Team of the Week: At last some resistance
The All Blacks still provide the highest number of players in our Team of the Week, but Argentina – with 50 minutes of the most resistance provided this year to the back-to-back World Cup champions – ensured they also have good representation.
There are seven All Blacks in our starting XV and six Pumas, with Australia providing the other two members of our first-choice selection.
There is an equal representation of Kiwis and Argentineans in our back-up squad – seven each.
There is one Wallaby to make up the numbers, with not a single South African getting a look-in in either our first-choice or back-up squads.
Six players return from Round Two – fullback Ben Smith (New Zealand), flyhalf Beauden Barrett (New Zealand), No.8 Facundo Isa (Argentina), locks Sam Whitelock (New Zealand) and Brodie Retallick (New Zealand), as well as prop Ramiro Herrera (Argentina).
Team of the Week – Rugby Championship, Week Three:
15 – Ben Smith (New Zealand):
Showed why he is rated as one of the best, if not THE best fullback in the world at present.
Bubbling under: Joaquin Tuculet (Argentina)
14 – Matthias Moroni (Argentina):
Limited opportunities, but certainly threatened the All Black defensive lines.
Bubbling under: Israel Dagg (New Zealand)
13 – Samu Kerevi (Australia):
One of the few players who stood out in a dour game in Brisbane.
Bubbling under: Malakai Fekitoa (New Zealand)
12 – Ryan Crotty (New Zealand):
His distribution skills and defensive work are often underrated.
Bubbling under: Juan Martín Hernández (Argentina)
11 – Julian Savea (New Zealand):
He had an amazing first half, pushing his metres made well into three figures. Even though he faded in the second half, was still the best by some distance.
Bubbling under: Santiago Cordero (Argentina)
10 – Beauden Barrett (New Zealand):
Simply the best!
Bubbling under: Nicolas Sanchez (Argentina)
9 – Will Genia (Australia):
He is finally beginning to regain some of his form, which played a big role in the Wallabies' win.
Bubbling under: Aaron Smith (New Zealand)
8 – Facundo Isa (Argentina):
The Pumas' best player and likely to be a fixture in the team for a long time to come.
Bubbling under: Kieran Read (New Zealand)
7 – Javier Ortega Desio (Argentina):
His work with the ball in hand and on defence helped keep the Pumas n the game for a long time.
Bubbling under: Sam Cane (New Zealand)
6 – Jerome Kaino (New Zealand):
He has run into a rich vein of form and will leave a lasting legacy when he moves on.
Bubbling under: Pablo Matera (Argentina)
5 – Samuel Whitelock (New Zealand):
The unassuming way he goes about his business sometimes make it seems he missing in action … until you look a little closer.
Bubbling under: Matías Alemanno (Argentina)
4 – Brodie Retallick (New Zealand):
Was an energetic and physical show that added to his growing reputation as the world's premier No.4 lock.
Bubbling under: Guido Petti Pagadizaval (Argentina)
3 – Ramiro Herrera (Argentina):
His game is far from complete, but he is more than just solid with the basics.
Bubbling under: Sekope Kepu (Australia)
2 – Agustin Creevy (Argentina):
The glue that keeps the Pumas together.
Bubbling under: Dane Coles (New Zealand)
1 – Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro (Argentina):
His reputation as a world class player is growing with every outing.
Bubbling under: Joe Moody (New Zealand)
Our Individual selections:
Paul Dobson XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Juan Martín Hernández, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Will Genia, 8 Facundo Isa, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Matías Alemanno, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Ramiro Herrera, 2 Agustín Creevy, 1 Joe Moody.
Warren Fortune XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Matthias Moroni, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Ryan Crotty 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Martin Landajo, 8 Facundo Isa, 7 Javier Ortega Desio, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Sekope Kepu 2 Agustin Creevy, 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro.
Jan de Koning XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Matthias Moroni, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Javier Ortega Desio, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Ramiro Herrera, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro.
Previous selections:
Team of the Week – Rugby Championship, Week Two: 15 Ben Smith (New Zealand), 14 Israel Dagg (New Zealand), 13 Malakai Fekitoa (New Zealand), 12 Anton Lienert-Brown (New Zealand), 11 Manual Montero (Argentina), 10 Beauden Barrett (New Zealand), 9 Aaron Smith (New Zealand), 8 Facundo Isa (Argentina), 7 Sam Cane (New Zealand), 6 Pablo Matera (Argentina), 5 Sam Whitelock (New Zealand), 4 Brodie Retallick (New Zealand), 3 Ramiro Herrera (Argentina), 2 Dane Coles (New Zealand), 1 Joe Moody (New Zealand).
Team of the Week – Rugby Championship, Week One: 15 Israel Dagg (New Zealand), 14 Ruan Combrinck (South Africa), 13 Matias Orlando (Argentina), 12 Ryan Crotty (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 Jerome Kaino (New Zealand), 5 Sam Whitelock (New Zealand), 4 Brodie Retallick (New Zealand), 3 Ramiro Herrera (Argentina), 2 Dane Coles (New Zealand), 1 Francisco Chaparro (Argentina).
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