Monday, June 18, 2007

The McCaw and Carter show: All-Black magic rules Tri-Nations rugby (June 8th on Sportingo)

http://www.sportingo.com/rugby/mccaw_carter_show_all_black/1001,3632


Selecting a Southern Hemisphere Dream Team from the cream of the game's talent is no easy task. Aussie and South African fans may not agree with HARSHAN JEYAKUMAR's choice.

Any Tri Nations Dream Team will have a proliferation of All Blacks; after all, they are the best team in the world and I’m their number one supporter. Here is my selection:
1. Tony Woodcock (NZ): The Blues prop is part of dream front row that has every rugby supporter wondering how the Kiwis filled best tighthead and loosehead prop and hooker in the world, in one team.

2. Keven Mealamu (NZ): Probably the most arguable entry in the front five but if you’re next to Woodcock and Hayman, something’s bound to rub off. Also an exciting runner with the ball.

3. Carl Hayman (NZ): Do I even need to bother wasting time on the keyboard?

4. Victor Matfield (SA): An easy pick; the best jumper in the business, even if he does play dirty.

5. Dan Vickerman (AUS): A year ago Chris Jack would have won this jumper easily, but things have changed and even though Vickerman hasn’t played much recently, he is looking very, very good.

6. Schalk Burger (SA): He was South Africa’s only shining light for a couple of years, and after a bad run of injuries is looking better than ever.

7. Richie McCaw (NZ) - captain: Unrivalled .

8. Jerry Collins (NZ): Hasn’t played a lot here, but it is definitely his best position and the one where he started his career for the All Blacks.
9. Fourie Du Preez (SA): With the All Blacks out, he stamped his mark as the best halfback in the world but was hampered by injury in the Bulls' amazing semi-final.

10. Dan Carter (NZ): Best player in the world, the only challenge for this status is his captain.

11. Bryan Habana (SA): The fastest player in the world and the intercept king.

12. Aaron Mauger (NZ): Goes unnoticed by many but is the organiser in the defence of the best team in the world. Matt Giteau’s recent performances at halfback lost him a shot at being a serious contender here.

13. Jean de Villiers (SA): May be out of position but had to get a mention somewhere; just beat Stirling Mortlock for the role.

14. Sitiveni Sivivatu (NZ): The Fijian flyer’s Test scoring strike-rate is above one try a match – phenomenal.

15. Leon Macdonald (NZ): Chris Latham was a shoe-in for this position but will miss the entire series. His replacement, Julian Huxley, has little experience, and Mils Muliana hasn’t played all year. It was down to Percy and Leon - how many games have they lost single-handedly? Macdonald pipped Montgomery on the basis that under Graham Henry his error-riddled games have all but disappeared while Percy’s still famous for the Percy.

Replacements:
16. John Smit (SA); 17. CJ van der Linde (SA); 18. Chris Jack (NZ); 19. George Smith (AUS); 20. Matt Giteau (AUS), 21. Stephen Larkham (AUS), 22. Lote Tuquri (AUS).
****
Another funny video :
Alternative Rugby Commentary - The Tri Nations

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