S14 Team of the Week

Looks like these guys didn't watch the force games at all

S14: Team of the Week


This week was an easy selection. Two teams dominated the weekend's action and two teams dominate our selection.

It is not surprising that 12 of the players in our Team of the Week are from the all conquering Blues and Crusaders teams - the only unbeaten sides in the Super 14 competition.

The Blues top the list with eight members of our squad and four come from the Crusaders.

The Sharks, Lions (yes, we know they conceded 50 points) and Chiefs make up the numbers.

Only three players are back from last week's selection and all three are Blues - Isaia Toeava, Nick Evans and Troy Flavell.

Team of the Week - Round Two:

15 - Francois Steyn (Sharks):
This young man has something special. Let's just hope they don't turn him into a jack of all trades. He needs to settle down in one position now.

14 - Kade Poki (Crusaders):
Small in stature. Big on talent. Having just turned 20, he has a bright career ahead of him.

13 - Isaia Toeava (Blues):
He again showed why he has played in 25 Tests since he was named the International Rugby Board (IRB) Under-19 Player of the Year in 2005. Another player who could be a lot more effective if he settles down in one position.

12 - Stephen Brett (Crusaders):
Yes, he was playing alongside Carter, but he is a class act and another of those players that adds true value as a second 'flyhalf'.

11 - Sitiveni Sivivatu (Chiefs):
Definitely one of the world's most exciting wingers. He possesses great speed, is an elusive runner and is solid on defence.

10 - Nick Evans (Blues):
What a 'bargain' the Blues bought here. He is worth the price of an entry ticket all by himself ... just ask Lions coach Eugene Eloff.

9 - Jano Vermaak (Lions):
It takes something special to stand out when your team is being a royal hiding. But then again, we always knew Vermaak is a class act.

8 - Nick Williams (Blues):
Last year he scared the living daylights out of the Lions in the mauling they received in Auckland. You could again see the fear in their eyes when Williams charged at Ellis Park's pride at the weekend.

7 - Richie McCaw (Crusaders):
There is only one Richie McCaw. That is why our selection is unanimous.

6 - Jerome Kaino (Blues):
Another of the blue brutes that bullied the young Lions.

5 - Troy Flavell (Blues):
With or without his impressive body art (read tattoos) he is an imposing figure.

4 - Kurtis Haiu (Blues):
At 23 he is still an 'infant' in Super Rugby, but with his line-out ability and proven pace around the field, Haiu will be a key player for the Blues over the coming months.

3 - Greg Somerville (Crusaders):
Nothing beats experience in the front row, unless you're a monster of a man. Somerville has both experience and strength, that is why few props can live with him.

2 - Keven Mealamu (Blues):
Arguably the world's premier hooker at the moment.

1 - Tony Woodcock (Blues):
At just 26, Woodcock has already earned a reputation as one of the world's best props.

Individual selections for Week Two:

Paul Dobson XV: 15 Francois Steyn, 14 Anthony Tuitavake, 13 Isaia Toeava, 12 Stephen Brett, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Nick Williams, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 BJ Botha, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Tony Woodcock.

Howard Kahn XV: 15 Frans Steyn, 14 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 13 Ice Toeava, 12 Stephen Brett, 11 Ma'a Nonu, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Ricky Januarie, 8 Stephen Hoiles, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Tanerau Latimer, 5 Troy Flavell, 4 Kurtis Haiu, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.

Phil Coetzer XV: 15 Isa Nacewa, 14 Kade Poki, 13 Ice Toeava, 12 Stephen Brett, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Andrew Ellis, 8 Stephen Hoiles, 7 Richard McCaw, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Troy Flavell, 4 Jono Gibbes, 3 John Afoa, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Ben Franks.

Steve Farrell XV: 15 Isa Nacewa, 14 Anthony Tuitavake, 13 Isaia Toeava, 12 Stephen Brett, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Andrew Ellis, 8 Stephen Hoiles, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Troy Flavell, 4 Kurtis Haiu, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.

Jan de Koning XV: 15 Francois Steyn, 14 Kade Poki, 13 Isaia Toeava, 12 Stephen Brett, 11 Ma'a Nonu, Nick Evans, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Nick Williams, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Troy Flavell, 4 Kurtis Haiu, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.

Previous selections:

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).

surprising not to see liam messam there, he was outstanding for the chiefs last weekend....

I didn't see Steyn play but I find it hard to believe that he did anything that remarkable and I'd say Drew Mitchell at least deserves a mention.

Yeah, Giteau and Stannard were pretty bloody good as well, I'd have said there was a coin toss between Gits and Evans.....I really don't know that Vermaak was good enough to deserve this selection either!

I think they lose all credibility by saying the Blues and Crusaders are the only unbeaten sides in the comp. What about the Sharks?