Team of the week: Underdog's day

 

A lot of big names that you would easily expect to find in a Team of the Week are missing, the legends of Dan Carter and Richie McCaw as well as talents Israel Folau, Michael Hooper, Handre Pollard, Tendai Mtawarira and Will Genia are no where to be found.

 

Rather it is the hard graft of Lopeti Timani for the Rebels who got his team a try over last year's finalists that makes it in.

 

It is 19-year-old Damian McKenzie who ran the Chiefs backline with aplomb who gets the nod.

 

It is Coenie Oosthuizen who got the incumbent Springbok loosehead into all sorts of trouble while playing in his lees-favoured tight head that makes the team.

 

It just goes to show you, that reputation will never beat the effort of an individual wanting to be part of a team effort!

 

 

15 – Mike Harris (Rebels): He was an important player for the Reds and looks just as important down in Melbourne,

Bubbling under: Willie le Roux (Cheetahs)

 

 

14 – Luke Morahan (Western Force): Perhaps he is looking to add to his Wallaby caps, or maybe even keep Nick Cummins out?

Bubbling under: Robbie Fruean (Crusaders)

 

 

13 – Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies): Really became a massive force in 2014 and is looking to take that form forward this year.

Bubbling Under: Conrad Smith (Hurricanes)

 

 

12 – Damian de Allende (Stormers): He has got the Springbok captain's boots to fill and looks to be doing just fine.

Bubbling under: Sonny Bill Williams (Chiefs)

 

 

11 – Rob Horne (Waratahs): One of the few Tahs that actually looked a part of the Force game.

Bubbling under: Dillyn Leyds (Stormers)

 

 

 

10 – Damian McKenzie (Chiefs): An incredible junior talent taking it to the next level with ease.

Bubbling under: Matt Toomua (Brumbies)

 

 

 

9 – Sarel Pretorius (Cheetahs): Super Sarel, never gets a look in with the Boks – crying shame.

Bubbling under: TJ Perenara (Hurricanes)

 

 

 

8 – Duane Vermeulen (Stormers):Best player in South Africa last year, almost in the best in world, just carrying on from where he left off. 

Bubbling under: Ben McCalman (Western Force)

 

 

7 – David Pocock (Brumbies): A fantastic return from two years of recovery 

Bubbling under: Michael Rhodes (Stormers)

 

 

 

6 – Scott Fardy (Brumbies): A real grafter but someone with skills to boot.

Bubbling under: Steven Luatua (Blues)

 

 

 

5 – Lopeti Timani (Rebels): Was all over the park for the Rebels and got that important try!

Bubbling under: James Broadhurst (Hurricanes)

 

 

 

4 – Sam Wykes (Western Force):Stand-in captain, led from the front

Bubbling under: Luke Romano (Crusaders)

 

 

 

3 – Coenie Oosthuizen (Cheetahs): The Coenie of old! Looked comfortable at tight head

Bubbling under: Vincent Koch (Stormers)

 

 

 

2 – Dane Coles (Hurricanes): Always a livewire and match the Lions' fast paced play

Bubbling under: Pat Leafa (Rebels)

 

 

 

1 – Scott Sio (Brumbies):Another one looking to add to his wallaby caps.

Bubbling under: Danie Mienie (Cheetahs)

 

 

 

 

Jan de Koning XV: 15 Mike Harris, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 David Pocock, 6 Jean Cook, 5 Lopeti Timani, 4 Sam Wykes, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Dane Coles,  1 Danie Minnie.

 

Tauriq Ebrahim XV: 15 Mike Harris, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Damian De Allende, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Michael Rhodes, 6 Steven Luatua, 5 James Broadhurst, 4 Sam Wykes, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Scott Sio.

 

Michael de Vries XV: 15 Mike Harris, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Rob Horne, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 David Pocock, 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Scott Sio.

 

Paul Dobson XV: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 James Lowe, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Michael Rhodes, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 James Broadhurst, 4 Luke Jones, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Scott Sio.

 

Darryn Pollock XV: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Robbie Fruean, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Rob Horne, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 David Pocock, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Lopeti Timani, 4 Sam Wykes, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Pat Leafa, 1 Scott Sio.