S14 Team of the Tournament
June 02 2009
As the curtain came down on yet another Super 14 season after the rampant Bulls were crowned 2009 champions, we were still busy backstage preparing our final screenplay entitled: 'Planet Rugby's Team of the Tournament!'
Whilst the Chiefs may have let in 61 points and lost by a record margin for a Super Rugby final of 44 points against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld, we never lost track of who was lighting up the stadiums and television screens with one dazzling performance after the next.
So if you think this team has a Bullish look about it based on the one-sided final alone... you're wrong. We've gone back and calculated who stood out over the last 94 matches in the past fifteen weeks, based on previous Team of the Week results as selected by us.
We have, however, reconsidered a few of the selections following a few close calls that sparked plenty of debate that continues to rage on in the office. One staple on the forehead and pencil in the eye later, we bring you our final XV...
15 Mils Muliaina (Chiefs): It was a tight call between two cool, calm and collected full-backs as each produced near flawless performances in every game they played. Muliaina's never-say-die attitude in the Super 14 final against the Bulls - which also bagged him a try - wins him our vote by a whisker over his South African counterpart.
Close but no cigar: Stefan Terblanche (Sharks)
14 Lelia Masaga (Chiefs): The Chiefs speed merchant was on fire this year, leaving plenty of opposition chasing shadows. Desperately unlucky not to make the All Blacks squad after consistent showings on the wing. Oh well, the Test team's loss not picking one of the most potent attacking wingers in the game is the Junior All Blacks' gain.
Close but no cigar: Rene Ranger (Blues)
13 Conrad Smith (Hurricanes): His midfield partnership with Nonu was the best in the competition and will continue to shake, rattle and roll on the international scene. Richard Kahui and Jaque Fourie can also hold their heads high after strong showings for the Chiefs and Lions respectively.
Close but no cigar: Richard Kahui (Chiefs)
12 Ma'a Nonu (Hurricanes): What can we say about this one-man bull-dozing machine that we haven't said already? Wynand Olivier may have been the most valuable centre for South Africa, as was James O' Connor for Australia... but Nonu took them both apart and every one else he came up against. Also finishes the tournament as the leading try-scorer with nine touchdowns to his name.
Close but no cigar: Wynand Olivier (Bulls)
11 Bryan Habana (Bulls): The Bulls' two-time try-scoring hero in the final may have started off in second gear, but finished the campaign off in 4x4 fashion with impressive outings that reminded us once again just why he was voted IRB Player of the Year in 2007. His form took a major dip since the World Cup, but South Africa's most loved winger is back with a bang. Just one try behind Nonu in this year's top try-scorers' chart.
Close but no cigar: Sivi Sivivatu (Chiefs)
10 Matt Giteau (Western Force): Dynamite comes in small packages, and it's no wonder this extraordinary number ten goes by the nickname of the same name (Kid Dynamite). Giteau had an explosive Super 14 campaign with the Force - something the Brumbies wouldn't have been too upset about. Regarded as one of the most talented players of his generation, Giteau never ceases to amaze us, and this early part of the southern hemisphere season was no exception.
Close but no cigar: Morne Steyn (Bulls)
9 Fourie du Preez (Bulls): Toughest choice to make out of the entire line-up, but we think we've made the right choice. The number nine position brought along some stiff competition from several key players that so easily could have fitted in the final XV. The names Leonard, Vermaak, Burgess and Kockott all come to mind - but did any of them get one over Du Preez in their head to heads? We didn't think so either.
Close but no cigar: Brendon Leonard (Chiefs)
8 Pierre Spies: (Bulls): Our pick of the forwards. Spies set this tournament alight with powerful runs into open space that 9 out of 10 times ended in a try. Well seven out of fifteen games to be exact and joint third in tries scored in the competition. His defence was at times a little suspect, but Spies made up for it ten fold when on the rampage from five or 90 metres out.
Close but no cigar: Ryan Kankowski (Sharks)
7 Phil Waugh (Waratahs): Made the Team of the Week on six occasions - the most any players selected in our XV managed to achieve (Matt Giteau and Pierre Spies were a close second with five appearances) - which just goes to show what an impact Waugh had on the tournament. Leads from the front with aplomb and hates to lose.
Close but no cigar: Jacques Botes (Sharks)
6 Liam Messam (Chiefs): Another position that sparked a big debate, but was ultimately agreed on by the number of votes achieved throughout the season. The proof was in the pudding, and nobody could deny Messam's huge physical presence around the pitch, whether in possession or on defence.
Close but no cigar: Kieran Read (Crusaders)
5 Victor Matfield (Bulls): The Bulls pack led by Matfield and lock partner Bakkies Botha provided the Bulls with an outstanding platform in set pieces. The 2009 Super 14 Championship-winning skipper was inspirational in the final as well as every match prior to that. He was instrumental in not only leading his team in a defining season, but showed just why he is rated as the best in the business in his position.
Close but no cigar: Nathan Sharpe (Force)
4 Isaac Ross (Crusaders): If you can't do the core role first you can't play. Ross proved he can do the core job for the Crusaders, and will be looking to do the same for his country. He was solid in the line-outs, safe at the kick-offs, has got good hands, catches and passes well and had Brad Thorn to scrum with - which is always helpful.
Close but no cigar: Peter Kimlin (Brumbies)
3 Clint Newland (Highlanders): The formidable front rower would have been hoping to continue his good form with the All Blacks or Junior All Blacks following the conclusion of the Super 14, but was surprisingly left out of both sides. A strong scrummager who provided the Highlanders front row with plenty of heave, Newland has a surprise turn of speed and an ability to grow a mean mullet.
Close but no cigar: Neemia Tialata (Hurricanes)
2 Aled de Malmanche (Chiefs): The Chiefs rake is a livewire hooker who has the pace of a back and the handling skills of a loose forward. He has come on in leaps and bounds for the Chiefs and will be delighted to have made the Junior All Blacks squad - though one does wonder what kept him out of the senior All Blacks team?
Close but no cigar: Derrick Kuün (Bulls)
1 Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks): Mtawarira revelled in both loose and tight play for the Sharks this season and just seems to get better and grow in confidence with every match he plays. Having evolved from local crowd favourite to a South African hero, the Zimbabwean-born prop has grown into iconic status with the Sharks and Springboks. He has matured, despite his young age, into a strong scrummager, big tackler and powerful ball-carrier.
Close but no cigar: Benn Robinson (Waratahs)
Previous selections:
Team of the Week - Round One: 15 Stefan Terblanche (Sharks), 14 Digby Ioane (Reds), 13 Rob Horne (Waratahs), 12 Stirling Mortlock (Brumbies), 11 Henno Mentz (Lions), 10 Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies), 9 Rory Kockott (Sharks), 8 Ryan Kankowski (Sharks), 7 Juan Smith (Cheetahs), 6 Phil Waugh (Waratahs), 5 Anthony Boric (Blues), 4 Adriaan Fondse (Stormers), 3 Jannie du Plessis (Sharks), 2 John Smit (Sharks), 1 Heinke van der Merwe (Lions).
Team of the Week - Round Two: 15 Mark Gerrard (Brumbies), 14 Rene Ranger (Blues), 13 Casey Laulala (Crusaders), 12 Stirling Mortlock (Brumbies), 11 Bryan Habana (Bulls), 10 Quade Cooper (Reds), 9 Fourie du Preez (Bulls), 8 Pierre Spies (Bulls), 7 Duane Vermuelen (Stormers), 6 George Smith (Brumbies), 5 Jason Eaton (Hurricanes), 4 Bakkies Botha (Bulls), 3 Ben Franks (Crusaders), 2 Adriaan Strauss (Cheetahs), 1 Heinke van der Merwe (Lions).
Team of the Week - Round Three: 15 Stefan Terblanche (Sharks), 14 Jared Payne (Crusaders), 13 Casey Laulala (Crusaders), 12 Ma'a Nonu (Hurricanes), 11 Cameron Shepherd (Force), 10 Matt Giteau (Force), 9 Brendon Leonard (Chiefs), 8 Pierre Spies (Bulls), 7 George Smith (Brumbies), 6 Justin Collins (Blues), 5 Nathan Sharpe (Force), 4 Bakkies Botha (Bulls), 3 John Afoa (Blues), 2 Aled de Malmanche (Chiefs), 1 Tony Woodcock (Blues).
Team of the Week - Round Four: 15 Isaia Toeava (Blues), 14 Lelia Masaga (Chiefs), 13 Adi Jacobs (Sharks), 12 Ma'a Nonu (Hurricanes), 11 Joe Rokocoko (Blues), 10 Piri Weepu (Hurricanes), 9 Rory Kockott (Sharks), 8 Liam Messam (Chiefs), 7 Jacques Botes (Sharks), 6 Tanerau Latimer (Chiefs), 5 David de Villiers (Cheetahs), 4 Steven Sykes (Sharks), 3 James McGougan (Chiefs), 2 Aled de Malmanche (Chiefs), 1 Chris King (Highlanders).
Team of the Week - Round Five: 15 Isaia Toeava (Bues), 14 Lelia Masaga (Chiefs), 13 Anthony Tuitavake (Blues), 12 James O'Connor (Force), 11 Peter Hynes (Reds), 10 Matt Giteau (Force), 9 Will Genia (Reds), 8 Thomas Waldrom (Crusaders), 7 Schalk Burger (Stormers), 6 Chris Lowrey (Blues), 5 Andries Bekker (Stormers), 4 Isaac Ross (Crusaders), 3 John Afoa (Blues), 2 Keven Mealamu (Blues), 1 Heinke van der Merwe (Lions).
Team of the Week - Round Six: 15 Mils Muliaina (Chiefs), 14 Lelia Masaga (Chiefs), 13 Jaque Fourie (Lions), 12 Ryan Crotty (Crusaders), 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu (Chiefs), 10 Matt Giteau (Force), 9 Brendon Leonard (Chiefs), 8 Sione Lauaki (Chiefs), 7 Phil Waugh (Waratahs), 6 Adam Thomson (Highlanders), 5 Ali Williams (Blues), 4 Bakkies Botha (Bulls), 3 Clint Newland (Highlanders), 2 Aled de Malmanche (Chiefs), 1 Benn Robinson (Waratahs).
Team of the Week - Round Seven: 15 Mils Muliaina (Chiefs), 14 Anthony Tuitavake (Blues), 13 Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), 12 Daniel Bowden (Highlanders), 11 JP Pietersen (Sharks), 10 Stephen Donald (Chiefs), 9 Luke Burgess (Waratahs), 8 Sione Lauaki (Chiefs), 7 Phil Waugh (Waratahs), 6 Jacques Botes (Sharks), 5 Tom Donnelly (Highlanders), 4 Jannes Labuschagne (Lions), 3 John Smit (Sharks), 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs), 1 Jamie Mackintosh (Highlanders).
Team of the Week - Round Eight: 15 Stefan Terblance (Sharks), 14 Lachie Turner (Waratahs), 13 Jaque Fourie (Lions), 12 Wynand Olivier (Bulls), 11 Dwayne Sweeney (Chiefs), 10 Matt Giteau (Force), 9 Josh Holmes (Brumbies), 8 Luke Watson (Stormers), 7 Phil Waugh (Waratahs), 6 Faifili Levave (Hurricanes), 5 Isaac Ross (Crusaders), 4 Nathan Sharpe (Western Force), 3 Guy Shepherdson (Brumbies), 2 Derick Kuun (Bulls), 1 Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks).
Team of the Week - Round Nine: 15 Mark Gerrard (Brumbies), 14 Rudi Wulf (Blues), 13 Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), 12 Tyrone Smith (Brumbies), 11 Jongi Nokwe (Cheetahs), 10 Matt Giteau (Western Force), 9 Patrick Phibbs (Brumbies), 8 Richard Brown (Western Force), 7 Josh Blackie (Blues), 6 Heinrich Brüssow (Cheetahs), 5 Victor Matfield (Bulls), 4 David de Villiers (Cheetahs), 3 Clint Newland (Highlanders), 2 Adriaan Strauss (Cheetahs), 1 Jamie Mackintosh (Highlanders).
Team of the Week - Round Ten: 15 Leon MacDonald (Crusaders), 14 Scott Staniforth (Force), 13 Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), 12 Ma'a Nonu (Hurricanes), 11 Henno Mentz (Lions), 10 Jimmy Gopperth (Blues), 9 Andy Ellis (Crusaders), 8 Pierre Spies (Bulls), 7 Richie McCaw (Crusaders), 6 Liam Messam (Chiefs), 5 Isaac Ross (Crusaders), 4 Peter Kimlin (Brumbies), 3 Clint Newland (Highlanders), 2 Willie Wepener (Lions), 1 Tony Woodcock (Blues).
Team of the Week - Round Eleven: 15 Cory Jane (Hurricanes), 14 Akona Ndungane (Bulls), 13 Digby Ioane (Reds), 12 James O'Connor (Force), 11 David Smith (Hurricanes), 10 Morne Steyn (Bulls), 9 Jimmy Cowan (Highlanders), 8 Pierre Spies (Bulls), 7 Duane Vermeulen (Stormers), 6 Heinrich Brüssow (Cheetahs), 5 Nathan Sharpe (Force), 4 Andries Bekker (Stormers), 3 Neemia Tialata (Hurricanes), 2 Derrick Kuün (Bulls), 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp (Bulls).
Team of the Week - Round Twelve: 15 Leon MacDonald (Crusaders), 14 Rene Ranger (Blues), 13 Richard Kahui (Chiefs), 12 Ma'a Nonu (Hurricanes), 11 Bryan Habana (Bulls), 10 Willie Ripia (Hurricanes), 9 Will Genia (Reds), 8 Ryan Kankowski (Sharks), 7 Scott Waldrom (Hurricanes), 6 Liam Messam (Chiefs), 5 Peter Kimlin (Brumbies), 4 Steven Sykes (Sharks), 3 Ben Alexander (Brumbies), 2 Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), 1 Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks).
Team of the Week - Round Thirteen: 15 Joe Pietersen (Stormers), 14 Stirling Mortlock (Brumbies), 13 Richard Kahui (Chiefs), 12 James O' Connor (Force), 11 Bryan Habana (Bulls), 10 Stephen Donald (Chiefs), 9 Jano Vermaak (Lions), 8 Thomas Waldrom (Crusaders), 7 Phil Waugh (Waratahs), 6 Kieran Read (Crusaders), 5 Kevin O'Neill (Chiefs), 4 AJ Venter (Stormers), 3 Owen Franks (Crusaders), 2 Aled de Malmanche (Chiefs), 1 Benn Robinson (Waratahs).
Team of the Week - Round Thirteen: 15 Stefan Terblanche (Sharks), 14 Scott Staniforth (Force), 13 JP Nel (Bulls), 12 Ma'a Nonu (Hurricanes), 11 Francis Fainifo (Brumbies), 10 Morne Steyn (Bulls), 9 Chris Smylie (Blues), 8 Willem Alberts (Lions), 7 Phil Waugh (Waratahs), 6 Liam Messam (Chiefs), 5 Dean Mumm (Waratahs), 4 Michael Paterson (Crusaders), 3 Wikus Blaauw (Stormers), 2 Keven Mealamu (Blues), 1 Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks).
Team of the Week - Round Fourteen: 15 Mils Muliaina (Chiefs), 14 Sivi Sivivatu (Chiefs), 13 Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), 12 Ryan Crotty (Crusaders), 11 Bryan Habana (Bulls), 10 Morne Steyn (Bulls), 9 Fourie du Preez (Bulls), 8 Pierre Spies (Bulls), 7 Deon Stegmann (Bulls), 6 Kieran Read (Crusaders), 5 Victor Matfield (Bulls), 4 Craig Clarke (Chiefs), 3 Neemia Tialata (Hurricanes), 2 Aled de Malmanche (Chiefs), 1 Wyatt Crockett (Crusaders).
By Dave Morris