonck, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Phil Waugh, 6 Juan Smith, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Benn Robinson.
Jan de Koning XV: 15 Nick Evans, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Walter Venter, 11 Sireli Naqelevuki, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Chris Jonck, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Joe van Niekerk, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 James Horwill, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 John Afoa, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Previous selections:
Team of the Week - Round 12: 15 Conrad Jantjes (Stormers), 14 Lelia Masaga (Chiefs), 13 Gcobani Bobo (Stormers), 12 Jean de Villiers (Stormers), 11 Drew Mitchell (Western Force), 10 Peter Grant (Stormers), 9 Ricky January (Stormers), 8 Ryan Kankowski (Sharks), 7 Wikus van Heerden (Bulls), 6 Adam Thomson (Highlanders), 5 Andries Bekker (Stormers), 4 Brad Thorn (Crusaders), 3 Greg Somerville (Crusaders), 2 Schalk Brits (Stormers), 1 Brian Mujati (Stormers).
Team of the Week - Round 11: 15 Conrad Jantjes (Stormers), 14 Lelia Masaga (Chiefs), 13 Anthony Tuitavake (Blues), 12 Tom Carter (Waratahs), 11 Sireli Naqelevuki (Stormers), 10 Stephen Donald (Chiefs), 9 Piri Weepu (Hurricanes), 8 Wycliff Palu (Waratahs), 7 Richie McCaw (Crusaders), 6 Schalk Burger (Stormers), 5 Andries Bekker (Stormers), 4 Daniel Vickerman (Waratahs), 3 Brian Mujati (Stormers), 2 Tiaan Liebenberg (Stormers), 1 Ben May (Chiefs).
Team of the Week - Round 10: 15 Zane Kirchner (Bulls), 14 Hosea Gear (Hurricanes), 13 Rob Horne (Waratahs), 12 Ma'a Nonu (Hurricanes), 11 Sireli Naqelevuki (Stormers), 10 Stephen Donald (Chiefs), 9 Ricky Januarie (Stormers), 8 Ryan Kankowski (Sharks), 7 Francois Louw (Stormers), 6 Liam Messam (Chiefs), 5 Andries Bekker (Stormers), 4 Toby Lynn (Chiefs), 3 BJ Botha (Sharks), 2 Schalk Brits (Stormers), 1 Simms Davison (Chiefs).
Team of the Week - Round Nine: 15 Conrad Jantjes (Stormers), 14 Tonderai Chavhanga (Stormers), 13 Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), 12 Ma'a Nonu (Hurricanes), 11 Lote Tuqiri (Waratahs), 10 Peter Grant (Stormers), 9 Piri Weepu (Hurricanes), 8 Ryan Kankowski (Sharks), 7 Phil Waugh (Waratahs), 6 Schalk Burger (Stormers), 5 Daniel Vickerman (Waratahs), 4 Hoani MacDonald (Highlanders), 3 Brian Mujati (Stormers), 2 Andrew Hore (Hurricanes), 1 John Schwalger (Hurricanes).
Team of the Week - Round Eight: 15 Stefan Terblanche (Sharks), 14 Lelia Masaga (Chiefs), 13 Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), 12 Meyer Bosman (Cheetahs), 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu (Chiefs), 10 Stephen Donald (Chiefs), 9 Piri Weepu (Hurricanes), 8 Duanne Vermeulen (Cheetahs), 7 George Smith (Brumbies), 6 Heinrich Brüssow (Cheetahs), 5 Barend Pieterse (Cheetahs), 4 Bakkies Botha (Bulls), 3 John Afoa (Blues), 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs), 1 Jamie Mackintosh (Highlanders).
Team of the Week - Round Seven: 15 Conrad Jantjes (Stormers), 14 Tonderai Chavhanga (Stormers), 13 Casey Laulala (Crusaders), 12 Jean de Villiers (Stormers), 11 Bryan Habana (Bulls), 10 Peter Grant (Stormers), 9 Brendon Leonard (Chiefs), 8 Mose Tuiali'i (Crusaders), 7 Wikus van Heerden (Bulls), 6 Schalk Burger (Stormers), 5 Danie Rossouw (Bulls), 4 Brad Thorn (Crusaders), 3 John Afoa (Blues), 2 Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), 1 Ben Franks (Crusaders).
Team of the Week - Round Six: 15 Chris Latham (Reds), 14 Lelia Masaga (Chiefs), 13 Ryan Cross (Western Force), 12 Walter Venter (Lions), 11 Peter Hynes (Reds), 10 Matt Giteau (Western Force), 9 Brendon Leonard (Chiefs), 8 Joe van Niekerk (Lions), 7 Richie McCaw (Crusaders), 6 Jerome Kaino (Blues), 5 Daniel Vickerman (Waratahs), 4 Brad Thorn (Crusaders), 3 John Afoa (Blues), 2 Corey Flynn (Crusaders), 1 Ben Franks (Crusaders).
Team of the Week - Round Five: 15 Chris Latham (Reds), 14 Tonderai Chavhanga (Stormers), 13 Casey Laulala (Crusaders), 12 Jean de Villiers (Stormers), 11 Drew Mitchell (Western Force), 10 Matt Giteau (Western Force), 9 Fourie du Preez (Bulls), 8 Ryan Kankowski (Sharks), 7 Chris Masoe (Hurricanes), 6 Schalk Burger (Stormers), 5 Nathan Sharpe (Western Force), 4 Brad Thorn (Crusaders), 3 BJ Botha (Sharks), 2 Andrew Hore (Hurricanes), 1 Tony Woodcock (Blues).
Team of the Week - Round Four: 15 Francois Steyn (Sharks), 14 Scott Staniforth (Western Force), 13 Ryan Cross (Western Force), 12 Stephen Brett (Crusaders), 11 Lote Tuqiri (Waratahs), 10 Frederic Michalak (Sharks), 9 Jano Vermaak (Lions), 8 Ryan Kankowski (Sharks), 7 David Pocock (Western Force), 6 Keegan Daniel (Sharks), 5 Johann Muller (Sharks), 4 Brad Thorn (Crusaders), 3 Greg Somerville (Crusaders), 2 Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), 1 Jamie Mackintosh (Highlanders)
Team of the Week - Round Three: 15 Isa Nacewa (Blues), 14 Ma'a Nonu (Hurricanes), 13 Isaia Toeava (Blues), 12 Benson Stanley (Blues), 11 Joe Rokocoko (Blues), 10 Stephen Donald (Chiefs), 9 Jimmy Cowan (Highlanders), 8 Rodney So'oialo (Hurricanes), 7 Richie McCaw (Crusaders), 6 Heinrich Brüssow (Cheetahs), 5 Johann Muller (Sharks), 4 Brad Thorn (Crusaders), 3 Campbell Johnstone (Crusaders), 2 Keven Mealamu (Blues), 1 Heinke van der Merwe (Lions).
Team of the Week - Round Two: 15 Francois Steyn (Sharks), 14 Kade Poki (Crusaders), 13 Isaia Toeava (Blues), 12 Stephen Brett (Crusaders), 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu (Chiefs), 10 Nick Evans (Blues), 9 Jano Vermaak (Lions), 8 Nick Williams (Blues), 7 Richie McCaw (Crusaders), 6 Jerome Kaino (Blues), 5 Troy Flavell (Blues), 4 Kurtis Haiu (Blues), 3 Greg Somerville (Crusaders), 2 Keven Mealamu (Blues), 1 Tony Woodcock (Blues).
Team of the Week - Round One: 15 Leon MacDonald (Crusaders), 14 Digby Ioane (Reds), 13 Ice Toeava (Blues), 12 Bradley Barritt (Sharks), 11 Joe Rokocoko (Blues), 10 Nick Evans (Blues), 9 Fourie du Preez (Bulls), 8 Mose Tuiali'i (Crusaders), 7 Franco van der Merwe (Lions), 6 Rocky Elsom (Waratahs), 5 Troy Flavell (Blues), 4 Johann Ackermann (Sharks), 3 Brian Mujati (Stormers), 2 Tiaan Liebenberg (Stormers), 1 Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks).
