Team of the Week, Round Five
S14: Team of the Week, Round Five
Tue, 18 Mar 2008 01:51
There's a Storm brewing, a Forceful storm and it is all part of our Super 14 Team of the Week. Yes, our weekly selection has changed considerable and two unfashioned teams are dominating.
The Stormers, with back-to-back victories, and the Force (also impressive in smashing the Blues) have three members each in our Top 15.
The Crusaders, Hurricanes and Sharks have two each, while the Reds, Bulls and Blues (with one each) provide the remaining members of our squad.
Only two players return from last week - Sharks No.8 Ryan Kankowski and Crusaders lock Brad Thorn.
Team of the Week - Round Five:
15 - Chris Latham (Reds):
It is said that when Chris Latham sparks, the Reds are on fire ... and boy, did he spark!
14 - Tonderai Chavhanga (Stormers):
The brittle, injury prone athlete that first burst onto the scene three years ago has made way for a more muscular, mature rugby player who not only breaks tackles and beats defenders with his blistering pace. He has sharpened up his defence as well.
13 - Casey Laulala (Crusaders):
Maybe it is because the Crusaders are so dominant, but Laulala looks a class act. He is making sure All Black coach Graham Henry takes notice of him.
12 - Jean de Villiers (Stormers):
After a shaky start, De Villiers has managed to rally his team around him and his own form has taken a turn for the better.
11 - Drew Mitchell (Western Force):
It is not the first time that he's turned in the kind of performances that gets him called up into out team and it won't be the last. He also seems to keep his best for the big games!
10 - Matt Giteau (Western Force):
He is leaving daylight between himself and the rest in the race for the Wallaby No.10 jumper.
9 - Fourie du Preez (Bulls):
He again showed that even when your team is down, you can rise above a mire of mediocrity.
8 - Ryan Kankowski (Sharks):
He is maturing with every week and have now edged ahead other candidates in the race for a spot in Peter de Villiers' first Bok team.
7 - Chris Masoe (Hurricanes):
While most pundits rave about the physicality of the Hurricanes' loose forwards, Masoe produces skilful displays as an openside flank.
6 - Schalk Burger (Stormers):
He may not be the most graceful player that you would have seen, but his bustling, all-action style is damn effective!
5 - Nathan Sharpe (Western Force):
In the absence of Victor Matfield (now playing in France), Sharps is most imposing lock in the Southern Hemisphere.
4 - Brad Thorn (Crusaders):
He seems to be playing with the invigorating enthusiasm of a rookie, despite being at the 'advanced' age of 33.
3 - BJ Botha (Sharks):
He remains a destructive scrummager who does the basics well.
2 - Andrew Hore (Hurricanes):
Renowned as an old-school All Black, from a farming background, who made his name as a hard-running, no-nonsense front row forward.
1 - Tony Woodcock (Blues):
While his reputation is built on strong scrummaging and hard graft, Woodcock is a mobile prop with good ball skills.
Individual selections for Week Five:
Howard Kahn XV: 15 Chris Latham, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Stephen Brett, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 BJ Botha, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Paul Dobson XV: 15 Chris Latham, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 BJ Botha, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Phil Coetzer XV: 15 Chris Latham, 14 Scott Hamilton, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Jean De Villiers, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Ricky Januarie, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Chris Masoe, 6 John Roe, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Jason Eaton, 3 Brian Mujati, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Steve Farrell XV: 15 Chris Latham, 14 Tonderai Chavanga, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Jean de Villiers , 11 Scott Hamilton, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Rory Kockott, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Chris Masoe, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Brad Thorne 3 BJ Botha, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Jan de Koning XV: 15 Chris Latham, 14 Tonderai Chavanga, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Richard Brown, 7 Chris Masoe, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Brad Thorne, 3 Brian Mujati, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Previous selections:
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 Brussouw (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).
