RUGBY: S14 team of the tournament

Monday 21st May 2007

Isaia Does It: Toeava in action for the Blues

The tournament has come and gone and now we have a South African Super Rugby champion for the first time in 14 years. That is why our team of the tournament is so bullish, because it was a bullish tournament with a bullish finish.

Having dominated the latter stages of the tournament and also winning the Final, albeit with a try in the dying seconds, the Bulls provides the bulk of our team.

We have five Bulls in our starting XV and another three 'bubbling under' - our back-up squad.

The Sharks, the losing finalists, are also well represented. They have two staring members and another four bubbling under.

The rest of our starting XV is made up from the losing semi-finalists, Crusaders and Blues, who have two each, while the Brumbies, Western Force, Highlanders and Lions make up the numbers with one member each.

We didn't name an official captain, but it would be between John Smit (Sharks) and Victor Matfield (Bulls), who both made our starting XV.

Here's our selection!

Team of the tournament:

15 - Julian Huxley (Brumbies):
Huxley played in a number of positions for the Brumbies and did not let his team down once. However, he really came to the fore when he moved to fullback. Drew Mitchell, Percy Montgomery, Scott Hamilton and Francois Steyn had their moments (or matches), but Huxley was simply the most consistent.
Bubbling under: Percy Montgomery (Sharks)

14 - Doug Howlett (Blues):
There is a good reason why he is back in the All Black team and it has a lot to do with his Super 14 season. Then, of course, you can ask Earl Rose about Doug Howlett if you wish! Lelia Masaga also had a good campaign and Rico Gear had his moments.
Bubbling under: Lelia Masaga (Chiefs)

13 - Isaia Toeava (Blues):
Much of the Blues' success this season had to do with his ability to break the line and set up opportunities or create space for others. Tana Umaga and Jaque Fourie did well in the early stages of the season and Waylon Murray came to the fore in the latter stages.
Bubbling under: Waylon Murray (Sharks)

12 - Matt Giteau (Western Force):
Few would doubt that Giteau was the most impressive inside-centre on show, even though he played a fly-half quite often as well. Several players had good games, but other than Giteau the most outstanding was Luke McAlister.
Bubbling under: Luke McAlister (Blues)

11 - Bryan Habana (Bulls):
Without doubt the form left wing in the tournament and very few will argue with the statement that this is his best season ever. Not to mention that he scored the tournament-winning try. Apart from Habana the most consistent of the left wingers was Roy Kinikinilau.
Bubbling under: Roy Kinikinilau (Chiefs)

10 - Stephen Brett (Crusaders):
With the All Blacks out for the first half of the season there were opportunities for others to make their mark. Brett showed that neither the Crusaders, nor the All Blacks, need to worry to worry about the future - there is a ready-made successor at number 10. Dan Carter, after he came back from the reconditioning camp, Stephen Larkham and Derick Hougaard (especially in the latter stages) were also outstanding.
Bubbling under: Derick Hougaard (Bulls)

9 - Fourie du Preez (Bulls):
There are suggestions that Du Preez is now the world's premier number nine and few would argue with such a statement had they watched him throughout the tournament. Ruan Pienaar, Brendon Leonard and Heinie Adams (in the coupler of weeks that Du Preez was out injured) also left their marks on the tournament.
Bubbling under: Brendon Leonard (Chiefs)

8 - Mose Tuiali'i (Crusaders):
Often you look at a national team and wonder why certain players don't make it, considering the form they displayed all season. Tuiali'i is just such a person. John Roe and Sione Lauaki also impressed.
Bubbling under: John Roe (Reds)

7 - Wikus van Heerden (Bulls):
You would often see him leave the field at some stage bleeding, then returning heavily bandaged. It is a sign that he is involved in some heavy contact. But it is the way that he adapted to the openside role that really impressed us. He could be invaluable to the Springboks this year. George Smith, Daniel Braid and Schalk Burger also made huge impressions.
Bubbling under: George Smith (Brumbies)

6 - Jacques Botes (Sharks):
While the Luke Watson saga was raging in South Africa last week, one name constantly popped up: Jacques Botes. Every time the self-imposed presidential selection committee of SA Rugby (Oregan Hoskins, Mike Stofile and Koos Basson) tried to justify why they want Watson there, the counter argument would be Botes's form. Also impressive on the blindside were Steven Bates and Jerome Kaino.
Bubbling under: Steven Bates (Chiefs)

5 - Victor Matfield (Bulls):
Few would argue with this choice - as player, captain and above all line-out king-pin. But there was some tough competition from Troy Flavell.
Bubbling under: Troy Flavell (Blues)

4 - Bakkies Botha (Bulls):
It has as much to do with his physical presence as his all-round work-rate. Then, of course, there is also his partnership with Matfield. Greg Rawlinson and Johan Ackermann showed their class as well.
Bubbling under: Johan Ackermann (Sharks)

3 - Carl Hayman (Highlanders):
Few realise what a loss he will be to New Zealand, Highlanders and Otago rugby. But they will come to realise this next year when he takes up his contract with Newcastle Falcons. BJ Botha certainly was right up there with the best.
Bubbling under: BJ Botha (Sharks)

2 - John Smit (Sharks):
Without doubt the Sharks and Springbok captain's best season ever. He has showed exactly why he is so highly rated as a player and leader. But Gary Botha certainly gave Smit a good run for his money.
Bubbling under: Gary Botha (Bulls)

1 - Heinke van der Merwe (Lions):
This young man, who is just 21, has a huge future ahead of him if he continues to improve like he did this year. South Africa has some good props and he is right up there with the best. Gurthro Steenkamp and Tony Woodcock also made their marks.
Bubbling under: Gurthro Steenkamp (Bulls)

Our weekly selections:

Team of the Week Round One: 15 Clinton Schifcofske (Reds), 14 Louis Ludik (Lions), 13 Marius Joubert (Cheetahs), 12 Matt Giteau (Western Force), 11 Anthony Tuitavake (Blues), 10 Julian Huxley (Brumbies), 9 Falie Oelschig (Cheetahs), 8 Steven Bates (Chiefs), 7 Josh Blackie (Highlanders), 6 Rocky Elsom (Waratahs), 5 Troy Flavell (Blues), 4 Greg Rawlinson (Blues), 3 CJ van der Linde (Cheetahs), 2 Gary Botha (Bulls), 1 Ollie le Roux (Cheetahs)

Team of the Week Round Two: 15 Drew Mitchell (Western Force), 14 Hosea Gear (Hurricanes), 13 Tana Umaga (Hurricanes), 12 Luke McAlister (Blues), 11 Roy Kinikinilau (Chiefs), 10 Butch James (Sharks), 9 Fourie du Preez (Bulls), 8 Mose Tuiali'i (Crusaders), 7 George Smith (Brumbies), 6 Juan Smith (Cheetahs), 5 Victor Matfield (Bulls), 4 Danie Rossouw (Bulls), 3 Campbell Johnstone (Crusaders), 2 Gary Botha (Bulls), 1 Heinke van der Merwe (Lions).

Team of the Week Round Three: 15 Percy Montgomery (Sharks), 14 Philip Burger (Cheetahs), 13 Tana Umaga (Hurricanes), 12 Junior Pelesasa (Western Force), 11 Cameron Shepherd (Western Force), 10 Matt Giteau (Western Force), 9 Ruan Pienaar (Sharks), 8 Willem Alberts (Lions), 7 George Smith (Brumbies), 6 Steven Bates (Chiefs), 5 Nathan Sharpe (Western Force), 4 Cobus Grobler (Lions), 3 Brian Mujati (Lions), 2 Gary Botha (Bulls), 1 Heinke van der Merwe (Lions).

Team of the Week Round Four: 15 Scott Hamilton (Crusaders), 14 Lelia Masaga (Chiefs), 13 Jaque Fourie (Lions), 12 Rua Tipoki (Crusaders), 11 Roy Kinikinilau (Chiefs), 10 Stephen Brett (Crusaders), 9 Fourie du Preez (Bulls), 8 Mose Tuiali'i (Crusaders), 7 Ernst Joubert (Lions), 6 Steven Bates (Chiefs), 5 Victor Matfield (Bulls), 4 Bakkies Botha (Bulls), 3 Neemia Tialata (Hurricanes), 2 Corey Flynn (Crusaders), 1 Heinke van der Merwe (Lions)

Team of the Week Round Five: 15 Scott Hamilton (Crusaders), 14 Lelia Masaga (Chiefs), 13 Isaia Toeava (Blues), 12 De Wet Barry (Stormers), 11 Roy Kinikinilau (Chiefs), 10 Stephen Brett (Crusaders), 9 Ruan Pienaar (Sharks), 8 Mose Tuiali'i (Crusaders), 7 George Smith (Brumbies), 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (Lions), 5 Troy Flavell (Blues), 4 Bakkies Botha (Bulls), 3 John Afoa (Blues), 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs), 1 Gurthro Steenkamp (Bulls).

Team of the Week Round Six: 15 Francois Steyn (Sharks), 14 Doug Howlett (Blues), 13 Isaia Toeava (Blues), 12 Bradley Barritt (Sharks), 11 Bryan Habana (Bulls), 10 Nick Evans (Highlanders), 9 Fourie du Preez (Bulls), 8 Nick Williams (Blues), 7 Wikus van Heerden (Bulls), 6 Jerome Kaino (Blues), 5 Troy Flavell (Blues), 4 Bakkies Botha (Bulls), 3 BJ Botha (Sharks), 2 John Smit (Sharks), 1 Heinke van der Merwe (Lions).

Team of the Week Round Seven: 15 Francois Steyn (Sharks), 14 Rico Gear (Crusaders), 13 Ronnie Cooke (Cheetahs), 12 Tim Bateman (Crusaders), 11 Cameron Shepherd (Western Force), 10 Stephen Brett (Crusaders), 9 Chris O'Young (Western Force), 8 Mose Tuiali'i (Crusaders), 7 Marty Holah (Chiefs), 6 Juan Smith (Cheetahs), 5 Corniel van Zyl (Cheetahs), 4 Michael Paterson (Crusaders), 3 BJ Botha (Sharks), 2 Corey Flynn (Crusaders), 1 Heinke van der Merwe (Lions).

Team of the Week Round Eight: 15 Corey Jane (Hurricanes), 14 Rico Gear (Crusaders), 13 Jaque Fourie (Lions), 12 Julian Huxley (Brumbies), 11 Scott Hamilton (Crusaders), 10 Dan Carter (Crusaders), 9 Enrico Januarie (Lions), 8 John Roe (Reds), 7 Daniel Braid (Blues), 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (Lions), 5 Victor Matfield (Bulls), 4 Bakkies Botha (Bulls), 3 BJ Botha (Sharks), 2 Ethienne Reynecke (Lions), 1 Heinke van der Merwe (Lions).

Team of the Week Round Nine: 15 Julian Huxley (Brumbies), 14 Doug Howlett (Blues), 13 Isaia Toeava (Blues), 12 Matt Giteau (Western Force), 11 Lachlan Turner (Waratahs), 10 Sam Norton-Knight (Waratahs), 9 Jimmy Cowan (Highlanders), 8 Mose Tuiali'i (Crusaders), 7 Cobus Grobbelaar (Lions), 6 Jerome Kaino (Blues), 5 Jason Eaton (Hurricanes), 4 Greg Rawlinson (Blues), 3 Carl Hayman (Highlanders), 2 Keven Mealamu (Blues), 1 Heinke van der Merwe (Lions).

Team of the Week Round 10: 15 Julian Huxley (Brumbies), 14 Doug Howlett (Blues), 13 Isaia Toeava (Blues), 12 Sam Tuitupou (Blues), 11 JP Pietersen (Sharks), 10 Stephen Larkham (Brumbies), 9 George Gregan (Brumbies), 8 Mose Tuiali'i (Crusaders), 7 Schalk Burger (Stormers), 6 Jone Tawake (Brumbies), 5 Ross Filipo (Crusaders), 4 AJ Venter (Sharks), 3 Carl Hayman (Highlanders), 2 Tom Willis (Chiefs), 1 Tony Woodcock (Blues).

Team of the Week Round 11: 15 Drew Mitchell (Western Force), 14 Odwa Ndungane (Sharks), 13 Casey Laulala (Crusaders), 12 Aaron Mauger (Crusaders), 11 Roy Kinikinilau (Chiefs), 10 Dan Carter (Crusaders), 9 Brendon Leonard (Chiefs), 8 Mose Tuiali'i (Crusaders), 7 Richie McCaw (Crusaders), 6 Bobby Skinstad (Sharks), 5 Victor Matfield (Bulls), 4 Bakkies Botha (Bulls), 3 Carl Hayman (Highlanders), 2 John Smit (Sharks), 1 Deon Carstens (Sharks).

Team of the Week Round 12: 15 Julian Huxley (Brumbies), 14 Lelia Masaga (Chiefs), 13 Jean de Villiers (Stormers), 12 Wynand Olivier (Bulls), 11 Bryan Habana (Bulls), 10 Stephen Donald (Chiefs), 9 Brendon Leonard (Chiefs), 8 Sione Lauaki (Chiefs), 7 Schalk Burger (Stormers), 6 Luke Watson (Stormers), 5 Ross Skeate (Stormers), 4 Bakkies Botha (Bulls), 3 Carl Hayman (Highlanders), 2 Anton Oliver (Highlanders), 1 Clarke Dermody (Highlanders).

Team of the Week Round 13: 15 Julian Huxley (Brumbies), 14 Lachlan Turner (Waratahs), 13 Stirling Mortlock (Brumbies), 12 Matt Giteau (Western Force), 11 Bryan Habana (Bulls), 10 Stephen Larkham (Brumbies), 9 Fourie du Preez (Bulls), 8 Stephen Hoiles (Brumbies), 7 Wikus van Heerden (Bulls), 6 Jacques Botes (Sharks), 5 Victor Matfield (Bulls), 4 Johan Ackermann (Sharks), 3 Carl Hayman (Highlanders), 2 Aled de Malmanche (Chiefs), 1 Heinke van der Merwe (Lions).

Team of the Week Round 14: 15 Johan Roets (Bulls), 14 Lachlan Turner (Waratahs), 13 Waylon Murray (Sharks), 12 Luke McAlister (Blues), 11 Bryan Habana (Bulls), 10 Derick Hougaard (Bulls), 9 Heinie Adams (Bulls), 8 Sione Lauaki (Chiefs), 7 Wikus van Heerden (Bulls), 6 Schalk Burger (Stormers), 5 Victor Matfield (Bulls), 4 Dean Mumm (Waratahs), 3 Carl Hayman (Highlanders), 2 John Smit (Sharks), 1 Tony Woodcock (Blues).

Team of the Week semi-finals: 15 Percy Montgomery (Sharks), 14 Akona Ndungane (Bulls), 13 Waylon Murray (Sharks), 12 Isaia Toeava (Blues), 11 Bryan Habana (Bulls), 10 Derick Hougaard (Bulls), 9 Heini Adams (Bulls), 8 Ryan Kankowski (Sharks), 7 Daniel Braid (Blues), 6 Jacques Botes (Sharks), 5 Victor Matfield (Bulls), 4 Johan Ackermann (Sharks), 3 BJ Botha (Sharks), 2 John Smit (Sharks), 1 Gurthro Steenkamp (Bulls).

Planet Rugby

*Disclaimer - Views expressed within this story are not necessarily the views of this Blog

RUGBY: Super 14 brickbats and bouquets

Tuesday 22nd May 2007

Bryan Habana scores THAT try!

It is time for our annual Super 14 awards, where we pay tribute to those who entertained us, rewarding the world-class performers and hurling brickbats in the direction of those who deserve them.

Here we go!

Player of the tournament: With 14 teams of almost 30 players each, we had over 400 players to choose from. But this one goes to Bulls wing Bryan Habana. There were moments of magic everywhere.

Coach of the Year: The obvious choice would have been Bulls mentor Heyneke Meyer, but our award goes to Sharks coach Dick Muir for taking his team to the top of the pile after the league stage.

Best team performance: Without doubt the Bulls' record 92-3 hammering of the Reds - never before has a team been so clinical in chasing a target and demolishing the opposition. About as merciless as it gets.

Team of the tournament: Coach of the tournament coached the Team of the Tournament: the Sharks, whose ascension to the top of the league was superb.

Big Match Temperament award: The Bulls needed 20 points from their last four matches, needed to beat the Reds by 72 points and needed to beat the defending champion Crusaders in the semi-final. 1,2,3 all achieved with minimum fuss, and then, six points down with a minute to go in the final...

The try that mattered most: Who else but Bryan Habana, for the Bulls against Sharks in the Final.

The best constructed try: Josh Holmes's score for the Waratahs against Highlanders in Week 12. Lachlan Turner started it. He went back to a metre or so from his goal-line to fetch a rolling kick, and then he started running - speeding, skating, swerving nearly 40 metres until Jimmy Cowan got him down. A full 27 passes later, teenager Josh Holmes took a pass from Peter Hewat, beat Nick Evans and got away from two others to score at the posts. There were many other great scores - like Brent Russell for the Stormers or Odwa Ndungane against the Crusaders (which set up that crucial conversion kick for Ruan Pienaar to win the match).

Best individual try: This one goes to Lachlan Turner, scoring for the Waratahs against the Crusaders in Week Nine. If you have or can get a recording of the match, go to the 12th minute for the most special moment of the 2007 Super 14 this year. Watch the astonishing teenager Lachlan Turner score a try. Then watch it over and over with undiminished wonder and delight. He sped 60 metres to score it. On the way he swept on the outside past Rico Gear and then on the outside, close to touch, he skated past All Black Leon MacDonald for a try of great splendour. Special mention must go to Cameron Shepherd, scoring for the Western Force against the Bulls in Week Three.

The kick that counted most: Derick Hougaard's tournament-winning conversion in the final, with a shiver of Sharks circling him for a chargedown.

Best kick under pressure: We mentioned it earlier - Ruan Pienaar's match-winning conversion from the touchline after the full-time hooter had sounded, to give the Sharks a 27-26 win over the Crusaders in Week Five. Why Pienaar didn't kick Francois Steyn's fluffed attempt of the Sharks' late try in the final is a mystery. Honourable mention for Cameron Shepherd's touchline conversion, to give the Western Force their first ever home win - a 18-17 triumph over the Hurricanes in Week Six.

Find of the tournament: The Crusaders' Stephen Brett - an instant replacement for Dan Carter. How many more fly-halves do they have in Crusaders country? There is also an honourable mention for Lachlan Turner and Brendan Leonard.

Supersub of the year: Every time he stepped onto the field Sharks centre Adi Jacobs just stepped into gaps - not to mention that crucial break which saw Odwa Ndungane over for the match-winner against the Crusaders. Jake White has never been one for impact players, but he may have missed a trick on this one.

Flop of the Year: Reds coach Eddie Jones. His lightweight charges looked like a club side, and the media sideshow he always provides just wasn't enough to distract any attention from gross under-performance. Can you believe he cut Julian Huxley from the side pre-season? Genius.

Most disappointing team: This one goes to the Waratahs. One of the pre-tournament favourites and in the end they were in a desperate struggle to avoid bottom spot. It was downright shocking at times with the once-dynamic Aussie side often using pick and drives in the most dour fashion and their vaunted backs running so laterally at times they might have been playing in a different dimension.

Motormouth award: He has been at it for so long that Eddie Jones is a master at his art. But there are honourable mentions for David Nucifora and Tana Umaga. It's just a bit boring isn't it?

Most gracious in victory: The Bulls, led by coach Heyneke Meyer and captain Victor Matfield (even though one or two players tried desperately to go over the top with their celebrations).

'Smite me, oh mighty smiter' award: Peter Hynes for the red card he received in Round Seven against the Western Force for his two yellow cards, the first for a deliberate knock-on and the second for a dangerous tackle - albeit quite a lot less dangerous than 20-odd other tackles that went unpunished in the game!

The 'Hot and cold' award: The Stormers for going nine weeks straight with a win-one-lose-one-win-one record. Why did they spoil it at the end? A classic case of beautiful mathematic congruency sacrificed on the altar of winning.

Best piece of original commentary: Murray Mexted - "Paul Tito was like a blind man in a brothel - left groping," he said as Corey Flynn scored for the Crusaders against the Hurricanes. Mexted also called Corey Flynn "galloping muttonchops". Poetic genius, or wordy clown? Honourable mention to Phil Kearns, who described one altercation in the Waratahs-Force match as being "like a couple of seagulls arguing over a chip".

The best losers' speech: Reds skipper John Roe had enough practice this season, but David Croft's deflated delivery of emotion after the Bulls game may see future Reds coaches decide on a skipper swap. It was glorious - nuanced, yet hard-hitting in an understated way. Well done DC!

The Kaiser Soze award for getting away with murder: Bulls winger Bryan Habana for getting away with his air tackle in the Super 14 Final on Percy Montgomery. Habana played the concerned offender beautifully, despite AJ Venter shoving him away from the incapacitated Percy. A rattled Percival just wasn't the same after that.

The anonymous alcoholic award: Ali Williams of the Blues for getting kicked out of the team after one boozy night too many. The aftermath was a little confusing, with word from Ali that he had just been routinely dropped and not disciplined, whilst the Blues management seemed to hint that there had been more offences...

The 'comeback kid' award: Sharks loose forward Bobby Skinstad for making a return to the game - and the Springbok squad - after the former South Africa skipper spent three years looking pretty on TV in England. Meaner and quieter, the Sharks rather failed to launch some of his playmaking magic, instead choosing to focus on the drop-kicking abilities of hot-headed Francois Steyn and dynamic John Smit.

Happy person on a strange mission award: Jaco van der Westhuyzen for jumping on the crossbar in the final. He enjoyed it - as that glazed expression revealed... we are still wondering if he knew where he was and how he got there!

Saddest man in utter despair award: Head buried in hands as Habana dived through a mystifyingly large midfield gap, Sharks skipper John Smit looked as though he had just fumbled the Super 14 trophy, which, of course, he had.

Planet Rugby

*Disclaimer - Views expressed within this story are not necessarily the views of this Blog