Team of the Week: Lopsided

 

Lions, Stormers, Hurricanes, and the Waratahs all feature heavily in the selections.

 

A few more predictable results were seen this week and as such some of the players who have the weight of expectation turned up and shone.

 

Mercurial All Black Dan Carter was back with a flourish at flyhalf for the Crusaders, and Matt Carraro took his chance for the Waratahs.

 

Israel Folau showed why he is still the best at the back. Charlie Ngatai proved his class as a centre and TJ Perenara continued to give the All Black selectors headaches.

 

Victor Vito was unlucky not to find his way into the team while Richie McCaw too was back to his best.

 

There is always room for the younger talent with Jesse Kriel, Dillyn Leyds and Dane Coles all having good games. 

 

 

15 – Israel Folau (Waratahs): He was a cut above the rest busting tackles at will. He ran 101 metres through 10 carries, beat eight defenders, made four clean breaks and topped it off with a hat-trick of tries. 

Bubbling under: Jesse Kriel (Bulls) 

 

14 – Nehe Milner-Skudder (Hurricanes): The man is electric. He has all the skills plus the speed. His side-step is awesome and he is not shy of contact. This Hurricane speedster is making a claim for an All Black jersey. 

Bubbling under: Dyllin Leyds (Stormers)

 

13 – Charlie Ngatai (Chiefs): Ngatai was a spark in the Chiefs backline and has been a highlight since Sonny-Bill Williams' injury. He makes the right decisions and has skill and pace to back it up and he sealed his performance off with a try to his name.

Bubbling under: Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs)

 

12 – Damian de Allende (Stormers): The uncompromising centre is featuring for his 3rd week in a row. He was a rock on defence in a bruising encounter with the Lions making 12 tackles. 

Bubbling under: Ray Lee-lo (Hurricanes)

 

11 – Matt Carraro (Waratahs): Carraro made use of his rare starting opportunity. He was all over the park and dotted over the whitewash twice.

Bubbling under: Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders)

 

10 – Dan Carter (Crusaders): Cool, calm and composed as ever, Carter was back to his best at flyhalf and showed just why he is a No.10 not a No.12. 

Bubbling under: Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies)

 

9 – TJ Perenara (Hurricanes): A full house of votes for the All Black scrumhalf. The live wire scored twice for the Canes and delivered quality service to his flyhalf. 

Bubbling under: Nic Groom (Stormers)

 

8 – Warren Whiteley (Lions): As usual the Minister of Defence made 14 tackles and was a go-to in the line-outs. He lead his troops into a Newlands battle and deserves a place in the team. 

Bubbling under: Victor Vito (Hurricanes)

 

7 – David Pocock (Brumbies): A hat-trick is a hat-trick no matter how you score them! Pocock was also a demon in defence making 15 tackles.

Bubbling under: Richie McCaw (Crusaders)

 

6 – Jaco Kriel (Lions): Kriel was like a man possessed against the Stormers bouncing and stiff-arming defenders for fun. He was responsible for the Stormers flyhalf replacement which definitely saved the Lions some points.

Bubbling under: Liam Messam (Chiefs)

 

5 – James Broadhurst (Hurricanes):  The No.5 lock had another big game for the Canes. He is a powerful runner in the tight-loose and always manages to make useful offloads. 

Bubbling under: David Dennis (Waratahs)

 

4 – Eben Etzebeth (Stormers): A beast of a game from Etzebeth. What didn't he do? His Man of the Match award was based on his bulldozing runs, turn of speed, 14 tackles, 50 run-metres, 2 clean breaks and hitting rucks all-day.

bubbling under: Jeremy Thrush (Hurricanes) 

 

3 – Frans Malherbe (Stormers): Not many tightheads stuck up their hands for selection but Malherbe most definitely did. As usual he was a rock in the scrums and he made 8 tackles in the game.

Bubbling under: Ben Alexander (Brumbies) 

 

2 – Bongi Mbonambi (Stormers): Finally Mbonambi features here. The dynamic hooker was everywhere on the field and he made 19 tackles on charging Lions.

Bubbling under: Dane Coles (Hurricanes)

 

1 – Schalk van der Merwe (Lions): He continues his good performances in the scrums and all-round work-rate. He will be missed in Super Rugby when he heads North.

Bubbling under: Brendon Edmonds (Highlanders)

 

 

Andrew Duncan XV: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13 Charlie Ngatai, 12 Rey Lee-Lo, 11 Julien Savea, 10 Dan Carter, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Schalk van der Merwe.

 

Jan de Koning XV: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13 Charlie Ngatai, 12 Andrew Horrell, 11 Matt Carraro, 10 Dan Carter, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 David Dennis, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe,  2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Brendon Edmonds.

 

Warren Fortune XV: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 George Moala, 11 Matt Carraro, 10 Dan Carter,  9 TJ Perenara, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 David Pocock, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 James Broadhurst, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Steven Kitshoff 

 

Tauriq Ibrahim XV: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13 Charlie Ngatai, 12 Damian De Allende, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Dan Carter, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Sean McMahon, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Armand van der Merwe, 1 Schalk van der Merwe.

 

Michael de Vries XV: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13 Charlie Ngatai, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Dan Carter, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 David Pocock, 6 Liam Messam, 5 James Broadhurst, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Scott Sio.

 

 

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).