No Bok in Top XV
Posted by Boertjie - 02/12/09 at 12:12 pm under General DiscussionsPaul Cully and Stephen Samuelson of the Sydney Morning Herald selects their Team of the Week. And yes, you’ve guessed correctly: There is not a Springbok in sight.
15. Rob Kearney (Ireland) – Sensational under the high ball. Fullbacks such as Kearney turn the Springboks from a successful side that wins ugly, to a boring team that loses.
14. Cory Jane (New Zealand) – Has the best left-hand fend in the game and scored a superb solo try to boot.
13. Conrad Smith (New Zealand) – Underrated No.13 but must rank alongside Brian O’Driscoll as the best outside centre in the world.
12. Matt Giteau (Australia) – Wore the number 10 jersey but set up two tries for the Wallabies playing outside Quade Cooper.
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu (New Zealand) – An unstoppable force down the left flank. Showed pace strength and skill in what was one of the best displays by a winger this year.
10. Dan Carter (New Zealand) – Back to his best. Organising game was spot on but he also took on the line.
9. Will Genia (Australia) – The new darling of the British media. Has drawn praise for his speed of play and superb passing game.
8. Kieran Read (New Zealand) – Has added a offensive tackling style to his high work rate.
7. David Pocock (Australia) – Had more impact in 40 minutes than most players have in 80. Scored a tough try, too.
6. Jerome Kaino (New Zealand) – Was asked by the selectors to provide a physical edge and responded with interest.
5. Paul O’Connell (Ireland) – This one was personal. The Lions captain gained revenge for the narrow loss in South Africa by dominating Victor Matfield.
4. Tom Donnelly (New Zealand) – Was instrumental in turning around the All Blacks lineout and was surprisingly good in open play.
3. Ben Alexander (Australia) – A member of the dominant Australian scrum and unlike many backs, knows how to draw and pass.
2. Stephen Moore (Australia) – Along with Tatafu Polata–Nau kept the Wales scrum on the back foot. He was pivotal to the Wallabies pack most dominant display this year.
1. Benn Robinson (Australia) – Tough in the tight and once again was outstanding in loose play.
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Sadly to say – can’t argue much with that!
Pocock is AWESOME!
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Sad but true.
But remember, the Boks
have a l-o-n-g season
behind them.
December 2nd, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Pockock a Zombo boy neh?
December 2nd, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Zimbo
December 3rd, 2009 at 10:12 am
Ag don’t give a fook about what they say, if people can choose Richie as the player of the year, who cares what else they came up with. choses.
December 3rd, 2009 at 10:12 am
Funny how sort people’s memory is
December 3rd, 2009 at 10:12 am
….if it suits them
December 3rd, 2009 at 10:30 am
Reply to Bunny @ 10:12 am:
above team was selected on performances of the last weekend. In that criteria I have to agree with them.
December 3rd, 2009 at 10:32 am
Reply to JT @ 10:30 am: All I am saying is if they chose Richie as players of the year, all these teams or players the so called experts thinking does not mean much.
Like my opinion on RuggaWolrd, it’s mine, and does not mean it is correct even if I have 2 or 10 people agreeing with me.
December 3rd, 2009 at 10:33 am
Reply to JT @ 10:30 am:
Bunny wanted Kankowski
and Adi in the team.
December 3rd, 2009 at 10:34 am
Reply to Boertjie @ 10:33 am: It would be fitting with the kak selections people have done in the past week.
December 3rd, 2009 at 10:55 am
Reply to Bunny @ 10:32 am:
the diff is that the team selected above was done by media pundits and the IRB selected McCaw as player of the year.
“Let’s get the Jarpies”
December 3rd, 2009 at 10:58 am
Reply to JT @ 10:55 am: Don’t know if there is a diff, but get ja
December 3rd, 2009 at 11:33 am
I said from the out-set… Genia is the thing lacking in the Wobblie 22…
But he still was no FDP… other than that… I agree…