Team of the Week: Mixed bag

We saw the Highlanders, Crusaders and Lions all put in top performances to stay in the hunt for what they are after. The Highlanders are eyeing a top spot finish in the New Zealand Conference, while the Lions and Crusaders are in search of a wild card play-off position.

 

In Canberra we saw the Brumbies put the knife to the Bulls in a poor display from both sides which saw only David Pocock find his way into the team. 

 

In the New Zealand conference the Crusaders upset a Hurricanes side who thought they could pitch up to Nelson and take points. The Saders had other thoughts in mind. In probably the clash of the weekend – the Highlanders and Chiefs battled out at the Southern tip of New Zealand and the men from the South put in a solid performance as they earned selections this week. 

 

Australia again was a snorefest when the Reds took on the Force. However the Cooper/Genia combination was certainly not boring as they displayed some smooth skills. 

 

In the Republic, the Sharks gave their fans something to shout about after they pipped the Rebels but a very mediocre performance from both sides only saw Scott Higginbotham stand-out.

 

The Cheetahs were slammed by the Stormers, and the Lions put up a gutsy performance to hang on to a win at Ellis Park against the Waratahs. Those wins allowed the Stormers and Lions to steak many claims in the team this week.

 

 

15 – Ben Smith (Highlanders): It was a tough day for a fullback in a wet an misty Invercargill, yet Ben Smith made it look like it was bone-dry fielding high balls all day and topping his ice-cool performance off with a try.

Bubbling under: Andries Coetzee (Lions) 

 

14 -Ruan Combrinck (Lions): Is he inching closer to a Bok shout? He has pace, a step, a swerve and runs the right support lines. Plus the added bonus of a long-ranged goal kicker. He had a monster game against the Waratahs scoring 2 tries.

Bubbling under: Seabelo Senatla (Stormers)

 

13 – Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs): Ashley-Cooper was a threat on attack, making three clean line-breaks, 73 run metres and scoring a try for the Tahs.

Bubbling under: Lionel Mapoe (lions)

 

12 – Damian de Allende (Stormers): Surely this man has to have a Bok starting jersey? Preferably at No.12. He beat ten defenders on the weekend, made 14 physical runs, and scored a try. He is featuring regularly in this team.

Bubbling under: Harold Vorster (Lions)

 

11 – Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders): His offloads are getting better and better as the competition goes on. Once again, he was a bulldozing runner beating seven defenders and his try assist was a spectacular pass to his scrumhalf.

Bubbling under: Patrick Osborne (Highlanders)

 

10 – Quade Cooper (Reds): The magician returned from injury with a bang, his service was awesome as every pass perfectly timed in front of receivers. He scored two tries, and showed off his skill with a back-door no-look pass to his wing for a try in the corner. 

Bubbling under: Elton Jantjies (Lions)

 

9 – Aaron Smith (Highlanders): The incumbent All Black scrumhalf showing his skills through providing crisp service in testing conditions on a wet field. His tactical kicking always pins opposition back.

Bubbling under: Nic Groom (Stormers)

 

8 – Scott Higginbotham (Rebels): The double try-scorer lead by example for the Rebels, making 89 metres, beating seven defenders and made three clean breaks. A Wallaby jersey has his name on it. 

Bubbling under: Jordan Taufua (Crusaders)

 

7 – David Pocock (Brumbies): The fetching flank was all over the park against the Bulls slowing ball down and making turnovers on the ground.

Bubbling under: Matt Hodgson (Force)

 

6 – Jaco Kriel (Lions): Trying to play his way into the Bok squad, Kriel certainly showed what he was made of against physical teams. He made 18 tackles, bounced defenders for fun, and made 86 metres with only nine carries.

Bubbling under: Nizaam Carr (Stormers)

 

5 – Franco Mostert (Lions):  Some say he is too short, but the lock was busy all day hitting ruck after ruck doing all the dirty work that goes unnoticed. 

Bubbling under: Grant Hattingh (Bulls)

 

4 – Eben Etzebeth (Stormers): The bruising second rower was terrifying opponents when he had the ball. He is the go-to man for bashing it up and he was a force against the Cheetahs.

bubbling under: Luke Romano (Crusaders)

 

3 – Vincent Koch (Stormers): Finally he got another starting opportunity and he did not fail to impress as he obliterated the Cheetahs scrum and topped it off with his first Super Rugby try.

Bubbling under: Owen Franks (Crusaders) 

 

2 – Armand van der Merwe (Lions): Known for his impact play from the bench – the Angry Warthog seized his opportunity to start and was difficult to bring down, plus he was immense in the scrums.

Bubbling under: Adriaan Strauss (Bulls)

 

1 – Steven Kitshoff (Stormers): A constant Team of the Week feature, he is making the loosehead prop position is own. He always carries well, and performs in the scrums. Another one itching for a Springbok jersey.

Bubbling under: Schalk van der Merwe (Lions)

 

 

Andrew Duncan XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Jordan Taufua, 7 Matt Hodgson, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Grant Hattingh, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Armand van der Merwe, 1 Schalk van der Merwe.

 

Jan de Koning XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 6 Matt Todd, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Armand van der Merwe, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

 

Warren Fortune XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Elton Jantjies 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 David Pocock, 6 Nizaam Carr, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Vincent Koch,  2 Armand van der Merwe,  1 Steven Kitshoff. 

 

Paul Dobson XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Warren Whitely, 7 Ardi Savea, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 David Dennis, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

 

Tauriq Ibrahim XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Nizaam Carr, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Armand van der Merwe, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

 

Michael de Vries XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Jordan Taufua, 7 David Pocock, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 James Broadhurst, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Schalk van der Merwe.

 

 

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 – Jeremy Thrush (Hurricanes), 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).