My Super Rugby Team of the Year

[Ali AK9]

1. Loni Uhila
2. Dane Coles
3. Julian Redelinghys
16. Malcolm Marx
17. Daniel Lienert-Brown
18. Vincent Koch
*I'm not a master in the dark arts of the scrum, so don't kill me over this. Uhila and Coles have simply been too good and have done very well for the Canes. Coles leadership and Uhila's carrying has been fantastic. Julian Redelinghys has been the heart of the Lions scrum along with Malcolm Marx, when they were injured the Lion scrum was dominated by the Canes. Lienert-Brown has also been good for the Landers. Vincent Koch was sometimes benching for the Stormers captain Frans Malherbe, but he has performed exceptionally well for the Stormers, being a powerhouse in the scrum, and scoring 2 of the Stormers 3 tries against the Chiefs*
4. Eben Etzebeth
5. Franco Mostert
19. Brodie Retallick
*Statistics tell a big story here! Both are leading lineout catchers, and Eben has been one of the best lineout stealers. Franco has been a workhorse for the Lions, winning multiple man of the match awards. Brodie has also been exceptional for the Chiefs (especially with the goose-step)*
6. Jaco Kriel
7. Ardie Savea
8. Kieran Read
20. Elliot Dixon
*Jaco Kriel has stats that some centres wish they could have, plus his effective breakdown abilities. Him and Ardie Savea both have gas to burn, and been instrumental in their teams successes so far. Kieran Reads all-round play plus leadership proves he is still one of the best. Also one of the leading lineout takers. Dixon too has been doing the hard work for his team, and is a fantastic carrier.
9. Aaron Smith
10. Beauden Barrett
21. Faf de Klerk
22. Aaron Cruden
*Aaron Smith has just been himself (nothing more you can say). Beauden Barrett might have gotten off to a slow start, but his performances have suddenly rocketed just before the June break. Faf has been the heartbeat of the Lions team the past 2 years and his strong showing finally earned him Springbok colours deservedly. Cruden too impressed in his All Black return, and despite his injury, has performed for the Chiefs as well.*
12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg
13. Lionel Mapoe
*UPDATE: I swapped Fekitoa for Janse van Rensburg*
*Rohan Janse van Rensburg was originally 4th in the Lions centre pecking order (behind Mapoe, Vorster and Mnisi), but after an injury to Harold Vorster, he was granted a start ahead of Mnisi, and impressed Johan Ackermann enough to hand him the Lions 12 jersey. He has made it his own, scoring 9 tries in his debut season. Mapoe also has been one of the Lions deadliest strike-runners, scoring 9 tries for them. UPDATE- Despite Ben Smith being on the bench, a no.24 replacement centre for me is Matt Faddes. Janse van Rensburg and Mapoe were chosen ahead of him due to their partnership playing a major part in the Lions success.*
11. Waisake Naholo
14. Israel Folau/Ruan Combrinck
15. Damian McKenzie
23. Ben Smith
*Naholo has been immense for the Highlanders despite his leg injury, once he returned he looked like he hadn't skipped a beat. Folau's form too has been a shining light amongst the Tahs disappointing season, he has been bracketed with Ruan Combrinck due to Folau never playing at 14, but his form still earns him inclusion into the squad. Nothing needs to be said about Damian McKenzie, simply too hot to handle. Ben Smith brings his experience and ever-reliable consistent form to the mix.
Team with the Franchises they play for:
1. Loni Uhila (Hurricanez NZ)
2. Dane Coles (Hurricanes NZ)
3. Julian Redelinghys (Lions SA)
4. Eben Etzebeth (Stormers SA)
5. Franco Mostert (Lions SA)
6. Jaco Kriel (Lions SA)
7. Ardie Savea (Hurricanes NZ)
8. Kieran Read (Crusaders NZ)
9. Aaron Smith (Highlanders NZ)
10. Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes NZ)
11. Waisake Naholo (Highlanders NZ)
12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Lions SA)
13. Lionel Mapoe (Lions SA)
14. Israel Folau (Waratahs AUS)
15. Damian McKenzie (Chiefs NZ)
16. Malcolm Marx (Lions SA)
17. Daniel Lienert-Brown (Highlanders NZ)
18. Vincent Koch (Stormers SA)
19. Brodie Retallick (Chiefs NZ)
20. Elliot Dixon (Highlanders NZ)
21. Faf de Klerk (Lions SA)
22. Aaron Cruden (Chiefs NZ)
23. Ben Smith (Highlanders NZ)
Consists of:
13 New Zealanders - 5 Highlanders, 4 Hurricanes, 1 Crusaders, 3 Chiefs
9 South Africans - 7 Lions, 2 Stormers
1 Australian - 1 Waratah

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

I haven't watched a lot of Super Rugby so I'm not going to make too many complaints with that side, other than that Ben Smith is the best player in the world, he HAS to start (13, wing, FB, doesn't matter) and I'd also say Retallick should probably start. Maybe Dixon too, he's been simply immense.

 

[Ali AK9]

I haven't watched a lot of Super Rugby so I'm not going to make too many complaints with that side, other than that Ben Smith is the best player in the world, he HAS to start (13, wing, FB, doesn't matter) and I'd also say Retallick should probably start. Maybe Dixon too, he's been simply immense.

Perhaps swap Ben Smith for Folau, and play Dixon at 8??? Kriel and Savea are simply too good to be left out. Tbh I don't think Retallick has been as good as Etzebeth and Mostert for their respective teams, but just for arguments sake if one of them was injured Retallick would be a just-as-good replacement.

 

[Larksea]

I haven't watched a lot of Super Rugby so I'm not going to make too many complaints with that side, other than that Ben Smith is the best player in the world, he HAS to start (13, wing, FB, doesn't matter) and I'd also say Retallick should probably start. Maybe Dixon too, he's been simply immense.

Ben Smith is the best 15 in the world and is still in great form. While McKenzie still has a bit to prove in terms of making the step up to test footy, he is the form 15 in super rugby without a doubt, in fact it could be said that his attacking play is ahead of anyone else in super rugby. Any position.

 

[Cruz_del_Sur]

Ben Smith is the best 15 in the world and is still in great form. While McKenzie still has a bit to prove in terms of making the step up to test footy, he is the form 15 in super rugby without a doubt, in fact it could be said that his attacking play is ahead of anyone else in super rugby. Any position.

Well, yes, but the question was not who is the best test player but who's had the best season in SR. It's not difficult to make a case for McKenzie. Actually, he's the #15 to beat.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

... did no one watch the highlanders v chiefs? McKenzie has had a great season and i wouldn't mind seeing him in the AB's...but smith schooled him in that game...think McKenzie made like one good break

also, fekitoa has had a pretty quiet season in truth, i think i'd prefer to see faddes start, he really is hitting some good form is supposed to be the fastest players in the team

I also would have thought Sopanga had done enough to take crudens spot...once again, cruden had a very quiet game last week

 

[Larksea]

... did no one watch the highlanders v chiefs? McKenzie has had a great season and i wouldn't mind seeing him in the AB's...but smith schooled him in that game...think McKenzie made like one good break

also, fekitoa has had a pretty quiet season in truth, i think i'd prefer to see faddes start, he really is hitting some good form is supposed to be the fastest players in the team

I also would have thought Sopanga had done enough to take crudens spot...once again, cruden had a very quiet game last week

I wouldn't say Smith Schooled McKenzie but he was better. Mckenzie was good individually but it was one of his quietest games of the season. And one of Ben Smiths best games of the season.

Thing is its 1 game... over the whole season, McKenzie has been the best 15 without question.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

I'd say he's stood out the most, smith does a lot more than attack , stuff that doesn't make the highlight reel

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Not a bad 23, @Ali AK9.

I really want to put PSdT in there at the locks. He's had a fantastic season right up to the weekend's QF and as they say you're only as good as your last game.

Reading Fekitoa's name made me think 'hang on, he's been a bit quiet hasn't he?' but 12 specifically has been a 'slow' jersey across the competition IMO. I might be tempted to shift a 13 to 12 and/or ignore the fact that some centers only had half a good season. Just thinking out loud here but Charlie Ngatai (inside center of the 1st half of the competition until he got injured), Rohan Janse Rensburg (inside center of the 2nd half when he got selected), Ryan Crotty, Samu Kerevi, Seta Tamanivula and oh, I nearly forgot Matt Faddes are all centers that at some point stood out for me and wouldn't look out of place alongside Mapoe.

 

[austingtir]

In total disbelief people are suggesting Malakai was good. And then only one mention of Matt Faddes. Matt Faddes is the find of the season!!! He's played nearly every position in the backline though so I can see why that might confuse a few on here.


And that Lions 12 was unbelievably good in the quarter has he been playing like that all season?

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

In total disbelief people are suggesting Malakai was good. And then only one mention of Matt Faddes. Matt Faddes is the find of the season!!! He's played nearly every position in the backline though so I can see why that might confuse a few on here.


And that Lions 12 was unbelievably good in the quarter has he been playing like that all season?

Faddes is I believe hampered by the utility back tag. I'm with you though.

Rohan Janse van Rensburg has scored 8 tries across his last 8 games and I believe is now the Lions' encumbant 12. During the first half of the season he hasn't been first choice and had to be happy with a few cameos but I think his form has firmly put him ahead of Mnisi and Vorster for now. He has been consistently exceptional the last 4 games.

 

[Ali AK9]

... did no one watch the highlanders v chiefs? McKenzie has had a great season and i wouldn't mind seeing him in the AB's...but smith schooled him in that game...think McKenzie made like one good break

also, fekitoa has had a pretty quiet season in truth, i think i'd prefer to see faddes start, he really is hitting some good form is supposed to be the fastest players in the team

I also would have thought Sopanga had done enough to take crudens spot...once again, cruden had a very quiet game last week

Regarding Cruden, I said him because he has played exceptionally well coming back from injury, which ruled him out of the World Cup, and once again injured against Wales, and still playing very well when he came back.
Also, I'm looking at form specifically in that position. Faddes has been hovering around in the backline, while Mapoe has constantly started at 13, and I actually swapped Fekitoa for Janse van Rensburg (check it out). Faddes has played in various positions across the backline, so I didn't really want to pin him ahead of 2 specialist centres like Rohan and Mapoe. I also bracketed Ruan Combrinck with Folau, because Folau never playing 14. Folau has done exceptionally well as an individual amongst an entire disappointing Tah's team, which is why he definitely is considered for 14. It's much easier to play well in an on-form 23 man team, and Folau has done very well considering the rest of his team for nearly 80% of the tournament were terrible.

 

[GoTheNaki]

Uhila hasn't even been the best prop in NZ Rugby this season..

 

[Ali AK9]

Uhila hasn't even been the best prop in NZ Rugby this season..

I already said I didn't know much about props overall! It's not an area I pay alot of attention to, especially regarding things like technique and penalties. I just couldn't think of any other looseheads really making a big impact with their scrummaging and carrying.

 

[JH1315]

Great team, out of the starting line-up I'd only change Lienert-Brown for Uhila, Nadolo for Naholo, and Combrinck for Folau. Who would you say would be the overall best player this season?
I'd say Dane Coles, Franco Mostert, Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie would be the contenders.

 

[Ali AK9]

Great team, out of the starting line-up I'd only change Lienert-Brown for Uhila, Nadolo for Naholo, and Combrinck for Folau. Who would you say would be the overall best player this season?
I'd say Dane Coles, Franco Mostert, Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie would be the contenders.

Totally agree!

 

[SomeOke]

Meh, I feel like Franco Mostert is a little over-rated. He's a great player don't get me wrong, but player of the season... I'm not so sure. Maybe I'm biased but PsdT has been an absolute goliath in a really average team where as Mostert has been good in an extremely good team.
I know statistics don't mean everything but here's PtsD vs Mostert - note Mostert has slightly more minutes played, but it's close enough to make comparisons, I had to crop out red and yellow cards but neither of them have any:

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Yeah, I'd have put up a fight for PSdT but his last match against the Chiefs... after his first mistake it just didn't go right for him from then on.

 

[nzlizard]

Great team, out of the starting line-up I'd only change Lienert-Brown for Uhila, Nadolo for Naholo, and Combrinck for Folau. Who would you say would be the overall best player this season?
I'd say Dane Coles, Franco Mostert, Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie would be the contenders.

Charlie Ngatai would have been there if it wasn't for his injury.