3N Team of the Tournament
Sun, 20 Sep 2009 22:15
Captaining our Team of the Tournament: John Smit
South Africa totally dominated the Tri-Nations, even taking into consideration the aberration that was Brisbane. It is thus not surprising that they also dominate our Team of the Tournament.
There were a few contentious positions and some readers may disagree strongly with our selections.
But the majority of our team picks itself.
After much debate we still found no place for any member of the Australian team, which disappointed throughout the tournament and only looked like a force when the Boks failed to arrive in Brisbane.
The All Blacks, who were whitewashed by the Boks for the first time since 1949, had some strong individual performances - but still only managed to find place for three of their players.
So here is our Team of the Tournament for Tri-Nations 2009:
15 - Frans Steyn (South Africa):
He may not be the universal choice and consistency may always be a problem. But
he will be missed by the Boks next year and those penalties in Hamilton might have changed the face of goal-kicking; forever!
14 - Sitiveni Sivivatu (New Zealand):
There has been no clear stand-out player in this position, probably one of the 'weaknesses' in our team. Sivivatu won by majority vote.
13 - Jaque Fourie (South Africa):
Again, not a unanimous decision, but his defensive organisation and combination with fellow Bok Jean de Villiers made this one of the most consistent and potent midfield combinations in the competitions - if not in the world at present.
12 - Jean de Villiers (South Africa):
Another player who will be missed by the Boks when he is gone. Berrick Barnes deserves an honourable mention for his performances in a limited Wallaby team. Ma'a Nonu also had his moments.
11 - Bryan Habana (South Africa):
Was there ever any doubt. Every bit the player
he was at the 2007 World Cup and then some more.
10 - Morné Steyn (South Africa):
This is probably the most contentious position of them all. Dan Carter came into the picture very late and Matt Giteau's inconsistency in this tournament was perfectly illustrated in the last Test against New Zealand. They are both class players, but the past two-and-half months Steyn was the most consistent performer.
9 - Fourie du Preez (South Africa):
Very few can argue with the statement that he is the standout player in world rugby at present.
8 - Pierre Spies (South Africa):
He has come on in leaps and bounds this year and may well develop into the next big star on the world stage.
7 - Richie McCaw (New Zealand):
He may have struggled with his form at times, but he remains one of the world's premier openside flanks.
6 - Heinrich Brüssow (South
Africa):
There is nothing wrong with two openside flanks in one team and Brüssow has been a special find this year.
5 - Victor Matfield (South Africa):
No argument here. Without peer as a line-out master and the rest of his game is also right up there with the very best.
4 - Bakkies Botha (South Africa):
Also an unanimous decision. Probably the most underrated cog of the Bok machine.
3 - John Smit (South Africa):
He still has his detractors as a tighthead prop, but without doubt the most outstanding leader in world rugby at present. And when it comes to scrumming, show us a tighthead who hasn't got question marks over his scrumming at one stage or another.
2 - Bismarck du Plessis (South Africa):
He has grown in stature this year and his physical presence is complimenting Botha perfectly at present.
1 - Tony Woodcock (New
Zealand):
There are those who have hailed Benn Robinson as the next best thing, and while referees allowed him to get away with dubious tactics he will be effective. But when match officials, who actually know something about scrumming, are in charge he looks a pretty ordinary player - as he did on occasion in the tournament. Woodcock sealed the deal for us with his performance in the last Test of the series.
Our individual selections:
Howard Kahn XV: 15 Frans Steyn, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 John Smit (captain), 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Benn Robinson.
Paul Dobson XV: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 George Smith, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 John Smit (captain), 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Benn Robinson.
Tim Human XV: 15 Frans Steyn, 14 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Kieran Read, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 John Smit (captain), 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Ebrahim Moerat XV: 15 Mills Muliaina, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 George Smith, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 John Smit, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Jan de Koning XV: 15 Frans Steyn, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, 3 John Smit (captain), 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tony Woodcock.
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