Super Rugby team of the week: Round 9

"Blues are the same and all about Champion players rather than a team of champions" I don't think this applies at all this year. Blues worst starting player Parsons cost them 14 points - he threw an intercept pass for one Chiefs try and missed a tackle on ALB for another. He's not a champion player.

I don’t disagree with any of the attributes of ALB or Crotty, but you still haven’t provided an example of either of them showing they can dominate against the top teams at international level, and especially not for a run of matches. With ALB you’ve mentioned a single game against a weak opponent who lost to the Wallabies at home that year.

ALB had an almost MOTM performance against Wales in the final test of 2017, has captained the U20s and set up Barrett's 1st try against the Lions in the third Test, from memory. And like, Crotty, he plays both positions. But he has also comes off the bench a fair bit so I get your point. Crotty is like Conrad Smith and probably most noteable for THAT try at Lansdowne Road. Like Conrad, some of his work goes un-noticed. But when he isn't injured he is a gifted runner and distributor. He also plays both center positions, valuable in itself. He had a great game agianst the Boks in a narrow win a couple of years ago, scoring a try too I think. But that's okay Fionn, we are allowed to disagree, and the truth is I still think Nonu is or at least, has been, the better player in the 12 jumper. When Nonu retired in 2015 I though he was the best player on the planet. And as he gets games under the belt at Super level he is getting better. I'd really like to see him in Japan.

When have they really taken a big international game and delivered? I remember a lot of good performances against teams like the Wallabies, but don't remember them standing up against the Lions, Ireland or South Africa the same way.

Sevu Reece is awesome. Enjoyable to watch

I think that's the key right there TMan. Distribution - Ma'a's passing is probably superior. He also grows in the black jumper and has a bit of a kicking game. He has the big game temperament and looks to have lost little of his pace and force. He is also improving with each outing. I disagree with Fionn about Crotty and ALB. Not only have they delivered in Black but both can play inside and out which may be valuable in Japan. Laumape shows some of the brilliance Nonu used to bring to that role in his earlier years but will they risk him in a big game in Japan? Too many work-ons for me. A lot will depend on injuries and how many midfield backs make the plane; 4 or 5?

I'd actually have Philip over Lukhan. Lukhan I think hes been less effective in tight, where Philip is making those good tight meters. I'd rather Jones and Naisarani playing the wider channels that Lukhan is usually used in.

I haven’t done it for a couple of weeks, but here’s my Aussie team if I had to pick it now. Izzy now out, Uelese and Petaia not considered. Changes are the locking merry go round, 1 and 6. 1 Slipper (playing out of his skin all round the park) 2 Fainga’a (starting to show his quality) 3 Ala’alatoa (big work rate) 4 Rodda 5 Salakai-Lots (big game on the weekend) 6 Jones 7 Pocock 8 Naisarani (beast with the ball) 9 Genia 10 Cooper 11 Banks 12 Kerevi 13 Kuridrani 14 Maddocks 15 Hodge 16 BPA 17 Sio 18 Tupou (off the boil a bit) 19 Coleman (Arnold close and Coleman close to starting) 20 Higgs/Hooper 21 Powell/McDermott 22 Toomua/Beale 23 Beale/Naivalu Note – CFS a big improvement in form this year, has been very impressive.

Wow hadn't heard that about dmac. That makes it very interesting for the rwc. Who is nzs 3rd choice 1st5? I'd say there is a group who are more or less equal.. black, banks, M Mackenzie, Ioane, and parker who probably isn't available for selection at this stage... can't say any fill me with confidence, would maybe go with banks based on experience/cool head and kicking. Nonu looks to still be class. Don't think ALB was comprehensively out played by any means, a part from the bump off. Would pick nonu ahead of sbw but really hard to nail down who to fit in. ALB and goodhue seem the only certainties at this stage.

Talking injuries..Damian Mckenzie gone for the year. ACL. Bugger.... Havili, Nanai? Maybe even Ioane the Highlanders 1st 5 if they lookn for a 1st 5....

Exactly Fionn and nonus given them three years to show they can. None has had the impact nonu has at either level in this short time nonu has with the blues. None can pass better. He doesnt need to prove a whole season, just 60-70% of three key matches.

I guess the difference is that I don’t think any of Laumape, Crotty or ALB have really shown they can dominate in a big game at international level.

At halftime I had ALB well ahead on the score card, had engineered linebreaks both sides of the big guy who looked a little slow laterally. Thought better about posting it up though and just as well. Nonu delivered the big king hits in th second spell like the champion he is. Whether he could do 3 big games in 2 weeks might be the challenge re RWC time. He is up against the claims of others, Crotty is on top form, As is Laumape, Goodhue and ALB, and we know the current coaching group love having the option of SBW in the wider group. Good problem to have.

You certainly don't have to decide on a RWC team now, however the comfort is that with such high attrition amongst rugby players and mid-fielders in particular the chances are high that if they take 5 and you are in the top 6 midfielders you will play if not injured. SBW and Crotty in particular have had a lot of injuries and may not make it to the end of the season unscathed, so depth down to 7 in the midfield could come into play. I think Hansen would be very happy at the form and desire Nonu is showing, his discipline hasn't been too bad either, which sometimes has been a problem for him in the past (not unlike SBW). I thought ALB had a good game for the Chiefs too, but his getting steamrolled by Nonu gave the points decision to him. Great game though by the way for the neutral. Blues are the same and all about Champion players rather than a team of champions

I wonder if that bump sent shockwaves through Hansen? Crazy to say it, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Nonu goes to the World Cup and proves himself the best 12 in the world... still.

This team is daunting for the Brumbies in two weeks..

That Pablo Matera is some player.

Yes, that’s incredible and very promising!

Only five penalties!!!