As we get to the business end of the season, and selections for the national teams, the big names are on the rise, none more so than Baxter, Mealamu, Giteau, Nonu and Muliaina. With Ritchie McCaw not far behind, each has been a stand out for their respective teams push for the semis.
Statistically speaking, here is the Super 14 team of the week:
My comments from previous weeks about the importance of bonus points has come true. A lack of bonus points will cost the Waratahs and possibly the Sharks a semi finals berth.
Four bonus points in fourteen games is just not enough when other teams, such as the Crusaders and Canes, have earned seven bonus points.
My projections for the Semi finals, including bonus points are:
The Final will be between the Bulls and Chiefs. The travel will curtail the Bulls efforts and lead to a well deserved title for the Chiefs, and another shot in the arm for expansive rugby.
Vote for The player of the round:
Cutter
Guest
Did you watch the Blues game? Mealamu is probably only 3rd (maybe 4th) ranked of the NZ hookers at the moment based on form. He is not playing as well as Hore, Aled De Melmanche or Hika Elliot.
jam
Guest
LAS, If saffa opensides wear 6 then have you making them wear the conventional 7 for the openside role and vice versa in all previous rounds or have you been picking two fetchers or the best three backrowers in any previous round? I don't have time to check who plays what for the south african sides today, so it may seem like an ignorant question. This is more of an issue if you have a set of mixed nations flankers, i suppose, rather than when both flankers are saffas.
Mungehead
Guest
I also vote Brussouw.
Mungehead
Guest
LAS, curiously we are almost exactly in agreement. I've ceded the Canes and Sharks an extra bonus point each, but that doesn't make any real difference to the team order and, like you, I'm picking the Chiefs to play (and beat) the Bulls in the final.
katzilla
Roar Guru
Heinrich Brusouw for the Week and the season. If he doesn't pop up sometime during either the Lions or the 3N then there is something wrong with PDV. Hes been sticking it to higher rated opensides all season when under the pump in a losing cause.