Sun Herald/Rugbyheaven TriNations team

[Mojoman]

15. Mils Muliaina (New Zealand)
14. Cory Jane (New Zealand)
13. Conrad Smith (New Zealand)
12. Ma'a Nonu (New Zealand)
11. James O'Connor (Australia)
10. Dan Carter (New Zealand)
9. Will Genia (Australia)
8. Kieren Read (New Zealand)
7. David Pocock (Australia)
6. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
5. Nathan Sharpe (Australia)
4. Brad Thorn (New Zealand)
3. Owen Franks (New Zealand)
2. Keven Mealamu (New Zealand)
1. Tony Woodcock (New Zealand)

No Saffa's..not one..zip..nutta..nuthin.

I disagree, I reckon Hougaard should be in for Genia. Genia was totally underwhelming in the TriNations. On fire during S14 but whether it was injury or fitness, didn't really fire.

Also I'd have Beale as Fullback over Muliaina. Close call but Beale finished much stronger and add cool as ice goalkicking just tips him over Muliaina.

Probably not popular but I'd keep McCaw @ 7 and put Burger on the blindside. Burger was outstanding in a poor team. McCaw picks himself.

 

[Spewn]

Did nonu really do much. Carter didn't play enough games. I would have put Morne Steyn in even though he annoys the pants off me as a super serious geek. I suppose there were no other consistent 12s.

 

[Hartman]

Sharpe?!?!?!?!?!! over Matfield? Is that so? And I don't think Woodcock was really a standout, whereas Gurthro Steenkamp was consistently really great. Also SURELY Juan Smith at 7 over Pocock of all people? The point is who's best in their position, not moving people around. Pick either Richie or Pocock. I'd pick Richie.

I guess the fact that Springbok players can't really lay claim to many positions highlights why their TNs campaign was so poor. They have plenty of players capable of being #1 in their positions when they're firing, who all weren't quite 100%, with many well below it - Fourie, De Villiers, Habana, Steyn (maybe not over Carter), Spies (capable...), Bakkies, Rossouw, Bismarck (when not injured)... Then of course Schalk was good but it's a pity he's behind two players who have recieved so much attention this season in Pocock and McCaw.

 

[Spewn]

When you look at those who played all games I agree Steenkamp has to be there. I would have Juan smith in but he only played a handful of games. Can't understand why. He rates to me up there with Andre Venter as one of the best SA backrowers.

 

[DPK]

Nah, I'd probably have Mils. For a to turn around and reply to a bit of criticism with his footy the way he has. And he was dangerous every game, too.

 

[Sully]

O'Connor was not in the top 2 Wingers.

 

[Moses]

O'Connor was not in the top 2 Wingers.

O'Connor was not in the top 2 Australian wingers, let alone the entire comp.

 

[naza]

I thought the Boks turned things around once Juan Smith returned. But it seems compulsory for every newspaper XV to include 2 opensides.

Matfield is kak, I have no problem with Sharpe over him.
Beale for 15.
Steenkamp at 1. Woodcock is on his last legs.
Genia on the other hand was appalling.

 

[Mojoman]

Juan Smith didn't play enough games otherwise he'd be in there. Guthro Steenkamp? As a Prop you need to do more than just score tries. Woodcock was superior @ scrumtime IMO.

 

[Mojoman]

I thought the Boks turned things around once Juan Smith returned. But it seems compulsory for every newspaper XV to include 2 opensides.

Matfield is kak, I have no problem with Sharpe over him.
Beale for 15.
Steenkamp at 1. Woodcock is on his last legs.
Genia on the other hand was appalling.

Woodcock on his last legs? You must be watching a different Woodcock. The one I watched dominated Ma'afu (not hard to do though) on Saturday night and gave Du Plessis a hard time.

 

[en_force_er]

Woodcock on his last legs? You must be watching a different Woodcock. The one I watched dominated Ma'afu (not hard to do though) on Saturday night and gave Du Plessis a hard time.

I am not going to sing Ma'afu's praises because I don't rate him but Woodcock did not dominate him, I mean if I had to say who won their little battle I'd say Woodcock but he didn't really dominate.

Also, Woodcocks work around the park really makes me questions how he gets a gig for the ABs so consistently.

 

[Moses]

Woodcock on his last legs? You must be watching a different Woodcock. The one I watched dominated Ma'afu (not hard to do though) on Saturday night and gave Du Plessis a hard time.

The Woodcock I watched dominated Ma'afu with his hand on the ground.

[video=youtube;WJQwQpsq5Ek]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJQwQpsq5Ek[/video]

 

[naza]

I am not going to sing Ma'afu's praises because I don't rate him but Woodcock did not dominate him, I mean if I had to say who won their little battle I'd say Woodcock but he didn't really dominate.

Also, Woodcocks work around the park really makes me questions how he gets a gig for the ABs so consistently.

Woodcock did nothing outside of the scrum. And considering the 3N averaged what, 8-9 scrums per game to fatprop's disappointment, that matters.

 

[Hartman]

Juan Smith didn't play enough games otherwise he'd be in there. Guthro Steenkamp? As a Prop you need to do more than just score tries. Woodcock was superior @ scrumtime IMO.

What? This has nothing to do with scoring tries. He was immense in all facets of the game - scrummaging, dominant at the breakdown, and carried the ball well when required. Go watch JP Pietersen's try from the Boks vs Wallabies in Bloemfontein and tell me what you see when the Boks turn over the ball in the lead-up to the try. Hint: It involves Steenkamp hitting a ruck at 100km/h and three wallaby bodies flying like bowling pins - one of them being Pocock's.

 

[jay-c]

agree
Hougaard should be in for Genia
Mcaw @ 7 ,burger blindside

 

[Ruggo]

No way for Woodcock. He is totally overated. I would select Ben Franks over him any day of the week. SteenKamp was by far the best loosehead in the tri nations. He took his game to a new level. Take the All Black pack but with Steenkamp over Woodcock and Juan Smith over Kaino (Kaino is a must for the bench) and you have the forward pack of the tri nations. Sorry Willy Genia but Hougard and Peri Weepu were the stand out halfbacks this year. The rest of the All Black backs select themselves on form from this year.

That would make the tri nations team of the year.

 

[fatprop]

The Woodcock I watched dominated Ma'afu with his hand on the ground.

Have you noticed that is how Fatcat does it as well? It is the THP's job absorb what those evil LHP's are doing

 

[farva]

As per my post elsewhere

15. Beale (AUS) - Im biased
14. Jane (NZ) - almost lost out because he has 2 first names, but he is still pretty bloody good
13. Smith (NZ) - Fourie close second
12. Nonu (NZ) - there werent a lot of standout 12s. Giteau was average, the Boks couldnt settle on one.
11. Mitchell (AUS) - even if he got that card, it wasn't deserved
10. Carter (NZ) - Cooper close second
9. Hougaard (SA) - Genia has not looked good and Weepu is better but Hougaard was the find of the tournament I think

8. Read (NZ) - Read has this with daylight second.
7. McCaw (NZ) - Just over Pocock. Cant play him at 6 because he is a 7.
6. Smith (SA) - Bloody oath he is good
5. Sharpe (AUS) - Best lock of the tournament. Wobblies really notice it when he goes off.
4. Thorn (NZ) - Nuff said
3. O Franks (NZ) - Ma'afu was poor and SA had a few play here
2. Mealamu (NZ) - Found some old form
1. Steenskamp (SA) - Looked really good here. Woodcock was not far behind and fatcat behind him.

Coach: Henry (NZ)

SA - 3
Aus - 3
NZ - 10

Kind of explains how the tournament turned out.

Rookie of the tournament - Hougaard (Cooper close 2nd, but for his defence)

Player of the tournament - McCaw - was challenged by Pocock but showed why he is the best in the business

Joke of the tournament - Puppet. It wouldnt be the same without him!

 

[Richo]

No way for Woodcock. He is totally overated. I would select Ben Franks over him any day of the week. SteenKamp was by far the best loosehead in the tri nations. He took his game to a new level. Take the All Black pack but with Steenkamp over Woodcock and Juan Smith over Kaino (Kaino is a must for the bench) and you have the forward pack of the tri nations. Sorry Willy Genia but Hougard and Peri Weepu were the stand out halfbacks this year. The rest of the All Black backs select themselves on form from this year.

That would make the tri nations team of the year.

So no Aussies even though we came second and split in SA despite both games being on the high veld? Come on.

In: Steenkamp, Beale (although it's close), Hougaard.

Out: Woodcock, Mils, Genia.

I'd like to say O'Connor should go but who for? If Dagg had played more games, he'd be there. Maybe Schmoo? Played very well, but a few errors were very, very costly.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I would have picked the All Black first XV. Seriously.