Team of the Week: Eye of the Storm
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Round 15 of Super Rugby saw all the fixtures won by the teams who had a superior log position. For many, the games were 'must win' ituations – as the play-off stages creep ever closer.
The Stormers have not quite clinched a play-off spot, but they did secure places in Rugby365's famous Team of the Week.
The weekend kicked off with the Chiefs hosting the Bulls, and a dominant display from the Chiefs earns them a couple of places in the team.
The Saturday was packed with five games, and in New Zealand, the table-topping Hurricanes fought-off a desperate Blues side in a rainy Auckland. Jeremy Thrush continued his high workrate and kept his place for the third week running.
Australia hosted two games, with the Waratahs holding on to a victory despite a late surge from the Crusaders at the death. The 120kg Fijian wing busted his way into the team. The snorefest in Perth saw no-one being selected.
The South African conference provided an abundance of action, as the Lions blew past the Cheetahs in the Bloemfontein cat-fight and the Stormers put a dominant performance in against the Rebels – earning Dillyn Leyds a debut in the Team of the Week.
Team of the Week: Super Rugby, Round 15:
15 – Israel Folau (Waratahs): In the repeat of last years Final, Folau played an instrumental part in steering the Tahs to victory by gaining 70 metres with 12 runs and two try assists.Bubbling under: Ben Smith (Highlanders)
14 -Taqele Naiyaravoro (Waratahs): The bulldozing runner scored a double and showed Australia what they missed out on by not selecting him.Bubbling under: Nehe Milner-Skudder (Hurricanes)
13 – Lionel Mapoe (Lions): Mapoe was electrifying against the Cheetahs slicing holes in their defence. He made four clean line breaks and topped it off with a try.
Bubbling under: Charlie Ngatai (Chiefs)
12 – Damian de Allende (Stormers): The Stormers midfielder stuck his hand up for a Bok jersey with a superb performance. He was a monster on defence making the most tackles in the whole game, and scored the opening try. Bubbling under: Samu Kerevi (Reds)
11 – Dillyn Leyds (Stormers): The speedster was elusive scoring two tries, with one of them coming for an old classic right-hand blind as he swerved past defenders. He fielded the ball well at the back and was awesome in kick-chases. Bubbling under: Julian Savea (Hurricanes)
10 – Damian McKenzie (Chiefs): The youngster was not so hot from the tee, but other than that he delivered a well balanced performance at flyhalf. He was elusive, threw some magic off-loads, ran 149 metres and notched up a try-assist. Bubbling under: Bernard Foley (Waratahs)
9 – Augustine Pulu (Chiefs): The Chiefs get the No.9/No.10 combo and Pulu was everywhere on the park. He made four clean breaks and topped his man-of-the-match performance off with a double try in the game.Bubbling under: TJ Perenara (Hurricanes)
8 – Warren Whitely (Lions): Once again the Lions superstar gets the nod at No.8. He put in 16 tackles, slipping just one and led the Lions to a bonus point victory.
Bubbling under: Akira Ioane (Blues)
7 – Ardie Savea (Hurricanes): The younger Savea is starting to feature regularly in this team. On a cold and rainy night in Auckland, the flank pt in a bruising performance doing lots of dog-work.Bubbling under: Michael Hooper (Waratahs)
6 – Liam Messam (Chiefs): Messam is making a case for the All Black No.6 jersey as he continues to deliver all-round performances, high work-rates, and awesome support play. He truly is something special.Bubbling under: Marcell Coetzee (Sharks)
5 – Victor Matfield (Bulls): Despite the Matfield haters, he is actually in great form. He made 15 tackles, won five line-outs, and was by far the most productive No.5 of the weekend.
Bubbling under: Sam Whitelock (Crusaders)
4 – Jeremy Thrush (Hurricanes): The 'Canes hard-man is in the team for the third week in a row. He again put an enforcing performance in, plus winning seven line-outs. It was a unanimous vote from the panel.bubbling under: Alex Ainely (Highlanders)
3 – Frans Malherbe (Stormers): Malherbe is selected for his powerful scrumming that crushed the Rebels pack.
Bubbling under: Sekope Kepu (Waratahs)
2 – Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks): Du Plessis found some of his old form against the Reds, as he basically played as a third loose forward making steals on the turf all day that helped the Sharks to victory. He was prominent on the park and had a monster game.Bubbling under: Dane Coles (Hurricanes)
1 – Steven Kitshoff (Stormers): Kitshoff is coming in as a combo with Malherbe. The two of them together helped the Stormers score nine points from scrum penalties.
Bubbling under: Brendon Edmonds (Highlanders)
Our individual selections!
Andrew Duncan XV: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Jan de Koning XV: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 13 Charlie Ngatai, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Warren Fortune XV: 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 6 Sean McMahon, 5 Dave Dennis, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Paul Dobson XV: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 13 Charlie Ngatai, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bismark du Plessis, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Tauriq Ibrahim XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Dave Dennis, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Michael de Vries XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 13 Charlie Ngatai, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bismark du Plessis, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Previous selections:
Team of the Week: Super Rugby, Round 14: 15 – Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 – Hosea Gear (Chiefs), 13 – Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs), 12 – Ma'a Nonu (Hurricanes), 11 – Bryce Heem (Chiefs), 10 – Bernards Foley (Waratahs), 9 – Nic White (Brumbies), 8 – Warren Whiteley (Lions), 7 – Jordy Reid (Rebels), 6 – Schalk Burger (Stormers), 5 – James Broadhurst (Hurricanes), 4 – Jeremy Thush (Hurricanes), 3 – Greg Holmes (Reds), 2 – Hika Elliot (Chiefs), 1 – Schalk van der Merwe (Lions).
Team of the Week: Super Rugby, Round 13: 15 – Andries Coetzee (Lions), 14 – Taqele Naiyaravoro (Waratahs), 13 – Harold Vorster (Lions), 12 – Dan Carter (Crusaders), 11 – Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders), 10 – Elton Jantjies (Lions), 9 – Francois de Klerk (Lions), 8 – Scott Higginbotham (Rebels), 7 – Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 – Akira Ioane (Blues), 5 – Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), 4 – Jeremy Thush (Hurricanes), 3 – Frans Malherbe (Stormers), 2 – Motu Matu'u (Hurricanes), 1 – Chris Eves (Hurricanes).
Team of the Week: Super Rugby, Round 12: 15 – Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 – Ruan Combrinck (Lions), 13 – Ryan Crotty (Crusaders), 12 – Michael van der Spuy (Cheetahs), 11 – Melani Nanai (Blues), 10 – Colin Slade (Crusaders), 9 – Aaron Smith (Highlanders), 8 – Arno Botha (Bulls), 7 – Jordy Reid (Rebels), 6 – Akira Ioane (Blues), 5 – Victor Matfield (Bulls), 4 – Carl Wegner (Cheetahs), 3 – Frans Malherbe (Stormers), 2 – Adriaan Strauss (Bulls), 1 – Reg Goodes (Hurricanes).
Team of the Week: Super Rugby, Round 11: 15 – Joe Pietersen (Cheetahs), 14 – Francois Hougaard (Bulls), 13 – Samu Kerevi (Reds), 12 – Damian de Allende (Stormers), 11 – Tim Nanai-Williams (Chiefs), 10 – Elton Jantjies (Lions), 9 – TJ Perenara (Hurricanes), 8 – Duane Vermeulen (Stormers), 7 – David Pocock (Brumbies), 6 – Jordan Tafua (Crusaders), 5 – Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 4 – Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 – Frans Malherbe (Stormers), 2 – Hika Elliot (Chiefs), 1 – Steven Kitshoff (Stormers).
Team of the Week: Super Rugby, Round 10: 15 – Nehe Milner-Skudder (Hurricanes), 14 – Francois Hougaard (Bulls), 13 – Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders), 12 – George Moala (Blues), 11 – James O'Connor (Reds), 10 – Lima Sopoaga (Highlanders), 9 – Brad Weber (Chiefs), 8 – Wycliff Palu (Waratahs), 7 – Sam Cane (Chiefs), 6 – Jordan Taufua (Crusaders), 5 – Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 4 – Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 – Sekope Kepu (Waratahs), 2 – Adriaan Strauss (Bulls), 1 – Steven Kitshoff (Stormers).
Team of the Week: Super Rugby, Round Nine: 15 – Jesse Kriel (Bulls), 14 – Francois Hougaard (Bulls), 13 – Juan de Jongh (Stormers), 12 – Damian de Allende (Stormers), 11 – Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders), 10 – Lima Sopoaga (Highlanders), 9 – Francois de Klerk (Lions), 8 – Jerome Kaino (Blues), 7 – Matt Todd (Crusaders), 6 – Heinrich Brussow (Cheetahs), 5 – Franco Mostert (Lions), 4 – Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 – Coenie Oosthuizen (Cheetahs), 2 – Stephan Moore (Brumbies), 1 – Steven Kitshoff (Stormers).
Team of the Week: Super Rugby, Round Eight: 15 – Israel Dagg (Crusaders), 14 – Tom Marshall (Chiefs), 13 – Henry Speight (Brumbies), 12 – Ryan Crotty (Crusaders), 11 – Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders), 10 – Colin Slade (Crusaders), 9 – Andy Ellis (Crusaders), 8 – Warren Whiteley (Lions), 7 – Warrick Tecklenburg (Lions), 6 – Brad Shields (Hurricanes), 5 – Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), 4 – Luke Romano (Crusaders), 3 – Scott Sio (Brumbies), 2 – Adriaan Strauss (Bulls), 1 – Reg Goodes (Hurricanes).
Team of the Week: Super Rugby, Round Seven: 15 – Israel Folau (Waratahs), 14 – Waisake Naholo (Highlanders), 13 – Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders), 12 – Sonny Bill Williams (Chiefs), 11 – Patrick Osborne (Highlanders), 10 – Handre Pollard (Bulls), 9 – Aaron Smith (Highlanders), 8 – Warren Whiteley (Lions), 7 – Warrick Tecklenburg (Lions), 6 – Renaldo Bothma (Sharks), 5 – Franco Mostert (Lions), 4 – Jeremy Thrush (Hurricanes), 3 – Trevor Nyakane (Bulls), 2 – Adriaan Strauss (Bulls), 1 – Pauliasi Manu (Chiefs).
Team of the Week: Super Rugby, Round Six: 15 – Israel Folau (Waratahs), 14 – Taqele Naiyaravoro (Waratahs), 13 – Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders), 12 – Dan Carter (Crusaders), 11 – Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders), 10 – Pat Lambie (Sharks), 9 – Cobus Reinach (Sharks), 8 – Warren Whiteley (Lions), 7 – Sam Cane (Chiefs), 6 – Jordan Taufua (Crusaders), 5 – Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), 4 – Luke Romano (Crusaders), 3 – Scott Sio (Brumbies), 2 – Adriaan Strauss (Bulls), 1 – Reggie Goodes (Hurricanes).
Team of the Week: Super Rugby, Round Five: 15 – Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 – Bryce Heem (Chiefs), 13 – Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders), 12 – Damien de Allende (Stormers), 11 – Patrick Osborne (Highlanders), 10 – Aaron Cruden (Chiefs), 9 – Aaron Smith (Highlanders), 8 – Ita Vaea (Brumbies), 7 – Sam Cane (Chiefs), 6 – Elliot Dixon (Highlanders), 5 – Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), 4 – Luke Romano (Crusaders), 3 – Ben Alexander (Brumbies), 2 – Dane Coles (Hurricanes), 1 – Wyatt Crockett (Crusaders).
Team of the Week: Super Rugby, Round Four: 15 – Cheslin Kolbe (Stormers), 14 – Henry Speight (Brumbies), 13 – Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders), 12 – Damien de Allende (Stormers), 11 – Joe Tomane (Brumbies), 10 – Handre Pollard (Bulls), 9 – Nic White (Brumbies), 8 – Duane Vermeulen (Stormers), 7 – Warrick Tecklenburg (Lions), 6 – Marcell Coetzee (Sharks), 5 – Steve Mafi (Western Force), 4 – Franco Mostert (Lions), 3 – Ben Tameifuna (Chiefs), 2 – Siyabonga Ntubeni (Stormers), 1 – Steven Kitshoff (Stormers).
Team of the Week: Super Rugby, Round Three: 15 – Willie le Roux (Cheetahs), 14 – Cornal Hendricks (Cheetahs), 13 – Charlie Ngatai (Chiefs), 12 – Sonny Bill Williams (Chiefs), 11 – Julian Savea (Hurricanes), 10 – Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), 9 – Will Genia (Reds), 8 – Jerome Kaino (Blues), 7 – Brad Shields (Hurricanes), 6 – Adam Thomson (Reds), 5 – Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues), 4 – Matt Symons (Chiefs), 3 – Coenie Oosthuizen (Cheetahs), 2 – Dane Coles (Hurricanes), 1 – Steven Kitshoff (Stormers).
Team of the Week: Super Rugby, Round Two: 15 – Andries Coetzee (Lions), 14 – Taqele Naiyaravoro (Waratahs), 13 – Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders), 12 – Charlie Ngatai (Chiefs), 11 – Dillyn Leyds (Stormers), 10 – Pat Lambie (Sharks), 9 – Will Genia (Reds), 8 – Jerome Kaino (Blues), 7 – Renaldo Bothma (Sharks), 6 – Adam Thomson (Reds), 5 – Lopeti Timani (Rebels), 4 – Luke Romano (Crusaders), 3 – Vincent Koch (Stormers), 2 – Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), 1 – Scott Sio (Brumbies).
Team of the Week: Super Rugby, Round One: 15 – Mike Harris (Rebels), 14 – Luke Morahan (Western Force), 13 – Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies), 12 – Damian de Allende (Stormers), 11 – Rob Horne (Waratahs), 10 – Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), 9 – Sarel Pretorius (Cheetahs), 8 – Duane Vermeulen (Stormers), 7 – David Pocock (Brumbies), 6 – Scott Fardy (Brumbies), 5 – Lopeti Timani (Rebels), 4 – Sam Wykes (Western Force), 3 – Coenie Oosthuizen (Cheetahs), 2 – Dane Coles (Hurricanes), 1 – Scott Sio (Brumbies).
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