Super 14 Team of the Week

Round Twelve brought about plenty of thrills from most sides, which means Tuesday's edition of our latest Team of the Week has a mixed feel to it.

In all, there are eight teams represented following last weekend's southern hemisphere extravaganza with the Brumbies (three) leading the way by a nose.

Close behind them are the Hurricanes (two), Highlanders (two), Stormers (two) and - bizarrely - the Cheetahs (two), while there's still room for the tournament leading Bulls (one), Force (one) and defeated Blues (one).

15 Israel Dagg (Highlanders): The All Black-in-waiting was once again a potent weapon from the back for the Highlanders - solid in defence and brilliant in attack.

14 Gerhard van den Heever (Bulls): What, no Joe Rokocoko this week? Not when this Bulls youngster is tearing down the touchline. Van den Heever is one of the better finishers in the game and it's not surprising that he's now the leading try-scorer (eight) in the 2010 competition.

13 Jaque Fourie (Stormers): Fourie's sensational solo effort against the Crusaders - that had the whole of Cape Town on their feet - coupled with a solid all-round performance, made sure of the Bok centre's inclusion this week.

12 Ma'a Nonu (Hurricanes): The All Black midfielder's performance against the Chiefs was man of the match class. Two vital tries aside, Nonu was like a train with no brakes as he steam rolled his way past Chiefs defenders as if his life depended on it. Got in a wee bit of trouble for his verbal excitement at winning after the match, but who can blame him. He was f***ing awesome!

11 Hosea Gear (Hurricanes): One of the quickest wingers in New Zealand, Gear showed plenty of zeal and enthusiasm to help his team bounce back from what seemed like an upset defeat in the making.

10 Matt Giteau (Brumbies): Two words: He's back!

9 Sarel Pretorius (Cheetahs): Probably the toughest call with Josh Valentine (Brumbies) and Fourie du Preez (Bulls) both in fine form over the weekend. However, the Cheetahs number nine had a better eye for the gaps around the rucks and mauls, provided swift service for his back-line and caught the Blues' off guard with several sniping breaks down the blindside.

8 Duane Vermeulen (Stormers): The Stormers number eight is in impressive form this year. Explosively charged, Vermeulen once again showed the fire and drive that may well see his team charge their way into a home semi-final.

7 Juan Smith (Cheetahs): Captain courageous led from the front and proved once again that this Cheetahs outfit rely on his presence to bring out the best in them. Reliable in so many ways, Smith got his troops off to the perfect start with a try, created another and kept pressure on the Blues throughout.

6 Adam Thompson (Highlanders): The Waratahs forwards were comprehensively outplayed by the Highlanders, where they were outmuscled at the breakdown - largely thanks this man. Probably the most consistent performer of all the loose forwards in New Zealand, Thompson is a tireless workhorse and has shown good ball-winning skills on the ground. Scored two vital tries too!

5 Mark Chisholm (Brumbies): After a quiet season for the Brumbies, Chisholm was back to his powerhouse best against the Reds. A strong defender and a dangerous ball-carrier, Chisholm crossed the tryline once as well as the advantage line with several powerful bursts that often took two or three defenders along with him.

4 Nathan Sharpe (Force): A player who always gives 100 per cent, Sharpe was strong in the tight-loose, won a fair share of line-out ball and gained his team valuable metres with powerful carries.

3 John Afoa (Blues): One of the few Blues players who could leave Blomfontein with his head held high. Besides dropping anchor in the Blues' scrum, he was also an industrious worker in the loose.

2 Jason Rutledge (Highlanders): Rutledge was a big thorn in the Waratahs' side. A powerful scrummager and a big worker at the rucks and mauls, he's in the form of his life.

1 Ben Alexander (Brumbies): He's been a rock for the Brumbies at scrum-time, but it's Alexander's try-scoring attributes that's brought on most of the attention. The Wallaby prop's two barging tries against the Reds means he's the leading try-scorer so far this season for the Brumbies. Not bad going for a loosehead.