Super Rugby: Team of the Tournament

OPINION: We have arrived at that time of the year, where we entertain you with @rugby365com‘s famous selection.

The Crusaders, having completed their three-peat and 10th title overall, is justly rewarded with six players in our starting XV.

The Bulls (three) are next best represented, followed by the Lions (two) – with the Sunwolves, Rebels, Hurricanes and Jaguares (one each) making up the numbers.

The Crusaders’ dominance is further depicted in the three players in our back-up squad.

The Jaguares, runners-up, are also rewarded with three players bubbling under.

The Bulls, Stormers (two each), Sunwolves, Reds, Hurricanes, Chiefs and Brumbies (one each) make up the numbers.

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Team of the Tournament

15 – David Havili (Crusaders):
It was a tough call, but what swung the final vote in his favour was his exceptional performance in a tight Final.
Bubbling under: Emiliano Boffelli (Jaguares)

14 – Sevu Reece (Crusaders):
No contest. Just look at his try-scoring stats – a record-equalling 15, joining former Crusader Rico Gear and Joe Roff (Brumbies).
Bubbling under: Gerhard van den Heever (Sunwolves)

13 – Jack Goodhue (Crusaders):
In his more than 400 minutes on the field, he made 453 metres, an average gain of more than five metres per carry and a tackle success rate of 83 percent – 111 tackles from 134 attempts.
Bubbling under: Matias Orlando (Jaguares)

12 – Ryan Crotty (Crusaders):
Averaged almost six metres per carry, for 392 metres. His tackle success rate is 90 percent – 100 tackles from 111 attempts.
Bubbling under: Samu Kerevi (Reds)

11 – Semisi Masirewa (Sunwolves):
Was in the running for the tournament’s top try scorer, but his team obviously failed to make the play-offs – which allowed the likes of Sevu Reece and Ngani Laumape a few additional opportunities.
Bubbling under: Braydon Ennor (Crusaders)

10 – Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders):
Without a doubt the top-ranked flyhalf going into the World Cup. It would be an injustice if he doesn’t start for New Zealand.
Bubbling under: Handre Pollard (Bulls)

9 – Will Genia (Rebels):
Will be crucial to the Wallaby cause during the Rugby Championship and World Cup.
Bubbling under: Thomas Perenara (Hurricanes)

8 – Duane Vermeulen (Bulls):
Played an astonishing 583 minutes. Made 373 metres from 63 carriers, for an average gain of almost six metres per carry. His tackle success rate is 90 percent – 114 tackles from 126 attempts.
Bubbling under: Kieran Read (Crusaders)

7 – Ardie Savea (Hurricanes):
The ultimate loose forward – pace, power and skill. Played an even more amazing 623 minutes and also averaged almost six metres per carry.
Bubbling under: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers)

6 – Pablo Matera (Jaguares):
The most consistent of an impressive bunch of Argentinean players. His tackle success rate, of 92 percent, is the most impressive.
Bubbling under: Lachlan Boshier (Chiefs)

5 – Rudolph Snyman (Bulls):
Not just his set-piece work, but his carriers and breakdown work – with a tackle success rate (90 percent) to compare with the loose forwards.
Bubbling under: Sam Whitelock (Crusaders)

4 – Scott Barrett (Crusaders):
As they say in the classic, he has a ‘big engine’ on him. Tackle success rate of 93 percent – 137 made from 148 attempts.
Bubbling under: Rory Arnold (Brumbies)

3 – Carlu Sadie (Lions):
The find of the season. And he is already back in Cape Town, playing Currie Cup for Western Province.
Bubbling under: Trevor Nyakane (Bulls)

2 – Malcolm Marx (Lions):
The heart and soul of the Lions team. Made 96 carries and 101 tackles in his 702 minutes on the field.
Bubbling under: Julian Montoya (Jaguares)

1 – Lizo Gqoboka (Bulls):
Has an amazing tackle success rate of 95 percent – 123 tackles from 129 attempts, in more than 500 minutes played.
Bubbling under: Steven Kitshoff (Stormers)

Our individual selections:

Warren Fortune XV: 15 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Semisi Masirewa, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Will Genia, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Rudolph Snyman, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Lizo Gqoboka.

Paul Dobson XV: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Matias Orlando, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Will Genia, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Rudolph Snyman, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

Jan de Koning XV: 15 David Havili, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Braydon Ennor, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Thomas Perenara, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Rudolph Snyman, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Lizo Gqoboka.

@rugby365com