Team of the week: Final Round standouts
The Hurricanes lead the way with four players in our XV, while the Jaguares have three players in our selection
The Highlanders, Melbourne Rebels and Stormers have two players each, while the Chiefs and Waratahs have one player each.
Our back three consists of Ben Smith, Santiago Cordero and Tom English, while in the midfield we have Huw Jones and Willis Halaholo. Beauden Barrett and Aaron Smith are the halfbacks.
In the pack, we have Facundo Isa, Ardie Savea and Sean McMahon in the back row. Our choices in the second row are Brodie Retallick and Guido Petti Pagadizaval.
Vincent Koch, Dane Coles and Paddy Ryan make up the front row.
Team of the week – Round 17:
15 – Ben Smith (Highlanders)
The world's best fullback again led by example with a high work rate on attack and defence. He racked up the running metres and had a hand in one of his team's tries against the Chiefs.
Bubbling under: James Marshall (Hurricanes)
14 – Santiago Cordero (Jaguares)
The Argentinian wing was exceptional with ball in hand against the Lions. He beat a number of defenders and crossed the advantage line on numerous occasions.
Bubbling under: Melani Nanai (Blues)
13 – Huw Jones (Stormers)
He scored four tries against the Southern Kings and he just looked exciting when he ran with the ball.
Bubbling under: Matt Faddes (Highlanders)
12 – Willis Halaholo (Hurricanes)
The big man carried the ball strongly all game against the Crusaders and won a few turnovers for his teams as well. He also scored one of his team's five tries.
Bubbling under: David Havili (Crusaders)
11 – Tom English (Melbourne Rebels)
He had one of his best games in a Rebels' jersey. He took advantage of the space in the Reds defence throughout the 80 minutes and scored a try as well.
Bubbling under: Patrick Osborne (Highlanders)
10 – Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes)
He controlled the game from start to finish against the Crusaders. He was quite brilliant on attacking, assisting in two of his team's five tries and scoring another.
Bubbling under: Nicolas Sanchez (Jaguares)
9 – Aaron Smith (Highlanders)
Tactically he was fantastic again. His distribution was swift against the Chiefs and he kept the Chiefs' defence guessing.
Bubbling under: Martin Landajo (Jaguares)
8 – Facundo Isa (Jaguares)
He had a barnstorming game against the Lions. The big No,8 scored beat a number of defenders with ball in hand and scored a try as well.
Bubbling under: Renaldo Bothma (Bulls)
7 – Ardie Savea (Hurricanes)
He carried the ball on a number of occasions against the Crusaders and he was a nuisance at the breakdown as well. The All Black also put some big hits on defence.
Bubbling under: Sam Cane (Chiefs)
6 – Sean McMahon (Melbourne Rebels)
It was another brilliant all-round performance by the powerful Wallaby flank. He exposed the Reds' porous defence with his speed and strength and scored two tries.
Bubbling under: Brad Shields (Hurricanes)
5 – Brodie Retallick (Chiefs)
He was a Force in the line-outs in his team's defeat at the hands of the Highlanders. He brought some much-need physicality in the tackle.
Bubbling under: Tomás Lavanini (Jaguares)
4 – Guido Petti Pagadizaval (Jaguares)
He put in a staggering amount of work against the Lions. He was quite effective racking up the metres with ball in hand and he was also solid on defence.
Bubbling under: Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues)
3 – Vincent Koch (Stormers)
He put in some big hits on defence and showed some speed for a prop with ball in hand. He was also strong in the scrums again.
Bubbling under: Owen Franks (Crusaders)
2 – Dane Coles (Hurricanes)
We just love watching this guy play. The hooker showed some great footwork on attack and did his part in the physical exchanges as well.
Bubbling under: Stephen Moore (Brumbies)
1 – Paddy Ryan (Waratahs)
He is was a monster in the scrums against the Blues and was pivotal in his team's dominance in that facet of the game.
Bubbling under: Sam Prattley (Blues)
Our individual selections:
Warren Fortune XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Santiago Cordero, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Willis Halaholo, 11 Tom English, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Sean McMahon, 5 Tomás Lavanini, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Paddy Ryan.
Jan de Koning XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Santiago Cordero, 13 Matt Faddes, 12 Willis Halaholo, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Martin Landajo, 8 Facundo Isa, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Guido Petti Pagadizaval, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Sam Prattley.
Paul Dobson XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Santiago Cordero, 13 Jason Woodward, 12 David Havili, 11 Tom English, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Nick Frisby, 8 Renaldo Bothma, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Sean McMahon, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Vaea Fifita, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Paddy Ryan.
Previous selections:
Team of the Week – Round 16: 15 Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), 14 Johnny McNicholl (Crusaders), 13 Ryan Crotty (Crusaders), 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Lions), 11 Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders), 10 Ihaia West (Blues), 9 Aaron Smith (Highlanders), 8 Steven Luatua (Blues), 7 Matt Todd (Crusaders), 6 Pieter Labuschagne (Bulls), 5 Franco Mostert (Lions), 4 Jason Jenkins (Bulls), 3 Vincent Koch (Stormers), 2 Ash Dixon (Highlanders), 1 Sam Prattley (Blues)
Team of the week – Round 15: 15 Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), 14 Ruan Combrinck (Lions), 13 Israel Folau (Waratahs), 12 Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs), 11 Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders), 10 Nicolás Sánchez (Jaguares), 9 Francois de Klerk (Lions), 8 Ruan Ackermann (Lions), 7 Sam Cane (Chiefs), 6 Jaco Kriel (Lions), 5 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 Julian Redelinghuys (Lions), 2 Stephen Moore (Brumbies), 1 Reggie Goodes (Hurricanes).
Team of the week – Round 14: 15 Andrew Kellaway (Waratahs), 14 Ruan Combrinck (Lions), 13 Israel Folau (Waratahs), 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Lions), 11 Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders), 10 Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies), 9 Francois de Klerk (Lions), 8 Warren Whiteley (Lions), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Jaco Kriel (Lions, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers), 4 Dave Dennis (Waratahs), 3 Julian Redelinghuys (Lions), 2 Malcom Marx (Lions), 1 Reggie Goodes (Hurricanes).
Team of the week – Round 13: 15 Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), 14 Ruan Combrinck (Lions), 13 Lionel Mapoe (Lions), 12 Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs), 11 James Lowe (Chiefs), 10 Patrick Lambie (Sharks), 9 Brad Weber (Chiefs), 8 Warren Whiteley (Lions), 7 Jannes Kirsten (Bulls), 6 Pieter Labuschagne (Bulls), 5 Rudolph Snyman (Bulls), 4 Dominic Bird (Chiefs), 3 Julian Redelinghuys (Lions), 2 Armand van der Merwe (Lions), 1 James Slipper (Reds).
Team of the week – Round 12: 15 Israel Dagg (Crusaders), 14 Waisake Naholo (Highlanders), 13 Lionel Mapoe (Lions), 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Lions), 11 Wes Goosen (Hurricanes), 10 Elton Jantjies (Lions), 9 Aaron Smith (Highlanders), 8 Luke Whitelock (Highlanders), 7 David Pocock (Brumbies), 6 Elliot Dixon (Highlanders), 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers), 4 Tim Bond (Sunwolves), 3 Julian Redelinghuys (Lions), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Reg Goodes (Hurricanes).
Team of the week – Round 11: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Waisake Naholo (Highlanders), 13 Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies), 12 Kurtley Beale (Waratahs), 11 Jone Macilai-Tori (Crusaders), 10 Garth April (Sharks), 9 Tomás Cubelli (Brumbies), 8 Luke Whitelock (Highlanders), 7 Matt Todd (Crusaders), 6 Keegan Daniel (Sharks), 5 Stephan Lewies (Sharks), 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues), 3 Josh Hohneck (Highlanders), 2 Stephen Moore (Brumbies), 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown (Highlanders).
Team of the week – Round 10: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Cory Jane (Hurricanes), 13 Matt Proctor (Hurricanes), 12 Kurtley Beale (Waratahs), 11 Julian Savea (Hurricanes), 10 Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), 9 Martin Landajo (Jaguares), 8 Michael Leitch (Chiefs), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Hendrik Tui (Reds), 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers), 4 Rudolph Snyman (Bulls), 3 Frans Malherbe (Stormers), 2 Dane Coles (Hurricanes), 1 Reg Goodes (Hurricanes).
Team of the week – Round Nine: 15 Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), 14 Ruan Combrinck (Lions), 13 Reece Hodge (Melbourne Rebels), 12 David Havili (Crusaders), 11 Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders), 10 Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), 9 TJ Perenara (Hurricanes), 8 Kieran Read (Crusaders), 7 Sam Cane (Chiefs), 6 Chris Cloete (Southern Kings), 5 Franco Mostert (Lions), 4 Luke Romano (Crusaders), 3 Vincent Koch (Stormers), 2 Shota Horie (Sunwolves), 1 Toby Smith (Melbourne Rebels).
Team of the week – Round Eight: 15 Israel Dagg (Crusaders), 14 Rieko Ioane (Blues), 13 Lionel Mapoe (Lions), 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Lions), 11 Julian Savea (Hurricanes), 10 EltonJantjies (Lions), 9 Francois de Klerk (Lions), 8 Warren Whiteley (Lions), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Jordan Taufua (Crusaders), 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers), 4 Jason Jenkins (Bulls), 3 Charlie Faumuina (Blues), 2 Dane Coles (Hurricanes), 1 Trevor Nyakane (Bulls).
Team of the week – Round Seven: 15 Cheslin Kolbe (Stormers), 14 Johnny McNicholl (Crusaders), 13 Samu Kerevi (Reds), 12 Charlie Ngatai (Chiefs), 11 Patrick Osborne (Highlanders), 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis (Stormers), 9 Martin Landajo (Jaguares), 8 Warren Whiteley, (Lions), 7 Liam Gill (Reds), 6 Hendrik Tui (Reds), 5 Franco Mostert (Lions), 4 Jason Jenkins (Bulls), 3 Charlie Faumuina (Blues), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Dyllan Smith (Lions).
Team of the week – Round Six: 15 Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), 14 Johnny McNicholl (Crusaders), 13 Rene Ranger (Blues), 12 Ryan Crotty (Crusaders), 11 James Lowe (Chiefs), 10 Aaron Cruden (Chiefs), 9 Aaron Smith (Highlanders), 8 Paul Schoeman (Cheetahs), 7 Sean McMahon (Rebels), 6 Cyril-John Velleman (Southern Kings), 5 Lopeti Timani (Rebels), 4 Luke Jones (Rebels), 3 Charlie Faumuina (Blues), 2 James Parsons (Blues), 1 Toby Smith (Rebels).
Team of the week – Round Five: 15 Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), 14 Johnny McNicholl (Crusaders), 13 Seta Tamanivalu (Chiefs), 12 Charlie Ngatai (Chiefs), 11 Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders), 10 Aaron Cruden (Chiefs), 9 Aaron Smith (Highlanders), 8 Michael Leitch (Chiefs), 7 David Pocock (Brumbies), 6 Roelof Smit (Bulls), 5 Tomás Lavanini (Jaguares), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 Frans Malherbe (Stormers), 2 Edgar Marutlulle (Southern Kings), 1 Joe Moody (Crusaders).
Team of the week – Round Four: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Santiago Cordero (Jaguares), 13 Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies), 12 George Moala (Blues), 11 Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders), 10 Elton Jantjies (Lions), 9 Martin Landajo (Jaguares), 8 Jimmy Tupou (Crusaders), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Marcell Coetzee (Sharks), 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers), 4 Blade Thomson (Hurricanes), 3 Charlie Faumuina (Blues), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Chris Eves (Hurricanes.
Team of the week – Round Three: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Akihito Yamada (Sunwolves), 13 Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders), 12 Matt Toomua (Brumbies), 11 Joe Tomane (Brumbies), 10 Lima Sopoaga (Highlanders, 9 TJ Perenara (Hurricanes), 8 Warren Whiteley (Lions), 7 David Pocock (Brumbies), 6 Marcell Coetzee (Sharks), 5 Franco Mostert (Lions), 4Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 Charlie Faumuina (Blues), 2 Stephen Moore (Brumbies), 1 Scott Sio (Brumbies).
Team of the week – Round Two: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Ruan Combrinck (Lions), 13 Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders), 12 Charlie Ngatai (Chiefs), 11 Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders), 10 Elton Jantjies (Lions), 9 Francois de Klerk (Lions), 8 Warren Whiteley (Lions), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Marcell Coetzee (Sharks), 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 Owen Franks (Crusaders), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Scott Sio (Brumbies).
Team of the week – Round One: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Odwa Ndungane (Sharks), 13 Tamati Ellison (Rebels), 12 Charlie Ngatai (Chiefs), 11 Raymond Rhule (Cheetahs), 10 Robert du Preez (Stormers), 9 Tomás Cubelli (Brumbies), 8 Nizaam Carr (Stormers), 7 Blake Gibson (Blues), 6 Jaco Kriel (Lions), 5 Sam Carter (Brumbies), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 Frans Malherbe (Stormers), 2 Stephen Moore (Brumbies), 1 JC Janse van Rensburg (Stormers).
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