The second week of Super 12, and better looking play all round from individuals, and three teams starting to look like teams.  We won't talk about the Blues and the Chiefs.  Oh, go on then, we will.  They were shite.  There, that didn't take long did it!

The form XV, a bit of change form the first week, with some new boys throwing their hats into the selection ring, and one Conrad Smith throwing his leg in, broken in two places, which removes him from all consideration for at least the next 4 months.  Next time we see the lanky centre in black will hopefully be on the All Black end of season tour.

Good news for Ma'a Nonu though, who has slipped into the front running position for the vacant black 13 jersey with the removal of his Hurricanes team mate.  But I am digressing, so, without further ado, this weeks form XV...

15:  Ben Blair (Highlanders).  The hobbit is hitting form again, after a two year absence.  Which does prove that form is temporary, class is forever.  Just usually does not take so long.  Anyway, Mr Blair was string in all facets of the game at the weekend, even bumping of tacklers like a Lomu.  Almost at any rate.  But seriously, did everything right, option taking good, knowing when to run and when to clear the ball.  Honourable mention to the Hurricanes fullback whatsisname.  Isaia Toeava.
Last week:  Mils Muliaina (Chiefs).

14:  Rico Gear (Crusaders).  Quiet first week for the All Black wing, but burst back into the spotlight this week with a wonderful try from 40 metres out.  Gathered a cross field kick from Dan Carter, threw on the turbo chargers, and outpaced all 'n' sundry to score a cracking try.
Last week:  Lome Fa'atau (Hurricanes).
Oh yeah, and last week when I said Fa'atau was not a Kiwi, I did not mean he was not Kiwi born, but that he plays for Samoa, hence not a Kiwi.  Although as he was BORN in New Zealand, he has been poached by Samoa, the bastards...

13:  Ma'a Nonu (Hurricanes).  Barging and bruising running again from the Tana clone.  Although he was playing at 12 until injury hit the unlucky Conrad Smith, I'll slot him into 13 to run alongside Aaron Mauger - much like I expect the henry Cartel will do come test time.
Last week:  Conrad Smith (Hurricanes).

12:  Aaron Mauger(Chiefs).  Brilliant second half from the fast becoming veteran All Black midfielder.  Still a young buck though, just been around for ages now.  Was always dangerous with the ball in hand, and his passing game this weekend was superb, picking out the support runners with pinpoint precision.  Would have been my player of the match for the Crusaders against the Reds.
Last week:  Sam Tuitupou (Chiefs).

11:  Roy Kinikinilau (Highlanders).  How hard is this, picking a wing man to team up with Gear.  The Blues flyers, 80 test matches between them are not seeing any ball at all, and are consequently not in any great form.  Sooo, I'll throw the jersey this week to Highlanders Roy Kinikinilau.
Last week:  Ma'a Nonu (Hurricanes).

10:  Dan Carter (Crusaders).  Missed a few early goal kicks this week, that would have probably put the Reds out of the game far earlier had he been successful.  However, he wasn't, and the measure of the class player, he didn't let those misses rattle him.  In fact two tries later, and him starting to land goals, saw him collect 27 points in the eventually big win!
Last week:  Dan Carter (Crusaders).

9:  Piri Weepu (Hurricanes).  Another solid game from the little general.  His defensive qualities shown this week, as the Hurricanes survived on 30% (at most) of the ball in their 29-5 win of the Western Farce.  Tough little bugger, who at this early stage of the season must have the front running for the test jersey.
Last week:  Piri Weepu (Hurricanes).

8:  Rodney So'oialo (Hurricanes).  A defensive workload that would make Hercules think twice about taking it on.  leading the Hurricanes from the front with a work rate that certain Chiefs loose forwards would not produce over any three games.  Big ups for his All Black understudy, and last weeks choice for number 8, Mose.
Last week:  Mose Tuiali'i (Crusaders).

7:  Chris Masoe (Hurricanes).  Tackled himself to a standstill against the Force.  Learning his seven trade like a genuine scholar, better and better each week.  Marty Holah might find it pretty hard to break back into All Blacks at this rate.
Last week:  Richie McCaw (Crusaders).

6:  Reuben Thorne (Crusaders).  Two weeks of super rugby from the ex All Black captain.  His try saving tackle on the Reds flanker being his moment of the match.  He got through a power of work once again, and also moved into lock with no change in effectiveness to the pack, as he did last week.  Looking more and more like the ideal, and in form Jono Gibbes of 2006.  An All Black recall this season, watch this space.  Collins another game to admire, but this week, Thorne the man.
Last week:  Jerry Collins (Hurricanes).

5:  James Ryan (Highlanders).  Last week outplayed Chris Jack, this week made Ali Williams into a frustrated schoolboy who couldn't get his way with the local bike...  Ryan is maturing at a rate of knots.  Lets hope it slows soon, otherwise he'll be retiring at the end of the season!  Once again a massive presence at lineout time, stealing plenty of Blues ball, and securing his own.  Is helped by having plenty of tall timber in the Clan pack, with Hoani MacDonald and Tom Donnelly both doing their bits too.
Last week:  James Ryan (Highlanders).

4:  Jason Eaton (Hurricanes).  Two tries for the mullet headed beanpole in an all round performance that showcased, as with all Hurricanes players, his tackling ability.  His defence, and also his mobility and dexterity.  The pickup of the bouncing ball when he scored his first try was magic, cutting through a fleet of Force players to scoop at full pace before plunging for the five pointer.  His second try showed the mobilty the big man has, fine supporting play, and also fitness, the big man still going strong at the end of the match.  Lineout skills all on show too.  Brilliant that we have the two new boys in such hot form, putting pressure on Williams and Jack.
Last week:  Jason Eaton (Hurricanes).

3:  Carl Hayman (Highlanders).  Battled fellow All Black Tony Woodcock to a standstill, made a seasons worth of tackles in the open, and was the lynchpin in the Highlanders lineout.
Last week:  Carl Hayman (Highlanders).

2:  Kevin Mealamu (Blues).  Was the pick of the Blues pack, right back to his top form.  Battling forward with the ball in hand like a human battering ram, beating tacklers, and when he had to, driving through them with leg power.  Certainly leading from the front for the Blues, just needs a little support from the other 14 players.  Andrew Hore also at the top of his game again for the Hurricanes.
Last week:  Andrew Hore (Hurricanes).

1:  Greg Somerville (Crusaders).  Again a more than handy fist of the LH side of the scrum, and swapping to TH on around the 50 minute mark without a glitch in the system.  The Henry cartel must be loving the way the Crusaders cartel are managing Somerville's game time between TH and LH!  Woodcock went pretty well for the Blues too, and veteran Nick White showed rookie All Black John Afoa a thing or two at scrum time too.
Last week:  Greg Somerville (Crusaders).