Transtasman rivalries reflected in Super XV

By WYNNE GRAY

The Australians left without an Easter win in the Super 12 - but they would be major contributors in a composite tournament XV.

And the bulk of those would come from the Brumbies, the defending champions who were beaten for the first time this season by a lone point in that weekend thriller against the Crusaders.

After dismal performances from the South African sides, few of their players make compelling cases for selection. Eventually only Stormers lock Hottie Louw made the cut.

As former Wallaby captain Mark Ella remarked: "From what I have seen, the difference in ability and individual talent between the Anzacs and the South Africans is as wide as the Indian Ocean."

Having ignored all but Louw from South Africa, the selection mirrors recent transtasman tussles, with New Zealand just being shaded in some tough decisions.

Classy first five-eighths Andrew Mehrtens loses out to Stephen Larkham, Leon MacDonald suffers the same fate against Chris Latham and Roger Randle is also edged out by Scott Staniforth.

However in the forwards, New Zealand props Greg Somerville and Tony Woodcock get the nudge on Rod Moore and Bill Young.

Those decisions leave the Australians with eight players, New Zealand with six and Louw as the sole South African.

At fullback, Latham is unorthodox, brings speed and the ability to attack from depth. His defence is gaining authority, his aerial takes can be inspiring, he has a strong punt and is a shade more inventive than MacDonald, who uses timing and strength to attack.

Staniforth has been charging all series in much the way Doug Howlett has delivered a mix of orthodox and wide-ranging wing play.

Tana Umaga is without peer at centre in the Super 12, a judgment which does not ignore the aggressive displays of Stirling Mortlock.

The calm variety of Aaron Mauger wins him a midfield place and he will also be asked to do the goalkicking.

The Brumbies tandem of Larkham and George Gregan cannot be separated. Larkham asks more of defences than Mehrtens and is a stronger cover defender without quite the same kicking game.

Gregan is imperious in the way he creates so much for his team-mates.

An Australian loose forward trio also gets the nod, a choice which reflects their better grasp of internationals in the last few years.

Toutai Kefu may be the best No 8 in the world. He is not a huge man but his strength and surging runs invariably produce momentum.

George Smith is a freakish talent at the breakdowns as he showed in his classic showdown against New Zealand's Richard McCaw on Sunday; and Owen Finegan, while not the most dextrous flanker is intimidating, a menacing runner and a defensive brute.

He will be more in sync with Kefu and Smith than Troy Flavell would be.

Throughout the Super 12, Chris Jack has made few blemishes with his primary locking work at kickoffs and lineouts, qualities Louw has also done routinely. The pair are also damaging openfield support players.

Somerville and Woodcock have not yet been upstaged in the scrums, they work at a higher tempo than some others round the park, both are Kiwis, both are picked.

They will sandwich another Brumbie, Jeremy Paul, whose allround game continues to flourish, and he shades Anton Oliver, in set pieces and the patterned variety his side tries to produce.