Dream Team: Round Three

FR Andrew Hore (HUR) 365
FR Ti'i Paulo (CRU) 310

LK Anthony Boric (BLU) 340
LK Michael Paterson (HUR) 250

LF George Smith (BRM) 445
LF Heinrich Brussouw (CHE) 415

HV Morne Steyn (BUL) 570
HV Francois Hougaard (BUL) 430

CT Michael Hobbs (HGH) 395
CT Ashley Adam-Cooper (BRM) / Ryan Cross (FOR) 390

OB Cory Jane (HUR) 590
OB Rene Ranger (BLU) 440

5 try bonus 200

Total Points 5,140

Pienaar: the Ruin of Durban

The Sharks have managed to slip from dire to worse, winless after 3 games into the new Super 14 season. How has a team laden with Springboks, and serious title contenders the past few years, fallen so far? The answer lies with one man, and one position -- Ruan Pienaar.

It might seem wrong to blame the malaise of a team on one individual, or one position, but I think it's important to look at the history.

In 2007, the Sharks were beaten finalists, but were head-and-shoulders the best team in the competition - only two moments of madness from Francios Steyn saw them snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Pienaar was at scrumhalf, with Butch James at flyhalf, but it was Pienaar who commanded the team - he was confident, dynamic, and quite possibly the best scrumhalf in the world... or at least 2nd behind Du Preez.

When Butch James left, the interesting experiment of playing Pienaar at flyhalf began... and that's where the decline started. Pienaar has steadily lost confidence with each passing week, and the Sharks have missed his spark. They have become a defensive side, incapable of the superb counter-attacking ability they used to display. The backline has had no impetus for a couple seasons now. Pienaar is unhappy, his confidence in ruins, and he's a shadow of his former self. The time has come to end the experiment, restore him to his chosen position, and rebuild a shattered career.

Peter De Villiers is right, Ruan Pienaar is the Tiger Woods of rugby - right after he crashed his Navigator and got clubbed by his wife... But in all seriousness, he is as important to the Sharks as Du Preez is to the Springboks and Bulls. They are ineffective without him, and as good a player as Kockett is, he is more the Rory Sabbatini of rugby - a good scrapper, but lacking true greatness.

Return Pienaar to scrumhalf - it doesn't even matter who plays flyhalf (as long as its not John Smit looking to extend his career... but that's a different story) - and the Sharks will rise again. Better to be the 2nd best scrumhalf in the world, than a mediocre flyhalf.

Week Three: Kynan's Team

NO POOFTAHS - Facebook S14

*New buys in italics

FR Tatafu Polatu-Nau (WAR) - $1,010,000

FR Andrew Hore (HUR) - $1,222,500

LK Michael Paterson (CRU) - $952,500

LK Sam Wykes (FOR) - $517,500

LF Matt Hodgson (FOR) - $902,500

LF Rocky Elsom (BRU) - $1,237,500

HV Morne Steyn (BUL) - $1,442,500

HV Rory Kockott (SHK) - $925,000

CT Ma'a Nonu (HUR) - $1,295,000

CT James O'Connor (FOR) - $1,125,000

OB Israel Dagg (HGH) - $960,000

OB Zac Guilford (CRU) - $812,500

Team Value: $12,402.500

Cash in Bank: $14,750

Back with a vengeance! Last week, I was only 100 points or so off the leaders... but still a lot of ground to make up. I moved from 34th to 17th position, and will hopefully half that deficit again this week and break into the top 10.

In order to conserve trades, and because I'm pretty happy with my team, I've only made one change this week. The benched De Malmanche is out, and Polatu-Nau is in. He's not a big scorer, but he's certainly consistent - earning 240 both games thus far.

I'm expecting big numbers from my Force and Hurricanes players - both those games should be high scoring affairs - taking on the leaky Chiefs and Lions respectively. Dagg should also post some big numbers against the notoriously porous Cheetahs - though I must admit, they seem to solidified on defense... oh wait, it was probably just the Sharks complete inability to penetrate on attack.

After a disastrous start, my confidence is returning... the shame is subsiding... the arrogant swagger re-emerging... here I come.

Week Three: Andrew's Team

THE ORCADIANS - Facebook S14

*New buys in italics

FR Keven Mealamu (BLU) - $1,230,000

FR Ti'i Paulo (CRU) - $1,017,500

LK Nathan Sharpe (FOR) - $1, 050,000

LK Michael Paterson (HUR) - $912,500

LF Rocky Elsom (BRU) - $1,172,500

LF Liam Messam (CHF) - $1,105,O00

HV Daniel Carter (CRU) - $1,295,000

HV Morne Steyn (BUL) - $1,435,000

CT Ma'a Nonu (HUR) - $1,272,500

CT Michael Hobbs (HGH) - $677,500

OB Lelia Masaga (CHF) - $980,000

OB David Smith (HUR) - $1,037,500

Team Value: $13,185,000

Cash in Bank: $15,150

With de Malmanche benched (and scoring poorly last week), I replaced him with Paulo who has been a solid earner so far.

I swapped both my locks. Michael Paterson's been playing in the backrow and therefore is likely to earn more points than most locks. Nathan Sharpe's an old TR workhorse and always seems to earn close to 200, which makes him one of the better performers in this lowest scoring of all the positions.

With Spies out, it was an easy choice to swap him for Elsom after Rocky's awesome performance last week. In the other slot, I plumped for Liam Messam, with the expectation that the Chiefs will dominate the injury-ravaged Western Force.

I stuck with Carter, though many clearly didn't seeing how much his price dived this week. He's certainly been underperforming by his own high standards of late, but he's still a class act. Likewise Steyn, unsurprisingly, stays put.

Nonu's getting back to his old point scoring form and up against the leaky Lions this week, he's sure to be among the highest scorers. I swapped Smith for the Highlanders' Michael Hobbs, whose point scoring thus far is in stark contrast to his ridiculously low cost.

In the backs, I sold the injured Sivivatu for his replacement Lelia Masaga, who has regularly been among the best TR performers in previous seasons. Alongside him, is the Hurricane's David Smith, who, like Nonu, will hopefully have a field day in Wellington against the most suicidal team in the competition.

Remember the byes kick in next weekend, so sell your Bulls and Western Force players as soon as this round locks.

Week Three: Team Announcements

Crusaders vs Sharks, Christchurch, Friday 08:35

Crusaders - 15 Jared Payne, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 George Whitelock, 6 Kieran Read (c), 5 Brad Thorn, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Ti’i Paulo, 1 Wyatt Crockett.

Subs: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Owen Franks, 18 Joe Wheeler, 19 Richie McCaw, 20 Kahn Fotuali’i, 21 Adam Whitelock, 22 Colin Slade.

Sharks – 15. Stefan Terblanche, 14. Odwa Ndungane, 13. Waylon Murray, 12. Adrian Jacobs, 11. JP Pietersen, 10. Ruan Pienaar, 9. Rory Kockott, 8. Ryan Kankowski, 7. Willem Alberts, 6. Jacques Botes, 5. Johaan Muller, 4. Steven Sykes, 3. John Smit (c), 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 1. Tendai Mtawarira.

Subs: 16 Deon Carstens, 17 Jannie du Plessis, 18. Wilhelm Steenkamp , 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Keegan Daniel, 21. Andy Goode, 22. Riaan Swanepoel.

Stormers vs Brumbies, Cape Town, Friday 19:10

Stormers – 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Juan de Jongh, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Ricky Januarie, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Pieter Louw, 5 Andries Bekker (c), 4 De Kock Steenkamp, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 JC Kritzinger.

Subs: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Eusebio Guinazu, 18 Anton van Zyl, 19 Pieter Myburgh, 20 Dewaldt Duvenage, 21 Lionel Cronje, 22 Sireli Naqelevuki.

Brumbies – 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Pat McCabe, 13 Stirling Mortlock, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Francis Fainifo, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Stephen Hoiles (c), 7 George Smith, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Ben Hand, 3 Salesi Maafu, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Alexander.

Subs: 16 Huia Edmonds, 17 Guy Shepherdson, 18 Justin Harrison, 19 Mitchell Chapman, 20 Patrick Phibbs, 21 Matt Toomua, 22 Tyrone Smith.

Hurricanes vs Lions, Wellington, Saturday 08:35

Hurricanes – 15 Cory Jane, 14 Tamati Ellison, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11David Smith, 10 Willie Ripia, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Michael Paterson, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Bryn Evans, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore (captain), 1 John Schwalger.

Subs: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Jacob Ellison, 18 Nick Crosswell, 19 Scott Waldrom, 20 Tyson Keats, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Andre Taylor

Lions – 15 Earl Rose, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Deon Van Rensburg, 12 Doppies La Grange, 11 Wandile Mjekevu, 10 Carlos Spencer, 9 JP Joubert, 8 Todd Clever, 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (c), 5 George Earl, 4 Franco Van der Merwe, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Hannes Franklin, 1 Heinke Van der Merwe.

Subs: 16 Charles Emslie, 17 Kevin Buys, 18 Jacques Lombaard, 19 Robert Kruger, 20 Jacques Coetzee, 21 Walter Venter, 22 Michael Killian.

Reds vs Blues, Brisbane, Saturday 10:40

Reds – 15 Peter Hynes, 14 Digby Ioane, 13 Morgan Turinui, 12 Anthony Faingaa, 11 Rod Davies, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia (captain), 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Jake Schatz, 5 Van Humphries, 4 Adam Byrnes, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Ben Daley.

Subs: 16 Sean Hardman, 17 Greg Holmes, 18 Rob Simmons, 19 Leroy Houston, 20 Richard Kingi, 21 Tim Walsh, 22 Will Chambers.

Blues – 15 Paul Williams, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Serge Lilo, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Anthony Boric, 4 Kurtis Haiu, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Keven Mealamu (captain), 1 John Afoa.

Subs: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Tony Woodcock, 18 Filo Paulo, 19 Viliami Ma'afu, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 22 Lachie Munro/George Pisi.

Force vs Chiefs, Perth, Saturday 13:05

Force – 15 Mark Bartholomeusz, 14 Scott Staniforth, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Mitchell Inman, 11 Nic Cummins, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Sam Wykes, 7 Matt Hodgson, 6 Ben McCalman, 5 Nathan Sharpe (c), 4 Tom Hockings, 3 Tim Fairbrother, 2 Pek Cowan, 1 Nic Henderson.

Subs: TBC

Chiefs – 15 Mike Delany, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Dwayne Sweeney, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Colin Bourke, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam (c), 5 Culum Retallick, 4 Romana Graham, 3 Nathan White, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Sona Taumalolo

Subs: 16. Aled de Malmanche, 17. Ben Afeaki, 18. Jarrad Hoeata, 19. Luke Braid , 20. Junior Poluleuligaga, 21. Jackson Willison, 22. Tim Nanai-Williams.

Cheetahs vs Highlanders, Bloemfontein, Saturday 17:05

Cheetahs - 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Danwel Demas, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Naas Olivier, 9 Tewis de Bruyn, 8 Frans Viljoen, 7 Juan Smith (c), 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 David de Villiers, 4 Nico Breedt, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Wian du Preez.

Subs: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Waltie Vermeulen, 19 Ashley Johnson, 20 Sarel Pretorius, 21 Sias Ebersohn, 22 Hennie Daniller.

Highlanders – 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith 13 Kendrick Lynn, 12 Jason Shoemark, 11 Fetu’u Vainikolo, 10 Michael Hobbs, 9 Jimmy Cowan (c); 8 Adam Thomson, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 John Hardie, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Clint Newland, 2 Jason Rutledge, 1 Jamie Mackintosh.

Subs: 16 Jason MacDonald, 17 Chris King, 18 Hayden Triggs, 19 Tim Boys, 20 Sean Romans, 21 Matt Berquist, 22 James Paterson.

Bulls vs Waratahs, Pretoria, Saturday 19:10

Bulls – 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Stephan Dippenaar, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Danie Rossouw, 7 Pedrie Wannenburg, 6 Derick Kuün, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.

Subs: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Bees Roux, 18 Deon Stegmann, 19 Dewald Potgieter, 20 Heini Adams, 21 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 22 John Mametsa/Jaco van der Westhuyzen.

Waratahs - 15 Sosene Anesi, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Tom Carter, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Daniel Halangahu, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Phil Waugh (c), 6 Ben Mowen, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Dave Dennis, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.

Subs: 16 Damien Fitzpatrick, 17 Sekope Kepu, 18 Will Caldwell, 19 Locky McCaffrey, 20 Josh Holmes, 21 Kurtley Beale, 22 Rob Horne.

2010 S14 Byes

Round three will be the last weekend in which all the teams are involved until round eleven. Byes can play havoc with your team if you're short on transfers but it's also an opportunity to pick up players on the cheap once their price drops. Here's a list of the upcoming byes for the 2010 season:

Round 4 - Bulls/Force
Round 5 - Cheetahs/Blues
Round 6 - Reds/Chiefs
Round 7 - Stormers/Crusaders
Round 8 - Brumbies/Lions
Round 9 - Sharks/Hurricanes
Round 10 - Waratahs/Highlanders

Dream Team: Round Two

FR Jason Rutledge (HGH) 395
FR Tiaan Liebenburg (STM) 370

LK Jaques Lombaard (LIO) 360
LK Michael Paterson (HUR) 260

LF Rocky Elsom (BRU) 570
LF Ryan Kankowski (SHA) 560

HV Morne Steyn (BUL) 700
HV Quade Cooper (RED) 585

CT Richard Kahui (CHF) 735
CT Tamati Ellison (HUR) 440

OB Wandile Mjekevu (LIO) 820
OB Sitiveni Sivivatu (CHF) 680

5 try bonus 200

Total Points 6,675