RC Team of the Week: Slim pickings

OPINION: One match was entertaining, the other a dull affair. Not surprising then that the bulk of our team comes from the encounter between New Zealand and Argentina.

The poor quality of the other game gave us slim pickings.

Not only was the rugby in Nelson of a far higher quality, but the class of the players was far superior to that on display in Brisbane.

New Zealand and Argentina produced seven players each in the starting XV of rugby365‘s famous Team of the Week.

One Australian made the cut, because he was class as well.

New Zealand got further reward in our back-up squad – with eight another players bubbling under.

Argentina (four), South Africa (two) and Australia (one) make up the numbers.

With so many changes in the various team selections, only one player returns from the previous round – All Black No.8 Kieran Read.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6l_oLVBXhEs

Team of the Week – Round Three:

15 – Emiliano Boffelli (Argentina):
Perhaps not the finished product, but one of the reasons the Pumas have evolved into a major attacking threat in the Test arena.
Bubbling under: Ben Smith (New Zealand)

14 – Bautista Delguy (Argentina):
Considering the opposition, he was lethal on attack and solid on defence.
Bubbling under: Nehe Milner-Skudder (New Zealand)

13 – Jack Goodhue (New Zealand):
He has been a revelation this year and his Rugby Championship form suggests he is going top be wearing the black jersey for a long time.
Bubbling under: Matias Moroni (Argentina)

12 – Matt Toomua (Australia):
By some distance the most impressive player in a very dreary game. He showed his class and value as an inside centre. The game was won by his goal-kicking.
Bubbling under: Anton Lienert-Brown (New Zealand)

11 – Ramiro Moyano (Argentina):
Perhaps not the most effective on defence, but he tormented the All Black defence and showed that holes can be found in the black wall.
Bubbling under: Waisake Naholo (New Zealand)

10 – Nicolás Sánchez (Argentina):
He is now challenging Beauden Barritt as the premier flyhalf in the world. Not there yet, but pretty close.
Bubbling under: Richie Mo’unga (New Zealand)

9 – Thomas Perenara (New Zealand):
Showed he is more than just a super sub – with sniping and snappy play that contributed to an entertaining game.
Bubbling under: Martin Landajo (Argentina)

8 – Kieran Read (New Zealand):
He has such a great feel for the game, effortlessly popping up everywhere at the right moment – keeping the game flowing, snuffing out attacks from the opposition, or finishing off moves.
Bubbling under: Javier Ortega Desio (Argentina)

7 – Ardie Savea (New Zealand):
He received most of the plaudits for his ball-carrying ability, but also made 21 tackles – showing his allround value.
Bubbling under: Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)

6 – Shannon Frizell (New Zealand):
Much like his All Black teammate, he fizzed with ball in hand and made a bucketload of tackles.
Bubbling under: Lukhan Tui (Australia)

5 – Scott Barrett (New Zealand):
Has come into his own this year and showed that he can function as a regular starter.
Bubbling under: Franco Mostert South Africa)

4 – Guido Petti Pagadizaval (Argentina):
It was the maturity he showed in such a high-profile game that suggested the 23-year-old is going to be key to Argentina at next year’s World Cup.
Bubbling under: Sam Whitelock (New Zealand)

3 – Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro (Argentina):
Perhaps not the most impressive scrumming performance, but his work at the breakdown, on defence and ball-carrying that got him our vote.
Bubbling under: Owen Franks (New Zealand)

2 – Codie Taylor (New Zealand):
Played like a loose forward – his tackle count well into double figures and his ball-carrying was also impressive.
Bubbling under: Agustin Creevy (Argentina)

1 – Santiago Garcia Botta (Argentina):
Like his compatriot in the front row, was under pressure in the scrums. But his workrate showed up his rivals.
Bubbling under: Karl Tu’inukuafe (New Zealand)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dl0J2yvQgY&t=190s

Our individual selections:

Paul Dobson XV: 15 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Matías Moroni, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Ramiro Moyano, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Thomas Perenara, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

Jan de Koning XV: 15 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Waisake Naholo, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Thomas Perenara, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Santiago Garcia Botta.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gOlZj0RS4Q

Our previous selections:

Team of the Week – Round Two: 15 Jordie Barrett (New Zealand), 14 Ben Smith (New Zealand), 13 Matías Moroni (Argentina), 12 Ngani Laumape (New Zealand), 11 Waisake Naholo (New Zealand), 10 Beauden Barrett (New Zealand), 9 Aaron Smith (New Zealand), 8 Kieran Read (New Zealand), 7 Sam Cane (New Zealand), 6 Pablo Matera (Argentina), 5 Sam Whitelock (New Zealand), 4 Brodie Retallick (New Zealand), 3 Juan Figallo (Argentina), 2 Agustin Creevy (Argentina), 1 Joe Moody (New Zealand).

Team of the Week – Round One: 15 Ben Smith (New Zealand), 14 Waisake Naholo (New Zealand), 13 Jack Goodhue (New Zealand), 12 Andre Esterhuizen (South Africa), 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi (South Africa), 10 Beauden Barrett (New Zealand), 9 Aaron Smith (New Zealand), 8 David Pocock (Australia), 7 Sam Kane (New Zealand), 6 Pablo Matera (Argentina), 5 Sam Whitelock (New Zealand), 4 Eben Etzebeth (South Africa), 3 Owen Franks (New Zealand), 2 Malcolm Marx (South Africa), 1 Joe Moody (New Zealand).

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