England should hire Jake White immediately

The farce that is English rugby continues its long downward spiral, a fall from grace unchecked since 2003. Yes, they played in the 2007 World Cup Finals, but only an idiot would claim they were the 2nd best team there. They were hammered by SA in the group phases, snuck through against a bad Australian side in the quarters, and bettered a French team who lost to Argentina, and never quite recovered from the jubilation of shocking the All Blacks the previous week.

Week after week they revel in mediocrity, constantly excusing it through claims of injury and team building. It's been 7 years! How long are you going to build! (and go back to the same old dogs - what new, world-class talent has been discovered since?) Martin Johnson has been an abject failure, but Rob Andrew's should probably take more of the blame. Since taking over from Sir Clive, what good thing has he accomplished? A player release agreement with Premier Rugby... and not a single international trophy. Not a six nations triumph since 2003! You have to go back to the 80's to find an England as unsuccessful.

And the solution is so simple. Jake White has the best credentials out of any unemployed coach - and most employed coaches, for that matter. If England brought him on now, he would still have time to prepare a team for the World Cup. His first season as Springbok coach saw him take the Tri-Nations tournament, win IRB Coach of the Year, Boks won Team of the Year, Schalk Burger won Player of the Year... there's plenty of time yet for England to excel under new management.

Jake White is perfect for the English game too. He is a conservative coach who builds his teams around brutal defense, a low error rate, and suffocating tactics - everything England is good at. And he has a fantastic eye for talent. As Springbok u21 coach, and national coach, he discovered star players such as: Schalk Burger, Jean De Villiers, Bismarck Du Plessis, Pierre Spies, Bryan Habana... the list goes on and on. In a country such as England, which boasts twice as many rugby players as anyone else, there's no doubt Jake White could discover the talent necessary to make them a world power once more. But he does need time, which is why it's essential they appoint him right away, so he can scour the clubs for the best and brightest.

What to do with Martin Johnson? Bump him up a notch. Send Rob Andrew's packing, and let Johnno be rugby supremo. He can stand around looking important, keep his reputation and honor intact, and oversee a resurgent England under Jake White.

It's so obvious that it's never, ever going to happen and England will remain mired in mediocrity for years to come.

Week Six: Kynan's Team

NO POOFTAHS - Facebook S14

*New buys in italics

FR Tatafu Polatu-Nau (WAR) - $1,235,000
FR Andrew Hore (HUR) - $1,337,500

LK Michael Paterson (HUR) - $952,500
LK Anthony Boric (BLU) - $995,000

LF Pierre Spies (CHF) - $1,270,000
LF Rocky Elsom (BRU) - $1,175,000

HV Matt Giteau (BRM) - $1,155,000
HV Morne Steyn (RED) - $1,545,000

CT James O'Connor (FOR) - $1,160,000
CT Tom Carter (WAR) - $815,000

OB Israel Dagg (HGH) - $1.052,500
OB Zac Guilford (CRU) - $875,000

Team Value: $13,567,500
Cash in Bank: $74,750

I'm finally in the top 10, for the first time this season, with some astute buys like Pierre Spies and hanging on to Dagg, even though he wasn't a top performer.

Only two new buys this week - Carter comes into the centers. He's been solid thus far, and they are playing the leaky Force, so expect big points. The Waratahs have decided to run the ball of late, so he's a good bet.

I've also bet on Boric at lock. He was great last season, so I think he'll be quick to rediscover his form and start posting big numbers.

I've held onto Giteau, even though he's over-rpiced and under-performing. He's got to come right some time, and I'm betting that this is the week. Next week I'll be sure to bring in Cooper though, and stick with Cooper and Steyn for the rest of the season.

Week Six: Predictions

Andrew: 27/33 (82%)
Kynan: 21/33 (64%)

Andrew's Predictions

Bulls vs Hurricanes - Bulls by 18
Blues vs Brumbies - Brumbies by 5
Stormers vs Cheetahs - Stormers by 10
Crusaders vs Lions - Crusaders by 25
Force vs Waratahs - Waratahs by 15
Highlanders vs Sharks - Sharks by 7

Kynan's Predictions

Bulls vs Hurricanes - Bulls by 13+
Blues vs Brumbies - Blues by less than 7
Stormers vs Cheetahs - Stormers by less than 7
Crusaders vs Lions - Crusaders by 13+
Force vs Waratahs - Waratahs by 13+
Highlanders vs Sharks - Sharks by less than 7

Week Six: Andrew's Team

THE ORCADIANS - Facebook S14

*New buys in italics

FR Keven Mealamu (BLU) - $1,190,000
FR Andrew Hore (HUR) - $1,337,500

LK Andries Bekker (STM) - $1, 372,500

LK Nathan Sharpe (FOR) - $1,077,500

LF Rocky Elsom (BRM) - $1,182,500

LF Pierre Spies (BUL) - $1,240,000

HV Matt Giteau (BRU) - $1,092,500

HV Morne Steyn (BUL) - $1,532,500

CT Adam Ashley-Cooper (BRM) - $1,335,000

CT Wynand Olivier (BUL) - $1, 472,500

OB Drew Mitchell (WAR) - $1,165,000

OB Israel Dagg (HGH) - $1,027,500

Team Value: $15,025,000

Cash in Bank: $302,650

After voicing my confidence about going top of the league last week, I got what I deserved when Liam Messam limped off after less than ten minutes, scuppering my hopes. I slipped to third place but it's getting pretty tight at the top, with five us within a few hundred points of each other.

I traded in both my front rowers, welcoming back the returning Mealamu - sure to have a big game as he celebrates his 100th game for the Blues - and ditching Moore for Andrew Hore. These two are the best average scorers in this position by a good margin.

With Messam (curse him) on a bye, I replaced him as soon as the last round locked with Spies - something I wish I'd done one day earlier, but, oh well...

With Carter unfortunately benched, it was a hard choice to find a replacement, with the obvious candidates - Cooper and Genia - on a bye this week. I considered Brett, Hougaard and Slade, and I'd have gambled on the latter if the Crusaders weren't on a bye next week and I'm worried about burning through my trades. In the end, I plumped, somewhat reluctantly, for Giteau. By his standards, his form has been awful thus far, so I'm banking on him turning it around... but I'm not holding my breath. At least with Morlock crocked he'll probably be the sole place kicker.

I thought about going for Guilford in the backs, but the Crusaders bye next week scared me off, so I chose Mitchell and Dagg. I feel very Johnny-come-lately picking this pair after last week's heroics, but against the Western Force, Mitchell seems a good bet to rack up some decent points, and with the Highlanders playing the Lions next week, Dagg seemed like a sensible short term choice.

Overall, I'm reasonably happy, but the complete absence of Crusaders seems like a big opportunity missed. Remember next week sees the Stormers and Crusaders on a bye, and with Chiefs and Reds players returning, there'll be plenty of opportunities to snap up some certain starters while their prices are low - Sivivatu, Ioane, Cooper, Masaga, et al.

Bargain Buys of the Super 14 2010

If money's tight and you can't afford a team comprised entirely of over-inflated players like Steyn, Bekker, Carter and Olivier, then here's a quick rundown of some of the best performing low-cost alternatives:

FRONT ROW
Hannes Franklin (LIO) $810,000 - 200
Saia Faingaa (RED) $765,000 - 200
Jason MacDonald (HGH) $887,500 - 50 (thanks to a couple of appearances from the bench)

I've always tried to resist selecting props in the front row. Although a Ben Alexander or John Afoa will have the occasional big score, it is the hookers that consistently earn the best points (currently the top ten best scoring front rowers are all hookers), so if money's tight and yu can't afford the likes of Hore or Mealamu, it is wiser to pick a less well-known hooker than a star prop. Franklin and Faingaa are both making a healthy average of 200 points per game, and are very affordable - especially Faingaa whose on a bye this week. I'd also keep my eye on the Highlanders' Jason MacDonald, who I'm guessing might be back to first choice hooker again.

LOCKS
Michael Paterson (HUR) $962,500 - 160
Anthony Boric (BLU) $990,000 - 160
Chris Jack (CRU) $905,000 - NA

Locks are traditionally the lowest scoring position in Test Rugby and therefore a good place to save some money. Paterson started the season in the backrow and his first few scores were huge. Since he's returned to playing at lock, his earnings have slipped accordingly but he's still got the third best average score. Boric is returning from a bye and will likely give good value for less than $1M. Chris Jack's on the Crusaders' bench this week but with the team on a bye next week don't expect him to appear in the starting XV till round 8, however his price is likely to stay at its current low level till then and is a good bet down the line.

LOOSIES
Scott Higginbotham (RED) $890,000 - 228
Matt Hodgson (FOR) $872,500 - 216
Cobus Grobbelaar (LIO) $1,000,000 - 202

These three have been doing solid, if unspectacular, work all season - often in a lost cause, at least as far as Hodgson and Grobbelaar are concerned. They all sit just outside the top-five best scoring in the position but at a fraction of the price of a Spies or Elsom.

HALVES
Will Genia (RED) $877,500 - 334
Francois Hougaard (BUL) $710,000 - 313
Kahn Fotuali'i (CRU) $635, 000 - 100

Genia and Hougaard are two of the best bargain buys in the tournament, earning fantastic points for practically peanuts - both outscored Morne Steyn this week, at less than half the price in Hougaard's case. Listed as a SH, Hougaard's been on the wing for the Bulls all season and scored an impressive four tries in three games. Don't let Kahn Foutuali'i's low average fool you, in the one game he's started he racked up close to 500 points. And he's starting again this week. Against the Lions...

CENTRES
Michael Hobbs (HGH) $667,500 - 314
Anthony Faingaa (RED) $652,500 - 251
Ryan Crotty (CRU) $590,000 - 200

Hobbs and Faingaa are both on the top-five best scorers for this position, and are absolute steals at these ridiculous prices. Even cheaper is the Crusaders' Crotty - watch him run rampant against the hapless Lions this week. His teammate, Robert Fruean, is worth a look too.

OUTSIDE
Joe Pietersen (STM) $917,500 - 278
Digby Ioane (RED) $975,000 - 304
Gerhard van den Heever (BUL) $567,500 - 286

Pietersen's only just outside the top-five earners, yet remains around the 20th most expensive back. If the Stormers continue their current form on tour, expect him to keep racking up the points. Ioane is back from injury and on a bye, so his price is sub-million, but I'll be amazed if he doesn't finish up there with the very best scoring backs by the end of the season. However, the unheralded van den Heever must be the best bargain buy of the year. To put it in perspective, compare his average score of 286 for only $567,500 to Bryan Habana's measly 196 for $1,212,500. No contest.

Sharks will still make the semi's

While most will agree the Sharks season is a bust, there is no reason to write them off just yet. 41 points was all that the Crusaders required for a 4th place finish in last years edition of the competition. 41 points also saw the Hurricanes through in 2008. The magic number was 42 for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th in 2007. In 2006 the Bulls needed just 38 points.

The Sharks sit on 4 points, with 8 games in hand. That means they need at least 37 points from their remaining games - that's 8 wins, 5 with a bonus point. Thinking back to last year, the Sharks had an unbeaten 7 game streak before collapsing. Perhaps this year, they're doing it in reverse. So... don't give up yet Sharkies! Just 8 more wins and you'll be back where you belong, joining the Bulls, Stormers and Crusaders in the semi's.

That's my call and I'm sticking with it.

Week Six: Team Announcements

BLUES vs BRUMBIES, AUCKLAND, FRIDAY 19:35

Blues - 15 Isaia Toeava, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 Benson Stanley, 11Rudi 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 (c), 1 Tony Woodcock.

Subs: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Charlie Faumuina, 18 Filo Paulo, 19 Peter Saili, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 22 Paul Williams.

Brumbies - 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Pat McCabe, 13 Tyrone Smith, 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 Ma’afu, 2 Stephen Moore, 1Ben Alexander.

Subs - 16 Huia Edmonds, 17 Jerry Yanuyanutawa, 18 Justin Harrison, 19 Mitchell Chapman, 20 Patrick Phibbs, 21 Matt Toomua, 22 Andrew Smith.

BULLS vs HURRICANES, PRETORIA, FRIDAY 19:10

Bulls - 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gerhard van der Heever, 13 Stephan Dippenaar, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.

Subs: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Bees Roux/Rossouw de Klerk, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Derick Kuün, 20 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 21 Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 22 Pedrie Wannenburg.

Hurricanes - 15 Andre Taylor, 14 Tamati Ellison, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Alapeti Leiua, 10 Willie Ripia, 9 Tyson Keats, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Victor Vito, 5 Michael Paterson, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore (captain), 1 John Schwalger.

Subs: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Jacob Ellison, 18 Bryn Evans, 19 Nick Crosswell, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 David Smith

CRUSADERS vs LIONS, CHRISTCHURCH, SATURDAY 17:30

Crusaders - 15 Jared Payne, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Adam Whitelock, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Jonathan Poff, 6 Richie McCaw (captain), 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ti'i Paulo, 1 Ben Franks.

Subs: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Chris Jack, 19 George Whitelock, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Daniel Carter, 22Robbie Fruean.

Lions – 15 Earl Rose, 14 Wigan Pekeur, 13 Walter Venter, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Wandile Mjekevu, 10 Burton Francis, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Todd Clever, 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (c), 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 George Earle, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Hannes Franklin, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.

Subs: 16 Charles Emslie, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 Willem Stoltz, 19 Robert Kruger/Jacques Lombaard, 20 Jacques Coetzee, 21 Carlos Spencer, 22 Michael Killian.

HIGHLANDERS vs SHARKS, DUNEDIN, SATURDAY 19:35

Highlanders - 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Kenny Lynn, 12 Michael Hobbs, 11 James Paterson, 10 Robbie Robinson, 9 Jimmy Cowan (captain), 8 Adam Thomson, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 John Hardie, 5 Hayden Triggs, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Clint Newland, 2 Jason Rutledge, 1 Jamie Mackintosh.

Subs: 16 Jason Macdonald, 17 Chris King, 18 Joe Tuineau, 19 Tim Boys/Steven Setephano, 20 Sean Romans, 21 Jayden Hayward, 22 Fetu'u Vainikolo.

Sharks - 15. Patrick Lambie, 14. Stefan Terblanche, 13. Adrian Jacobs, 12 Riaan Swanepoel, 11. JP Pietersen, 10. Andy Goode, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8. Ryan Kankowski, 7. Jean Deysel, 6. Keegan Daniel, 5. Johann Muller (c), 4. Steven Sykes, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Beast Mtawarira.

Subs: 16 Craig Burden, 17 John Smit, 18 Alistair Hargreaves, 19 Willem Alberts, 20 Jacques Botes, 21 Rory Kockott, 22 Waylon Murray.

WESTERN FORCE vs WARATAHS, PERTH, SATURDAY 19:10

Western Force - 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Scott Staniforth, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 James O'Connor, 11 Nick Cummins, 10 David Hill, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Richard Stanford, 7 Matt Hodgson, 6 Ben McCalman, 5 Nathan Sharpe (captain), 4 Sam Wykes, 3 Tim Fairbrother, 2 Ryan Tyrrell, 1 Nic Henderson.

Subs: 16 Ben Whittaker, 17 Kieran Longbottom, 18 Tom Hockings, 19 Luke Jones, 20 Chris O'Young, 21 Sam Harris, 22 Mitch Inman.

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.

STORMERS vs CHEETAHS, CAPE TOWN, SATURDAY 17:05

Stormers - 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Tim Whitehead, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Schalk Burger (captain), 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 Willem de Waal, 22 Sireli Naqelevuki.

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 Hendro Scholtz, 5 Waltie Vermeulen, 4 Nico Breedt, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Wian du Preez.

Subs: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Barend Pieterse, 19 Kabamba Floors, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Corne Uys, 22 Danwel Demas.

Best Players After Round Five

TOP FRONT ROWERS
Keven Mealamu (BLU) - 303 ><
Andrew Hore (HUR) - 282 >
Tatafu Polatu-Nau (WAR) - 263 <
Tiaan Liebenburg (STM) - 256 ><
Adrian Strauss (CHE) - 244 *

Mealamu remains the best average front rower. Hore creeps into second and Polatu-Nau slips to third, despite the reversed fortunes of their teams this week. Corey Flynn's return to the Crusaders' bench has seen less game time for Ti'i Paulo, and he drops out of the top-five altogether, to be replaced by the Cheetahs' Adrian Strauss.

TOP LOCKS
Dean Mumm (WAR) - 227 *
Andries Bekker (STM) - 223 <
Nathan Sharpe (FOR) - 193 <
Michael Paterson (HUR) / Anthony Boric (BLU) - 160 < / ><

Mumm's heroics against the Lions see him arrive with a bang in the top spot. Bekker and Sharpe's consistent hard graft sees them tucked in behind, with Paterson losing ground each week now he's actually playing at lock.

TOP LOOSIES
Pierre Spies (BUL) - 343 *
George Smith (BRM) - 273 ><
Ryan Kankowski (SHK) - 267 <
Rocky Elsom (BRM) - 263 <
Juan Smith (CHE) - 256 ><

It's all change at the top of the loose forwards, as Spies (surprisingly) makes his first entry into the top-five in first place, and some distance ahead of the rest. Smith, Elsom and Kankowski all saw their average scores drop this week.

TOP HALVES
Morne Steyn (BUL) - 561 ><
Quade Cooper (RED) - 374 ><
Daniel Carter (CRU) - 367 ><
Will Genia (RED) - 334 ><
Francois Hougaard (BUL) - 313*

Bulls winger, Hougaard, displacing Naas Olivier in the fifth spot was the only change among the halves this week. Steyn's performance as only the 7th best earning half this saw his average scores slip a bit, while Cooper and Carter continue to close the gap.

TOP CENTRES
Wynand Olivier (BUL) - 369 ><
James O'Connor (FOR) - 325 >
Adam Ashley-Cooper (BRM) - 316 <
Michael Hobbs (HGH) - 314 <
Anthony Faingaa (RED) - 251 *

There's little movement in the centres either, as Olivier easily retains the top spot, while O'Connor, Ashley-Cooper and party-boy, Michael Hobbs, swap places. The Reds' Anthony Faingaa is a surprising new entry at number 5.

TOP BACKS
Sitiveni Sivivatu (CHF) - 403 ><
Israel Dagg (HGH) - 362 >
Drew Mitchell (WAR) - 335 *
Lelia Masaga (CHF) - 310 <
Digby Ione (RED) - 304 *

Sivivatu remains the best performing back by a healthy margin. After disappointing performances in the last couple of rounds, Israel Dagg's monster earnings this week raise him up to second. Drew Mitchell's four-try antics against the Lions make him a new entry in the third spot, but one wonders how long he'll stay there - his pre-Lions form was a pretty mediocre average of less than 200 points. Digby Ione returns from injury to claim the fifth spot, and if the Reds keep firing as they have been, then expect the versatile back to remain among the top earners.

Dream Team: Round Five

FR Brok Harris (STM) 355
FR Andrew Hore (HUR) 330

LK Dean Mumm (WAR) 475
LK Andries Bekker (STM) 250

LF Pierre Spies (BUL) 550
LF Scott Higginbotham (RED) 460

HV Will Genia (RED) 520
HV Khan Foutuali'i (CRU) 475

CT Anthony Faingaa (RED) 520
CT Berrick Barnes (WAR) 470

OB Drew Mitchell (WAR) 880
OB Israel Dagg (HGH) 730

5 try bonus 200

Total Points 6,215