Stats are great aren't they Mikey? I haven't referred to a single one in making my own admittedly subjective assessments. I also apologised up front for my parochialism but that doesn't change the fact I believe every word. Folau could go on to be a legend for the game if he stays. But he still makes some fairly amateurish mistakes, especially positionally on defence. Smith has a better defensive game, has a kicking game, a better aerial game and tries may be a poor measure in this instance. I rate McCabe but he is not even in the same ballpark as Nonu this year. Nonu has come of age in a super jumper, playing for probably the most inconsistent team in the competition he, along with Kaino, have been standouts for the Blues. McCabe doesn 't run the same lines, cannot distribute as well (off either wing) and has no kicking game. Foley has been great behind the Tahs pack. He Phipps and Beale have formed a pretty decent axis. He and Barrett can defend and distribute. I would argue Beauden is the better runner ball in hand, has a better kicking game and is a more prolific goal kicker. I'm looking forward to seeing how Foley copes with the All Blacks as his channel will cop plenty of attention.

For many games this year, the brumbies used counter as their preffered mode of attack. The ball was kicked before it got to Kudriani.

You could split a hair with most stats for folau and smith this year, except tries. Folau scored 12 tries to Smith's 2 I think. Nonu's stats were murdered by McCabe this season. Beale over Nonu easy (reputation has clouded your judgment here). Foley has been the form 10 of the comp. Otherwise, I agree with all the rest.

I'd have to disagree. The Brumbies would have done better with a kicker. This is rugby not league... a kicker is still required.

Amazing, Jean de Villiers and Duane Vermeulen, not even one vote. ;)

I only had seven players who matched. Folau, Nadolo, Speight, Hooper, Retallick, Mtawarira and du Plessis. Elsewhere I had Fekitoa, Leiua , Barrett, Reinach, Kaino, Potgieter (I cheated picking him at 6), Whitelock and Kepu. Of course there is no bench named but Beale and Skelton would be two of the first on it.

This is a good memory test for the "Golden Oldy" genre but from my muddy recollection 15 to 9 all the same. 8 was Palu. 4, 5 6 & 7 the same. Front rowers I picked Kepu & "The Beast" & 2 was the same. I'm a Tah's tragic so maybe the site is a bit "Tah's Centric" ... But hey .... WE'RE ENTITLED!!!!

Is it possible to filter the results so we can see if certain players got a disproportionate votes from their home country supporters? At 13.. Kuridrani isn't even mentioned, yet most Rugby writers expect him to be named at 13 for the wallabies over Cooper. Either way it's a pretty solid team and i wouldn't expect too many objections to the players picked.

Kepu? And I wouldn't have Foley up there either.

All those outstanding and in-form Reds players were held back by Graham. Id pick Foley as Aus coach of the year considering he doesnt have 9 match day Wallabies in his team and Dennis, Potgeiter, Douglas, Robinson, Horne and Alofa as the other 6. Seriously, they were the best team on paper by miles, they should have done pretty well with any coach. The Force on the other hand...

Who was it that said Tahs would ride the wave, so a couple of players who probably shouldn't have got in, got in? You deserve a medal

Counting playoff matches he played something like 12 matches, to be fair.

I don't think that was the point. It was more who was the best out of who was playing in each position. It's not a 'Best Team I Could Pick'

You can only play for one country, well apart from these new-fangled olympic laws. But essentially since he has been playing for fiji since 2010, he can only play for that country, not sure if the new olympic laws will keep on after Rio

Yes, because Super Rugby isn't won by an SA kicking style game.

Funny. Read played only a handful of games, yet got the nod!

I think he is already there he would be my first pick of the world tight 5 ahead of Bismarck. Watching Retallick, Etzbeh and hopefully skelton going for it in the next 8 years or so is going to be great I hope they all continue to improve and stay fit

He played for Fiji in the recently completed Pacific Cup, which will stop him from playing for any other country. And absolutely silly rule since i suspect he has an Aussie passport, or can get one. Olympic rules should correct this madness!

Bit harsh on the current reserve orange peeler, he is doing a good job.

Just read another post and I now remember I had Coetzee ahead of Messam.