The Crusaders are gathering momentum, an ominous sign for the other teams. It is thus not surprising they feature very strongly in our weekly form selection.
Although the selection was spread across a broader base, with seven teams represented this week, we still have four Crusaders in our side and all four are in the pack.
Five other teams - the Resurgent Reds, the erratic Chiefs, the high-flying Western Force, the unlucky Lions and the Blues - all have two members. The Waratahs provide the final member of our squad this week.
Three players are back from last week's selection - fullback Chris Latham (Reds), flyhalf Matt Giteau (Western Force) and lock Brad Thorn (Crusaders).
Team of the Week - Round Six:
15 - Chris Latham (Reds):
It was almost inevitable that Latham would score the try that tied the match at a time when the Lions looked like hanging on. He is just one of those players, experienced enough to be able to come up with a big play when it is required.
14 - Lelia Masaga (Chiefs):
Some will say it was the Bulls' defence that was ordinary and maybe they're right. But Masaga is a special player that will test any defence.
13 - Ryan Cross (Western Force):
If you think about the big money that was paid for players like Wendell Sailor, Matt Rogers and Lote Tuqiri, then Cross is a real bargain for the Force.
12 - Walter Venter (Lions):
This young man is in only his first season of Super Rugby and he is playing in a losing team. Says a lot about his ability that he still stands out.
11 - Peter Hynes (Reds):
It wasn't just that 80-metre run for the try. He's been knocking on the door for some time ... now he's just bashed it down.
10 - Matt Giteau (Western Force):
He is the form flyhalf in the Super 14.
9 - Brendon Leonard (Chiefs):
He has now showed why he became an All Black and is putting his hand up for a regular starting position in the national team.
8 - Joe van Niekerk (Lions):
If Springbok coach Peter de Villiers is true to his word and picks his first team on Super 14 form, then Van Niekerk will be very close.
7 - Richie McCaw (Crusaders):
He is still the world's premier openside flank.
6 - Jerome Kaino (Blues):
He may wear the No.6 on his shirt, but he won't be out of place as an openside flank.
5 - Daniel Vickerman (Waratahs):
He may have had a slow start to the season, but has now found the form that has made him Australia's premier lock for the last few years.
4 - Brad Thorn (Crusaders):
His selection was unanimous. Enough said!
3 - John Afoa (Blues):
He plays like a man on a mission and that mission is the All Black No.3 jersey.
2 - Corey Flynn (Crusaders):
Unanimous. Need we say more?
1 - Ben Franks (Crusaders):
The Crusaders may be running other teams ragged in the latter stages of games, but it is only after the big boys up front have done the softening up.
Individual selections for Week Six:
Paul Dobson XV: 15 Chris Latham, 14 Anthony Tuitavake, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Anthony Tuitavake, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Joe van Niekerk, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Daniel Vickerman, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 John Afoa, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Ben Franks.
Phil Coetzer XV: 15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Tyrone Smith, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Luke Watson, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Mitchell Chapman, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 AJ Whalley, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Simms Davison.
Steve Farrell XV: 15 Chris Latham, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Walter Venter, 11 Peter Hynes, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Joe van Niekerk, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Brian Mujati, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Ben Franks.
Jan de Koning XV: 15 Chris Latham, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Walter Venter, 11 Peter Hynes, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Joe van Niekerk, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Daniel Vickerman, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 John Afoa, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Ben Franks
Previous selections:
Team of the Week - Round Five: 15 Chris Latham (Reds), 14 Tonderai Chavhanga (Stormers), 13 Casey Laulala (Crusaders), 12 Jean de Villiers (Stormers), 11 Drew Mitchell (Western Force), 10 Matt Giteau (Western Force), 9 Fourie du Preez (Bulls), 8 Ryan Kankowski (Sharks), 7 Chris Masoe (Hurricanes), 6 Schalk Burger (Stormers), 5 Nathan Sharpe (Western Force), 4 Brad Thorn (Crusaders), 3 BJ Botha (Sharks), 2 Andrew Hore (Hurricanes), 1 Tony Woodcock (Blues).
Team of the Week - Round Four: 15 Francois Steyn (Sharks), 14 Scott Staniforth (Western Force), 13 Ryan Cross (Western Force), 12 Stephen Brett (Crusaders), 11 Lote Tuqiri (Waratahs), 10 Frederic Michalak (Sharks), 9 Jano Vermaak (Lions), 8 Ryan Kankowski (Sharks), 7 David Pocock (Western Force), 6 Keegan Daniel (Sharks), 5 Johann Muller (Sharks), 4 Brad Thorn (Crusaders), 3 Greg Somerville (Crusaders), 2 Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), 1 Jamie Mackintosh (Highlanders)
Team of the Week - Round Three: 15 Isa Nacewa (Blues), 14 Ma'a Nonu (Hurricanes), 13 Isaia Toeava (Blues), 12 Benson Stanley (Blues), 11 Joe Rokocoko (Blues), 10 Stephen Donald (Chiefs), 9 Jimmy Cowan (Highlanders), 8 Rodney So'oialo (Hurricanes), 7 Richie McCaw (Crusaders), 6 Heinrich Brussouw (Cheetahs), 5 Johann Muller (Sharks), 4 Brad Thorn (Crusaders), 3 Campbell Johnstone (Crusaders), 2 Keven Mealamu (Blues), 1 Heinke van der Merwe (Lions).
Team of the Week - Round Two: 15 Francois Steyn (Sharks), 14 Kade Poki (Crusaders), 13 Isaia Toeava (Blues), 12 Stephen Brett (Crusaders), 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu (Chiefs), 10 Nick Evans (Blues), 9 Jano Vermaak (Lions), 8 Nick Williams (Blues), 7 Richie McCaw (Crusaders), 6 Jerome Kaino (Blues), 5 Troy Flavell (Blues), 4 Kurtis Haiu (Blues), 3 Greg Somerville (Crusaders), 2 Keven Mealamu (Blues), 1 Tony Woodcock (Blues).
Team of the Week Round One: 15 Leon MacDonald (Crusaders), 14 Digby Ioane (Reds), 13 Ice Toeava (Blues), 12 Bradley Barritt (Sharks), 11 Joe Rokocoko (Blues), 10 Nick Evans (Blues), 9 Fourie du Preez (Bulls), 8 Mose Tuiali'i (Crusaders), 7 Franco van der Merwe (Lions), 6 Rocky Elsom (Waratahs), 5 Troy Flavell (Blues), 4 Johann Ackermann (Sharks), 3 Brian Mujati (Stormers), 2 Tiaan Liebenberg (Stormers), 1 Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks).
