After a staggering 850-odd responses, we’ve collated the data and have put together who you picked as The Roar‘s Super Rugby team of the tournament.
Before we launch into a big explanation of the team and the data, let’s just lay out, 15-1, who made it in.
15. Israel Folau
14. Henry Speight
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
12. Kurtley Beale
11. Nemani Nadolo
10. Bernard Foley
9. Aaron Smith
8. Kieran Read
7. Michael Hooper
6. Liam Messam
5. Brodie Retallick
4. Jacques Potgieter
3. Tendai Mtawarira
2. Bismarck du Plessis
1. Owen Franks
The first thing to note is the amazing number of Waratahs in the side. The attacking threat posed by Folau, Beale, Ashley-Cooper, Foley, and the starch added by Potgieter and skipper Michael Hooper means that they have the most players in the side with six. They were fitting champions, it would seem.
Complementing the backline stacked with sky blue are two serious threats on the wing, with Henry Speight and Nemani Nadolo getting the nod. The lack of kicking ability in the back three would be made up for by the exceptional running game and line-breaking ability these three provide. Imagine those three turning out for the Wallabies (though at this point that’s no longer possible for Nadolo).
The midfield that dominated Super Rugby is intact here, with Beale, Ashley-Cooper and Foley given the nod ahead of Malakai Fekitoa, Ma’a Nonu and Beauden Barrett. It’s likely that Beale and Ashley-Cooper will be in the Wallabies’ match-day 23, but not in the positions they’ve been selected in here.
The impressive Aaron Smith will feed the backline from halfback, while Kieran Read has been charged with eightman duties over Wycliff Palu.
The data shows Hooper was a clear winner at seven, with Liam Messam beating out a strong field of contenders to take the six jumper.
Sam Whitelock was the big name to miss out among the locks, with Brodie Retallick and the tireless Jacques Potgieter getting the nod there.
Owen Franks and ‘The Beast’, Tendai Mtawarira will be our team’s props with the immense Bismarck du Plessis at hooker.
The full breakdown of the data is below.
What do you think Roarers? Is this the best team of the Super Rugby tournament?
Israel Folau (Waratahs) | 650 | 78% |
Israel Dagg (Crusaders) | 11 | 1% |
Willie Le Roux (Cheetahs) | 26 | 3% |
Ben Smith (Highlanders) | 149 | 18% |
Other | 1 | 0% |
Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders) | 520 | 32% |
Henry Speight (Brumbies) | 554 | 34% |
Nick Cummins (Force) | 131 | 8% |
Julian Savea (Hurricanes) | 331 | 20% |
Rob Horne (Waratahs) | 70 | 4% |
Joe Tomane (Brumbies) | 14 | 1% |
Other | 13 | 1% |
Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs) | 475 | 57% |
Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders) | 298 | 36% |
Ryan Crotty (Crusaders) | 1 | 0% |
JP Pietersen (Sharks) | 12 | 1% |
Conrad Smith (Hurricanes) | 49 | 6% |
Other | 4 | 0% |
Kurtley Beale (Waratahs) | 526 | 63% |
Jan Serfontein (Bulls) | 48 | 6% |
Pat McCabe (Brumbies) | 44 | 5% |
Ryan Crotty (Crusaders) | 33 | 4% |
Ma’a Nonu (Blues) | 124 | 15% |
Alapati Leiua (Hurricanes) | 54 | 6% |
Other | 10 | 1% |
Bernard Foley (Waratahs) | 423 | 50% |
Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes) | 205 | 24% |
Francois Steyn (Sharks) | 27 | 3% |
Matt Toomua (Brumbies | 125 | 15% |
Marnitz Boshoff (Lions) | 20 | 2% |
Colin Slade | 36 | 4% |
Other | 5 | 1% |
Cobus Reinach (Sharks) | 66 | 8% |
Nic White (Brumbies) | 92 | 11% |
Nick Phipps (Waratahs) | 175 | 21% |
Aaron Smith (Highlanders) | 388 | 46% |
TJ Perenara (Hurricanes) | 33 | 4% |
Alby Mathewson (Force) | 67 | 8% |
Other | 15 | 2% |
Kieran Read (Crusaders) | 414 | 49% |
Wycliff Palu (Waratahs) | 217 | 26% |
Ben McCalman (Force) | 67 | 8% |
Warren Whiteley (Lions) | 57 | 7% |
Jerome Kaino (Blues) | 83 | 10% |
Other | 4 | 0% |
Schalk Burger (Stormers) | 28 | 3% |
Matt Hodgson (Force) | 107 | 13% |
Matt Todd (Crusaders) | 54 | 6% |
Michael Hooper (Waratahs) | 647 | 77% |
Other | 3 | 0% |
Jean Deysel (Sharks) | 74 | 9% |
Scott Fardy (Brumbies) | 191 | 23% |
Liam Messam (Chiefs) | 247 | 29% |
Marcell Coetzee (Sharks) | 176 | 21% |
Richie McCaw (Crusaders) | 128 | 15% |
Other | 24 | 3% |
Brodie Retallick (Chiefs) | 430 | 25% |
Sam Carter (Brumbies) | 163 | 10% |
Sam Whitelock (Crusaders) | 348 | 21% |
Jacques Potgieter (Waratahs) | 444 | 26% |
Will Skelton (Waratahs) | 125 | 7% |
Rob Simmons (Reds) | 52 | 3% |
Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues) | 38 | 2% |
Victor Matfield (Bulls) | 80 | 5% |
Other | 12 | 1% |
James Slipper (Reds) | 281 | 17% |
Owen Franks (Crusaders) | 459 | 27% |
Kane Hames (Highlanders) | 85 | 5% |
Ben Franks (Hurricanes) | 153 | 9% |
Benn Robinson (Waratahs) | 93 | 5% |
Pek Cowan (Force) | 46 | 3% |
Sekope Kepu (Waratahs) | 234 | 14% |
Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks) | 306 | 18% |
Other | 35 | 2% |
Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks) | 605 | 72% |
Stephen Moore (Brumbies) | 162 | 19% |
Dane Coles (Hurricanes) | 10 | 1% |
Other | 66 | 8% |