Super Rugby Team of the Week: Round 11

OPINION: It was truly an interesting weekend, with the bookmakers having lost heavily in half the games.

It also reflects in our selections – with the Stormers and Sharks the big winners.

There are three Stormers and three Sharks in the famous @rugby365com starting XV.

The Crusaders, Hurricanes and Bulls (two each) are not far behind. The Highlanders and Jaguares (one each) make up the numbers.

There is plenty of additions rewards for the Sharks in our back-up squad – with six Sharks bubbling under.

The Crusaders are also well rewarded with four places in our back-up squad, followed by the Jaguares, Hurricanes (two each) and Stormers (one).

No players returned from last week.

* Did we get it right this week? See our team below:

Team of the Week – Round 10:

15 – Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes):
At times it looked like they were playing touch-rugby and the Chiefs still could not get to him. It’s settled now, his best position is fullback.
Bubbling under: David Havili (Crusaders)

14 – Sevu Reece (Crusaders):
Made Lions captain Albertus Smith look like tumbleweed. But that is not the only reason. He drew two tacklers and set up Braydon Ennor for the Crusaders first try against the Lions. For his second try he produce another freakish display – blitzed around the defenders, dived at the rolling ball at pace to go over.
Bubbling under: Sibusiso Nkosi (Sharks)

13 – Braydon Ennor (Crusaders):
Such is their depth that they could give Jack Goodhue a rest and still be dominant in the midfield. Ennor took his opportunity in both hands and made it count. Ran some brilliant lines and has some incredible pace for a big man.
Bubbling under: Lukhanyo Am (Sharks)

12 – Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs):
The Chiefs looked like a one-man show, the Lienert-Brown show. He has been the one consistent performer in an under-performing team.
Bubbling under: Ryan Crotty (Crusaders)

11 – Dillyn Leyds (Stormers):
Seems to be running into a rich vein of form. Was a great sight when he set off for what turned out to be a match-winning try at a crucial stage in the second half. Made the Bulls pay dearly for their mistakes.
Bubbling under: Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks)

10 – Curwin Bosch (Sharks):
This was a particularly interesting debate. Beauden Barrett was back to his influential best, but Bosch finally settled the argument about the Sharks’ flyhalf position. If they want to be a threat in the play-offs, they need his skillset. Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders) was also in the mix.
Bubbling under: Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes)

9 – Aaron Smith (Highlanders)
Another player that is beginning to find form, with the World Cup on the horizon.
Bubbling under: Thomas Cubelli (Jaguares)

8 – Dan du Preez (Sharks):
Was more dynamic than we have seen him this year. The Waratahs simply had no answer to his physicality.
Bubbling under: Kieran Reid (Crusaders)

7 – Ardie Savea (Hurricanes):
Does all you expect from an openside flank, but also gives you some amazing options on attack.
Bubbling under: Jean-Luc Du Preez (Sharks)

6 – Siyamthanda Kolisi (Stormers):
Was a close call between Kolisi and Jaguares flank Pablo Matera. Both carried well, but Kolisi did so more effective. Kolisi also made a few more tackles.
Bubbling under: Pablo Matera (Jaguares)

5 – Rudolph Snyman (Bulls):
The bearded wonder was the spark in the Bulls’ engine, on a day when Duane Vermeulen’s influence was somewhat subdued.
Bubbling under: Kane Le’aupepe (Hurricanes)

4 – Cobus Wiese (Stormers):
The 21-year-old showed maturity beyond his years and put in a great shift in Cape Town to help the Stormers gain revenge against the Bulls for a huge defeat in round one. Created havoc with the ball in hand.
Bubbling under: Ruben Van Heerden (Sharks)

3 – Thomas du Toit (Sharks):
Certainly his best performance of the season, having lived in the shadows of the Stormers duo of Wilco Louw and Frans Malherbe.
Bubbling under: Frans Malherbe (Stormers)

2 – Agustin Creevy (Jaguares):
Started his first game since round three and while his line-out throws were erratic, he was his most abrasive best. Also won a number of turnovers.
Bubbling under: Armand van der Merwe (Sharks)

1 – Lizo Gqoboka (Bulls):
Was an amazing head-to-head battle with Springbok Frans Malherbe in the scrums, but had time to make
seven carries for 38 metres and 10 tackles.
Bubbling under: Joe Moody (Crusaders)

Our individual selections:

Paul Dobson XV: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Thomas Cubelli, 8 Dan du Preez, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Rudolph Snyman, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Agustin Creevy, 1 Joe Moody.

Jan de Koning XV: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Dan du Preez, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi, 5 Rudolph Snyman, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Agustin Creevy, 1 Lizo Gqoboka.

Previous selections:

Team of the Week – Round 10: 15 Melani Nanai (Blues), 14 Matt Faddes (Highlanders), 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs), 12 Samu Kerevi (Reds), 11 Semisi Masirewa (Sunwolves), 10 Bernard Foley (Waratahs), 9 Tate McDermott (Reds), 8 Warren Whiteley (Lions), 7 Cyle Brink (Lions), 6 Jahrome Brown (Brumbies), 5 Izack Rodda (Reds), 4 Rory Arnold (Brumbies), 3 Carlu Sadie (Lions), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Harry Hoopert (Reds).

Team of the Week – Round Nine: 15 Tom Banks (Brumbies), 14 Sevu Reece (Crusaders), 13 Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies), 12 Burger Odendaal (Bulls), 11 Dillyn Leyds (Stormers), 10 Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders), 9 Tomas Cubelli (Jaguares), 8 Paul Schoeman (Bulls), 7 Lachlan Boshier (Chiefs), 6 Pablo Matera (Jaguares), 5 Rudolph Snyman (Bulls), 4 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 3 Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Blues), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Steven Kitshoff (Stormers),

Team of the Week – Round Eight: 15 – Curwin Bosch (Sharks), 14 – Will Jordan (Crusaders), 13 – Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), 12 – Ma’a Nonu (Blues), 11 – Sevu Reece (Crusaders), 10 – Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders), 9 – Will Genia (Melbourne Rebels), 8 – Dan du Preez (Sharks), 7 – Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 – Shannon Frizell (Highlanders), 5 – Scott Barrett (Crusaders), 4 – Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues), 3 – Tyrel Lomax (Highlanders), 2 – Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Reds), 1 – Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks).

Team of the Week – Round Seven: 15 David Havili (Crusaders), 14 Jack Maddocks (Rebels), 13 Jack Goodhue (Crusaders), 12 Ma’a Nonu (Blues), 11 Semisi Masirewa, (Sunwolves), 10 Hayden Parker (Sunwolves), 9 Will Genia (Rebels), 8 Akira Ioane (Blues), 7 Angus Cottrell (Rebels), 6 Luke Jacobson (Chiefs), 5 Samuel Whitelock (Crusaders), 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues), 3 Michael Alaalatoa (Crusaders), 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi (Stormers), 1 Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks).

Team of the Week – Round Six: 15 Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), 14 Gerhard van den Heever (Sunwolves), 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs), 12 Samu Kerevi (Reds), 11 Rieko Ioane (Blues), 10 Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), 9 Nic Groom (Lions), 8 Akira Ioane (Blues), 7 Michael Hooper (Waratahs), 6 Ned Hanigan (Waratahs), 5 Rob Simmons (Waratahs), 4 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 3 Sekope Kepu (Waratahs), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Steven Kitshoff (Stormers).

Team of the Week – Round Five: 15 Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), 14 Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), 13 Samu Kerevi (Reds), 12 Billy Meakes (Rebels), 11 Wes Goosen (Hurricanes), 10 Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), 9 Will Genia (Rebels), 8 Lachlan McCaffrey (Brumbies), 7 Liam Wright (Reds), 6 Siya Kolisi (Stormers), 5 John Schickerling (Stormers), 4 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 3 Carlü Sadie (Lions), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Scott Sio (Brumbies).

Team of the Week – Round Four: 15 Will Jordan (Crusaders), 14 Sevu Reece (Crusaders), 13 Jack Goodhue (Crusaders), 12 Ngani Laumape (Hurricanes), 11 Rieko Ioane (Blues), 10 Handre Pollard (Bulls), 9 Will Genia (Rebels), 8 Duane Vermeulen (Bulls), 7 Michael Hooper (Waratahs), 6 Jordan Taufua (Crusaders), 5 Scott Barrett (Crusaders), 4 Josh Dickson (Highlanders), 3 Carlü Sadie (Lions), 2 Codie Taylor (Crusaders), 1 Dylan Smith (Lions).

Team of the Week – Round Three: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty (Rebels), 14 Gerhard van den Heever (Sunwolves), 13 Jack Goodhue (Crusaders), 12 Michael Little (Sunwolves), 11 Ramiro Moyano (Jaguares), 10 Handre Pollard (Bulls), 9 Will Genia (Rebels), 8 Duane Vermeulen (Bulls), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers), 6 Shannon Frizell (Highlanders), 5 Uwe Helu (Sunwolves), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 Hiroshi Yamashita (Sunwolves), 2 Dane Coles (Hurricanes), 1 Joe Moody (Crusaders).

Team of the Week – Round Two: 15 Tom Banks (Brumbies), 14 Chance Peni (Brumbies), 13 Jordan Petaia (Reds), 12 Samu Kerevi (Reds), 11 George Bridge (Crusaders), 10 Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies), 9 Tomas Cubelli (Jaguares), 8 Lachlan McCaffrey (Brumbies), 7 Albertus Smith (Lions), 6 Shannon Frizell (Highlanders), 5 Josh Dickson (Highlanders), 4 Scott Barrett (Crusaders), 3 Carlu Sadie (Lions), 2 Armand van der Merwe (Sharks), 1 Joe Moody (Crusaders).

Team of the Week – Round One: 15 Israel Folau (Waratahs), 14 Jack Maddocks (Rebels), 13 Braydon Ennor (Crusaders), 12 Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs), 11 Rosko Specman (Bulls), 10 Handre Pollard (Bulls), 9 Will Genia (Rebels), 8 Duane Vermeulen (Bulls), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Marnus Schoeman (Lions), 5 Lodewyk de Jager (Bulls), 4 Scott Barrett (Crusaders), 3 Carlu Sadie (Lions), 2 Armand van der Merwe (Sharks), 1 Dylan Smith (Lions).

@rugby365com