The Super 15 Rugby competition 2011 has finished with nine of the 15 teams campaigns over.  Therefore, it is time to name the Team of the Competition.  Firstly, I will name the Super Rugby Team of the Competition based on www.testrugby.com points.  These are based on the average points per game each player scores.  This disadvantages players who start from the bench or have been heavily rotated, rested or injured, hence why I am naming my personal team too based on what I have seen.  Other conditions are that they must be in the Top 20 for that position and in the positions of front row it must include the highest and second highest props, halves must include top halfback and first five eighth, loose forwards and outside backs are more interchangeable.  It must be remembered that goal kickers get more points so there are some positions where I wouldn't select these players.  

Firstly, <a href="http://www.testrugby.com">www.testrugby.com</a> Team of the Super Rugby Competition 2011, with average points mentioned and total points.

Jamie MackintoshFR HGH 16 3565 223 $852,500

Stephen Moore FR BRM 12 3945 329 $1,112,500

Coenie OosthuizenFR CHE 16 2975 186 $530,000

Andries Bekker LK STM 16 4070 254 $1,297,500

Nathan Sharpe LK FOR 15 3560 237 $1,105,000

Adam Thomson LF HGH 13 4605 354 $1,185,000

Liam Messam LF CHF 16 4980 311 $1,142,500

Schalk Burger LF STM 12 3255 271 $1,170,000

Sarel Pretorius HV CHE 16 4170 261 $850,000

Quade Cooper HV RED 16 5560 348 $1,242,500

Matt Giteau CT BRM 15 5315 354 $1,220,000

James O'Connor CT FOR 13 4920 378 $1,177,500

Israel Dagg OB CRU 10 3425 342 $1,105,000

Kade Poki OB HGH 11 3535 321 $882,500

Kurtley Beale OB WAR 16 6545 409 $1,595,000

Players by team

Highlanders 3

Brumbies 2

Force 2

Stormers 2

Cheetahs 2

Reds 1

Chiefs 1

Crusaders 1

Waratahs 1

By country

Australia 6

New Zealand 5

South Africa 4

Front Row

The hookers scored massive points and if I had my way in selecting a Team of the Competition 2011 I would select <span style="font-weight:bold;">Bismarck du Plessis</span> to start with Keven Mealamu coming off the bench.  Du Plessis is so powerful, but was disadvantaged by sometimes being benched so that captain John Smit could start.  It remains a problem for the Springboks because Du Plessis is a better player, but Smit is a great captain.  Mealamu was the top points scorer in <a href="http://www.testrugby.com">www.testrugby.com</a>.  Stephen Moore is definitely a quality player that should make the Wallabies, but thrived because he got plenty of minutes.

Props - Jamie Mackintosh like the Highlanders started the season off really well, but the skipper and inspirational leader suffered towards the end of the long competition.  I think that <span style="font-weight:bold;">Wyatt Crockett</span> from the Crusaders is the form loosehead of the competition.  Mackintosh should get an honourable mention along with Oosthuizen.  I would also put <span style="font-weight:bold;">Owen Franks</span> into the team ahead of Oosthuizen, and probably put the Beast on the bench.  Mackintosh and Oosthuizen are both quality props though and could easily fulfill that role.  John Afoa and Jannie Du Plessis are also good options at tight head prop.

Locks - The two locks who scored well in www.testrugby.com would be difficult to displace.  Victor Matfield and Ali Williams showed that they can't be discounted despite their advancing ages.  Hugh Pyle from the Rebels and Jarrad Hoeata are real up and comers.  Lions Franco van der Meeuw was a consistent performer.  Sam Whitelock and Brad Thorn looked good when they played.  I am sticking with <span style="font-weight:bold;">Nathan Sharp</span>e and <span style="font-weight:bold;">Andries Bekke</span>r.

Loose forwards - Adam Thomson was awesome during the first half of the competition, but his form fell along with the Highlanders fortunes.  <span style="font-weight:bold;">Liam Messam</span> had a strong season with the Chiefs and I think him and <span style="font-weight:bold;">Schalk Burger</span> should be in this team.  I am going out on a limb here and going for <span style="font-weight:bold;">David Pocock</span> from the Western Force to join Messam and Burger in the loose forwards.  Injury deprived us of Richie McCaw, Juan Smith and Heinrich Brussouw.  Nasi Manu, Scott Higganbotham, Ashley Johnson and Pierre Spies were good at times.

Halfbacks - There were two great halfbacks on display in Sarel Pretorius and <span style="font-weight:bold;">Will Genia</span>.  I agree with Pretorius getting the top points, although in theory if this team was playing and they had Cooper at first five then it could be better to have Genia.  Pretorius would be lethal off the bench.  Fourie Du Preez was great when he played.

First five eighths - <span style="font-weight:bold;">Quade Cooper</span> went from strength to strength this season.  He has ironed out some wrinkles in his game.  Dan Carter would have to be the backup to Cooper, while Patrick Lambie and Morne Steyn were both good.

Centres - Matt Giteau only made the side above because he kicks goals.  I think James O'Connor is a freak and I will pick him in my team on the bench, because we could bring him on with 20 minutes to go and he would cause carnage. I love the threat of <span style="font-weight:bold;">Sonny Bill Williams</span> and <span style="font-weight:bold;">Robbie Fruean</span> in the midfield and they have the combination.  Jacque Fourie and Digby Ioane were impressive, while Ma'a Nonu, Richard Kahui, Doppies la Grange, Jared Payne, Shaun Treeby all played well at times.  Imagine O'Connor running off SBW!

Wings - Digby Ioane also played on the wing and was impressive, so he gets a starting spot, while Shaun Maitland and Zac Guildford have been great for the Crusaders until Maitland got injured.  Sitiveni Sivivatu came right, while Gio Aplon, Rene Ranger, Bryan Habana and Kade Poki were slippery.  I am going with <span style="font-weight:bold;">Ioane and Maitland</span>.

Fullback - <span style="font-weight:bold;">Kurtley Beale</span> wins hands down here, while Ben Smith earns an honourable mention.  Israel Dagg and Isaia Toeava were great until injuries struck, while Gio Aplon was always dangerous either on the wing or fullback.

My Super 15 Rugby Competition Team

15. Kurtley Beale

14. Sean Maitland

13. Robbie Fruean

12. Sonny Bill Williams 

11. Digby Ioane

10. Quade Cooper

9.  Will Genia

8.  Liam Messam

7.  David Pocock

6.  Schalk Burger

5.  Andries Bekker

4.  Nathan Sharpe

3.  Owen Franks

2.  Bismarck Du Plessis

1.  Wyatt Crockett

Reserves

16. The Beast/ Jannie Du Plessis

17. Keven Mealamu

18. Hugh Pyle

19. Adam Thomson

20. Sarel Pretorius

21. Daniel Carter

22. James O'Connor

By team

Crusaders 6

Reds 3

Force 3

Stormers 2

Sharks 2

Waratahs 1

Blues 1

Cheetahs 1

Highlanders 1

Rebels 1

Chiefs 1

By country

New Zealand 9

Australia 8

South Africa 5

What do you think of these teams?  Do you think I am biased towards New Zealand?  Were some Australian players made to look better by poor opposition?  I must admit that I saw more of the New Zealand matches than any others, but I have tried to be impartial.  Do you think you know better?  Name your team!  It is tough with so many players to choose from.