Our rugby team got together for our annual Tri-Nations selection process and produced a Dream Team. We think our team can beat any selection from the rest of the world.

They may have had an early-season wobble, but New Zealand came back strongly to win both the Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup — and not surprisingly they also dominate our team.

There are nine All Blacks in the Dream Team, four South Africans and two Australians.

The Tri-Nations Dream Team:

15 — Mils Muliaina (New Zealand): He wins our vote because he was just a touch more consistent that Conrad Jantjes and Adam Ashley-Cooper, who both put forward strong arguments.

14 — Peter Hynes (Australia): He always looked threatening with the ball in hand and his high workrate impressed us. Again, he faced strong challenges from Richard Kahui and Odwa Ndungane.

13 — Adi Jacobs (South Africa): This one took us a while to decide, as we debated for some time over a position where consistency was not at a premium. Jacobs edged Ryan Cross, a late charge, Conrad Smith and Stirling Mortlock.

12 — Jean de Villiers (South Africa): Easy decision and without doubt now the world's premier inside centre.

11 — Sitiveni Sivivatu (New Zealand): Things did not always go his way, but with ball in hand he still kept the defensive lines honest. Lote Tuqiri was his strongest challenge.

10 — Dan Carter (New Zealand): Unanimous and simply the best. Need we say more?

9 — Jimmy Cowan (New Zealand): He took his opportunities this year to secure himself a regular starting spot in the national team, also overcoming some off-field troubles. Once he started focusing on his rugby, he had no trouble in beating off the challenges of Fourie du Preez and Ricky Januarie.

8 — Rodney So'oialo (New Zealand): He may have faced a late challenge from an ever-improving Pierre Spies, but So'oialo clinched our vote with his standout performance in the decider in Brisbane.

7 — Richie McCaw (New Zealand): Was there ever any doubt?

6 — Schalk Burger (South Africa): This one caused plenty of debate, but in the end the Burger clan won the vote on the basis of his relentless energy. But believe us, it was not without equally compelling arguments from the Rocky Elsom and George Smith camps.

5 — Ali Williams (New Zealand): He may not have covered himself in glory in Brisbane this past weekend, but for the duration of the tournament he was much better than a very disappointing Victor Matfield.

4 — James Horwill (Australia): He may have been a late entry, but he came home in the final stretch to win the sprint — especially his performance in Brisbane. Andries Bekker was his strongest rival.

3 — Greg Somerville (New Zealand): Steady rather than spectacular, but still streets ahead of any other tighthead prop in this year's competition. Perhaps the most disappointing of all the positions.

2 — Andrew Hore (New Zealand): Having now firmly established himself as New Zealand's best hooker, he was well clear of a very poor chasing bunch — which included World Cup winner Bismarck du Plessis.

1 — Tendai Mtawarira (South Africa): All we want to say is: 'Beeeaast!!!'

Our individual selections:

Phil Coetzer XV: 15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 Richard Kahui, 13 Jean de Villiers, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Ali Williams, 4 James Horwill, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Nick Pawson XV: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 James Horwill, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Steve Farrell XV: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Adi Jacobs, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Paul Dobson XV: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Adi Jacobs, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Ricky Januarie, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 George Smith, 5 Ali Williams, 4 James Horwill, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tony Woodcock.

Rob Peters XV: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Ricky Januarie, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Andries Bekker, 3 Greg Somerville, Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Jan de Koning XV: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Stirling Mortlock, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 George Smith, 5 Ali Williams, 4 James Horwill, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

  • What do you think of our selection? Leave a comment below!

    365

    RSS
    Digg
    de.li.cious
    facebook


    Print this page
    Send this article to a friend