New Zealand may have lost their unbeaten run against a motivated South Africa, but they were the best team in the third edition of the Rugby Championship.
And to go with their hat-trick of Southern Hemisphere titles, the All Blacks also dominate rugby365's famous Team of the Tournament.
The All Blacks have 10 players in our squad - seven of them starting and another three in our back-up selection.
The Springboks, who lowered the Kiwis' colours in an entertaining encounter in Johannesburg at the weekend, are next best in our first-choice selection - with four players starting.
They also have three of their squad members 'bubbling under' - for a total of seven.
However, Argentina actually have more players in the combined squad.
While the Pumas have just two starting, there are another seven in the back-up selection.
Australia trail well behind - two starting and two bubbling under.
Team of the Tournament:
15 - Israel Dagg (New Zealand):
After a slow start he raced clear in a tough race that also featured Israel Folau and Willie le Roux.
Bubbling under: Israel Folau (Australia)
14 - Ben Smith (New Zealand):
Where will we see him featured next? Perhaps prop? Maybe not, but anywhere in the backline and he'll do a great job.
Bubbling under: Cornal Hendricks (South Africa)
13 - Tevita Kuridrani (Australia):
One of the few Wallabies that enhanced his reputation in a shocking season.
Bubbling under: Conrad Smith (New Zealand)
12 - Malakai Fekitoa (New Zealand):
Grabbed his opportunity in the absence of Ma'a Nonu.
Bubbling under: Juan Martín Hernández (Argentina)
11 - Julian Savea (New Zealand):
This was a one-horse race! Not surprising some 'pundits' are beginning to compare him to the legend Jonah Lomu.
Bubbling under: Manuel Montero (Argentina)
10 - Nicolás Sánchez (Argentina):
A position of major fluctuations, with Sánchez and Handré Pollard coming good in the end.
Bubbling under: Handré Pollard (South Africa)
9 - Aaron Smith (New Zealand):
Also a position where the rivals were left trailing in his wake.
Bubbling under: Martín Landajo (Argentina)
8 - Duane Vermeulen (South Africa):
THORmeulen has surpassed Kieran Read as the world's premier No.8.
Bubbling under: Kieran Read (New Zealand)
7 - Richie McCaw (New Zealand):
Still a class act. Michael Hooper gave him a good run, before his horror show this past weekend.
Bubbling under: Michael Hooper (Australia)
6 - Francois Louw (South Africa):
His injury robbed the Springboks of more than just his experience, although Marcel Coetzee was a very good stand-in. Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe was also very consistent.
Bubbling under: Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (Argentina)
5 - Victor Matfield (South Africa):
And there were many so-called 'pundits' who suggested he would just be a passenger.
Bubbling under: Sam Whitelock (New Zealand)
4 - Brodie Retallick (New Zealand):
His presence was sorely missed in the final round.
Bubbling under: Mariano Galarza (Argentina)
3 - Sekope Kepu (Australia):
Yes, the resources on the tighthead side are very thin indeed when even a wobbly Wallaby makes it.
Bubbling under: Ramiro Herrera (Argentina)
2 - Adriaan Strauss (South Africa):
There are a large portion of the population in KwaZulu-Natal that will disagree, but Strauss may well be South Africa's premier hooker now.
Bubbling under: Agustín Creevy (Argentina)
1 - Marcos Ayerza (Argentina):
He did so much more than just scrum, but he was pretty impressive in the set pieces.
Bubbling under: Tendai Mtawarira (South Africa)
I pretty much agree with most of their selections. I know some SA bloggers and fans think because they wan one close game, that equates to being robbed the entire tournament lol . And should of gone undefeated the entire RC. And in theory maybe your right, maybe you should have but you diddn't. Aussie probably could of gone undefeated too based on the same logic but they diddn't. NZ was the most consistent team in the whole RC, and were the better team overall so deserved to win their Third RC IMO. As for the selections.
15. Israel Dagg My Thoughts: Pretty much agree, his combination with Smith was very good. Folau maybe but Dagg was more consistent
14. Ben Smith My Thoughts: Completely agree World Class
13. Tevita Kudrani My Thoughts: Completely agree, was one of the rare shining lights for Aussie
12. Malakai Fekitoa My Thoughts:Agreed future Great
11. Julian Savea My Thoughts: Agree about it being a one horse race. Clearly the best winger of the whole RC. Was the one who got NZ over the advantage line when they had no right too
10. Nicholas Sanchez My Thoughts: Agreed, he was good. I woulden't go Pollard, I think fans are overstating the kid a bit. Yeah a talent for sure, but lets just give him another Super Rugby season under his belt. People forget he hasen't even played a full season of Super Rugby yet. SA of the past have pushed young flyhalfs and it hasen't worked, Pollard seems to be different but well see
9. Aaron Smith My Thoughts: Agreed clearly the worlds best 9, daylight second
8. Deon Vermulen My Thoughts: Yes he has surpassed Read as the preimer #8. Read has been struggling for full fitness and form all year, so Vermulen deserves this placing
7. Richie Mccaw My Thoughts: I can hear Beeno laughing himself to death now . But I agree Stats show he was the best tackler of the whole RC. Great linkman. Often first to the breakdown. And was back to his pilfer stealing best, improoved all tournament with his running.
6. Francois Louwe My Thoughts: Completely disagree. If he was injured and missed most of the RC, then why not pick a player who was actually playing? Top up between Kaino who I Thought had been outstanding, bit quiet in the SA test and Coetzee. I would go with Coetzee, being the most consistent
5. Victor Matfeild My Thoughts: Lol why is this guy still playing again? He consistently dropped his lollies against NZ. Lacked Physicality againgst the Abs. Yes still a great Tight Five worked, and still Great in the lineouts. But their were better players. Or maybe their weren't, and case I am going Sam Whitelock
4. Brodie Retilluck My Thoughts: Despite the contary opinion on this site, he is by far the worlds best lock ( I can hear SA bloggers with pitchforks already, but deep down they knows its true). His presence missing in the weekend prooved that
3. Sekope Kepu My Thoughts: Disagree thought the Argentina frontrow were outstanding. Ramiro Herrera was better
2. Adriaan Strauss My Thoughts: He was very good, but Agustin Creevy was better and more consistent
1. Marcos Ayerza My Thoughts:Agreed, as I said the Argentina front row was the best the entire RC
My revised team
1. Marcos Ayerza 2. Agustin Creevy 3. Ramiro Herrera 4. Brodie Retilluck 5. Sam Whitelock 6. Marcel Coetzee 7. Richie Mccaw 8. Deon Vermulen 9. Aaron Smith 10. Nicholas Sanchez 11. Julian Savea 12. Malakai Fekitoa 13. Tevita Kudrani 14. Ben Smith 15. Israel Dagg
16. Adrian Strauss 17. Sekope Kepu 18. Victor Matfeild 19. Michael Hooper 20. Martin Landajo 21. Handre Pollard 22. Israel Folau 23. Juan Martin Hernandez
