30 replies to this topic

[booboo]

Nominations for the prestigious “The Silver Fern TEAM OF THE YEAR” are now open in the “TSF Team of the Year & Alphabet teams” Forum

(Go to: http://www.daimenhut...-Alphabet-teams) or select 'TSF Team of the Year & Alphabet Teams' forum from the drop down menu forum selector thingy)

Nominations and voting will be by position. Please nominate player with your reasons on the individual position threads. Please post all reasoned or otherwise unreasonable arguments in favour of your nomination in the appropriate positional threads.

If perchance you disagree with a nomination, feel free to do so but you MUST furnish reasons for your disagreement! (Or run the risk of deletion!). Debate at this stage of the process is healthy and encouraged.

Stuff you need to know:

• nominee must have played at least one test match this calendar year
  
• nominations will remain open until they close, which will be when I get around to posting up polls in a week or two (sometime after Wales v Wobs … was going to start nominations after that, but reckon we get it started now!)
  
• judging panel (i.e., me) reserves the right to laugh uproariously and ridicule any nomination, and subsequently ignore them at their (my) sole discretion
  
• nominations without supporting reasons may be ignored by the judging panel at their (my) sole discretion.
  
• voting is entirely subjective and how you decide to vote is entirely individual: although this is the most scientific and logical Team of the Year in the know rugby universe, how we arrive at our final outcome may be entirely random.

Enjoy.

Edited by booboo, 15 December 2011 - 01:03 AM.
title update

[booboo]

Previous TSF TOTYs FYI

2005
1 Woodcock , Tony , NZL , 79.7%
2 Mealamu , Keven , NZL , 57.7%
3 Hayman , Carl , NZL , 97.0%
4 Williams , Ali , NZL , 63.4%
5 Matfield , Victor , RSA , 77.4%
6 Collins , Jerry , NZL , 56.4%
7 McCaw , Richie , NZL , 88.4%
8 So'oialo , Rodney , NZL , 37.8%
9 Ellisalde , Jean-Baptiste , FRA , 39.2%
10 Carter , Dan , NZL , 93.3%
12 Umaga , Tana , NZL , 77.4%
13 Jauzion , Yannick , FRA , 62.0%
11 Habana , Brian , RSA , 45.0%
14 Rokocoko , Joe , NZL , 57.8%
15 Latham , Chris , AUS , 43.2%

2006
1 Woodcock , Tony , NZL , 70.0%
2 Mealamu , Keven , NZL , 71.0%
3 Hayman , Carl , NZL , 91.0%
4 Matfield , Victor , RSA , 58.0%
5 O’Connell , Paul , IRE , 44.0%
6 Collins , Jerry , NZL , 70.0%
7 McCaw , Richie , NZL , 74.0%
8 So'oialo , Rodney , NZL , 47.0%
9 Kelleher , Byron , NZL , 32.0%
10 Carter , Daniel , NZL , 93.0%
12 McAlister , Luke , NZL , 30.0%
13 O’Driscoll , Brian , IRE , 62.0%
11 Sivivatu , Sitiveni , NZL , 64.0%
14 Rokocoko , Josevata , NZL , 68.0%
15 Latham , Chris , AUS , 49.0%

2007
1 Sheridan , Andrew , ENG , 40.0%
2 Smit , John , RSA , 64.6%
3 Hayman , Carl , NZL , 66.7%
4 Matfield , Victor , RSA , 85.8%
5 Williams , Ali , NZL , 62.0%
6 Collins , Jerry , NZL , 68.1%
7 McCaw , Richie , NZL , 45.5%
8 Longo , Gonzalo , ARG , 40.4%
9 du Preez , Fourie , RSA , 60.0%
10 Hernandez , Juan Martin , ARG , 61.7%
12 Contepomi , Philippe , ARG , 57.6%
13 Mortlock , Stirling , AUS , 75.0%
11 Habana , Brian , RSA , 87.4%
14 Howlett , Doug , NZL , 78.2%
15 Montgomery , Percy , RSA , 42.2%

2008
1 Woodcock , Tony , NZL , 80.00%
2 Moore , Stephen , AUS , 33.00%
2 Hore , Andrew , NZL , 33.00%
3 Somerville , Greg , NZL , 57.00%
4 Williams , Ali , NZL , 50.00%
5 Thorn , Brad , NZL , 80.00%
6 Kaino , Jerome , NZL , 64.00%
7 McCaw , Richard , NZL , 90.00%
8 So'oialo , Rodney , NZL , 74.00%
9 Weepu , Piri , NZL , 28.00%
10 Carter , Daniel , NZL , 100.00%
12 Mortlock , Stirling , AUS , 38.00%
12 de Villiers , Jean , RSA , 38.00%
12 Nonu , Ma’a , NZL , 66.00%
13 Smith , Conrad , NZL , 38.00%
11 Sivivatu , Sitiveni , NZL , 52.00%
14 Williams , Shane , WAL , 52.00%
15 Muliaina , Mils , NZL , 83.00%

2009
1 WOODCOCK , Tony , NZL , 43%
2 DuPLESSIS , Bismark , RSA , 71%
3 CASTROGIOVANNI , Martin , ITA , 53%
4 BOTHA , Bakkies , RSA , 50%
5 MATFIELD , Victor , RSA , 78%
6 DUSAUTOIR , Thierry , FRA , 27%
7 McCAW , Richie , NZL , 71%
8 SPIES , Pierre , RSA , 37%
9 DuPREEZ , Fourie , RSA , 81%
10 CARTER , Dan , NZL , 80%
12 ROBERTS , Jamie , WAL , 64%
13 SMITH , Conrad , NZL , 74%
11 SIVIVATU , Sitiveni , NZL , 66%
14 JANE , Cory , NZL , 64%
15 KEARNEY , Rob , IRE , 58%

2010
1 JENKINS , Gethin , WAL , 58%
2 MEALAMU , Keven , NZL , 56%
3 CASTROGIOVANNI , Martin , ITA , 36%
4 MATFIELD , Victor , RSA , 58%
5 THORN , Brad , NZL , 60%
6 KAINO , Jerome , NZL , 86%
7 McCaw , Richard , NZL , 81%
8 READ , Kieran , NZL , 91%
9 YOUNGS , Ben , ENG , 33%
10 CARTER , Daniel , NZL , 95%
12 NONU , Ma’a , NZL , 85%
13 SMITH , Conrad , NZL , 53%
11 MITCHELL , Drew , AUS , 52%
14 JANE , Corey , NZL , 74%
15 MULIAINA , Malili , NZL , 52.5%

Edited by booboo, 27 November 2011 - 10:59 AM.

[Billy Webb]

Given the kiwi love-in's we've had for this poll in years gone by, I'm not sure you even need to go through the nomination and voting process in the year the AB's managed to actually win the RWC booboo.
:truce:



I'm tempted to go and nominate Toeava for one of the positions just to spice things up a bit.

[Nepia]

Billy Webb said:

Given the kiwi love-in's we've had for this poll in years gone by, I'm not sure you even need to go through the nomination and voting process in the year the AB's managed to actually win the RWC booboo.
:truce:



I'm tempted to go and nominate Toeava for one of the positions just to spice things up a bit.

If you actually read those team lists SA players feature pretty prominently in the year you won the WC and the year you actually were the shit - 2009.

[booboo]

Just because nobody voted for Pierre Spies last year Billy no need to throw the toys . (One of my favourite moments doing these was when 10,000 wasn't enough characters to list the negatives against Spies last year ... ).

Oddly enough Bill - I reckon this year the NZers won't be as prominent. In all honesty as individuals ABs didn't stand out - which really further highlights Ted and Cartel's performance.

Unlike previous years when I reckon ABs were under represented. Saffers and others may protest but IMO you really have to struggle to put up a logical argument against the teams picked. But that is just my opinion.

I reckon the ABs may struggle to reach 50% of the XV this year. But we shall see how the people vote!

[Billy Webb]

Glad to see that at least some people are putting up a defence of previous years' selections!
Don't mean to be disparaging - keep up the sterling work.

But I'll leave you with 3 points in favour of my contention:

a) 56 out of 90 prior selections are kiwis - That's 62% when you have the whole rest of the world to choose from... Really?!
Ali Williams makes the lists.... 3 times!
c) Juan Smith doesn't make the lists EVER...

And just for the record (1)

booboo said:

Just because nobody voted for Pierre Spies last year Billy no need to throw the toys .

You can certainly add my name to those that didn't vote for Spies. I wouldn't have voted for him in 2009 either.
I always favoured the other show-pony Kankowski- who turned out just as flaky.



And just for the record (2)
I am of course engaging in this conversation somewhat tongue-in-cheek.

[booboo]

Billy Webb said:

I am of course engaging in this conversation somewhat tongue-in-cheek.

So am I ... but in reply:
a. NZ has been No1 in the world for most of the 6 years this has been going (and probably the best team in the world for even longer ). (And that first year the "nominations" were a collection of other published Teams of the Year/Season/6N/3N etc rather than getting independent nominations - so that may have skewwed further in NZ's favour. And I have no idea who Ellisalde is ... can't remember him at all!)
b. Ali deserved his selection. Was awesome. Emphasis on "was". Especially compared to Bakkies...
c. Collins, Dausautoir & Kaino - tough opposition. But yeah - I suspect Jerry got the reputation selection in '07 and maybe Smith may have got it (mixed in with a tiny smidge of Kiwi bias)

[BartMan]

Quote

Oddly enough Bill - I reckon this year the NZers won't be as prominent. In all honesty as individuals ABs didn't stand out - which really further highlights Ted and Cartel's performance.

Unlike previous years when I reckon ABs were under represented. Saffers and others may protest but IMO you really have to struggle to put up a logical argument against the teams picked. But that is just my opinion.

I only ever really watch the Tri nations, so have no idea on the other teams 'up north' to be fair, but when we go up there year after year and beat them all anyway, how can ANY of their players make the teams? And we usualy beat the Aussies and Boers too, so buggered if I know how any of them even get nominated...

This year though, as we have seen all the players just recently, we might get a better mix. Maybe.

[Scorz]

Re: Juan Smith, injury has cursed him Billy, so that might explain it?

[Billy Webb]

BartMan said:

I only ever really watch the Tri nations, so have no idea on the other teams 'up north' to be fair, but when we go up there year after year and beat them all anyway, how can ANY of their players make the teams? And we usualy beat the Aussies and Boers too, so buggered if I know how any of them even get nominated...

See! That's the kind of kiwi love-in I was referring to.
Bartman to my rescue.

The rest of you AB fans using facts, stats and well reasoned opinion to justify previous selections can just go take a hike.
No place for you here.

[booboo]

Billy Webb said:

See! That's the kind of kiwi love-in I was referring to.
Bartman to my rescue.

The rest of you AB fans using facts, stats and well reasoned opinion to justify previous selections can just go take a hike.
No place for you here.

Bloody Hell. I'd call for a ban for anyone doing that!

[booboo]

Get in quick people.

http://www.daimenhut...-Alphabet-teams

Esepcially you paranoid victimised South Africans. Wanna complain about certain forwards with naval first names not being regarded as the best in the world? Well he won't be picked unless you Nominate him ... (mind you I don't see what the fuss is about: Kev is better ).

Looking to go to polls later in the weekend.

[DMX]

Scorz said:

Re: Juan Smith, injury has cursed him Billy, so that might explain it?

And whats wrong with choosing Ali Williams, I think ABs have pretty much owned SA between 2005-2008 and Ali Williams was a huge part of that.

[booboo]

Gt in quick.

Vote now!

Have actualy opened them up for 10 days - which take sus through to nest friday evening QLD time. But I might just call time before then if things get slow. So get in now!!!

[booboo]

Missed Horwill off the Lock poll. Have now added. Let me know if you've voted and wanted to vote for him - may be able to fix.

[booboo]

The Siler Fern 2011 “Team of the Year” Announced

A perfect 100% vote for Jerome Kaino highlights a strong New Zealand contingent in the 2011 announcement of the prestigious TheSilverFern.com Team of the Year announced on Wednesday. The Rugby World Cup winning All Blacks contribute ten players to the roster, whilst three nations champions Australia provide four, all of whom are backs, along with single South African, Victor Matfield, at lock.

Given the All Blacks finish the year as World Champions and World Number 1 it is not surprising that they dominate the seventh annual TSF ToTY, chosen by poll, position by position, by the members of the respected website www.thesilverfern.com.

Kaino becomes only the second player (behind Dan Carter in 2008) in the seven year history of the annual poll to receive all votes cast for his position.

However, Kaino was not the only player selected to post a perfect record, but in Richie McCaw’s case the perfection came in terms of his continued selection. The All Blacks’ captain fantastic has made the team for the seventh straight year – the only player never to have missed selection.

Ensuring the All Black looseforward trio are kept together was Kieran Read making a repeat appearance in the TSF ToTY.

Despite Australia’s sputtering World Cup campaign four Wallabies are included in the XV. The blame for the Ozzie’s demise seems to have been placed squarely at the door of the forward pack as the Australian back three, wings James O’Connor and Digby Ioane, and fullback Kurtley Beale give the TSF ToTY a dangerous looking edge out wide. Will Genia’s strong early season form and constant threat saw him join his compatriots as he headed a strong field of halfback contenders.

In keeping with the pattern where the backrow and back three units have been selected together the frontrow and mid-field are also retained as units.

Veteran ToTY members Tony Woodcock (5^th cap) and Keven Mealamu (4^th) are joined by TSF rookie Owen Franks, who stood out on the tighthead side of the scrum, both with his scrumaging and general work around the park.

The All Black midfield of Nonu and Smith reappear together in midfield for the second consecutive year. They are joined by the man whose groin injury caused heart palpitations to the New Zealand rugby public whose incredible pre- and early RWC tournament form was irresistible.

It is at second row where the mini-unit selection pattern is broken as the two gnarly old veterans and rivals Brad Thorn and Victor Matfield are paired.

Finally, capping off the All Blacks’ stella year in reaching the pinnacle he, his team and their supporters had dreamed of for 24 years Graeme Henry is the overwhelming favourite to coach 2011’s team of the year.

The 2011 TSF ToTY (with percentage of the vote achieved) is:

[TABLE="width: 288"]
[TR]
[TD]1.
[/TD]
[TD]WOODCOCK
[/TD]
[TD]Tony;
[/TD]
[TD]NZL
[/TD]
[TD]66%
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2.
[/TD]
[TD]MEALAMU
[/TD]
[TD]Keven;
[/TD]
[TD]NZL
[/TD]
[TD]64%
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]3.
[/TD]
[TD]FRANKS
[/TD]
[TD]Owen;
[/TD]
[TD]NZL
[/TD]
[TD]88%
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]4.
[/TD]
[TD]THORN
[/TD]
[TD]Brad;
[/TD]
[TD]NZL
[/TD]
[TD]73%
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]5.
[/TD]
[TD]MATFIELD
[/TD]
[TD]Victor;
[/TD]
[TD]RSA
[/TD]
[TD]41%
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]6.
[/TD]
[TD]KAINO
[/TD]
[TD]Jerome;
[/TD]
[TD]NZL
[/TD]
[TD]100%
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]7.
[/TD]
[TD]McCAW
[/TD]
[TD]Richard;
[/TD]
[TD]NZL
[/TD]
[TD]61%
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]8.
[/TD]
[TD]READ
[/TD]
[TD]Kieran;
[/TD]
[TD]NZL
[/TD]
[TD]43%
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]9.
[/TD]
[TD]GENIA
[/TD]
[TD]Will;
[/TD]
[TD]AUS
[/TD]
[TD]30%
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]10.
[/TD]
[TD]CARTER
[/TD]
[TD]Dan;
[/TD]
[TD]NZL
[/TD]
[TD]82%
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]12.
[/TD]
[TD]NONU
[/TD]
[TD]Ma'a;
[/TD]
[TD]NZL
[/TD]
[TD]94%
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]13.
[/TD]
[TD]SMITH
[/TD]
[TD]Conrad;
[/TD]
[TD]NZL
[/TD]
[TD]89%
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]11.
[/TD]
[TD]IOANE
[/TD]
[TD]Digby;
[/TD]
[TD]AUS
[/TD]
[TD]86%
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]14.
[/TD]
[TD]O'CONNOR
[/TD]
[TD]James;
[/TD]
[TD]AUS
[/TD]
[TD]49%
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]15.
[/TD]
[TD]BEALE
[/TD]
[TD]Kurtley;
[/TD]
[TD]AUS
[/TD]
[TD]60%
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Coach
[/TD]
[TD]HENRY
[/TD]
[TD]Graeme;
[/TD]
[TD]NZL
[/TD]
[TD]91%
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

[booboo]

Caps to date over 7 years:

[TABLE="width: 296"]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[TD]Woodcock[/TD]
[TD]Tony[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Sheridan[/TD]
[TD]Andrew [/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]JENKINS[/TD]
[TD]Gethin[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]2[/TD]
[TD]Mealamu[/TD]
[TD]Keven[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Smit[/TD]
[TD]John [/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Moore[/TD]
[TD]Stephen[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Hore[/TD]
[TD]Andrew[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]DuPLESSIS[/TD]
[TD]Bismark[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]3[/TD]
[TD]Hayman[/TD]
[TD]Carl[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Somerville[/TD]
[TD]Greg[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]CASTROGIOVANNI[/TD]
[TD]Martin[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]FRANKS[/TD]
[TD]Owen[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]4[/TD]
[TD]Williams[/TD]
[TD]Ali[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]5[/TD]
[TD]Matfield[/TD]
[TD]Victor[/TD]
[TD]6[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]O’Connell[/TD]
[TD]Paul[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Thorn[/TD]
[TD]Brad[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]BOTHA[/TD]
[TD]Bakkies[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]6[/TD]
[TD]Collins[/TD]
[TD]Jerry[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Kaino[/TD]
[TD]Jerome[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]DUSAUTOIR[/TD]
[TD]Thierry[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]7[/TD]
[TD]McCaw[/TD]
[TD]Richie[/TD]
[TD]7[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]8[/TD]
[TD]So'oialo[/TD]
[TD]Rodney[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Longo[/TD]
[TD]Gonzalo [/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Spies[/TD]
[TD]Pierre[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Read[/TD]
[TD]Kieran[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]9[/TD]
[TD]Ellisalde[/TD]
[TD]Jean-Baptiste[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Kelleher[/TD]
[TD]Byron[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]du Preez[/TD]
[TD]Fourie [/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Weepu[/TD]
[TD]Piri[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]YOUNGS[/TD]
[TD]Ben[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]GENIA[/TD]
[TD]Will[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]10[/TD]
[TD]Carter[/TD]
[TD]Dan[/TD]
[TD]6[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Hernandez[/TD]
[TD]Juan Martin [/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]12[/TD]
[TD]Umaga[/TD]
[TD]Tana[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]McAlister[/TD]
[TD]Luke[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Contepomi[/TD]
[TD]Philippe [/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]*[/TD]
[TD]Mortlock[/TD]
[TD]Stirling[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]de Villiers[/TD]
[TD]Jean[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Nonu[/TD]
[TD]Ma’a[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]ROBERTS[/TD]
[TD]Jamie[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]13[/TD]
[TD]Jauzion[/TD]
[TD]Yannick[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]O’Driscoll[/TD]
[TD]Brian[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]*[/TD]
[TD]Mortlock[/TD]
[TD]Stirling[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Smith[/TD]
[TD]Conrad[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]11[/TD]
[TD]Habana[/TD]
[TD]Brian[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Sivivatu[/TD]
[TD]Sitiveni[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]MITCHELL[/TD]
[TD]Drew[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]IOANE[/TD]
[TD]Digby[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]14[/TD]
[TD]Rokocoko[/TD]
[TD]Joe[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Howlett[/TD]
[TD]Doug[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Williams[/TD]
[TD]Shane[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Jane[/TD]
[TD]Corey[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]O'CONNOR[/TD]
[TD]James[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]15[/TD]
[TD]Latham[/TD]
[TD]Chris[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Montgomery[/TD]
[TD]Percy [/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Muliaina[/TD]
[TD]Malili[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]KEARNEY[/TD]
[TD]Rob[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]BEALE[/TD]
[TD]Kurtley[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

[Rembrandt]

Good work Booboo, I wonder what the chances of Richie making it 8 in a row..Pocock and Warburton can't be far off

[antipodean]

Billy Webb said:

a) 56 out of 90 prior selections are kiwis - That's 62% when you have the whole rest of the world to choose from... Really?!

Under represented when you consider their winning percentage during that time was 86%

Rembrandt said:

Good work Booboo, I wonder what the chances of Richie making it 8 in a row..Pocock and Warburton can't be far off

Watching Warburton, I'd not be surprised if he gets it before Pocock; especially if people don't vote based on just the Snore Nations. He looks to be a more complete player.


Interesting the variety of opinion surrounding the scrum half.

[taniwharugby]

I like the look of the Paddy 7, O'Brien. McCaw reckons he's still got plenty in him, and would prefer to do it at 7 as well!

Team looks about what I voted for

[rustycruiser]

Rugby365 reader's team of the year (most readers are Saffas, I would hazard)

15 - Andrea Masi (Italy): The first position produced something of a surprise result as the Italian dynamo came from behind thanks to some passionate support from plenty of his countrymen. New Zealand's Israel Dagg made the early running and looked to be taking it at a canter before rugby365.com's army of Italian readers came out of the woodwork and catapulted their man to a narrow victory. Masi garnered 39% of the votes (although some of his supporters sneakily tried to vote more than once) to beat off Dagg who suffered a bit of a heartbreaker with 36%. Kurtley Beale also had his fair share of support at 27%, but perhaps his fans are not as committed to the cause as Masi's fan club.
14 - James O'Connor (Australia): The Wallaby wunderkind left the two other candidates eating his dust as he claimed an overwhelming 86% of the votes to secure the right wing berth. England's swallow-diving flyer Chris Ashton managed the remaining 14% while rockin Rod Davies failed to trouble the scorers.
13 - Jaque Fourie (South Africa): The Springbok midfielder proved a popular choice even though he was up against two of the best in the business. Fourie managed 56% of the votes cast while World Cup-winning All Blacks centre Conrad Smith was also well represented with 29%. Irish legend Brian O'Driscoll got a few sentimental votes but was never a serious contender ending with 15%.
12 - Ma'a Nonu (New Zealand): The All Blacks ace brushed off the challenge of burly Jamie Roberts and claimed a massive 82% of the votes cast, while the Welsh battering ram managed 15% leaving Sonny Bill Williams to make up the numbers with just 3% of the votes.
11 - Digby Ioane (Australia): The break-dancing bullet came desperately close to a clean sweep of all the votes after a sensational year which saw him shine in every tournament he competed in. Up against the Welsh wizard Shane Williams Ioane cruised home with 97% of the votes.
10 - Dan Carter (New Zealand): Although he spent a large portion of the year on the sidelines and he was up against Quade Cooper who won the Super Rugby and Tri-Nations titles the All Blacks playmaker waltzed to victory with an overwhelming 97%. Interestingly Cooper, who had a World Cup howler, won less votes than young Welshman Rhys Priestland who got twice as many votes as the controversial Wallaby.
9 - Will Genia (Australia): The scrumhalf position also saw something of a landslide with the Wallaby general winning 78% of the votes. Welsh scrumhalf Mike Phillips garnerd the remaining 12% thanks to his strong showing at the World Cup while France's Morgan Parra did not feature.
8 - Kieran Read (New Zealand): This was another competitive position with Read's main challenger coming in the form of Azzurri skipper Sergio Parisse. However, the All Blacks hard man came out on top with 55% of the votes while Parisse, who is clearly admired for his quality performances in a battling cause, won 36%. France's Imanol Harinordoquy claimed the remaining 9% while Australia's Radike Samo trudged off with a duck.
7 - David Poock (Australia): The Wallaby jackal claimed the narrowest of victories from legendary All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw in what was, as usual, a fierce contest between the two. In the end Pocock edged it by getting 51% of the votes while McCaw impressed 49% of you, perhaps the All Blacks captain can console himself by shining the Webb Ellis Cup.
6 - Jerome Kaino (New Zealand): The powerful Kaino steamrollered his opposition one more time in 2011, claiming 74% of your votes while Ireland's Sean O'Brien and Springbok No.6 Heinrich Brussow shared the rest of the spoils.
5 - Victor Matfield (South Africa): The Springbok line-out king managed one final accolade (one of the more prestigious?) as he was clearly admired for his dominant performance over rival James Horwill in the World Cup quarterfinal. Horwill, who skippered the Reds to Super Rugby glory and led the Wallabies in their victorious Tri-Nations campaign will probably be quite relieved to see the back of Matfield who managed 69% of the votes to his 31%.
4 - Brad Thorn (New Zealand): The All Blacks veteran capped a glittering career with a World Cup victory and won particular admiration for the way he maintained his high standards right until the end. He is surely one of the hardest men to take the field in international rugby and this was reflected in his clean sweep, with his only rival Richie Gray walking away empty handed without even a sympathy vote.
3 - Martin Castrogiovanni (Italy): The hairy Italian beast who gives looseheads all over the world sleepless nights was the favourite, winning 56% of the votes while All Blacks rock Owen Franks also proved to be a popular choice (mainly amongst the Kiwi readers) and he got 31% while France's Nicolas Mas made up the difference with 13%.
2 - Bismarck du Plessis (South Africa): Despite the fact that he did not start regularly this year Bok rake Du Plessis still managed to march to victory with 88% of the votes. The two hookers that competed in the World Cup Final - Keven Mealamu and William Servat - won 6% each to round things out.
1 - Wyatt Crockett (New Zealand): He may not have been good enough for Graham Henry's World Cup squad but he certainly did enough to impress our readers and powered his way into the front row with 61% of the votes. Springbok loosehead Gurthro Steenkamp garnered 30% despite spending long periods sidelined through injury.

http://www.rugby365....se2/2830024.htm

[Bones]

Some very strange 'selections' - or even candidates there. Rod Davies? Wyatt Crockett?

[rustycruiser]

Bones said:

Some very strange 'selections' - or even candidates there. Rod Davies? Wyatt Crockett?

I think the selections were reader nominated, as well as the voting. And clearly Club/Super form played a role in nominating, whereas the TSF poll is limited to tests only.

The differences are full back, outside center, openside (although basically a tie), and the entire front row. I don't have a huge issue with any other than full back.

[Nepia]

rustycruiser said:

I think the selections were reader nominated, as well as the voting. And clearly Club/Super form played a role in nominating, whereas the TSF poll is limited to tests only.

The differences are full back, outside center, openside (although basically a tie), and the entire front row. I don't have a huge issue with any other than full back.

I have an issue with Fourie, any other year there would be no problem but I can't even remember anything of substance he did this year.

The club/provincial/super form certainly makes the voting confusing. Crockett not good enough for the ABs yet good enough for the team of the year.

And WTF was Brussow doing the in the blindside voting?

Saffa's rate Dagg better than Kiwis do is also interesting.

Bbarcs will be happy to see Springbok reserve hooker the Battleship in the team of the year!

No votes (or nominations) for the IRB player of the year?

Still, apart from the real odd selections pretty close to our teams - I wonder how close it would get if just on international form?

[rustycruiser]

Nepia said:

I have an issue with Fourie, any other year there would be no problem but I can't even remember anything of substance he did this year.

Huge Super 15 for the Stormers + Saffa voters. He is identical to Conrad Smith in that fans from his own country tend to rate him much higher than those from other countries. See also Brad Thorn and Tony Woodcock.

[Nepia]

rustycruiser said:

Huge Super 15 for the Stormers + Saffa voters. He is identical to Conrad Smith in that fans from his own country tend to rate him much higher than those from other countries. See also Brad Thorn and Tony Woodcock.

I'm not arguing against his abilities, just how he went this year. A bit like the Dusatior situation, there is no doubt he is a great player, but better than Kaino this year - no way. I can understand the Saffas giving him the vote, still think it is contentious though. In a year of no 13's really standing out (Conrad Smith did enough but wasn't as good as he has been in the past - but we needed a solid centre at the WC), he stood out less.

You Saffas seem to rate Thorn pretty highly going by that poll! And Woodcock, well he has a WC winners medal and the Saffa fans choice sat at home in Christchurch watching - is Crockett the reverse of this theory, we don't rate him as much as other countries do.

It seems to me that Super rugby was the actual determinant in this poll given the Fourie and Crockett selections and Rod Davies even being mentioned.

[rustycruiser]

Clarification re : Woodcock and Thorn higher rating. I was speaking more overall (entire career) than these specific polls. But I digress. It really is slow time of year when this is pretty much all we have to halfheartedly kind of talk about.

[Nepia]

rustycruiser said:

Clarification re : Woodcock and Thorn higher rating. I was speaking more overall (entire career) than these specific polls. But I digress. It really is slow time of year when this is pretty much all we have to halfheartedly kind of talk about.

I know, I can't stand cricket so these summer months drive me crazy on the Fern!

[rustycruiser]

Planet Rugby Readers' Team of the Year. Overall, the starting 15 is pretty similar to the teams above (TSF and Rugby365). But the others receiving votes are much more NH centric.


15 Israel Dagg: No doubts about your selection here: The All Blacks and Crusaders full-back garnered nearly 60 percent of your votes. Kurtley Beale was next best with 30 percent while Isa Nacewa got just under 10 percent.

14 George North: This was the closest result in any position as the Welsh youngster pipped another young gun, James O'Connor, by a single vote! North got 23 percent of the vote with Toulouse flyer Vincent Clerc and Hurricanes wing Cory Jane also losing out narrowly.

13 Conrad Smith: A relatively clear winner here as the All Blacks stalwart bagged 34 percent of the vote. Ireland and Leinster veteran Brian O'Driscoll got 23 percent with Manu Tuilagi the only England player to feature in any position with just 18 percent.

12 Ma'a Nonu: An easy win for the IRB Player of the Year nominee with just under two thirds of the vote (62 percent). Jamie Roberts was next best with 25 percent.

11 Digby Ioane: The biggest winner in any position with a whopping 71 percent of your nominations. As was the case when he took the field, no one else even came close to the Reds and Wallabies speedster.

10 Dan Carter: We thought it would be close contest but in the end DC got nearly half your votes, pulling in 45 percent. Quade Cooper narrowly beat Rhys Priestland to a spot on the bench, with 17 percent compared to the Welshman's 15.

9 Will Genia: Another big winner from the Wallabies. The Reds scrum-half was an overwhelming favourite, getting 61 percent of the votes compared to just 16 percent for Mike Phillips.

8 Imanol Harinordoquy: The Biarritz and France hardman is the losing World Cup finalists' only representative in your starting XV. 55 percent of you picked him ahead of Kieran Read, who had only 18 percent.

7 David Pocock: This was probably the toughest choice for most of you with a number of candidates up for the openside berth. Pocock was a convincing winner however with 43 percent of the ballots. IRB Player of the Year Thierry Dusautoir got 26 percent; Sam Warburton got 21 while Richie McCaw got just 10 percent. South African Player of the Year Schalk Burger got only a handful.

6 Jerome Kaino: New Zealand's Player of the Year is also your favourite blindside, winning 46 percent of the votes. Irishman Sean O'Brien bagged 27 percent of your ballots, beating Dusautoir for a place on the bench by a single vote.

5 Victor Matfield: In his last year as a player, the Bulls skipper still had enough in the tank to win 44 percent of your votes, while Wallabies captain James Horwill was next best with 37 percent.

4 Brad Thorn: A clear winner here as the Crusaders veteran maintains his spot in the second row from last year with 64 percent of the your votes...and a World Cup-winner's medal.

3 Owen Franks: Another All Black from last year's team. Franks got 34 percent of the vote, just ahead of Martin Castrogiovanni with 29 percent. France prop Nicolas Mas was the only other real candidate with 18 percent.

2 Bismarck du Plessis: The Sharks and Boks hooker was a big favourite, winning more than half your votes at 53 percent to get promoted from last year's bench. He trades places with William Servat, who got 15 percent.

1 Cian Healy: Healy's role in Leinster's Heineken Cup win and the upset over the Wallabies at the World Cup is rewarded with Ireland's only place in your team. He got 36 percent of the vote compared to Soane Tonga'uiha's 20 percent.

[antipodean]

Hmm two jokes in Planet Rugby's selection;

• Cian Healy, and
  
• McCaw only getting 10 per cent of the vote.