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PHOTOS: Nigel Yalden's Form XV

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  • 1/15
    1. Reggie Goodes (Hurricanes) - strong at set piece, energetic around the field and a powerful defender around the fringes.
    1/15 1. Reggie Goodes (Hurricanes) - strong at set piece, energetic around the field and a powerful defender around the fringes.
  • 2/15
    2. Hika Elliot (Chiefs) – starts the season as an injury replacement for Nathan Harris; ends it as an All Black having produced career best form in all facets of his game.
    2/15 2. Hika Elliot (Chiefs) – starts the season as an injury replacement for Nathan Harris; ends it as an All Black having produced career best form in all facets of his game.
  • 3/15
    3. Josh Hohneck (Highlanders) – the cornerstone of a forward pack that has rarely been bettered; powerful and industrious around the field.
    3/15 3. Josh Hohneck (Highlanders) – the cornerstone of a forward pack that has rarely been bettered; powerful and industrious around the field.
  • 4/15
    4. Jeremy Thrush (Hurricanes) – while his locking partner powered way around the field, Thrush excelled in the tight exchanges and was a massive presence on defence.
    4/15 4. Jeremy Thrush (Hurricanes) – while his locking partner powered way around the field, Thrush excelled in the tight exchanges and was a massive presence on defence.
  • 5/15
    5. James Broadhurst (Hurricanes) – earned his All Black jersey by following up an outstanding ITM Cup campaign by going next level at the next level.
    5/15 5. James Broadhurst (Hurricanes) – earned his All Black jersey by following up an outstanding ITM Cup campaign by going next level at the next level.
  • 6/15
    6. Elliott Dixon (Highlanders) – it's criminal that he’s not an All Black, though if he has another Super Rugby season like this one, it won’t be long until he is.
    6/15 6. Elliott Dixon (Highlanders) – it's criminal that he’s not an All Black, though if he has another Super Rugby season like this one, it won’t be long until he is.
  • 7/15
    7. Sam Cane (Chiefs) – an extraordinary work rate all over the field in all facets of the game over the course of an entire season; made 179 of 185 tackles attempted (96.8%).
    7/15 7. Sam Cane (Chiefs) – an extraordinary work rate all over the field in all facets of the game over the course of an entire season; made 179 of 185 tackles attempted (96.8%).
  • 8/15
    8. Victor Vito (Hurricanes) – he can play it tight or range wide, his number gets called a lot at lineout time and when he tackles you, by crikey you know the heck about it.
    8/15 8. Victor Vito (Hurricanes) – he can play it tight or range wide, his number gets called a lot at lineout time and when he tackles you, by crikey you know the heck about it.
  • 9/15
    9. Aaron Smith (Highlanders) – has proved week in and week out that he is by far the best halfback in world rugby.
    9/15 9. Aaron Smith (Highlanders) – has proved week in and week out that he is by far the best halfback in world rugby.
  • 10/15
    10. Lima Sopoaga (Highlanders) – matured before our very eyes into the on-field leader every first five has to be, and that a lot of rugby fans believed him capable of becoming.
    10/15 10. Lima Sopoaga (Highlanders) – matured before our very eyes into the on-field leader every first five has to be, and that a lot of rugby fans believed him capable of becoming.
  • 11/15
    11. Julian Savea (Hurricanes) – big, strong, fast, elusive and I would suggest a very, very scary man to have running at you full tilt.
    11/15 11. Julian Savea (Hurricanes) – big, strong, fast, elusive and I would suggest a very, very scary man to have running at you full tilt.
  • 12/15
    12. Ma’a Nonu (Hurricanes) – saved his best for last; a Super Rugby tour de force.
    12/15 12. Ma’a Nonu (Hurricanes) – saved his best for last; a Super Rugby tour de force.
  • 13/15
    13. Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders) – another great season on attack, but defensively, especially with his decision making, he went next level.
    13/15 13. Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders) – another great season on attack, but defensively, especially with his decision making, he went next level.
  • 14/15
    14. Waisake Naholo (Highlanders) – 1st in tries and clean line breaks; 2nd in metres gained; 4th in carries and defenders, beaten and unwanted by the Blues … will they never learn.
    14/15 14. Waisake Naholo (Highlanders) – 1st in tries and clean line breaks; 2nd in metres gained; 4th in carries and defenders, beaten and unwanted by the Blues … will they never learn.
  • 15/15
    15. Ben Smith (Highlanders) – the champion of unassuming awesomeness was at his sublime best yet again, clearly illustrating why he is the best fullback in New Zealand.
    15/15 15. Ben Smith (Highlanders) – the champion of unassuming awesomeness was at his sublime best yet again, clearly illustrating why he is the best fullback in New Zealand.

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With just one (rather significant) game to go in the Super Rugby season, we instructed Rugby Editor Nigel Yalden to brew a big pot of coffee, bust open a couple of packets of cameo creams and get to work on compiling his New Zealand Form XV of the Season. (Photos: Photo Sport)

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