Super Rugby Team of the Week: Round 15

OPINION: It was an interesting weekend, with plenty of movement on the standings.

While there is daylight between the top two and the rest in the New Zealand and Australian conferences, the South African race became even more congested.

The Stormers, who put a huge dent in the Highlanders’ play-off hopes while keeping their own dreams alive, top the poll this week.

They have four players in our starting XV – just ahead of the Crusaders and Sharks, both with three.

The Jaguares (with two), Brumbies, Chiefs and Bulls make up the numbers.

There are additional rewards for the Sharks in our back-up squad, where they have four players bubbling under.

The Jaguares and Chiefs have two each in our back-up squad, The Waratahs, Brumbies, Lions, Rebels, Crusaders, Stormers and Blues (one each) make up the numbers.

Only one player returns from last week – lock Rudolph Snyman (Bulls).

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

Team of the Week – Round 15:

15 – Emiliano Boffelli (Jaguares):
A rock for the Argentinean franchise in the last line of defence and a constant threat on attack. Will be a key player when they get to the play-offs.
Bubbling under: Kurtley Beale (Waratahs)

14 – Seabelo Senatla (Stormers):
Starting to find some impressive form. Made plenty of metres with the ball in hand, beat five defenders, made two clean breaks, made all his tackles and even won a turnover.
Bubbling under: Henry Speight (Brumbies)

13 – Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies):
Was a monster on attack, beating five defenders and making four clean breaks. Add a hat-trick of tries and you have a good reason to select him.
Bubbling under: Lionel Mapoe (Lions)

12 – Damian de Allende (Stormers)
He is beginning to find some great form and showed he is more than just a crash-ball dummy. Made 100-plus metres in 19 carries, beat a couple of defenders and even made a clean break. His tackle count was also into double figures.
Bubbling under: Jeronimo de la Fuente (Jaguares)

11 – Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks):
Also made more than 100 metres, with just six carries, and won two crucial turnovers.
Bubbling under: Marika Koroibete (Rebels)

10 – Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders):
So much class and skill, along with his great reading of the game. Continues to put pressure on Beauden Barrett for the All Black No.10 jersey.
Bubbling under: Curwin Bosch (Sharks)

9 – Herschel Jantjies (Stormers):
Certainly made a statement about Springbok World Cup selections. Scored another great try and tested the defence around the fringes.
Bubbling under: Bryn Hall (Crusaders)

8 – Dan du Preez (Sharks):
A real workhorse and while the perception is that he is a limited player, you can’t fault his physicality. Also won a crucial turnover.
Bubbling under: Pita Gus Sowakula (Chiefs)

7 – Matt Todd (Crusaders):
Showed he can play a tighter game if required, making 15 tackles in an arm-wrestle that had the potential to go horribly wrong for the defending champions.
Bubbling under: Jean-Luc du Preez (Sharks)

6 – Lachlan Boshier (Chiefs):
Showed the tremendous loose forward depth at the disposal of the All Black selectors. A monstrous 22 tackles and two huge turnovers at the end of the match kept his team in the hunt for the play-offs.
Bubbling under: Pablo Matera (Jaguares)

5 – Rudolph Snyman (Bulls):
As always an enormous workrate, even in a losing cause. Found time to beat two defenders, his tackle count was into double digits and he even won two turnovers.
Bubbling under: Ruan Botha (Sharks)

4 – Scott Barrett (Crusaders):
Another workhorse, who doesn’t shy away from doing the dirty stuff in dark places. Apart from his amazing work on defence, he also won a couple of turnovers.
Bubbling under: Cobus Wiese (Stormers)

3 – Coenie Oosthuizen (Sharks):
Impressive in the scrums, worked hard off the ball and took his tackle count into double digits.
Bubbling under: Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Blues)

2 – Julian Montoya (Jaguares):
Another giant leap towards being Argentina’s first choice hooker.
Bubbling under: Kerron van Vuuren (Sharks)

1 – Steven Kitshoff (Stormers):
Becoming a more forceful player as the season progresses and enjoying the leadership role he is being afforded.
Bubbling under: Atu Moli (Chiefs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTmkOzmaFcA

Our individual selections:

Paul Dobson XV: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Dan du Preez, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Lachlan Boshier, 5 Rudolph Snyman, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 2 Julian Montoya, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

Jan de Koning XV: 15 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Dan du Preez, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Lachlan Boshier, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbpLl8tsoB8&t=180s

Previous selections:

Team of the Week – Round 14: 15 Kurtley Beale (Waratahs), 14 Caleb Clarke (Blues), 13 Matias Moroni (Jaguares), 12 Jeronimo de la Fuente (Jaguares), 11 Marika Koroibete (Melbourne Rebels), 10 Handre Pollard (Bulls), 9 Aaron Smith (Highlanders), 8 Albertus Smith (Lions), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers), 6 Pablo Matera (Jaguares), 5 Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), 4 Rudolph Snyman (Bulls), 3 Carlu Sadie (Lions), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Alex Hodgman (Blues).

Team of the Week – Round 13: 15 Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), 14 Sevu Reece (Crusaders), 13 Jack Goodhue (Crusaders), 12 Harold Vorster (Lions), 11 George Bridge (Crusaders), 10 Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders), 9 Brad Weber (Chiefs), 8 Luke Jacobson (Chiefs), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Jordan Taufua (Crusaders), 5 Scott Barrett (Crusaders), 4 Ruan Botha (Sharks), 3 Alan Alaalatoa (Brumbies), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Atunaisa Moli (Chiefs).

Team of the Week – Round 12: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Wes Goosen (Hurricanes), 12 Ngani Laumape (Hurricanes), 11 George Bridge (Crusaders), 10 Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), 9 Tomas Cubelli (Jaguares), 8 Duane Vermeulen (Bulls), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Luke Jacobson (Chiefs), 5 Rudolph Snyman (Bulls), 4 Jackson Hemopo (Highlanders), 3 Trevor Nyakane (Bulls), 2 Folau Fainga’a (Brumbies), 1 Lizo Gqoboka (Bulls).

Team of the Week – Round 11: 15 Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), 14 Sevu Reece (Crusaders), 13 Braydon Ennor (Crusaders), 12 Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs), 11 Dillyn Leyds (Stormers), 10 Curwin Bosch (Sharks), 9 Aaron Smith (Highlanders), 8 Dan du Preez (Sharks), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (Stormers), 5 Rudolph Snyman (Bulls), 4 Cobus Wiese (Stormers), 3 Thomas du Toit (Sharks), 2 Agustin Creevy (Jaguares), 1 Lizo Gqoboka (Bulls).

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).

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