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The McCaw and Carter show: All-Black magic rules Tri-Nations rugby

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.

by Harshan Jeyakumar on 10 June 2007

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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).

Comments (8)

by Steve on June 08, 2007

Great selection Harshan but feel that Matty Giteau and Larkham should have made it into your dream team

by Tom Johnstone-Woods on June 08, 2007

woudn't this be a great team - two changes though, Larkham and Giteau for Mauger and Macdonald - although the presence of only one Australian is fair given their current state

by ASHLEY on June 09, 2007

this is so not correct. MATT GITEAU is better then any other player in world rugby, carter and mccaw suck and AUSTRALIA is fully awesome. More Aussies

by Scott Donaldson on June 10, 2007

I would suggest that Collins hasn't played Number Eight for such a long time and his distribution and speed off the mark and around the paddock aren't up to being their in this side. I would look at Jaun Smith from SA as a potential No8 or Pierre Spies. You have to remember the Bulls and Sharks players are the top form players. I would select the duo of Bakkies Botha and Matfield. Vickerman didnt play enough and I believe that Botha is more of a strength type lock to complement Matfield. I don't know what you are thinking in the backs with MacDonald and Mauger. MacDonald especially has lost a yard of pace and had a terrible time during the Super 14 later rounds. Depending on your selection criteria which appear inconsistent I believe Muliaina is a better allround player. He played briefly at the end of the Super 14. Sivivatu is more lethal off left than right wing with his step. Rokocoko usually plays their instead if they both play! The final point is that midfield is a shocking selection.

by Scott DOnaldson on June 10, 2007

While I like to see myself as an astute kiwi I must say that calling for Larkham to be seen as the fullback in this side is ridiculous. I support either McAlister, De Villiers or Giteau at second five eighth, but I can't see Larkham having the ability of a Muliaina and I guess the cupboard is bare. Their were not many quality fullbacks in the competition, but Larkham has lost that speed which would make him and option and hasn't played their in a while. Latham now he is a quality fullback. I am a kiwi so would put Muliaina in ahead of Percy or any South Africans.

by Scott Donaldson on June 10, 2007

Mortlock is compulsory at centre. I fear him and see him as the complete player. This may give Giteau the nod at 2nd five eigth with their combination. Although the thought of Mortlock running off De Villiers or McAlister leaves me licking my lips!

by ellen on June 11, 2007

giteau is a better center then aaron mauger even is he was playing 9 for a while. i understand australia's form but feel giteau should be on the team

by Soutvleis on June 15, 2007

Bakkies Botha has an extraordinary workrate, just watch him when he is playing. Giteau just has such class and should be a sure choice. What about McCaw at 8 and George Smit moving in at flank?