Team of the Week: Kiwi dominance

 

The battle of two heavyweights – Hurricanes and Chiefs, was a highly anticipated match and it did not fail to deliver. The Chiefs were tipped by many to win but the Hurricanes were quick to squash those predications. Conrad Smith, Brad Shields and Dan Coles all had cracking games while Sonny Bill Williams was unlucky to miss out on a place.

 

Dan Pryor put his name in the mix with a well-rounded performance for the Highlanders as they cleaned up the Blues.

 

The Crusaders sent out two of their legends with an emphatic win in Canberra against a Brumbies side seeking a home semifinal. Luke Romano, Nemani Nadolo and Dan Carter played themselves into the team.

 

South Africa was the provider of a high scoring game in Pretoria where the Cheetahs outclassed the Bulls. Ryno Benjamin makes a debut appearance in the Team of the Week. Sarel Pretorius edged out Aaron Smith for the scrumhalf post. 

 

There wasn't much on offer in a dead-rubber game at Kings Park although Odwa Ndungane was a class act on the wing for the Sharks. 

 

Chris Heiberg, Sam Whitelock and James Marshall all missed out by the slightest of margins.

 

 

15 – Ben Smith (Highlanders): Mr.Reliable Ben Smith makes his fifth appearance in the Team of the Week and he is definitely a contender for Team of the Season.

Bubbling under: Jesse Kriel (Bulls) 

 

14 – Odwa Ndungane (Sharks): The veteran Sharks flyer found some form of old as he crossed the try-line himself and was the provider of two try-assists. 

Bubbling under: Bryce Heem (Chiefs)

 

13 – Conrad Smith (Hurricanes): The Canes' captain was a force in the midfield during a tough encounter and scored a quality try. He showed who the true 'underdogs' were.

Bubbling under: Richard Buckman (Highlanders)

 

12 – Ryno Benjamin (Cheetahs): Benjamin was a demon on defence denying the Bulls chances to break the line. He made 14 tackles ands scored a fantastic try. 

Bubbling under: Sonny Bill Williams (Chiefs)

 

11 – Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders): The try-machine got another double. The solo effort he scored collecting his own grubber was enough to pick him.

Bubbling under: Patrick Osborne (Highlanders)

 

10 – Dan Carter (Crusaders): The man is back to his best proving all the critics wrong. In his last game for the Crusaders he delivered a complete performance.

Bubbling under: James Marshall (Hurricanes)

 

9 – Sarel Pretorius (Cheetahs): The livewire Cheetah was a constant threat keeping the Bulls defence on their toes. He scored a try and assisted two.

Bubbling under: Aaron Smith(Highlanders)

 

8 – Dan Pryor (Highlanders): The No.8 continued to raise his profile with a quality performance. He was everywhere on defence and scored a five-pointer. 

Bubbling under: Kieran Read (Crusaders)

 

7 – Michael Hooper (Waratahs): Hooper was a shining light in a rather dull performance from both teams. As usual the flank was a prominent feature in all passages of play.

Bubbling under: Richie McCaw (Crusaders)

 

6 – Brad Shields (Hurricanes): What a workhorse! The loose forward carried the ball 13 times making 48 metres, plus made 12 tackles.

Bubbling under: Matt Todd (Crusaders)

 

5 – Brodie Retallick (Chiefs): Retallick wrecked the Canes line-out all day. He won his own ball and stole three of theirs. The lock forward was cleaning rucks, making tackles and carrying solidly. 

Bubbling under: Sam Whitelock (Crusaders)

 

4 – Luke Romano (Crusaders): The enforcer for the Crusaders reminded everyone why he is an All Black. He was ruthless in the rucks and prominent in attack for the Crusaders. 

bubbling under: Luke Jones (Rebels) 

 

3 – Ben Franks (Hurricanes): Franks held his ground in the scrums, and he got around the park well for such a big man. 

Bubbling under: Paul Alo-Emile (Rebels) 

 

2 – Dane Coles (Hurricanes): Coles virtually made the All Black No.2 jersey his after another great game against the Chiefs. He was mobile and always in support.

Bubbling under: Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks)

 

1 – Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks): The Sharks' loosehead scrummed well providing his team with a platform to attack. As usual he carried well and did plenty of dirty work.

Bubbling under: Chris Heiberg (Force)

 

 

Paul Dobson XV: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Liam Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Marcel Coetzee, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Jones, 3 Owen Franks , 2 Dane Coles, 1 James Slipper.

 

Andrew Duncan XV: 15 Jesse Kriel, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Richard Buckman, 12 Rey Lee-Lo, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Dan Pryor, 7 Hencu Venter, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Paul Alo-Emile, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Chris Heiberg.

 

Warren Fortune XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Bryce Heem, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ryno Benjamin, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 James Marshall, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Dan Pryor, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Luke Romano 3 Ben Franks, 2 Bismark du Plessis, 1 Pauliasi Manu.

 

Tauriq Ibrahim XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Clayton Blommetjies, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ryno Benjamin, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 James Marshall, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Dan Pryor, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Matt Todd, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Michael Willemse, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

 

Michael de Vries XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Dan Pryor, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

 

 

Team of the Week: Super Rugby, Round 17: 15 – Israel Folau (Waratahs), 14 – Nehe Milner-Skudder (Hurricanes), 13 – Charlie Ngatai (Chiefs), 12 – Damian de Allende (Stormers), 11 –  Matt Carraro (Waratahs), 10 – Dan Carter (Crusaders), 9 – TJ Perenara (Hurricanes), 8 – Warren Whiteley (Lions), 7 – David Pocock (Brumbies), 6 – Jaco Kriel (Lions), 5 – James Broadhurst (Hurricanes), 4 – Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 –  Frans Malherbe (Stormers), 2 –  Bongi Mbonambi (Stormers), 1 –  Schalk van der Merwe (Lions).

 

Team of the Week: Super Rugby, Round 16: 15 – Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 – Ruan Combrinck (Lions), 13 – Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs), 12 – Damian de Allende (Stormers), 11 – Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders), 10 – Quade Cooper (Reds), 9 – Aaron Smith (Highlanders), 8 – Scott Higginbotham (Rebels), 7 – David Pocock (Brumbies), 6 – Jaco Kriel (Lions), 5 – Franco Mostert (Lions), 4 – Jeremy Thrush (Hurricanes), 3 –  Vincent Koch (Stormers), 2 –  Armand van der Merwe (Lions), 1 –  Steven Kitshoff (Stormers).

 

Team of the Week: Super Rugby, Round 15: 15 – Israel Folau (Waratahs), 14 – Taqele Naiyaravoro (Waratahs), 13 – Lionel Mapoe (Lions), 12 – Damian de Allende (Stormers), 11 – Dillyn Leyds (Stormers), 10 – Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), 9 – Augustine Pulu (Chiefs), 8 – Warren Whiteley (Lions), 7 – Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 – Liam Messam (Chiefs), 5 – Victor Matfield (Bulls), 4 – Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 –  Frans Malherbe (Stormers), 2 –  Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), 1 –  Steven Kitshoff (Stormers).

 

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).