15 Mils Muliaina - The one full-back able to consistently cope with the increased traffic coming his way. Always a threat on attack, and we can't think of one glaring error he made in defence.
14 Richard Kahui - Not even in the frame for a wing spot when he started the tournament, New Zealand's freshest face has taken full advantage of others' misfortune/lack of form to make the wing spot his own. His support of Muliaina in defence was exceptional, as were his considered lines of attack.
13 Conrad Smith - Smith came into this series under fire from nearly every angle. 'Not penetrating enough' cried some detractors, 'can he really defend?' asked others. Smith answered each and every question with unflappable cool.
12 Jean de Villiers - In a frequently misfiring Bok back-line, De Villiers once again proved his indomitable strength at inside centre. How he got away from some tackles was baffling at times. The only Bok who was a perpetual threat.
11 Lote Tuqiri - We actually can't remember the last time Australia's beefy left wing was not in the frame for a place in some 'best of the best' team like this one. He just keeps delivering top quality week in, week out.
10 Dan Carter - Do we need to explain?
9 Jimmy Cowan - This place in the team is a real pleasure to give. Cowan has battled indifferent early-season form, injury, episodes with the bottle, and staunch challenges from Ricky Januarie and Sam Cordingley to win this one, hailing the game and his determination to succeed as his saviours from his demons. Hats off to you sir!
8 Rodney So'oialo - Was neck-and-neck with Wycliff Palu, but gets his spot on the basis that while he may not break the game in the way Palu and others can, he is so rarely found to be making any serious errors - just what is needed in any team!
7 Richie McCaw (captain) - See Dan Carter. How the All Blacks missed him at the start.
6 Rocky Elsom - Has apparently promised the ARU he will be back after a sabbatical year spent grunting around the Dublin mud, a huge relief to Australian fans who might have been resigned to losing a superb blindside in the his prime.
5 James Horwill - Like Kahui, has burst onto the scene as a result of others' misfortunes, but compounded those misfortunes by playing so well that the others can't find a way back in. His mobility around the park has yielded a pair of cracking tries; he is certainly one to watch.
4 Brad Thorn - Rolled back the years with his athleticism and physicality, even if it was a little OTT at times. The AB scrum was not the same without him, and neither was the line-out.
3 Greg Somerville - The All Blacks' loss is Gloucester's gain. Somerville signed off - possibly - with another immovable eighty minutes of scrummaging. He may be called upon for New Zealand's November tour, in fact, if we were the AB coaches, we'd find every excuse to call upon him!
2 Andrew Hore - for so long back in the New Zealand pecking order, Hore was given a chance to shine after Anton Oliver's departure had Graham Henry mulling over his number two options. He had a superb Super 14, but was finally able to transmit his domestic form to the international arena.
1 Tendai Mtawarira - The 'Beast' could be a legend in years to come, and beyond just being blessed with a catchphrase nickname. There are not many props able to outsmart a winger in 5m of space in his own 22 on the touchline, but this big guy did. Held his own in the scrum, but contributed mightily in the loose, and a long and prosperous career beckons.
