Best Players After Round Four

Based upon each player's average score

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TOP FRONT ROWERS
Keven Mealamu (BLU) - 303 ><
Tatafu Polatu-Nau (WAR) - 296 *
Ti'i Paulo (CRU) - 275 <
Tiaan Liebenburg (STM) - 272 ><
Andrew Hore (HUR) - 270 <

Mealamu continues to reign supreme as the best performing front rower but Polatu-Nau's breathing down his neck after being absent from the top five entirely last week. These two stand out as the best earners in the position thus far, with little to separate the trailing pack of Paulo, Liebenburg and Hore.

TOP LOCKS
Andries Bekker (STM) - 216 >
Nathan Sharpe (FOR) - 173 >
Michael Paterson (HUR) - 165 <
Anthony Boric (BLU) - 160 <
Jacques Lombaard (LIO) /Tom Donnelly (HGH) - 148 >< / >

Paterson's big fat zero when he actually played a game at lock (rather than in the back row) saw him slip to third, and Bekker is the stand-out - if you can afford him. But just look at how low these scores are for the very best in this position. If money's tight then you should be spending it elsewhere.

TOP LOOSIES
Ryan Kankowski (SHK) - 335 >
George Smith (BRM) - 318 ><
Rocky Elsom (BRM) - 293 <
Liam Messam (CHF) - 270 ><
Juan Smith (CHE) - 256 ><

Kankowski's the one bright star in the Sharks at present, and his stellar performance sees him as the best scoring loose forward, but George Smith isn't too far behind him. After Elsom's barnstorming efforts of the first weeks, he's seemed more subdued of late, but I'd expect that to change. Interesting to note, is the absence of fan-fave, Pierre Spies, whose average score of 240 isn't enough to scrape into the top five.

TOP HALVES
Morne Steyn (BUL) - 648 ><
Quade Cooper (RED) - 359 ><
Daniel Carter (CRU) - 355 ><
Will Genia (RED) - 288 ><
Naas Olivier (CHE) - 255 *

Steyn's in a class of his own among the halves, and indeed all players in all positions. Carter's slowly getting back to his peerless self and I think it won't be too long before the gap closes further between these two. Cooper continues to be a great earner here too. Notable absences here include previous stalwarts like Giteau, Donald, du Preez and Brett.

TOP CENTRES
Wynand Olivier (BUL) - 358 >
Adam Ashley-Cooper (BRM) - 328 >
Michael Hobbs (HGH) - 314 <
James O'Connor (FOR) - 300 ><
Doppies la Grange (LIO) - 260 *

Olivier's consistent try-scoring performances in the first few games have given him the top spot here, and Ashley-Cooper's another solid earner, who can be counted on to score decently even when the Brumbies seem out of sorts.

TOP BACKS
Sitiveni Sivivatu (CHF) - 443 ><
Cory Jane (HUR) - 333 >
Lelia Masaga (CHF) - 305 <
David Smith (HUR) - 300*
Israel Dagg (HGH) - 270 ><

Sivivatu's the stand-out earner among the all-Kiwi top-five outside backs, and second only to Steyn as the best all-round performer. There's no place for the current most expensive back, Bryan Habana, whose price seems to be based on his popularity and reputation, rather than his current TR form.

Dream Team: Round Four

FR Deon Fourie (STM) 470
FR Tatafu Polatu-Nau (WAR) 445

LK Andries Bekker (STM) 315
LK Romana Graham (CHF) 260

LF Ryan Kankowski (SHK) 440
LF Schalk Burger (STM) 390

HV Daniel Carter (CRU) 515
HV Daniel Halangahu (WAR) 400

CT Adrian Jacobs (SHK) 365
CT Alapati Leiua (HUR) 350

OB David Smith (HUR) 460
OB Sitiveni Sivivatu (CHF) 380

5 try bonus 200

Total Points 4,990

Sharks were robbed; Cheetahs and Reds keep it interesting

My prediction of a 2 point Sharks victory was so close to being right... 21-25 down and the Sharks had 3 opportunities to kick at goal in the dying minutes. They spurned two and missed one... two successful kicks would have put them 27-25 up. Why?

And then Kanko's penalty try! Or what should have been a penalty try - even the Australian papers are admitting as much. He had an open run in! But really, what good is it blaming the ref. Terblanche could have passed half a second earlier, or they could have just kicked at goal those few previous times... they were robbed, but ultimately they robbed themselves (and me, and all their other fans) of a great victory. But there were a few glimpses of a potential revival there... very faint glimpses.

The Reds! What a surprise... or maybe last week was the surprise. They were good against the Waratahs, great against the Crusaders, mediocre last week against the Blues, and now fabulous. Perhaps they are serious contenders... if they can only string a few wins together - 7 or 8 wins will get a semi-final place this year - losing every 2nd week probably won't be quite good enough. But step aside Berrick Barnes and Matt Giteau - Quade Cooper is the new face of genius in Australia (standards aren't high Down Under: he looks dim-witted, likes to steal computers and has a dopey haircut) - on current form he is the best choice for Aussie # 10.

And the Cheetahs... they're a dark horse, just like the Reds - diabolical one week, sensational the next. I doubt they can sustain it, but Brussow and Smith really are beasts. They smashed the Hurricanes at the breakdown, just like France are going to do to New Zealand at the next World Cup... it's totally unrelated, but I've said it: France will beat New Zealand at the 2011 World Cup in their Pool A game.

Why the Sharks will win by 2

Call me crazy, but there are many reasons for predicting a Sharks victory Saturday:

1) John Smit is back at hooker. The prop experiment has been a fiasco at every level - the Springbok front row is a joke, and now so are the Sharks, even though they feature 5 current Springboks. But order is restored, and Carstens and Du Plessis are real props, not converted 8th men or hookers.

2) Ruan Pienaar is back at scrumhalf. Equally unsuccessful has been the Ruan Pienaar flyhalf experiment. The guy might have the aptitude, but he doesn't want to do it, so why force him? He's a great scrumhalf - he kicks, passes and runs exceptionally well. He going to recover his joie de vivre and win the match.

3) Riaan Swanepoel. This guy runs straight and hard, and will actually get the Sharks some front foot ball. The past few weeks have seen Ruan take it sideways, Jacobs continue the trend, and Murray head off into the 5th row of the stands while JP hangs around his own tryline waiting to make some tackles. With Swanepoel at 12, look for a carbon copy of the Bulls game-plan: crash ball from the centers, quick recycle to a very grateful Ryan Kankowski, and then spread it wide to the wings on 3rd phase. Unstoppable. Especially because Kanko is the only guy making breaks currently.

4) Law of averages. The Sharks haven't beaten the Waratahs in Sydney for 10 years! That's got to come to an end sooner or later. I'm picking tomorrow. Plus, when last did they lose 4 on the trot?

That's four good reasons. I'm still looking for a Goode reason, but maybe we misjudge the guy...

Week Four: Predictions

Success Rate

Andrew: 17/21 (81%)
Kynan: 15/21 (71%)

Andrew's Predictions

Chiefs vs Reds - Chiefs by 12
Brumbies vs Lions - Brumbies by 15
Crusaders vs Blues - Crusaders by 5
Waratahs vs Sharks - Waratahs by 10
Stormers vs Highlanders - Stormers by 3
Cheetahs vs Hurricanes - Hurricanes by 12

Kynan's Predictions

Chiefs vs Reds - Chiefs by 5
Brumbies vs Lions - Brumbies by 20
Crusaders vs Blues - Crusaders by 5
Waratahs vs Sharks - Sharks by 2
Stormers vs Highlanders - Stormers by 5
Cheetahs vs Hurricanes - Hurricanes by 20

Week Four: Kynan's Team

NO POOFTAHS - Facebook S14

*New buys in italics

FR Tatafu Polatu-Nau (WAR) - $1,055,000

FR Andrew Hore (HUR) - $1,285,000

LK Michael Paterson (HUR) - $1,037,500

LK Sam Whitelock (CRU) - $647,500

LF Colin Bourke (CHF) - $667,500

LF Rocky Elsom (BRU) - $1,275,000

HV Matt Giteau (BRM) - $1,212,500

HV Quade Cooper (RED) - $1,225,000

CT Ma'a Nonu (HUR) - $1,262,500

CT Richard Kahui (CHF) - $1,150,000

OB Israel Dagg (HGH) - $970,000

OB Zac Guilford (CRU) - $817,500

Team Value: $12,605,000

Cash in Bank: $22,250

My climb continues... I'm now just outside the top 10, but that'll be remedied this week. I've made 5 strong buys to supplement my already impressive team.

My front row is unchanged - they're both solid earners and I can't afford the trades. I've brought in Sam Whitelock because he is dirt cheap and performing pretty well too, for a lock. In the loosies, Colin Bourke is my pick partly because of price, and partly because the Reds/Chiefs game is going to be a ridiculous try-fest.

Two new half-backs, neither one an unexpected choice. The Brumbies are back home and Giteau is due to shine again, particularly against the hapless Lions. And Cooper has been great every game thus far - I'm expecting another 500 pointer from him. Kahui comes into the centers because the Chiefs are going to score 8 tries, and he's bound to get 1 or 2 of them. My outside backs are unchanged.

It's a strong squad, maybe even a number 1 squad... we'll see.

Week Four: Andrew's Team

THE ORCADIANS - Facebook S14

*New buys in italics

FR Keven Mealamu (BLU) - $1,260,000

FR Ti'i Paulo (CRU) - $1,132,500

LK Andries Bekker (STM) - $1, 282,500

LK Michael Paterson (HUR) - $1,037,500

LF Rocky Elsom (BRU) - $1,275,000

LF Liam Messam (CHF) - $1,192,500

HV Daniel Carter (CRU) - $1,327,500

HV Matt Giteau (BRM) - $1,212,500

CT Adam Ashley-Cooper (BRM) - $1,245,000

CT Michael Hobbs (HGH) - $782,500

OB Lelia Masaga (CHF) - $1,170,000

OB Sitiveni Sivivatu (CHF) - $1,165,000

Team Value: $14,082,500

Cash in Bank: $187,650

I made four changes this week. Now he's back from injury, I brought in Sivivatu, pairing him with his Chiefs teammate Masaga, to create a mouth-watering backline that's sure to play havoc against the injury-ravaged Reds. Since the Brumbies have home games against two of the weakest teams in the competition this week and next - the Lions and the Sharks - they seemed a good side to weight my team with, so I swapped Nonu for Ashley-Cooper - under-the-radar but actually one of the better scoring centres (even is he doesn't play there) - and Matt Giteau, who is a good bet to open his try tally this week, replaces Steyn. My other forced change was a lock to replace Sharpe and since I had plenty of money to spare, I chose the grossly over-priced Andries Bekker.

Remember that the Blues and Cheetahs have a bye next weekend, so sell any rested players as soon as this round locks. It'll be good business to buy back Steyn at the same time - his price is currently under $1M.

Week Four: Team Announcements

CHIEFS vs REDS, HAMILTON, FRIDAY 08:35

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

Subs: 16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 Toby Smith, 18 Jarrad Hoeata, 19 Luke Braid , 20 Junior Poluleuligaga, 21 Mike Delany, 22 Dwayne Sweeney.

Reds – – 15 Luke Morahan, 14 Will Chambers, 13 Morgan Turinui, 12 Anthony Faingaa, 11 Brando Va’aulu, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia (c), 8 Leroy Houston, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Van Humphries, 4 Adam Byrnes, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Ben Daley.

Subs: 16 Sean Hardman, 17 Greg Holmes, 18 Robert Simmons, 19 Jake Schatz, 20 Ben Lucas, 21 Ben Tapuai, 22 Blair Connor.

BRUMBIES vs LIONS, CANBERRA, FRIDAY 10:40

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 (captain), 7 George Smith, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Ben Hand, 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 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.

Lions – 15 Michael Killian, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Walter Venter, 12 Doppies La Grange, 11 Dusty Noble, 10 Burton Francis, 9 JP Joubert, 8 Todd Clever, 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (c), 5 George Earle, 4 Willem Stoltz, 3 Kevin Buys, 2 Charles Emslie, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.

Subs: 16 Hannes Franklin, 17 Heinke van der Merwe , 18 Franco van der Merwe, 19 Jacques Lombaard/Robert Kruger, 20 Jacques Coetzee, 21 Carlos Spencer/Wandile Mjekevu, 22 Earl Rose.

CRUSADERS vs BLUES, CHRISTCHURCH, SATURDAY 08:35

Crusaders – 15 Jared Payne, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read, 7 George Whitelock, 6 Richie McCaw (captain), 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ti'i Paulo, 1 Wyatt Crockett.

Subs: 16 Quentin MacDonald/Corey Flynn, 17 Peter Borlase, 18 Isaac Ross, 19 Jonathon Poff, 20 Kahn Fotuali'i, 21 Adam Whitelock, 22 Colin Slade.

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

Subs: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Charlie Faumuina, 18 Filo Paulo, 19 Tom Chamberlain, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 22 George Pisi.

WARATAHS vs SHARKS, SYDNEY, SATURDAY 10:40

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 Dave Dennis, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.

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

Sharks – 15. Stefan Terblanche, 14. Odwa Ndungane, 13. Adrian Jacobs, 12 Riaan Swanepoel, 11. JP Pietersen, 10, Andy Goode, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8. Ryan Kankowski, 7. Willem Alberts, 6. Keegan Daniel, 5. Johaan Muller, 4. Steven Sykes, 3, Jannie du Plessis, 2 John Smit (c), 1 Deon Carstens.

Subs: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Beast Mtawarira, 18. Wilhelm Steenkamp , 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Jacques Botes, 21 Rory Kockott, 22 Waylon Murray.

STORMERS vs HIGHLANDERS, CAPE TOWN, SATURDAY 17:15

Stormers – 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Juan de Jongh, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Anton van Zyl, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Wicus Blaauw.

Subs: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 JC Kritzinger, 18 De Kock Steenkamp, 19 Pieter Louw, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Lionel Cronje, 22 Sireli Naqelevuki.

Highlanders – 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Kenny 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 Bronson Murray, 18 Hayden Triggs, 19 Tim Boys, 20 Sean Romans, 21 Matthew Berquist, 22 James Paterson.

CHEETAHS vs HURRICANES, BLOEMFONTEIN, SATURDAY 19:10

Cheetahs – 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Naas Olivier, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Frans Viljoen, 7 Juan Smith (c), 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Waltie Vermeulen, 4 Nico Breedt, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Wian du Preez.

Subs: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 David de Villiers, 19 Kabamba Floors, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Riaan Viljoen, 22 Danwel Demas.

Hurricanes – 15 Cory Jane, 14 Andre Taylor, 13 Alapati Leiua, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 David Smith, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Victor Vito, 5 Michael Paterson, 4 Bryn Evans, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore (captain), 1 John Schwalger.

Subs: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Anthony Perenise, 18 Jeremy Thrush, 19 Scott Waldrom, 20 Tyson Keats, 21 Willie Ripia, 22 Brett Mather.

Best Players After Round Three

With the first three weeks of action over, it seems a good time to look at the most important statistic in Test Rugby - players' average points per game. Here are the current standings:

TOP FRONT ROWERS
Keven Mealamu (BLU) - 313
Ti'i Paulo (CRU) - 307
Andrew Hore (HUR) - 275
Tiaan Liebenburg (STM) - 272
Jason Rutledge (HGH) - 257

TOP LOCKS
Michael Paterson (HUR) - 220
Andries Bekker (STM) - 183
Anthony Boric (BLU) - 180
Nathan Sharpe (FOR) - 173
Jacques Lombaard (LIO) - 163

TOP LOOSIES
Rocky Elsom (BRM) - 360
George Smith (BRM) - 308
Ryan Kankowski (SHK) - 283
Liam Messam (CHF) - 270
Juan Smith (CHE) - 260

TOP HALVES
Morne Steyn (BUL) - 648
Quade Cooper (RED) - 405
Daniel Carter (CRU) - 302
Will Genia (RED) - 300
Stephen Donald (CHF) - 297

TOP CENTRES
Michael Hobbs (HGH) - 405
Wynand Olivier (BUL) - 358
Adam Ashley-Cooper (BRM) - 330
James O'Connor (FOR) - 300
Richard Kahui (CHF) - 285

TOP BACKS
Sitiveni Sivivatu (CHF) - 475
Lelia Masaga (CHF) - 370
Earl Rose (LIO) - 328
Cory Jane (HUR) - 323
Israel Dagg (HGH) - 300

Some interesting trends are developing. The backs and halves are where you should be sinking your money as they're the best performing positions, while the locks continue their tradition as the lowest scorers - it's telling that top "lock" Michael Paterson has been playing in the back row. I question the sanity of anyone with Victor Matfield in their team and even Andries Bekker's continued popularity baffles me. Granted he's one of the best performing locks, but he's currently the joint third most expensive player in the game, with an average points score of only 183 making him lucky to scrape into even the top 100! The centres seem strangely muted in their scoring and indeed, three of the five best scoring centres are actually playing at FH or OB and the current priciest player in the game - Ma'a Nonu - can't make it into the top five. Other big name players not living up to their reputations are Habana, Fourie, Mortlock, Giteau, du Plessis, Pienaar and du Preez. But there are some bargains to be had in their absence, with excellent performers available for under $1M, like Hobbs, Dagg, Genia, Paterson, Boric and, the much maligned, Earl Rose... maybe PdV knows what he's talking about after all