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Rugby365's team of the year

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Steve-o

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http://www.rugby365.com/all_news/sa/news/1412420.htm
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>
With the year very quickly drawing to a close, the rugby365 team took the chance to reflect on the past 12 months of fantastic International rugby action and finally settled on their 2008 Team of the Year...

After hours of debate, the rugby365 selectors have finally nailed down a starting XV they believed were the cream of the crop in 2008.

South African strong...

With six South African in the side, it is clear that Peter de Villiers's men impressed at least a little bit in 2008 and, despite finishing in third place in the Tri-Nations, had a number of standout players whose performances were worthy of recognition.

Three of the all conquering All Blacks also find their way into the starting XV, while Six Nations champions Wales lead the northern hemisphere charge with four selections.

An overall average year from the Wallabies means that only two of their players even get nominations, although that is one better than both England and Italy; while France, Argentina and Ireland all fail to even get that much from any of our experts.

rugby365 Team of the Year:

15. Lee Byrne (Wales): The Welsh fullback just gets the edge over Mils Muliaina because of his spectacular efforts in the November test series as well as his contribution to the Welsh effort in the Six Nations earlier this year.

14. JP Pietersen (South Africa): The South African speedster grew into his role as the year and enjoyed three particularly impressive performances for the world champions during their November tour to cement his place in the team.

13. Adi Jacobs (South Africa): What a revelation for Peter de Villiers this year? Without a doubt the comeback of the year, the Natal Sharks No.13 got in to the habit of scoring tries and never once let his team down.

12. Jean de Villiers (South Africa): Considered by many the world's leading inside centre, Jean de Villiers was named South African Player of the Year and it is a hard decision to argue with. The master of the intercept is a crucial part of the Springbok juggernaut and a well deserved member of this year's team.

11. Shane Williams (Wales): World Player of the Year - do we really have to justify his selection? The Welsh wizard regularly delivered fantastic moments of excitement for Ospreys and Wales fans this year and was deservedly recognized as the best of 2008.

10. Dan Carter (New Zealand): The All Black superstar is currently enjoying a six-month stint with Perpignan but as always he was an integral part of the successful New Zealand side of 2008. Without a doubt the world's leading No.10.

9. Mike Blair (Scotland): The Scottish captain has the heart of a giant and inspires his side with his own performances. A candidate to lead the Lions next year Blair just edges out the resurgent Jimmy Cowan for his spot in the team of the year.

8. Andy Powell (Wales): Having come back from two reconstructive shoulder injuries Powell finally got his chance on the world stage in November and boy did he deliver. ***anic performances against the Springboks, on debut, and against the Wallabies, gave him the edge over New Zealand's Rodney So'oialo.

7. Richie McCaw (New Zealand): Unbelievably left off the IRB World Player of the Year nominations list, McCaw gets a full set of votes from the selection team. An inspirational leader and outstanding player the flank remains a certain pick for any year-end team.

6. Schalk Burger (South Africa): The South African flank machine enjoyed another successful year with the Springboks in 2008. A more committed player one could not find and his work, particularly in defence, remains a key part of the Bok side.

5. Ali Williams (New Zealand): Unanimous decision from the pundits, Williams established himself as the World premier lock forward in 2008. More than just a brilliant lineout option the Blues forward's work around the pitch earns rightly earns him a coveted spot.

4. Ian Evans (Wales): After long discussions about the four proposed players Evans emerged as the five selected compromised selection. A huge part of the Six Nations success, as well as a vital part of much of the good done in the pack during the November tests Evans will look back at 2008 as a year to remember.

3. Euan Murray (Scotland): A shining light for Scotland throughout 2008 Murray stood out above the rest of his team for much of the year. Powerful, reliable and hard-working, the Northampton tighthead looks a likely starter for the 2009 Lions.

2. John Smit (South Africa): Smit true value was only really seen when he was not there. The Springboks are simply not the same force without their inspirational captain. While Peter de Villiers may continue to try and convert him into a tighthead prop, Smit did enough at hooker this year to make our team.

1. Tendai Mtawarira (South Africa): 'The Beast' got overwhelming support from most of the panel this year and it is easy to understand why. So strong and dominant throughout 2008 Mtawarira seems to have the world at his feet as we prepare to step into the New Year.

Individual teams:

Jan de Koning XV: 15 Lee Byrne (Wales), 14 JP Pietersen (South Africa), 13 Adi Jacobs (South Africa), 12 Jean de Villiers (South Africa), 11 Shane Williams (Wales), 10 Dan Carter (New Zealand), 9 Jimmy Cowan (New Zealand), 8 Andy Powell (Wales), 7 Richie McCaw (New Zealand), 6 Schalk Burger (South Africa), 5 Ali Williams (New Zealand), 4 Bakkies Botha (South Africa), 3 Carlos Nieto (Italy), 2 John Smit (South Africa), 1 Tendai Mtawarira (South Africa).

Rob Peters XV: 15 Mils Muliaina (New Zealand), 14 JP Pietersen (South Africa), 13 Adi Jacobs (South Africa), 12 Jean de Villiers (South Africa), 11 Shane Williams (Wales), 10 Dan Carter (New Zealand), 9 Jimmy Cowan (New Zealand), 8 Rodney So'oialo (New Zealand), 7 Richie McCaw (New Zealand), 6 Schalk Burger (South Africa), 5 Ali Williams (New Zealand), 4 Ian Evans (Wales), 3 Euan Murray (Scotland), 2 John Smit (South Africa), 1 Tendai Mtawarira (South Africa).

Nick Pawson XV: 15 Mils Muliaina (New Zealand), 14 JP Pietersen (South Africa), 13 Adi Jacobs (South Africa), 12 Jean de Villiers (South Africa), 11 Shane Williams (Wales), 10 Dan Carter (New Zealand), 9 Mike Blair (Scotland), 8 Andy Powell (Wales), 7 Richie McCaw (New Zealand), 6 Schalk Burger (South Africa), 5 Ali Williams (New Zealand), 4 James Horwill (Australia), 3 Euan Murray (Scotland), 2 Andrew Hore (New Zealand), 1 Tendai Mtawarira (South Africa)

Pete Murison XV: 15 Lee Byrne (Wales), 14 Paul Sackey (England), 13 Adi Jacobs (South Africa), 12 Ma'a Nonu (New Zealand), 11 Shane Williams (Wales), 10 Dan Carter (New Zealand), 9 Mike Blair (Scotland), 8 Sergio Parisse (Italy), 7 Richie McCaw (New Zealand), 6 Ryan Jones (Wales), 5 Ali Williams (New Zealand), 4 Alwyn Jones (Wales), 3 Euan Murray (Scotland), 2 John Smit (South Africa), 1 Tony Woodcock (New Zealand).

Paul Dobson XV: 15 Lee Byrne (Wales), 14 JP Pietersen (South Africa), 13 Adrian Jacobs (South Africa), 12 Ma'a Nonu (New Zealand), 11 Shane Williams (Wales), 10 Dan Carter (New Zealand), 9 Fourie du Preez (South Africa), 8 Rodney So'oialo (New Zealand), 7 Richie McCaw (New Zealand), 6 Schalk Burger (South Africa), 5 Ali Williams (New Zealand), 4 Victor Matfield (South AFrica), 3 Carlos Nieto (Italy) 2 Stephen Moore (Australia), 1 Tony Woodcock (New Zealand).[/b]

The overall team is pretty solid imo, you can make a case for each of those players selections easily. I do however reckon that both Rocky Elsom and George Smith are unlucky not to get in, both had better a better season than Schalk Burger. Although Burger did redeem himself on the EOY tour somewhat.
Also Powell at 8? Doesn't fit to well with me. Rodders had a solid and consistent season, should be there.
 
Picking Ali Williams above Matfield....?

WTF did those guys smoke?lol

other than that very strong team
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Steve-o @ Dec 31 2008, 08:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>
Also Powell at 8?[/b]

Well, I could explain about why Powell is a shoe in at 8 for a world best XV but I fear that most South Africans would probably want to hear last of the big man from Wales, especially after his rampaging debut against the World Champs in November..
 
Oh FFS, again... Smith is a Blindside flanker and Burger is an Openside. Why do the so called "experts" always put Burger at 6 and McCaw at 7? George Smith FTW @ 6.

Otherwise, can't argue with much of that.
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Intercept King JdV @ Dec 31 2008, 10:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>
He is probably at home... :p , what is his prefered position? lock, flanker or no.8?[/b]

Wait....good question...he tends to do a lot of shouting in all three positions!
 
Lock usually but he does switch to back row quite a bit, much like how Chris Jack seems to switch between 5 and 6 quite a bit these days now...
 
Well he would have to try long and hard to get a spot in "rugby365 Team of the Year" with players like Burger, McCaw, Matfield, Ali Williams, Andy Powell and co being around
 
Why the hell is Ian Evans there? They 'justified' him for his performance in the 6 Nations... Even though our starting locks were Ian Gough and AWJ. :huh:

Andy Powell <strike>will f*** SA up in the summer</strike> is good. :p
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (cyRil of Ospreylia @ Jan 1 2009, 03:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>
Why the hell is Ian Evans there? They 'justified' him for his performance in the 6 Nations... Even though our starting locks were Ian Gough and AWJ. :huh:

Andy Powell <strike>will f*** SA up in the summer</strike> is good. :p[/b]
<_<

schalkburgercopydm7.jpg


:D
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Prestwick @ Dec 31 2008, 04:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Steve-o @ Dec 31 2008, 08:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Also Powell at 8?[/b]

Well, I could explain about why Powell is a shoe in at 8 for a world best XV but I fear that most South Africans would probably want to hear last of the big man from Wales, especially after his rampaging debut against the World Champs in November..
[/b][/quote]

"Powell is a shoe in at 8 for a world best XV"
^^^That's the quote I'll put on my sig when Powell gets shown up

^^^And that's the quote you can put on your sig if I'm proven wrong

He did well with ball-in-hand during the AI's (didn't score a try against us though) but from what I've seen with him at the Blues is that he's scared of the hard graft, and we all know what happens when you're afraid of the hard when playing the Boks (anybody remember 43-17??).
We'll see this year Pressie, we'll see
 
What are you talking about? The guy grafts really hard and was probably the find of series for Wales next to Halfpenny.

And when you bang on about the Boks vs Wales, you kind of forgotten the Bok's rather rough and rampaging introduction to Powell in the AIs ;)

Anyway, this is the problem with the bloody Welsh. They're so useless they have to leave the job of sticking up for their own players to Englishmen..pah!
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Intercept King JdV @ Dec 31 2008, 08:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>
Picking Ali Williams above Matfield....?

WTF did those guys smoke?lol

other than that very strong team[/b]

Matfield had a terrible international season. He looked behind the pace in the tri nations. Ali started nearly all tests this year and actually made the all blacks lineout useable. Which is the reason i think they picked him.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Teh Mite @ Jan 1 2009, 02:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>
Oh FFS, again... Smith is a Blindside flanker and Burger is an Openside. Why do the so called "experts" always put Burger at 6 and McCaw at 7? George Smith FTW @ 6.

Otherwise, can't argue with much of that.[/b]

Don't south africans play left and right? Not open and blind? Oh and george smith can play wherever he wants. I've seen him at 8, 7, 6, and actually at 10. :)

I think the team is pretty good. Some close calls. Of course my opinion is that there should've been more All Blacks. :D
 
A strange looking XV, until you see the names of the selectors (De Koning, Murison etc).

Is rugby365 a South African website?
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Teh Mite @ Jan 1 2009, 03:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>
Oh FFS, again... Smith is a Blindside flanker and Burger is an Openside. Why do the so called "experts" always put Burger at 6 and McCaw at 7? George Smith FTW @ 6.

Otherwise, can't argue with much of that.[/b]

huh? burger is a blindside flanker and mccaw is an openside flanker.. what are you going on about? or are you joking?
 
South African flankers re-arrange their numbers - Burger wears 6 but is an openside.

Prestwick, you are not alone ANDY POWELL RULZ AAAAAAAAAAAALLL!!!!!11!!1111!!!!!oneone11!!1111!!
YESSSS!!!!!
 
Correction: Everybody else re-arranges their flankers around because a Saffa invented/thought up the 3-4-1 scrum formation!

On the issue at hand, Burger is a openside.
 

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