This year’s Super Rugby competition has been unforgettable, and particularly for New South Welshmen, a refreshing reminder of just how enjoyable the game can be.
It is about this time of year that pundits, players and fans begin nailing together a ‘team of the year’. With such a close-fought competition, separating the best from the rest is in actuality, more like picking the best from the best.
CHECK OUT WHO MADE THE TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT HERE
Singling out individuals for this kind of recognition is never truly reflective of how the player showed up – i.e. the even an average player will be made to look good in a world-class team.
In saying that though, the best teams are generally made up of the best individuals, and this exercise aims to point these superstars out.
Firstly, the Waratahs’ superb effort in taking home the silverware has been recognised, with a number of key players deservedly in contention for their spot in the Team of the Year. Of particular note are Israel Folau, Kurtley Beale and Michael Hooper, whose names will have been toasted in every one of Sydney’s Northern Suburbs watering holes/country clubs.
Similarly, the Crusaders’ strong team performances (spearheaded by the rampaging Nemani Nadolo) have led to a host of stars from that side being added to the mix.
It must be mentioned that the Brumbies, following up last year’s runner-up finish with a notable semi-finals berth, have a number of players worth considering. The same can be said for the Highlanders, Chiefs and Sharks.
The relatively quiet year for South African teams has not gone unnoticed, although Jacques Potgieter (Waratahs), Jan Serfontein (Bulls) and Marcell Coetzee (Sharks) have flown the flag for the Rainbow Nation.
However, when it comes to etching names in the stone tablets of Super Rugby history, selecting a team of the year from the current crop of Super Rugby campaigners is a nigh on impossible task for one man. So we’re asking you for help.
So pick your team using the form below, and we’ll announce the results on Wednesday morning. Go on, get picking!
DanFan
Guest
You are not planning a game won on goal kicking then?
Jerry
Guest
Sounds about right, 90 odd years before their next title.
Brian USA
Guest
1. Beast 2. Bismark 3. Kepu 4. JackPot 5. Whitelock 6. Messam 7. Hooper 8. Read 9. Smith 10. Barrett 11. Savea 12. Beale 13. AAC 14. Nadolo 15. Folau Front row was, as you said, pretty straight forward. Second row was tough because there were so many good ones who emerged this year. Just couldn't get past the impact that Potgeiter had on the Tah's. Blindside flanker was tough as well because they all performed roughly on the same level. Openside was a two-horse race for me, between Hodgson and Hooper (Todd did come on very strong at the end of the year), Hooper getting the nod as the Finals Champ. 8: Read is the undisputed best 8 in the world. Same can be said of Aaron Smith at 9. 10 was tricky because there were so many good ones this season. Slade and Toomua are very solid, Boshoff has a fantastic boot, while Foley and Barrett led electric back lines. I went with Barrett over Foley on a coin toss. Beale and AAC in the centers was incredible to watch. I'm not convinced Savea and Nadolo are human (No one should be that big AND that fast). 15 was easily the hardest position to choose as the three best full backs in the world were in the comp. Israel Folau- the try machine. Ben Smith- the visionary. Willie Le Roux- The orchestrator. I chose Folau based solely on the fact that he missed a handful of games and was still the competition try leader. Bench would look like this: 16: Moore 17. Slipper 18. Jannie 19. Retallick 20. Kaino 21. Reinach 22. Fekitoa 23. Ben Smith
Worlds Biggest
Guest
I had 6 Tahs, 4 Crusaders, 2 Sharks and one each from Chiefs, Canes and Highlanders.
44bottles
Roar Guru
Hodgson had a tremendous season as well. :. not a plain-out-of-your-mind pick. Folau/Smith/Le Roux, all quality players and people cannot agree on which is the best. :. not a plain-out-of-your-mind pick. Folau did have a few quiet games as well.
Jerry
Guest
I dunno, I'd agree about Hooper but even though I put Folau down in my squad, I don't think choosing Ben Smith at fullback is an unreasonable choice. He had an outstanding season and is a more complete player than Folau.
JC
Guest
You have to be plain out of your mind if you don't have Hooper and Folou in the team of the season. They were outstanding EVERY week and were game changers. Read and Du Plessis were also outstanding.
Marty
Guest
Peoples selections based on Super 15 form are well and good, but with the test area about to kick in again (salivating) how about if it was a team to play the lions ie a SH v NH type battle with the same player choices selected from the above performers in Super Rugger. Or what is if the selection was to take a first 15 into next years WC finals series. When it comes to the title shot at the WC, who would you really want as the first 15. I think some peoples choices may alter slightly. Anyway to put it out there my choices are as follows: Beast, Bismark, O Franks Whitelock, Retallick Kaino, Burger, Read (6,7,8) smith barrett savea nonu fekitoa speight smith Well that's my 2 bobs worth anyway. I'm sure some, actually many may disagree. Ijust wanted to differentiate Super form and international performance. E.g. A couple of years ago I was excited to see Mogg, who was playing fantastically in Super, go into the Wallabies and looked out of his depth.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
My bad.
44bottles
Roar Guru
#believe2105
44bottles
Roar Guru
Just joking around.
Rugby lover
Guest
I think this is a good team
Celtic334
Guest
Folau - despite the competition was the obvious choice Nadolo - beast Fekitoa - with Folau the hardest man to tackle in the game. Beale - at times electric, great mix of distribution and straightening of the attack Savea - thought speight, but speight only hit his straps in the back end of the competition. Barrett - to my eye, was the most dominant and eye catching 10. Phipps- fairly average season for 9s and he was the one who stood out the most. Palu - wasn't a fan but has made me a believer Hooper - might of collected mom in half the games in played Kaino - leader of men Rettalick - absolute beast sometimes JackPot - kamikaze like go forward Slipper - despite the poor reds season, thought he was fairly impressive Bismarck - obvious choice Beast - dominant in a dominant pack Other mentions Kepu Matfield Whitelock Hodgson Toomua Reinarch Speight
WQ
Guest
15 - Folau 14/11 - Nadolo and Savea 13 - Ashley-Cooper 12 - Nonu 10 - Slade 9 - Phipps 8 - McCalman 7 - Hodgson 6 - Messam 5 - Retallick 4 - Tuipulotu 3/1 - Slipper and Cowan 2 - Moore
Riccardo
Guest
The correct answer is none. I'm not sure he is even the best attacking midfielder for the Waratahs.
maximillian
Guest
1. Beast 2. Du Plessis 3. Kepu 4. Potgietter 5. Retallick 6. Coetzee 7. Hooper 8. Kaino 9. Smith 10. Barrett 11. Speight 12. Beale 13. Fekitoa 14. Nadolo 15. Folau
WQ
Guest
I went with Phipps, I thought he has been excellent in the back half of the season.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
9 was toughest one to make a list for. I just thought Smith kickstarted so much for the Highlanders through the whole year. He was dynamic and consistent, and his pass is money. Mathewson was very close second for me. I didn't really consider Phipps or White, but I think we would have been hammered if we didn't have them in there.
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
I agree mate - that seems about right. The other teams were really just there to act as cannon fodder for the mighty Waratahs! #back2backattack
Jerry
Guest
Once you include playoff matches, Read actually ended up playing the same number of matches as Kaino. But I'd still pick Kaino, Read was a bit off the pace until the end of the season IMO.