Australian team of the week 6

March 23, 2009 - 10:27AM


Each week, Greg Growden and Rupert Guinness pick the form Australian Super 14 team.


15 James O'Connor (Force) (1)
14 Adam Ashley-Cooper (ACT) (1)
13 Ryan Cross (Force) (2)
12 Tyrone Smith (ACT) (1)
11 Lote Tuqiri(NSW) (2)
10 Matt Giteau (Force) (2)
9 Josh Valentine (Force) (2)
8 Wycliff Palu(NSW) (3)
7 Phil Waugh (NSW) (3)
6 Peter Kimlin (ACT) (1)
5 Nathan Sharpe (Force) (4)
4 Mark Chisholm(ACT) (2)
3 Dan Palmer (NSW) (1)
2 Stephen Moore (ACT) (4)
1 Benn Robinson (NSW) (4)

(Number of times selected in brackets).
Player of the round: JAMES O'CONNOR. For the second week running, the teenage back was sensational for the Force. He clearly relishes playing at fullback.

Try of the round: MARK CHISHOLM. Not much to choose from this week, but the ACT second-rower's courage in charging down a Jaco Pretorius kick reaped rewards.


http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/s...656814198.html

Must have been hard for the Pieman to swallow!
He has a bit of a Cro Magnon fixation though...

The SMH Chief Correspondent shows some kindness...

I wouldn't be raving about this week’s player inclusions as all Aussie teams were rubbish....

good team!

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Originally Posted by mudskipper

The SMH Chief Correspondent shows some kindness...

I wouldn't be raving about this week’s player inclusions as all Aussie teams were rubbish....

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remember despite losing teams, indivduals can stand out :)

Josh Valentine!!! - he must have been watching a different game to me. The first 2 tries were stolen off the base of the ruck!

Maybe the other 2 were worse??

Not only that but there's an article in the SMH saying he is back in the frame for Deanes, WF2006.

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Originally Posted by WF2006

Josh Valentine!!! - he must have been watching a different game to me. The first 2 tries were stolen off the base of the ruck!

Maybe the other 2 were worse??

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I was thinking the same thing. To be honest, both Valentine and Crossy had pretty average games, so the others must have been bad.

Rugby365 Team of the Week - Round Six:

15 - Stefan Terblanche (Sharks):
He is certainly sending some strong reminders to Springbok coach Peter de Villiers that, despite his age, he remains world class. Not a bad back-up for incumbent Bok No.15 Conrad Jantjes.

14 - Sitiveni Sivivatu (Chiefs):
Yes, he did play on the left wing, but we had to find place for two quality left wings and we decided he'll do a fine job on the right as well. Lelia Masaga did put forward a compelling argument as well.

13 - Jaque Fourie (Lions):
Like Schalk Burger is the spark that lights up the Stormers, so is Jaque Fourie the steadying influence in a Lions backline that had all the potential to once again implode.

12 - Wynand Olivier (Bulls):
Another forgotten international that is reminding the Bok coach, De Villiers, that he is desperate to play against the British and Irish Lions. Again, not a bad back-up to incumbent Bok No.12 Jean de Villiers.

11 - Colin Slade (Crusaders):
This was one of the most fiercely debated selections of the season. In the end Slade won our vote because he showed his class with a Stirling performance in the No.11 jersey, despite having been move to the left wing from flyhalf only a fortnight ago.

10 - Matt Giteau (Western Force):
This position also caused some debate, and Morné Steyn did make some very loud noises about his selection prospects, but in the end Giteau won the vote count.

9 - Fourie du Preez (Bulls):
There are many world class No.9s who will dispute this - and provide compelling arguments - but we feel that Du Preez is without doubt the form scrumhalf in the world. His value to his team can't be disputed.

8 - George Naoupu (Highlanders):
The Cheetahs must still be wondering what hit them. Let us tell you: It was 105kg human wrecking ball from Hawke's Bay that, before this year, had only played one Super Rugby match. However, the 25-year-old No.8 is going to be around for a while and other teams may well take notice of the name.

7 - Cobus Grobbelaar (Lions):
Of course he played with a No.6 on his back, but in South Africa that is the number that openside flanks wear and we are justified in naming him as our 'fetcher'.

6 - Kieran Read (Crusaders):
What a phenomenal stand-in for Richie McCaw. He has showed just why he was so highly rated in New Zealand's domestic competition last year.

5 - Danie Rossouw (Bulls):
The Bulls must be the envy of all teams around the world. They lose the planet's top line-out jumper and bring in a player of Rossouw's calibre. He has hardly missed a beat this year. Bring on the Lions.

4 - Bakkies Botha (Bulls):
Isn't he enjoying his rugby at the moment? He had such an enormous impact and still found time to have a few friendly chats with the opposition. Obviously they didn't find it as pleasant as he did, but Botha is the team's ENFORCER.

3 - Clint Newland (Highlanders):
They must be feeding them something special on the South Island in New Zealand. Where do the Highlanders find all these man-mountain props? Good player.

2 - Willie Wepener (Lions):
This was another of those debates in which several players made strong statements. We certainly had a tough time and eventually went for the tie-breaker - the player from the winning team.

1 - Chris King (Highlanders):
As we said, they must be feeding their props some special meals on the South Island.

---------- Post added at 15:31 ---------- Previous post was at 15:26 ----------

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Originally Posted by tdevil

15 - Stefan Terblanche (Sharks):
He is certainly sending some strong reminders to Springbok coach Peter de Villiers that, despite his age, he remains world class. Not a bad back-up for incumbent Bok No.15 Conrad Jantjes.

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IMHO I think this guy is a tool, JOC had a better game at fullback than ST. He couldn't kick a ball out all night, the one that he did manage to find touch, came from a free kick, so he had all the time in the world and still only managed about 10 meters.

Looks like they only watched the highlights package of the Chiefs demolition display too. I would have started with that XV and then compared any that were better.

Agree re Terblanche too TDevil, he just did his job, and only just.

Adam Thomson is stiff not to get a look in on the rugby365 team (but they were playing the cheetahs)

Quote:

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15 - Stefan Terblanche (Sharks):
He is certainly sending some strong reminders to Springbok coach Peter de Villiers that, despite his age, he remains world class. Not a bad back-up for incumbent Bok No.15 Conrad Jantjes.

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he did play well though
no doubt about that
was steady, but JOC did also have a good game

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Originally Posted by lara93

he did play well though
no doubt about that
was steady, but JOC did also have a good game

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J'OC was lightyears in front of the cheating saffer on saturday night. Terblanche was useless, there were probably better fullbacks in other teams over the weekend, Chiefs fullback comes to mind (I know his name, I just can't spell it :S)
Posted via Mobile Device

OK here's a challenge TWF team of the week from all S14 teams... 1 to 15... fill in the gaps...

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Originally Posted by mudskipper

OK here's a challenge TWF team of the week from all S14 teams... 1 to 15... fill in the gaps...

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Unfortunately the only other full game I saw was Chiefs vs Blues, fell asleep before the Brumbies dismal effort
Posted via Mobile Device

Mmm no Terblanche had a bit of a shocker - he's had such better games. Cheap shots on James without contesting for the ball - what the hell! He has been a very VERY good player for the last more-than-a-decade but Saturday night was DEFINETLY not his night and our BabyJames did show him a bit of what'swhat! Go James!