SAQ® - Speed, Agility, Quickness

One of the most important attributes of a good coach is his ability as a selector. A coach who can recognize a quality player, especially a developing player, will be successful.

A coach who can “see” quality in an individual player’s performance is one who knows what he wants from his players and knows what individual qualities he needs to produce that performance.

My Selection is designed to help you – the prospective coach or selector, or maybe even the keen fan – to become a better selector and, therefore, a better coach, or simply to appreciate and enjoy the game even more.

Each week, My Selection will give you the opportunity to select your team from games nominated from the previous week-end. Towards the end of that week , we will publish the team from our panel of experts. At the same time we will also publish the names and teams of those who equaled, or got close to, the team of our experts.

World XV of the Week from Saturday, 22nd August, 2009

WRITTEN BY Bob Dwyer - 9:03:47 AM

24/08/2009

World XV of the Week

from Saturday, 22^nd August, 2009.

It certainly was an exciting game last weekend at ANZ Stadium in Sydney. The momentum changed from one team to another constantly. Penalty goals kept the Wallabies in front for most of the match and the result was not certain until the final whistle.

For all of that, the match produced no sublime moments; for that matter, nothing that even approached sublime. Neither team seem capable of putting together any sort of “ensemble” play which will threaten the opposition defence.

We struggled to find any backs whose quality performance demanded selection. Perhaps Daniel Carter and Sitiveni Sivivatu came close. For the others, we had to be satisfied with a player who performed some of his role well. Muliaina was excellent under the high ball, for example.

The fact that Rocky Elsom, in his first game at any level for three months, has been chosen, does not say much for the quality of performances.

Straight running and making space for support players has disappeared from the game.

Our team selection for this week is:

1. Tony WOODCOCK. New Zealand.

2. Andrew HOARE. New Zealand.

3. Owen FRANKS. New Zealand.

4. Isaac ROSS. New Zealand.

5. James HORWILL. Australia.

6. George SMITH. Australia.

7. Richie McCAW. New Zealand.

8. Rocky ELSOM. Australia.

9. Jimmy COWAN. New Zealand.