A touch of the Blues

It was an interesting opening weekend of Super 14, with all the new Experimental Law Variations (ELVs), new coaches and other intricacies.

It was an interesting opening weekend of Super 14, with all the new Experimental Law Variations (ELVs), new coaches and other intricacies.

However, as the saying goes: 'The cream rises to the top.'

We bring you the 15 outstanding players of the weekend and what an interesting mix.

Our team certainly has a touch of the Blues – with four men from the Auckland-based franchise making the side.

Next best is the Sharks with three members of our squad, followed by the Crusaders and Stormers with two each. The Reds, Bulls, Lions and Waratahs make up the numbers with one each.

Super 14 Team of the Week – Round One:

15 – Leon MacDonald (Crusaders):
What a way to celebrate your 100th game. He showed why he is rated as one of the best No.15s in the world.

14 – Digby Ioane (Reds):
He continued on from where he left at the Force and was one of the players that sparked the Reds' revival.

13 – Ice Toeava (Blues):
This creative midfield back has been cutting defences apart for some time now and it doesn't look as if is going to stop soon.

12 – Bradley Barritt (Sharks):
A unanimous decision. Enough said!

11 – Joe Rokocoko (Blues):
He still remains one of the most lethal finishers on the planet.

10 – Nick Evans (Blues):
The former Highlanders No.10 may not be Dan Carter, but Evans brings special qualities of his own to the game. It was an astute buy by the Blues.

9 – Fourie du Preez (Bulls):
He again showed at the weekend why he is rated the best scrumhalf in the world and only brain dead pundits would not have named him in their Team of the Year in 2007.

8 – Mose Tuiali'i (Crusaders):
Powerful as always and remain a handful for any defence. But it is his high work rate and allround game that gets him our vote.

7 – Franco van der Merwe (Lions):
He may be a blindside flank – as in South Africa openside flanks wear No.6 – but he produced a game that would have made most openside flanks proud. His try was not just a crucial score, but arguably the best touchdown of the weekend.

6 – Rocky Elsom (Waratahs):
This hard-working loose forward is one of the main reasons why the Waratahs dominated the Hurricanes – despite the star-studded nature of the opposition's line-up. To beat the likes of Rodney So'oialo and Jerry Collins take some doing.

5 – Troy Flavell (Blues):
He has not only shed his reputation as a bad boy, he has emerged as a truly great team leader.

4 – Johann Ackermann (Sharks):
Like a good red wine. He is a 1970 vintage!

3 – Brian Mujati (Stormers):
He put contractual disputes behind him to anchor a Stormers scrum that held the mighty Bulls at bay for most of the match.

2 – Tiaan Liebenberg (Stormers):
His performance against the Bulls at the weekend justified his selection for the Springbok team on the year-end tour last year.

1 – Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks):
He lived up to his nickname, Beast, with some immense hits on defence at the weekend, but he is equally impressive when carrying the ball up.

Individual selections for Week One:

Paul Dobson XV: 15 Leon MacDonald, 14 Digby Ioane, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Bradley Barritt, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 John Roe, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Troy Flavell, 4 Dan Vickerman, 3 Brian Mujati, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Beast Mtawarira.

Howard Kahn XV: 15 Lachie Turner, 14 Digby Ioane, 13 Ice Toeava, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Mose Tuiali'i, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Juan Smith, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Troy Flavell, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.

Steve Farrell XV: 15 Leon McDonald, 14 Timana Tahu, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Mose Tuiali'i, 7 Franco van der Merwe, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Johann Muller , 4 Brad Thorn, 3 John Afoa, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Beast Mtawarira.

Phil Coetzer XV: 15 Leon MacDonald, 14 Digby Ioane, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Mose Tuiali'i, 7 Franco van der Merwe, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Troy Flavell, 4 Johan Ackermann, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Beast Mtawarira.

Jan de Koning XV: 15 Lachie Turner, 14 Digby Ioane, 13 Ice Toeava, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Mose Tuiali'i, 7 Franco van der Merwe, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Johan Ackermann, 3 Brian Mujati, 2 Kevin Mealamu, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.