Team of the Week: First salvos fired

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND ONE: The first shots were fired in the 2018 version of the tournament and the usual suspects are at the top of the pile.

New Zealand, as was expected, dominate our Week One selection.

There are nine All Blacks in our starting XV – more than the other teams combined.

South Africa is the best of the rest, with four players in our first-choice XV.

Australia and Argentina (with one each) make up the numbers.

The reward for being second best come for South Africa in rugby365’s back-up squad – six players bubbling under.

New Zealand, Australia and Argentina complete the selection with three players each bubbling under.

Team of the Week – Round One:

15 – Ben Smith (New Zealand):
So often appears to be cruising, but still has a massive impact on the game. Maybe not the flash of some other fullbacks, but still pure class.
Bubbling under: Willie le Roux (South Africa)

14 – Waisake Naholo (New Zealand):
Caused mayhem in the Wallaby defence and even popped up on the left wing – burning three defenders in one run on his way to one of two tries.
Bubbling under: Makazole Mapimpi (South Africa)

13 – Jack Goodhue (New Zealand):
Talk about ‘taking your opportunity’. He may well be a permanent fixture in the All Black midfield.
Bubbling under: Lukhanyo Am (South Africa)

12 – Andre Esterhuizen (South Africa):
He may well have solved one of Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus’ selection posers.
Bubbling under: Kurtley Beale (Australia)

11 – Aphiwe Dyantyi (South Africa):
Clearly took Bok coach Rassie Erasmus’ advice to heart and is a much-improved player from what happened in June. Not perfect, but at least this past weekend he only missed one tackle.
Bubbling under: Ramiro Moyano (Argentina)

10 – Beauden Barrett (New Zealand):
To think some wanted him axed from the All Black team. Class players will silence their critic with their performances on the field.
Bubbling under: Nicolas Sanchez (Argentina)

9 – Aaron Smith (New Zealand):
His decision-making and execution of the basics were near flawless.
Bubbling under: Will Genia (Australia):

8 – David Pocock (Australia):
Most people will talk about his act of goodwill – when he stayed with All Black centre Ryan Crotty after the latter was knocked out by a teammate. However, his game was from the top shelve – including 17 tackles and four turnovers.
Bubbling under: Kieran Read (New Zealand)

7 – Sam Cane (New Zealand):
He is not as flashy as some, but his amazing workrate – especially at the breakdown and on defence – is what sets him apart.
Bubbling under: Siyamthanda Kolisi (South Africa)

6 – Pablo Matera (Argentina):
He is going to be crucial to Los Pumas’ cause at the World Cup next year.
Bubbling under: Liam Squire (New Zealand)

5 – Sam Whitelock (New Zealand):
It is not just his set-piece play – which was sublime – but his numerous carries and flawless defence.
Bubbling under: Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)

4 – Eben Etzebeth (South Africa):
What a welcome sight for South African fans – scary eyes back to his brilliant best.
Bubbling under: Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)

3 – Owen Franks (New Zealand):
The veteran turned back the clock a few years.
Bubbling under: Juan Figallo (Argentina)

2 – Malcolm Marx (South Africa):
Yes, his line-out throwing was below par, but his ball-carrying, defence and the five turnovers won more than made up for the fluffy throwing.
Bubbling under: Tatafu Polota-Nau (Australia)

1 – Joe Moody (New Zealand):
Not flawless, but the best on the weekend.
Bubbling under: Steven Kitshoff (South Africa)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R18IhmhJyf8&t=17s

Our individual selections:

Tauriq Ebrahim XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 David Pocock, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Joe Moody.

Warren Fortune XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Joe Moody.

Paul Dobson XV: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Will Genia, 8 David Pocock, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

Jan de Koning XV: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Will Genia, 8 David Pocock, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Juan Figallo, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Joe Moody.

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