Team of the week: Chiefs lead the way
The team from Hamilton have five players in our XV after they outplayed the Western Force 53-10 on the weekend.
The Crusaders have three players in our team after their victory over the Sharks in Durban, while the Stormers are represented with two players.
The Brumbies, Jaguares, Highlanders, Bulls and Southern Kings each have one player in our XV.
Damian McKenzie, Johnny McNicholl and Nemani Nadolo make up the back three. We have an all-Chiefs midfield with Seta Tamanivula and Charlie Ngatai at No.13 and No.12.
Aaron Cruden and Aaron Smith are our halfbacks.
In the pack, Michael Leitch, David Pocock and Roelof Smit forms the loose trio, while in the second row we have Tomás Lavanini and Eben Etzebeth.
Our front row consists of Frans Malherbe, Edgar Marutlulle and Joe Moody.
Team of the week – Round Five
15 – Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)
The fullback finally gets ahead of Ben Smith in our selection and deservedly so. He was deadly on attack against the Force and had a hand in a couple of his team's tries.
Bubbling under: Ben Smith (Highlanders)
14 – Johnny McNicholl (Crusaders)
Showed some great creativity on the wing and his speed caused the Sharks a few problems on Saturday.
Bubbling under: Sergeal Petersen (Cheetahs)
13 – Seta Tamanivalu (Chiefs)
He is starting to form a brilliant combination with Charlie Ngatai in the Chiefs midfield. He cracked open the Western Force defence on a few occasions with his vision and got over the advantage line more often than not.
Bubbling under: Matias Moroni (Jaguares)
12 – Charlie Ngatai (Chiefs)
Scored an amazing four tries against the Western Force. How often does that happen in Super Rugby?
Bubbling under: Matt Toomua (Brumbies)
11 – Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders)
Scored a vital try in the win over the Sharks. He got over the advantage line with ease at times and was solid in defence as well.
Bubbling under: Lwazi Mvovo (Sharks)
10 – Aaron Cruden (Chiefs)
Put in a commanding performance at flyhalf. He orchestrated a magnificent Chiefs attack against the Western Force.
Bubbling under: Bernard Foley (Waratahs)
9 – Aaron Smith (Highlanders)
Played out of his skin once again. His decision making at the base of the ruck is world class and his service to his backline is second to none.
Bubbling under: Tomás Cubelli (Brumbies)
8 – Michael Leitch (Chiefs)
He was a menace at the breakdowns against the Western Force and was definitely one of the best forwards on the weekend with ball in hand.
Bubbling under: Blade Thomson (Hurricanes)
7 – David Pocock (Brumbies)
The Wallaby put in another brilliant all-round performance. He as quite awesome at turning over a few balls at the breakdowns against the Cheetahs and was also a monster in defence.
Bubbling under: Sam Cane (Chiefs)
6 – Roelof Smit (Bulls)
Carried the ball strongly for the Bulls against the Sunwolves and like David Pocock, he did some excellent work at the breakdown.
Bubbling under: Scott Fardy (Brumbies)
5 – Tomás Lavanini (Jaguares)
Was the shining light for the Jaguares in their defeat to the Stormers. He did a lot of work around the park and tried to keep up his team's intensity during the match.
Bubbling under: Joe Wheeler (Highlanders)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (Stormers)
Made some crucial steals in at the line-outs and once again put in a huge effort in defence.
Bubbling under: Michael Allardice (Chiefs)
3 – Frans Malherbe (Stormers)
Was instrumental in the Stormers' dominance in the scrums against the Jaguares and was an absolute monster in defence as well.
Bubbling under: Owen Franks (Crusaders)
2 – Edgar Marutlulle (Southern Kings)
Was outstanding with ball in hand against the Hurricanes and is really starting to put his hand up for higher honours with his performances this year.
Bubbling under: Dane Coles (Hurricanes)
1 – Joe Moody (Crusaders)
Was part of a strong Crusaders' front row against the Sharks and he put in a good showing against Coenie Oosthuizen in the scrums.
Bubbling under: Chris Eves (Hurricanes)
Our individual selections:
Paul Dobson XV: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Matias Moroni, 12 Charlie Ngatai, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Blade Thomson, 7 David Pocock, 6 Roelof Smit, 5 Tomás Lavanini, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Edgar Marutlulle, 1 Chris Eves.
Warren Fortune XV: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Seta Tamanivalu, 12 Charlie Ngatai, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Michael Leitch 7 David Pocock, 6 Roelof Smit, 5 Tomás Lavanini, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Edgar Marutlulle, 1 Joe Moody.
Previous selections:
Team of the week – Round Four: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Santiago Cordero (Jaguares), 13 Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies), 12 George Moala (Blues), 11 Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders), 10 Elton Janjies (Lions), 9 Martin Landajo (Jaguares), 8 Jimmy Tupou (Crusaders), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Marcell Coetzee (Sharks), 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers), 4 Blade Thomson (Hurricanes), 3 Charlie Faumuina (Blues), 2 Malcom Marx (Lions), 1 Chris Eves (Hurricanes.
Team of the week – Round Three: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Akihito Yamada (Sunwolves), 13 Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders), 12 Matt Toomua (Brumbies), 11 Joe Tomane (Brumbies), 10 Lima Sopoaga (Highlanders, 9 TJ Perenara (Hurricanes), 8 Warren Whiteley (Lions), 7 David Pocock (Brumbies), 6 Marcell Coetzee (Sharks), 5 Franco Mostert (Lions), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 Charlie Faumuina (Blues), 2 Stephen Moore (Brumbies), 1 Scott Sio (Brumbies).
Team of the week – Round Two: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Ruan Combrinck (Lions), 13 Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders), 12 Charlie Ngatai (Chiefs), 11 Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders), 10 Elton Jantjies (Lions), 9 Francois de Klerk (Lions), 8 Warren Whiteley (Lions), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Marcell Coetzee (Sharks), 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 Owen Franks (Crusaders), 2 Malcom Marx (Lions), 1 Scott Sio (Brumbies).
Team of the week – Round One: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Odwa Ndungane (Sharks), 13 Tamati Ellison (Rebels), 12 Charlie Ngatai (Chiefs), 11 Raymond Rhule (Cheetahs), 10 Robert du Preez (Stormers), 9 Tomás Cubelli (Brumbies), 8 Nizaam Carr (Stormers), 7 Blake Gibson (Blues), 6 Jaco Kriel (Lions), 5 Sam Carter (Brumbies), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 Frans Malherbe (Stormers), 2 Stephen Moore (Brumbies), 1 JC Janse van Rensburg (Stormers).
@rugby365com
