The best of the best

Our intrepid reporters got together after the final Tri-Nations game, between the Springboks and Wallabies, at the weekend and selected our Tri-Nations Team of the Tournament.

Peerless: Richie McCaw - our captain

There was some heated debates, although we had little difficulty in naming a fly-half and an openside flank. No, we didn't pick Jake White's sons - our openside flank fetches rugby balls on the field, not beers from the fridge.

Although, we could have done with Jake White's sons as the discussions carried on into the wee hours.

But let's not bore you with trivial details.

There are ten All Blacks in the side, three Springboks and two Wallabies. The reason is simple: New Zealand dominated the tournament because their players played better rugby!

Here's our 2006 Tri-Nations XV:

15 - Leon MacDonald (NZ):
There were strong arguments for Chris Latham and Mils Muliaina, but in the end we went for MacDonald because he performed in the matches that mattered, those first few rounds when the Kiwis were busy wrapping up the Tri-Nations trophy and the Bledisloe Cup.
Back-up: Chris Latham (Aus)

14 - Rico Gear (NZ):
This was a tough one, with nobody really standing out for us - which is why of the selection panel members moved Joe Rokocoko over to the right. But in the end we went with Gear, because he was the form wing in those early matches.
Back-up: Joe Rokocoko (NZ)

13 - Stirling Mortlock (Aus):
It was another position that caused some dry throats, but in the end we went for Australia's veteran outside centre, even though he seemed to struggled in the last couple of matches.
Back-up: Jaque Fourie (SA)

12 - Aaron Mauger (NZ):
One of the key players in a very successful New Zealand team. His experience, steady boot and cool head is what makes him a world-class player. Dan Carter missed him when he wasn't about.
Back-up: Matt Giteau (Aus)

11 - Lote Tuqiri (Aus):
Before his suspension, for what was really a very foolish act, he was the stand-out left-wing of the tournament. He'll be crucial to the Wallabies' cause at next year's Rugby World Cup.
Back-up: Bryan Habana (SA)

10 - Dan Carter (NZ):
No comment required - the perfect ten.
Back-up: André Pretorius (SA)

9 - Fourie du Preez (SA):
He showed his true worth in the latter stages of the tournament, with his experience and great boot keeping the massive Bok pack on the front foot. He seems to have finally convinced his detractors that he is South Africa's first choice at No.9.
Back-up: Byron Kelleher (NZ)

8 - Rodney So'oialo (NZ):
It was difficult to find a standout player, as this was one position where all the players produced performances way below expectations. But the burly All Black did enough to edge two Wallaby contenders.
Back-up: Wycliff Palu (Aus)

7 - Richie McCaw (NZ, captain):
Again, no comment required.
Back-up: Phil Waugh (Aus)

6 - Jerry Collins (NZ):
As a unit the Kiwi loose forwards were the most effective and Collins was a crucial part of that unit.
Back-up: Pierre Spies (SA)

5 - Victor Matfield (SA):
The master of the line-outs, and as the tournament progressed, so did his workrate in general play.
Back-up: Nathan Sharpe (Aus)

4 - Chris Jack (NZ):
He remains a pillar of strength in an All Black pack that does have some serious set-piece shortcomings.
Back-up: Dan Vickerman (Aus)

3 - Carl Hayman (NZ):
He stood like a rock in the scrums, but he didn't shirk his other duties.
Back-up: BJ Botha (SA)

2 - Keven Mealamu (NZ):
The quality in this department wasn't very high, but Mealamu showed his usual qualities - strong on the drive and a tireless worker.
Back-up: Jeremy Paul (Aus)

1 - Os du Randt (SA):
It was not just because he made Rodzilla (Rodney Blake) look like a second-rate club prop at the weekend. Du Randt has been scrumming like a demon the entire tournament. It was his workrate that won us over - and those big hits also helped his cause.
Back-up: Tony Woodcock (NZ)

Our individual selections:

Jan de Koning XV: 15 Leon MacDonald, 14 Rico Gear, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Aaron Mauger, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Daniel Carter,  9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jerry Collins, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Chris Jack, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Os du Rant.
 
Andy Jackson XV: 15 Malili Muliaina, 14 Rico Gear, 13 Stirling Mortlock, 12 Aaron Mauger, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Rocky Elsom, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jerry Collins, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Chris Jack, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Os du Randt.

Dave Morris XV: 15 Chris Latham, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Mils Muliaina, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jerry Collins, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Chris Jack, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Jeremy Paul, 1 Os du Randt.

Howard Kahn XV: 15 Chris Latham, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Mils Muliaina, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jerry Collins, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Chris Jack, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Os du Randt.

Danny Stephens XV: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Aaron Mauger, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Byron Kelleher, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jerry Collins, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Chris Jack, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Os du Randt

Paul Dobson XV: 15 Leon MacDonald, 14 Rico Gear, 13 Stirling Mortlock, 12 Aaron Mauger, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 George Smith, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jerry Collins, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Daniel Vickerman, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Os du Randt