Matt Giteau: In your XV?
We've had a few 'Teams' this year: Team of June, Team of November, any number of Teams of the Week, Even a Team of the Greatest.
But with 2009 drawing to a close, this one's over to you. Send us in your XVs of 2009 over the next two weeks and we'll collate the votes, find the pictures and present you the benchmark performers you voted for just before hogmanay (GMT).
Send us your justifications as well and we'll pick out the finest of the adjectives and the most robust of the sentences to justify the selections made when we publish.
Send us your XVs, from 15 down to 1 - and the justifications you feel the need to add - here.
Comments
Budwhite says...
Rob Kearnery (Brillant for Lions and Ireland)
Tommy Bowe (Breaks the line, powerful, nose for trys)
Brian O'Driscoll (Gets better with age)
Conrad Smith (Great running lines and great link man)
Bryan Habana (Performance for the Baa Baas sums up his season)
Matt Giteau (Best 10 in world rugby. period.)
Will Genia (Fouris Du Preez is brilliant, but Genia hasn't had the Springbok pack)
Rocky Elsom (Heaslip is a marvel but Elsom is a monster at 6 or 8)
Richie McCaw (May switch to the blindside alal Richard Hill, Phenomenal)
Thierry Dusuatoir (Best French forward for a while, huge engine)
Victor Matfield (Best lineout forward in the world, not bad round the park either)
Paul O'Connell (Good ball carrier, intimidating and grafter)
Ben Alexander (The main reason the wallaby scrum doesn't go back anymore)
Bismarck Du Pleesis (Big, tough, uncomprimising)
Gethin Jenkins (Mobile, great tackler, good hands)
Posted 21:53 26th December 2009
goldenbear says...
15 - F Styen - Anyone who gives you the option for kicks at goal within ur own half gets consideration, beats kearny and l byrne
14 - T Bowe - amazing year
13 - BO'D - still world-class this year at the heart of the leinster and irish midfield, beats out a great year by both c smith and J Fourie
12 - M Giteau - his best position, what a pairing him and carter would be
11 - B Habana - backed his pace this year scoring tries for the bulls, south africans and a magical performance to end the year, beats out siviatu and williams
10 - D Carter - though injuried for a long time his impact was seen when comparing the all blacks of the summer to the all blacks of november, beats out jonny, who had a great come back year with england and toulon, and of course points machine morne
9 - F Du Preez - definition of world class # 9
8 - J Heslip - competitive position this year with speis who carried greatly for both the bulls and the tri-nations winners and s parisse, the most skilled player in the world, heslip wins this battle with his form in leinsters cup run, irelands november and grand slam victories and his work in the B & I lions tour
7 - H Brussow - mccaw is done, anyone who watched the super 14, the cheetahs vs B & I lions game, where brussow alone almost won the game, and the trinations cannot aruge the impact of the worlds new best backrower
6 - R Elsom - went north and prove to be the best player on leinsters stacked cup winning side, beats out a unmentioned juan smith who was a defensive rock for south africa for the both the lions tour and the trinations and france capitan dussatoir
5 - P O'C - Great leader and ball carrier
4 - V Matfield - Brains behind the lineout
3 - B Robinson - soild in the aussie pack
2 - Du Plessis - a man among boys, great accurate throw
1 - G Jenkins - tackles like a backrow, skills of a back
Posted 13:05 25th December 2009
tuco says...
CHABAL IS JUST MARKETING
Posted 16:58 23rd December 2009
tacksharp says...
'Springbok,' your comments about Sivivatu are ignorant and ridiculous. You give Sth Africans a bad name.
Posted 09:38 23rd December 2009
realrugbyhead says...
15 - Ashley Cooper
14 - Cory Jane
13 - Conrad Smith
12 - Matt Giteau
11 - Sivivatu
10 - Who Else Dan Carter
09 - Fourie Du Preez
08 - Heaslip
07 - McCaw
06 - Elsom
05 - Brad Thorn
04 - Victor Matfield
03 - Hayman
02 - Hore
01 - Woodcock/Robinson
Now thats an unstoppable team, you can all learn from this. Pick skill, pace and drive before people you just fancy
Posted 14:31 22nd December 2009
bradstock23 says...
15. Kearney
14. Bowe
13. BOD
12. Roberts
11. Habana
10. Carter
9. Du Preez
8. Heaslip
7. McCaw
6. Brussow
5. Matfield
4. Botha
3. Robinson
2. Du Plessis
1. Castrogiovanni
Honourable mentions to, Muliaina, Elsom, Giteau, Steyn, Fourie, Barcella, Dusatoir, Parisse, O'Connell and Sivivatu
Posted 05:52 22nd December 2009
KiwiRooster says...
15.Mils Muliaina
14.Cory Jane/Cedric Heymans
13.Brian O'Driscoll
12.Matt Giteau/Maxime Mermoz/Francois Steyn
11.Bryan Habana
10.Dan Carter/Matt Giteau/Johnny Wilkinson
9.Fourie Du Preez
8.Louis Picamole/Pierre Spies/Imanol Harinordoquy/Sergio Parisse
7.Heinrich Brussouw/Richie McCaw/Juan-Martin Fernandez Lobbe
6.Thierry Dusautoir
5.Victor Matfield/Paul O'Connell/Romain Millo-Chluski
4.Bakkies Botha
3.Martin Castrogiovanni/Rodrigo Roncero
2.William Servat/Bismarck du Plessis/Mario Ledesma
1.Fabien Barcella/Gethin Jenkins
Posted 02:20 21st December 2009
kavanagh says...
15. Rob Kearney
14. Tommy Bowe
13. Brian O'Driscoll
12.Ma'Nonu
11. Luke Fitzgerald
10. Morne Steyn
9. Fourie Du Preez
8. Pierre Spies
7. Heinrich Brussow
6. Rocky Elsom
5. Simon Shaw
4. Paul O'Connell
3. Cian Healy
2. Bismarck du Plessis
1. Fabien Barcella
Posted 00:35 21st December 2009
irishcanadian says...
15- Rob Kearney: A magician under the high ball, a safety net on defense, and a darting runner.
14- Tommy Bowe: A smart winger always looking for work
13- Brian O'Driscoll: Arguably player of the year, and a legend still playing.
12- Jamie Roberts: Showed great form all year as a dynamic inside.
11- Bryan Habana: Was a shining light in RSA's lackluster November, but overall great year.
10- Morne Steyne: Broke records and impressed everywhere
9- Fourie du Preez: Another short list player of the year, proved without a doubt that he is the best SH in world rugby at the moment
8- Jamie Heaslip: One again, short list player of the year. Dynamic 8 man. Superb at the breakdown, and always seems to be able to put his team on the front foot.
7- Heinrich Brussouw: Had an incredible season, competed for king of the break-down and is only getting better. (Easily beats out supposed Player of the Year McCaw)
6- Rocky Elsom: New leader of the Wallabies led by example.
5- Paul O'Connell: Captain of the Lions, unbeatable in the line-outs.
4- Victor Matfield: Shares the pedestal with O'Connell for worlds best 2nd row.
3- Martin Castrogivanni: A powerhouse in the scrum. Unparalleled work ethic.
2- Bismarck Du Plessis: Always hits his man.
1- Cian Healy: Still has some to learn in the scrum, but amazingly dynamic player with incredible attacking skill and a rock wall on defense. Pretty great at the break-down as well.
Posted 00:32 21st December 2009
vanpersie17 says...
15. Kearney- Class under high-ball. ridiculous left boot
14. Bowe- strong, fast and excellent when hes comes off the wing. like a 3rd center
13. O'Driscoll- hes class just watching him is a joy
12. Giteau - deceptive when he runs. has a great show and go and excellent kicking
11.Habana - similiar to bowe
10. Carter - hes just world class. Jonny sexton will be here in a few years.
9. Du Preez adds yet another good kicking option.
8. Heaslip - makes nice breaks
7. Brussow/Mccaw - Brussow shades it, because he plays within the rules of the game
6. Elsom - class player. very strong and has great work ethic
5. Matfeild- great lineout jumper
4. O'Connell - eclipsed matfield in the ireland vs SA game. does a lot of unseen work
3. Hayman - great player. very strong in scrum
2. Servat - very strong player. good scrummaging/lineout throwing. Smit would be here only for he forgot how to throw
1. Barcella - unbelivable up and coming player. very strong in the scrum. does a lot of work in the loose. Either him or Gethin Jenkins here.
why are a lot of people puttin mccaw at openside and brussow at blindside? they are both opensides!!! numbers 6 & 7 are swapped by the saffas
Posted 23:20 20th December 2009
captaineight says...
Obviously this place is still dominated by Irish visitors...
Posted 22:35 20th December 2009
bluelion says...
15 - Rob Kearney
14- Tommy Bowe
13- Brian O'Driscoll
12- Jamie Roberts
11- Brian Habanna
10-Morne Styne
9- Fiore Du Preez
8- Jamie Heaslip
7- Henrik Brussow
6- Rocky Elsom
5- Victor Matfield
4- Bakkies Botha
3- Castrogiovani
2- Bismark DuPlessis
1- Gethin Jenkins
No ABs. Kiwis only come good at the end of the year. Bowe & Kearney really stepped up to a world class level this year.
All were outstanding in their positions. FdP & BoD stand out above everyone.
Posted 19:14 20th December 2009
benski says...
15. Rob Kearney - unbelieveable under the high ball
14. Tommy Bowe - Just seems to get better, beautiful lines.
13. B.O.D. - such belief right up the the last second in every game
12. Ma a Nonu - Not as silky as Roberts but the best finisher in the game
11. Cory Jane - I know, not an 11 but you have to include Bowe AND Jane both standout.
10. Dan Carter - Still the best although Jonny Wilkinson fans, watch this space.
9. Fourie Du Preez - no question here, easily the best in this position.
8. Rocky Elsom - For the same reason I have Jane at 11 I have Elsom at 8, you cant leave him out. Best No 8 of the season though was Heaslip.
7. Ricie McCaw - Too good a leader to leave out, not an outstanding year though.
6. Heinrich Brussow - Better than McCaw and getting better!
5. Victor Matfield - No more needs to be said.
4. Paul O'Connor - The man mountain that thinks as well.
3. Martin Castrogiovani - He never seems to stop working and pushed the Beast all over the park.
2. Bismark Du Plessis - The best around although if you wanted more leadership this place would have to go the John Smit.
1. Ben Robbinson - Unbelieveable find for the Aussies, easily the best in this position.
Posted 07:29 20th December 2009
BradS says...
Don't know much about Heaslip, but Louis Picamoles was a standout for France at number 8 and Ma'a Nonu also had a good year at inside centre for the ABs.
Posted 03:50 20th December 2009
Trinats says...
15 Adam Ashley-Cooper (every time he plays at full back he comes up with the goods)
14 Cory Jane - Still to prove himself but looks dangerous, had a great year
13 Brian O' Driscoll - A legend, we are watching.
12 Matt Giteau - by missing against Scotland proves he is human !!
11 Shane Williams - closing in on Campo !!!
10 Dan Carter - even on a bad day he is a class act (hate him for it).
9 Tie -Janie Du Preez (class act) out done though, by find of the season Will Geina (turned Aus season around, starting with 22 - 6 win over SA)
8 ME - unbeaten this year.
7 David Pocock - for a newcomer to keep George Smith (100+ tests) out . He is something special. Mccaw (the benchmark) had an ordinary season both S14 and tests. How did he win Player of the year ???
6 Rocky Elsom - More man of the matches this year than anyone else.
5 Victor Matfield - Class partnership with botha
4 Bakkies Botha - Class parthnership with Matfield
3 Martin Castrogivanni - imagine him in a top five ranked team.
2 Du Plessis ( reckon S Moore is better but that might be because of my one eye )
1 Benn Robinson - we can scrum !
Posted 11:48 19th December 2009
geewhizz says...
15. Adam Ashley- cooper - hes been the best from the start to finish
14. cory jayne - cant put a step wrong and just glides around the field
13. BOD - no one else really contending for that spot
12 jamie roberts - powerful and makes his outside centre look brilliant
11 sivivatu - great footwork and has improved under the highball
10. Dan carter - doesnt need an explination
09. fourie du preez - neither does he
08. Jamie Heaslip - a dominating performance in 6 nations and Lions tour
07. Richie McCaw - inspirational leader and IRB player of the year obvious choice
06. heinrich Brussow - was a stand out in the tri - nations with his ball steals
05. Brad thorn - passion and hunger keeps driving him to be the best
04. Victor Matfield - World class- and his domination at the lineout
03. neemia tialata - has improved greatly but will be a reserve next year cause of carl hayman
02. Bismarck Du Plessis - sold and dominating
01. Tony Woodcock - probably the best scrummager in the world and good in the field
Posted 02:32 19th December 2009
whatisthis says...
15-Rob Kearney- Excellent counter-attacker, Gigantic left boot which is a good option for a right footed out-half. Lee Byrne was good but was eclipsed by Kearney when he got injured
14-Tommy Bowe- Scores tries, never seems to make mistakes or pick the wrong option. Looks for work coming in off the wing.
13-Brian O'Driscoll- Mr. Fantastic. Running lines better than anybodies and a ferocious tackler and defensive organizer.
12-Jamie Roberts-Been a poor year for 12's, but Roberts was the best in my opinion.
11-Brian Habana- slow start to the year but came good by the end scoring a hat-trick for the baa-baa's.
10-Dan Carter- missed large portions of the year through injury but came back against France to show he's still the best around.
9-Fourie du Preez- without equal in this position.
8-Jamie Heaslip-Much hype before the lions tour about how do you stop the quick, powerful and dynamic Pierre Spies. in the end made little impact and was outshone by Heaslip every game.
7-Richie McCaw- McCaw showed his worth with the mighty all blacks being a shadow of themselves without him.
6-Stephen Ferris- was great in the 6N being, in my opinion, Ireland's most consistent player.
5-Victor Matfield- Best line out operator in the world and is a must for any team.
4-Paul O'Connell- Not a specialist 4 granted, but i believe O'Connell can add enough grunt to make the position his own.
3-Martin Castrogiovanni- Does what Italians do best, Scrummage.
2-Bismarck Du Plessis- Accurate lineouts, as shown when John Smit took over at Croke Park.
1-Benn Robinson- A revelation this season. Great scrummager, good technique, great around the park and soft hands for a prop as shown against wales when he and his fellow prop ben alexander showed the welsh backline how to do it.
Unlucky to miss out-Sivivatu, Giteau, Stephen Jones, Lobbe, Elsom, Botha, Ben Alexander
Posted 19:09 18th December 2009
eltonioh says...
15. Rob Kearney (hilarious how teams still think they can kick to him)
14. Tommy Bowe (hugely improved player class all season)
13. Brian O' Driscoll (real player of the year)
12. Jamie Roberts (showed what he can do with O' Driscoll and the lions)
11. Bryan Habana (SA need to utilise his talent more)
10. Dan Carter (Unlucky Giteau but this guy is unreal)
9. Fourie du Preez (Close 2nd for player of the year deadly kicking game)
8. Jamie Heaslip (Getting bigger and better all the time)
7. Richie McCaw (Best player in the world say most pro's hard to argue)
6. Rocky Elsom (Man mountain transformed Leinster Ferris unlucky with injury)
5. Victor Matfield (Best lock in the world just ahead of O' Connell)
4. Paul O' Connell (Class act, inspirational only guy who gave vic line out trouble)
3. Martin Castrogiovanni (Unreal scrummager gives away silly penalties though)
2. Andrew Hore (Seems to be under rated by a lot of people)
1. Benn Robinson (Just ahead of G. Jenkins both had superb seasons)
I'm Irish but i think i managed to be pretty fair and impartial with my
selection unlike one or two others here, a few players were unlucky
with injuries such as Lee Byrne and Sergio Parisse and there seems
to be a serious lack of quality tight heads worldwide no more so than
in our own team.
Posted 16:37 18th December 2009
charlobojangle says...
15 - Rob Kearney - No one has been as consistent.
14- Tommy Bowe - Breakthrough year
13- Brian O'Driscoll - Inspirational to say the least.
12-Maż Nonu - Out there on his own
11-Brian Habanna - Best finisher on the planet
10-Morne Styne - Great year all round
9- Fiore Du Preez - Amazing this year in all comps
8- Jamie Heaslip - Such an exciting 8
7- Henrik Brussow - Where he belongs. Better than McCaw (although still a little bollix)
6- Rocky Elsom - The greatest. Miss him as a Leinster fan
5- Paul O'Connell - Unlucky with the lions but so inspirational in the 6 nations and Lions
4- Victor Matfield - Not a 4 but wanted him and POC
3-Euan Murray - Beasted all year. Aus didn't know what hit em
2- Schalk Brits - My wild card. Class player
1-Cian Healy - Another breakthrough player. One for the future!
Posted 12:12 18th December 2009
kidfunk says...
15. Rob Kearney (Ire) - The one reason why teams might just quit playing ping-pong, destroyed the Springbok plan A. Muliana close second
14. Cory Jane (NZ) - Never put a foot wrong and ran some great lines, Bowe a very close second.
13. - O'Driscoll (Ire) - The sharpest mind on any rugby pitch, choreographs his teams, incredible tackling and poaching, breaks, interceptions and passes - played as an extra wing forward for Ireland when needed. Jacque Fourie close
12. - Roberts (Wales) - A revelation on the Lions tour and in his BaBas game and showed some class in the 6N and Heineken Cup.
11. - Habana (SA) - Clear winner, incredible with the BaBas when given the chance to contribute.
10. - Dan Carter (NZ) - Giteau and Stephen Jones a close second. The best of Steyn to come (consistency + temperment)
9. - FDP (SA)
8. Heaslip (Ire) - No contenders, perhaps the most under-rated of all this year, brilliant in Ireland's 6 nations, Leinster's Heineken Cup win + Magner's League run, the Lions tour and Ireland's Autumn games. Consistently awesome in the loose and the ruck, incredible ball carrier
7. Brussouw (SA) - He is a no.7 where I come from. Brussouw changed the game. McAwe loses to injury, he was missed by all. Moody and Pocock also had great years in what is the most important position on the park right now
6. Ferris (Ire) - Could have made the crucial difference for the Lions. Burger was quite good as well. Elsom deserves a mention, specifically for his work in the Heineken Cup. Dusatoir also great. Croft massively overrated.
5+4 - Matfield & Botha
3 - Martin Castrogiovanni - super scrummager, not many contenders in this position.
2 - Bismarck DuPlessis - Flannery close but ultimately we never got to see enough of him
1. - Ben Robinson - Might just get the Aussies interested in Union again. Jenkins also superb, very close call as both excel in the loose and the scrum.
Posted 23:42 17th December 2009