Rons Tri-Nations XV thus far

With the Tri-Nations taking a break this weekend, I thought it was a good time to sit down and analyse what has happened thus far in the Tri-Nations. I think this is still one of the most wide open Tri-Nations we have seen in a very long time. I guess the South Africa victory in New Zealand which very few expected to happen is what has left this tournament wide open. What really will throw the cat amongst the pigeons is if New Zealand beat South Africa in Cape Town this weekend.

So from the games so far, I am going to name to you what I think has been the best XV so far. I know very few of you will agree with me, but I have tried to be as unbiased as possible and looked at this XV from a rugby fans point of view rather than as a supporter of a particular team:

We will start with the front row: I will go with an All Black front row of Somerville, Hore and Woodcock. In the second row, all the talk would be about the Matfield and Botha second row for the Springboks but these two have not really caught my eye thus far in the Tri-Nations so I will have to go with Ali Williams who has probably been the best lock thus far in the Tri-Nations and partnering him I would go with Australia’s Nathan Sharpe. Then the loose trio, Richie MacGaw, would obviously be first in my list but he has only played one game so thus it would not be fair to put him in my team based on one game (even though he played a cracker of a game). So in the flanks I would go for Australia’s George Smith and Rocky Elsom with Wyclef Palu as number 8.

At scrum-half, I will go with South Africa’s Ricky Januarie. He is not the greatest of scrum-half’s but he has had a pretty decent Tri-Nations so far and his try against the All Blacks just sticks out to me. I am not too sure if he will continue playing for the Springboks now that Fourie du Preez in now fit again. At fly-half, I do not think there is any argument here as it has to be New Zealand’s Dan Carter. At number 12, I will go for South Africa’s Jean de Villiers and at 13, Australia’s Sterling Mortlock. On the wings I will opt for Australia’s Lote Tuqiri and All Blacks winger, Sitiveni Sivivatu. At full-back, it has to be New Zealand’s, Mils Muliaina.

Thats my XV so far at the the mid way stage of the Tri-Nations. I some how do not think this XV will remain as it is as I am sure the South African players are now going to come to the party with three home matches in a row to play. I will be back when the Tri-Nations concludes with my final XV.