An ITM Cup Form XV

Above: George Moala running freely in an ITM Cup match against Manawatu. He slots in at centre in this form XV below. Photo by Dave Lintott. 

The ITM Cup has reached the semi-finals stages and once again several players have put their hands up for Super Rugby contracts or even higher honours.

Here is a form XV. Surprisingly four players from Waikato, a team that has underperformed have made the cut. Do you agree with these selections?

1. Reggie Goodes (Wellington) - Goodes is a regular starter in Super rugby and one of the most mobile, tough and consistent props in New Zealand rugby. The Wellington scrum has been rarely bettered and Goodes work rate is high. He has carries 58 times and made 49 tackles.

2. Quentin MacDonald (Tasman) - A busy and bustling hooker who has been around for a while, MacDonald is a model of consistency. He carries with gusto and performs his main roles with accuracy. Tasman have secured 16 tightheads this season, more than any other team and won 93 out of 108 line outs.

3. Ofa Tu'ungafasi (Auckland) - The New Zealand Under-20 rep is a really good prospect. He gets around the park making 87 tackles and carries and is an anchor in the scrums. Auckland has one of the best scrums in the competition.

4. Jeremy Thrush (Wellington) - The veteran All Black discard has vented his frustration by producing a storming season. His attacking game has been especially slick. He has carried with greater aggression and been awarded with six tries. He has also showcased some lovely handling. He has made 53 passes this season and created at least four tries with quick, nimble hands. Sound defensively, secure in the lineout's his loss will be sorely felt by Wellington rugby.

5. James Tucker (Waikato) - The old boy of St. Bede's College in Christchurch won the Bronze Boot award as the best player in the New Zealand Schools' v Australia Schools test in 2012. He was a standout in a modest New Zealand Under-20 team at the 2014 IRB Junior World Championships and has graduated to ITM Cup with aplomb.

He has made 41 lineout catches which is the third most in the competition. The bearded lock is a busy and aggressive all around player. He has made 91 tackles and carried 67 times for a gain of 250 metres which ranks him in the top twenty of those categories as well. A really good prospect whose brother William played for the New Zealand Secondary Schools this year.

6. Vaea Fifita (Wellington) - The 23 year old stands 196cm and 107 kg. He is one of the most exciting players in New Zealand with searing pace, superior athleticism and the ability to do something special.

His stats reinforce his excellence, especially on a attack. In nine games he has run for 691 meters - the second most in the competition while he has made 17 line breaks, more than any other player. A genuine option in the lineout expect to see a lot of Fifita in Super Rugby.

7. Matt Todd (Canterbury) - A quality player whose been knocking on the door of All Black for selection for several seasons, Todd has maintained his high standards in 2015. He has made 129 tackles the second most in the competition. He is a menace at the breakdowns and strong with ball in hand, having scored four tires.

Tim Boys (Southland) is a old horse that continues to deliver and Mitchell Karpick (Auckland) is a youngster on the rise.

8. Ardie Savea (Wellington) - The Lions captain might not be showing the blockbuster form he exhibited in Super Rugby, but he is still a model of consistently and an extremely dangerous proposition for his opposites. He has made 136 carries which is the most of any player, gaining 535 metres. He has completed 85 of his 88 tackles and reinforced his reputation as one of the best loose forwards in New Zealand.

Young Akira Ioane from Auckland is a promising prospect. He is in the top five for carries and defenders beaten and has completed 68 of 69 tackles. Naulia Dawai from Otago is another who has had a storming season.

9. Brad Weber (Waikato) - Tawera Kerr-Barlow might be at the Rugby World Cup, but it's doubtful he is the best halfback in Hamilton. Weber has been outstanding for the Mooloos this season.

He scored three tries to help Waikato famously end Hawke's Bay's Ranfurly Shield tenure on Friday night.

His snappy pass, snipping runs and good judgement have caused all opposition headaches.
He was treated poorly by the All Black selectors with 15 minutes in Samoa his only chance to stake a claim for the full squad. He has proven a point with a storming season, backing up his excellent Super Rugby effort.

10. Damian McKenzie (Waikato) - Will the kid be an All Black in 2016? The 20 year old with flair and guts beyond his size appears to be a very exciting prospect. He ran down Robbie Fruean and set up a memorable try in the successful Ranfurly Shield challenge on Friday night.
McKenzie is cunning, illusive and consistent. His attacking stats are outstanding. He is in the top five in the following categories. Meters run (1st), defenders beaten (2nd), points (2nd), and carries (5th).

He has kicked 39 goals from 50 attempts. Goal kicking was a weakness, but has improved considerably.

11. Johnny McNicholl (Canterbury) - Though he has played fullback for much of the season, McNicholl is an equally capable winger and played that position when he scored two long range tries to help beat Auckland - a game which is a potential curtain raiser to the final. McNicholl has a long punt and has run for 678 metres, beaten 37 defenders and scored six tries this season which ranks him among the top ten attacking players in the ITM Cup.

12. Charlie Ngatai (Taranaki) - While Rob Thompson from Canterbury has scored eight tries and beaten 50 defenders this season, raking him second in both departments, Ngatai has been super consistent again and is the more complete performer.

Ngatai has scored five tries and beaten 32 defenders, ranking him in the top 10. He is rock solid on defence and his kicking game off both feet provides flexibility.

13. George Moala (Auckland) - The beast of a centre has been a big part of Auckland's improvement. He is the top try scorer with nine and is in the top ten for metres run and defenders beaten. The one-time All Black will look to carry his form in Super Rugby in 2016.

14. Bryce Heem (Auckland) - A really underrated winger, Heem has an uncanny knack of beating the first defender and gaining ground after contact. Hungry for work and safe defensively he has scored four tries in 2015. He will be a worthy addition to the Worcester Warriors in 2016.

15. Shaun Stevenson (Waikato) - The lanky and wiry rookie has made a big impression. In his first year out of school he has played 716 minutes and impressed with his sound judgement and illusive running. He has made 105 carries for a gain 680 metres which ranks him in the top 10 of the competition.

Stevenson who broke his collarbone while playing for the New Zealand Schools' last year has signed a three year deal to play Super rugby with the Chiefs.