Team of the Week: Mixed bag
In Round 16, Rugby365's Team of the Week is a mix with players featuring across all countries and teams.
Teams that needed to, stepped up to keep their play-off hopes alive.
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.
Team of the Week: Super Rugby, Round 16:
![Team of the Week: Mixed bag](https://rugby365.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/post-images/bsmith-totw.gif)
Bubbling under: Andries Coetzee (Lions)
![Team of the Week: Mixed bag](https://rugby365.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/post-images/re_1919722340.jpg)
Bubbling under: Seabelo Senatla (Stormers)
![Team of the Week: Mixed bag](https://rugby365.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/post-images/2013_NSW_Waratahs_Headshots_bVzW22ziCxFl.jpg)
Bubbling under: Lionel Mapoe (lions)
![Team of the Week: Mixed bag](https://rugby365.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/post-images/De_alende_60_totw.jpg)
Bubbling under: Harold Vorster (Lions)
![Team of the Week: Mixed bag](https://rugby365.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/post-images/nadolo-totw.gif)
Bubbling under: Patrick Osborne (Highlanders)
![Team of the Week: Mixed bag](https://rugby365.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/post-images/461801724.jpg)
Bubbling under: Elton Jantjies (Lions)
![Team of the Week: Mixed bag](https://rugby365.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/post-images/asmith-totw.gif)
Bubbling under: Nic Groom (Stormers)
![Team of the Week: Mixed bag](https://rugby365.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/post-images/HIGGINBOTHAM_Scott.jpg)
Bubbling under: Jordan Taufua (Crusaders)
![Team of the Week: Mixed bag](https://rugby365.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/post-images/David_Pocock_h_s.jpg)
Bubbling under: Matt Hodgson (Force)
![Team of the Week: Mixed bag](https://rugby365.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/post-images/re_117929600.jpg)
Bubbling under: Nizaam Carr (Stormers)
![Team of the Week: Mixed bag](https://rugby365.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/post-images/Mostertt-totwfour.gif)
Bubbling under: Grant Hattingh (Bulls)
![Team of the Week: Mixed bag](https://rugby365.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/post-images/etzebeth-totw.gif)
bubbling under: Luke Romano (Crusaders)
![Team of the Week: Mixed bag](https://rugby365.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/post-images/koch-60-totw.gif)
Bubbling under: Owen Franks (Crusaders)
![Team of the Week: Mixed bag](https://rugby365.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/post-images/461214706.jpg)
Bubbling under: Adriaan Strauss (Bulls)
![Team of the Week: Mixed bag](https://rugby365.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/post-images/kitshoff-totw3.gif)
Bubbling under: Schalk van der Merwe (Lions)
Our individual selections!
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.
Previous selections:
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).
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