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The regular season is over, so who makes the Super Rugby form XV?
15. Israel Folau (Warathas)
Another stellar campaign for Folau has reinforced his reputation as the most dangerous counter-attacking fullback in the world.
He heads the competition for carries (218), metres run (1606), defenders beaten (68) and offloads (37). He has scored five tries, enough said!
An honourable mention for the Hurricanes’ Nehe Milner-Skudder.
14. Ben Smith (Highlanders)
Though he has spent most of the season at fullback, Smith is too good to leave out of the team and has played a lot of rugby on the right wing.
More complete defensively than Folau, Smith is also a potent counter-attacker. He is in the top 10 for carries, metres run and defenders beaten. He has scored five tries and played his 100th game for the Highlanders this year.
An honourable mention for teammate Waisake Naholo.
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Warathas)
Another really strong season for Ashley-Cooper, he is rarely outplayed by anybody. Runs great lines, is a resolute defender and has scored five tries this season.
12. Ma’a Nonu (Hurricanes)
At his best is there a better player in world rugby than Nonu? His leadership, strength and smarts have been big reasons behind the Hurricanes’ surge to the top.
He won the Hurricanes the match against the Chiefs with two tries, he scored two more against the Highlanders in Napier when things threatened to go pear-shaped, and has been consistently good, like he is at All Black level, which has been a problem in the past in Super Rugby.
11. Nemani Nandolo (Crusaders)
The toughest position in the team to choose, with a number of outstanding candidates including James Lowe (Chiefs), Julian Savea (Hurricanes) and Patrick Osborne (Highlanders). Nandolo gets the nod because he has improved from his outstanding 2014 season.
He leads the competition for clean breaks with 28 and is the second top try scorer with nine. He is also in the top 10 for metres gained, offloads and defenders beaten.
10. Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes)
Has missed some games with injuries and has only kicked at 67 per cent this season, but at his best he has been the most exciting pivot in the competition.
He is in the top 10 for defenders beaten, and his speed and flair make a massive difference to the Hurricanes’ attack. His often criticised defence has improved too, making 74 tackles and only missing 10.
9. Aaron Smith (Highlanders)
The gold standard for halfbacks, the speed and accuracy of his pass separates him from everybody else. A superior decision maker and an improving defensive kicker, he scored six tries this season.
8. Warren Whiteley (Lions)
Had an outstanding season for a vastly improved Lions outfit. He heads the tackle count with 231 and is also an effective carrier and lineout forward. He should push hard for a Springboks jersey.
An honourable mention for Duane Vermeulen (Stormers), Jordan Taufua (Crusaders), Liam Messam (Chiefs) and Wycliff Palu (Warathas).
7. Ardie Savea (Hurricanes)
One of the undisputed stars of the competition, Savea has produced a jaw-dropping moment in almost every game, from his try against the Crusaders in Nelson to his try-saving tackle in Napier against the Highlanders.
His quality can’t necessarily be measured in statistics, as he has a Michael Jones-like ability to do the unexpected.
However his stats are very good, especially when compared to Sam Cane, who many in New Zealand believe to be the best openside in the country.
Savea has made 139 tackles and 562 metres from 125 carries. He has made 15 clean breaks. Cane has made 172 tackles, but only gained 226 metres from 114 carries.
Savea is not far behind Cane defensively, but is well ahead on attack.
An honourable mention for Matt Todd (Crusaders) and Michael Hooper (Warathas)
6. Scott Higginbotham (Rebels)
No forward in Super rugby history has scored more tries than Higginbotham, a tribute to his powerful running game and intelligent support play.
Defensively he is one of the most abrasive tacklers in the competition and he has claimed 37 lineout catches to provide the Rebels lineout with three good jumpers.
An honourable mention for Brad Shields and Blade Thomson (Hurricanes)
5. James Broadhurst (Hurricanes)
For several years Broadhurst has been reliable for the Hurricanes, but this year he elevated his game to another level. The most impressive feature of Broadhurst’s game is his carrying. He always seems to beat the first defender and 21 offloads is a testament to his ability to keep the ball alive. He is a solid defender and surely a strong All Black contender.
4. Victor Matfield (Bulls)
The durable warrior has proven his class again with another fine season. He may lack the running power and ball skills of younger locks, but for sheer presence and lineout prowess he remains peerless. He has made 104 tackles and claimed 38 lineout catches this season, one of the all-time greats!
3. Charlie Faumuina (Blues)
In a dreadful team, Faumuina has stood out with his rock-solid scrummaging – the scrum was actually a part of the game that went alright for the Blues. Faumuina is good around the paddock and could well be the number one tight head for the All Blacks.
2. Stephen Moore (Brumbies)
The Brumbies have the most accurate lineout in the competition and Moore, who has started every game, is a big reason for that. He remains an effective ball carrier and always does his sheer of defensive duties.
1. Reggie Goodes (Hurricanes)
The Hurricanes weren’t expected to be a great scrummaging team this year, but they have held together remarkably well. Goodes has overcome the worst of his many injures and has been as solid as any loose forward in the competition. A quick and skilful runner, Goodes might be a dark horse for an All Black place.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.