The Rugby Championship, the best international competition in Southern Hemisphere rugby, has concluded.
New Zealand won the tournament for the third consecutive year. Argentina improved winning their first game in tournament history and South Africa was unbeatable at home.
Australia had their moments, but were largely ordinary again.
What about the individual players? Here is a Form XV for the Rugby Championship, with players from all four teams included. Do you agree?
15. Israel Folau (Australia)
Didn’t capture the form that he showed in Super Rugby, but still had a strong series. Folau was easily Australia’s best in the Eden Park massacre.
His stats were impressive: two tries, 27 defenders beaten, almost 500 running metres and 13 offloads, Folau reinforced the fact he is a world-class player.
14. Ben Smith (New Zealand)
Did well at full-back during the All Blacks’ early games and continued that fine work in the number 14 jersey for the rest of the tournament.
Smith was among the leading players with clean breaks (9), defenders beaten (18), metres gained (299) and offloads (6). He also scored two tries and impressed in the air where he was consistently good under the high ball.
He moved to centre in the South African Test in Wellington where he impressed. Cornal Hendricks with his searing pace was outstanding and close to making the team. His try in Wellington was perhaps the best of the Rugby Championship.
13. Jan Serfontein (South Africa)
In 2012, South Africa won the IRB Junior World Championship and Serfontein was a star of that tournament. Two years later Serfontein has become a valuable Springbok. He played four games and impressed in each one.
In Wellington against the All Blacks he was the top tackler with 19 and in the return match at Ellis Park he created a try with a debt grubber kick and looked threatening with ball in hand.
12. Jean de Villiers (South Africa)
De Villiers is an outstanding leader and an equally effective player. He scored two tries against Australia at Newlands which won the Springboks the game and was rock solid on attack and defence throughout the series.
11. Julian Savea (New Zealand)
Steve Hansen has labelled him as being “probably” better than Jonah Lomu, which is some statement. In this year’s tournament, Savea showed that such comparisons might not be too overstated.
His try-scoring record of 27 tries in 28 internationals is outstanding and he has developed a kicking and all-around attacking game which makes him one of the most devastating players in international rugby. Savea topped the Rugby Championship try chart with four.
10. Nicolás Sánchez (Argentina)
Top of the points scoring chart with 52, Sánchez attacked the line with authority and was sound on defence. He was also the only fly-half to play every game. Handré Pollard, who scored 19 points against the All Blacks on Saturday, might become one of the all-time greats for the Springboks.
9. Aaron Smith (New Zealand)
Easily the best halfback in world rugby. His slick service to his backline has always been impressive, but his defensive qualities have improved and he seems more willing to have a crack around the fringes of the ruck now.
8. Duane Vermeulen (South Africa)
An absolute beast and surely a contender for IRB player of the year, Vermeulen at 193cm and 116kg is a monster of a man. He hits harshly, runs with gusto hits the breakdowns furiously and is a secure option in the lineouts. Kieran Read was huge for the All Blacks, but Vermeulen might edge Read as the best 8 in world rugby at present.
7. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
The warhorse equaled Colin Meads record for most games for the All Blacks with 133 and had a strong series, perhaps his best in years. He topped the tackle count with 77 and scored three tries, carrying strongly when required.
Australian captain Michael Hopper reinforced his quality again, but his yellow card in the last game against Argentina was costly. Marcell Coetzee was very impressive for South Africa.
6. Jerome Kaino (New Zealand)
Despite an injury during the championship, Kaino was immense for the All Blacks when available. His ball carrying his outstanding and his strength in defence both at the initial collusion and post tackle is colossal. Kaino has established himself as one of the great All Black flankers in recent times.
5. Victor Matfield (South Africa)
The old master can still cut it at 37. Supreme in the lineouts, abrasive on defence, Matfield was huge against the All Blacks in Wellington making 17 tackles and winning seven lineouts. Matfield is an inspirational player, great competition for this spot from Sam Whitelock and Mariano Galarza.
4. Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)
One of the best players in the world, athletic, powerful and skilful. Retallick is a key part of the All Blacks attack. In Wellington against the Springboks he passed the ball 18 times suggesting that he has the ability to draw in defenders and offload swiftly allowing the All Blacks to outflank their opposition.
3. Ramiro Herrera (Argentina)
Part of the reason Argentina impressed so much in 2013 was down to Juan Figallo, the tighthead prop who was uncontainable at the scrum and made a name for himself. Figallo hasn’t been available for this year’s competition, but Herrera has stepped up big time. The Castres prop wasn’t bettered by anybody and should be around for a long-time in international rugby.
2. Dane Coles (New Zealand)
The All Blacks form suffered when Coles was absent. Coles is an accurate thrower and the most skilful tight forward in world rugby. Coles running and passing game is gives the All Blacks many options both in tight and outwide on the tramlines. Coles is changing the definition of his position, a super little player.
1. Marcos Ayerza (Argentina)
Consistently the best loosehead over the course of the championship, Ayerza remains as potent at scrum time as ever. Ayerza who has enjoyed huge domestic success with the Leicester Tigers in England has already amassed 54 Tests and should collect many more if his fierce form of 2014 continues.
Harry
Guest
Captain Pugwash If you want to invent stats to prove a point you are making, choose ones that that aren't so easy to disprove. Check out this link and you will see published super season stats showing Michael Hooper as having won the 2nd most turnovers in the competition. Not to mention Hooper was the top tackler and turnovers won in Test rugby 2013. http://www.sarugbymag.co.za/blog/details/super-rugby-stats-final Also as far as how many tackles hooper made in super rugby, I would have thought making by far the most in the best defending team and championship team would be pretty good.
Micky
Guest
Your theory on tackles makes sense but is disproved by the stats. Off the top ten tacklers in the competition there are 5 boks, 3 All blacks all in the top 5, 1 wallaby Hooper and 1 Argentinian a back. This proves that the workload is shared better by the Boks and ABs, Hooper is the standout tackling player for his team. But is is also the Standout running player whether that is by necessity or not doesn't matter. The combination of these, the fact that their try scoring and turnovers won were the same make Hooper the easy choice for me.
Captain Pugwash
Guest
Pick McCaw if you want a flanker, pick hooper if you want another inside centre. His work around the break down is no where near as good as McCaws
Earl
Roar Rookie
I don’t know why but I watched the game again and the one from last week.Mcaw makes most of the tackles that should actually be made by Barret.I know as an openside flanker you should cover that channel but should’nt barret be making those tackles first up
Jerry
Guest
And pretty ordinary in NZ.
44bottles
Roar Guru
Understand the line of reasoning but I don't agree. I think Hooper gets so many runs as he and Slipper are seemingly the only two ball runners in the team, so they take a lot of the balls with other forwards supporting for the ruck. Similarly with tackles, he's covering for a weaker team and so has to make more tackles. Whereas McCaw has other ball-runners so isn't used as much as Hooper as a runner, and in defence he doesn't have to cover for other players, yet still managed to make 80 tackles by being everywhere. I think if McCaw was in a weaker team, he would be forced to take more carries, and make more tackles to cover other players. To clarify as that seemed a bit of a rant, I don't think you can say that it's nonsense to pick McCaw over Hooper when they both played extremely well, with McCaw being a better pick overall taking into account style of play and other things like leadership. It seems unfair to claim all the picks of McCaw were just because he was in the winning team.
44bottles
Roar Guru
I would love having both of them in a side, as their 8 playing styles are so different that it would work perfectly. Read the damaging runner out wide. Vermuleun the damaging runner inside. Both of them beasts on defence, in the ruck and at getting turnovers. Put someone in like Francois Louw or Sam Cane at 7 and you would have an amazing backrow. I'd probably put Read at 8 if this was a World XV as he has an existing combo with A Smith (choice halfback), though it doesn't really matter who's in what position outside the scrum.
Die hard
Roar Rookie
The rest of the team seems so fair, Folau really stands out as an under performer. His dangerous running not withstanding I am happy to see him at fullback playing against us. I cannot understand why not Dagg or le Roux except that there had to be a token Australian?
Earl
Roar Rookie
Sorry mate from the games i've seen vermeulen is everywhere, difference is vermeulen does’nt spend most of his time on the wings. When the games do go tight it is read that often goes missing
Die hard
Roar Rookie
I just cannot agree with Folau at fullback. I think he is a very poor fullback and am happy when we play against him because of that. I agree he is a great runner and has very good hands, but that is where his skill sets stop. He has poor vision and positional sense, often caught on the wrong side of the field. His kick is long and slow to make and not accurate and limited to one side. He does not join the line and link well, he either starts something that works or you get nothing. He is also not the fastest fullback around. All this coupled with the fact he is still not really progressing in learning the game makes me wonder what you are thinking. I think I know. I think this whole team is based on the statistics sheets and who ran further or past more payers. There is a huge difference in Smith and Le Roux and the authority they bring compared to Folau. I think he would be better value on the wing where he played under Deans. He would hug a sideline except to look for work and his step and offload would bee seen more often. But fullback is still a way away for him and yet there he is.
Micky
Guest
Wow Statman If those stats are correct and hooper and McCaw were even at tackles and turnovers won it makes a bit of a nonsense of picking McCaw over hooper when you consider the quality of the tries and the enormous difference in running ability. I think it's a case of you can't be wrong if you choose McCaw especially as he was in the winning All Blacks, but contribution to his team hooper is significantly ahead.
Statman
Guest
A lot has been said about the respective backrows of the Rugby Championship teams. I have compared the stats (fox sports stats) to see who is consistent, and in what areas each player contributes. Only the top rating players through the tournament have been included. Most Tackles made Unsurprisingly Opensides McCaw and Hooper made the most tackles, however, what did surprise me is the next best wallaby backrower made 37 less or nearly half Hoopers tally, this was the biggest gap in all the teams between top two tacklers. McCaw (OS) 82, Hooper (OS) 81, Coetzee (BS) 72 Most Turnovers Won The turnovers figures were interesting, again Hooper and McCaw topped the opensides with 4 a piece, however Vermeulen was the clear star here. Top Blindsides (BS) - Fardy 5, Coetzee 4 Top Opensides (OS) Hooper 4, McCaw 4 Top Number 8 - Vermeulen 11, Read 4 Most Try's scored Some great individual tries. Hooper (OS) 3, McCaw (OS) 3, Coetzee (BS) 2 Most Runs made Vermeulen (N8) 54, Hooper (OS) 53, Coetzee (BS) 46 Most Tackle Busts made Another surprising stat, Hooper was the clear leader here, dominating all backrowers ability to beat a man. Hooper (OS) 20, Vermeulen (N8) 12, Coetzee (BS) 7 Most Line Breaks made The ability to run a great line and accelerate makes Hooper the most impressive player at getting through a gap. Hooper (OS) 4, Higginbotham (N8) 2, Read (N8) 1, McCaw (OS)1, Vermeulen (N8) 1, Senatore (N8) 1 Most Metres Run Powerful through contact, acceleration, and express speed sees Hooper as the competitions premier running backrower. Hooper (OS) 377 Metres, Vermeulen (N8) 298 Metres Read (N8) 183 Metres Most Offloads made Read is the dominant offloader three times the next best. Read (N8) 9, Coetzee (BS) 3, Higginbotham (N8) 3, Senatore (N8) 3 Most Penalties Conceded Timing is everything and these 3 got it wrong the most. Fardy (BS) 8, McCaw (OS) 7, Senatore (N8) 7 Most Errors Made Four players all on 3 errors, but not much in it between a big group. McCaw (OS) 3, Read (N8) 3, Lobbe (OS) 3, Louw (OS) 3 Line Outs Taken Dominated by the big number 8's Read again shows his worth. Read (N8) 24, Vermeulen (N8) 17, Senatore (N8) 9 That's the end of another rugby championship, All Blacks still on top but conceding their first loss, Argentina with their first win, South Africa changing their game plan and looking better for it and the Wallabies full of promise but inconsistent. If these stats are anything to go by the ABs and Bok backrow share the workload better with multiple players featuring. Hooper is the only Wallabies competing across all three backrow positions and must receive more help.
Willie La'ulu
Guest
I wish people would stop blowing up Folau. He really isn't what people put him up to be. I'm not a fan of Dagg, but I'm positive his impact (on a much better side) is more influential than Folau's. I think at the FB position, B Smith is better than both of them. The rest of the team is very good and spot on. Awesome write up. Thoroughly enjoyed. I'm glad Retallick and Savea are getting their dues. Vermulen, as damaging as he is, I would still pick Read only due to the fact you don't see Vermulen as much around the park as Read. He goes missing come endurance time, where Read motors on.. But with the year he's having/had - understandable pick. Great write up !
tinman
Guest
Actually that would be quite interesting if Folau were to play a season in ITM! I'm sure he'd get a lot out of the experience & the players around could learn off him! Mixing it with SR & provincial players. How good would he be after that. Crazy right!!
Martin Deligasi
Guest
yes the fullbacks were in top form last year but all of them have dropped of somewhat this year.
tinman
Guest
Kesmcc you took the words right out of my mouth! If I had to pick le roux or dagg.. I'd pick le roux. Folau is not suited in FB position & would have him on the wing which in this case he wouldn't even make on my RC start up or bench!! And if ozzies stop worship some of their golden idols & get some clarity they would admit he's just a very good player ... Like most ITM players trying to break it into a higher level.
Hoy
Roar Guru
I am beginning to think Toomua is lost at 12... I think he needs to be told to run first and often, then look to offload. At the moment, he is looking outside him first, and that is just a cue for defence to move off him, because they know he will pass from deep. He is almost hesitant this year to run straight and hard between players. I have said before here, that I think we in Australia are confused about what a "second 5/8" does. I think it just means a more sly 12 than the straight, hard runner. But at the moment, we seem to be playing our second 5/8 as a second 5/8, slotting him into first receiver more than we should I think. I think we might need to realise that less is more, much like the Tahs had to learn this year, switching between the two they had... A "second 5/8" is not a second 5/8, but a skillful ball player, who should look to set up his outside players, either through run, or good pass, not slot into first receiver, just because he thinks he is a "second 5/8".
Red Kev
Roar Guru
Clearly that's meant to say Speight
Nobrain
Guest
His name is Ortega Desio and was his 8 test but first one in RCH, and I think he played very well. He is from PLADAR program.
Clark
Guest
Tj has been getting next to no game time, I don't see the point in coming on for 5 minutes at the end of a game. TKB is not up to AB's standard but is also set for a long stint on the sideline. The next in line I beleive is Pulu from Counties. Personally (Based on his ITM Cup form) I would like to see Jimmy Cowan in there if they are taking 3 halfbacks, but I don't think Hansen would go back to him unless he has him in his plans for the RWC.