My Super Rugby dream team

JAMES LAWLER
Last updated 05:00 28/05/2014


It's that time of year again which I will announce my Super Rugby International XV of the year before the season goes into its break after the weekend.

1. Tendai Mtawarir - Sharks - Their front row has been solid all season with the beast leading the front.

2. Bismarck du Plessis - Sharks - This guy has been impressive at hooker -probably the best in the world, his work rate has been immense and his tackling is huge.

3. Owen Franks - Crusader - The in-form New Zealand prop, his scrum has been the best in the competition and his work rate has been outstanding.

4. Will Skelton - Waratahs - This guy has been huge; his ability to get around the field, his block busting runs and he is good in the lineouts.

5. Sam Whitelock - Crusaders - Best lock in the world at the moment, without a shadow of a doubt. He reminds me of a young Brad Thorne and his work in the lineouts is world class.

6. Jerome Kaino - Blues - This guy, since he has been back from Japan, has been enormous for the Blues and it's a shame he will not be going any further in the competition. He has been brilliant with his runs and tackling and creating opportunities where the Blues haven't been able to capitalise.

7. Matt Hodgson - Western Force - Yes, you might be scratching your head right now and be going 'What the?' but this guy has been what the Force have been about this season. His work rate has been outstanding, and his tackling and the way he gets to the break down first has been superb.

8. Warren Whiteley - Lions - This guy has led the Lions superb all season, and his work rate again has been brilliant.

9. Aaron Smith - Highlander - This guy has been the key to the Highlanders attack along side Fekitoa, whose play around the fringes has been solid, his passing terrific and the way he can read situations.

10. Beauden Barrett - Hurricanes - This guy is superb. You could have easily had the likes of Slade from the Crusaders, Foley from the Waratahs, or Sopanga from the Highlanders but after the performance against the Chiefs last weekm he gets the nod at 10.

11. Julian Savea - Hurricanes - The most devastating winger in world rugby right now, without a shadow of a doubt. His running metres are huge and if you give him the ball in space, it will be devastating.

12.Patt Macabe - Brumbies - People will question this selection as well but this guy has been the corner of the Brumbies backline for me and has been solid.

13. Malakai Fekitoa - Highlanders - The most talked about centre in New Zealand rugby and possibly world rugby. What on earth were those Blues thinking at the start of the season? Trading him obviously for Benji Marshall who was hopeless at union.

14. Nemani Nadolo - Crusaders - This guy's form has been immense this season since he came on his ability to get past the last man. He is someone the Crusaders need.

15. Israel Folau - Waratahs - He hasn't been in consistent form lately but has been devastating from the wing. He probably has been found out from New Zealand sides but is such a devastating player.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff-nation/...gby-dream-team


Even the Kiwis understand what great season he is having :approve: