Team of the Week: On a Crusade

The Crusaders have four players in our selection, while the next best team in terms of representation is the Blues with three players. The Lions, Bulls and Highlanders have two players each after their big wins against the Southern Kings, Sunwolves and Jaguares respectively.

Other teams represented in our XV are the Chiefs and Stormers.

Damian McKenzie, Johnny McNicholl and Nemani Nadolo make up our back three and in the midfield we have Ryan Crotty and Rohan Janse van Rensburg. Our halfback pairing consist of Ihaia West and Aaron Smith.

Up front, Sam Prattley, Ash Dixon and Vincent Koch are in the front row, while Jason Jenkins and Franco Mostert make up our second row. In the back row we have Pieter Labuschagne, Matt Todd and Steven Luatua.

Team of the Week – Round 16:

15 – Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)

Scored two tries against the Reds and was he simply fantastic with ball in hand again.

Bubbling under: Ben Smith (Highlanders)

14 – Johnny McNicholl (Crusaders)

He is definitely one of the best wings in Super Rugby at the moment. His strength combined with his speed kept the Melbourne Rebels busy and he scored three of his team's 13 tries.

Bubbling under: Matt Duffie (Blues)

13 – Ryan Crotty (Crusaders)

He was at his creative best in the midfield against the Melbourne Rebels and he scored two tries as well.

Bubbling under: Seta Tamanivalu (Bubbling under)

12 – Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Lions)

The big centre was again powerful with ball in hand. He racked up the running metres, beat plenty of defenders and got over the tryline twice against the Southern Kings.

Bubbling under: Piers Francis (Blues)

11 – Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders)

He was a handful for the Rebels. The sheer power of the Fijian meant that the Rebels were falling off tackles. He also found himself on the scoresheet again.

Bubbling under: Patrick Osborne (Highlanders)

10 – Ihaia West (Blues)

His game management against the Brumbies was top class and he was the catalyst in a much-improved attacking performance.

Bubbling under: Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes)

9 – Aaron Smith (Highlanders)

His quick service and vision once again made life easy for Lima Sopoaga. while his play around the rucks kept the Jaguares' defence on their feet.

Bubbling under: Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Chiefs)

8 – Steven Luatua (Blues)

The All Black played one of his best games of the season. He assisted in two of the Blues' tries against the Brumbies and helped get his team over the advantage line every time he carried the ball.

Bubbling under: Jimmy Tupou (Crusaders)

7 – Matt Todd (Crusaders)

The flank had an outstanding all-round game against the Melbourne Rebels. He was solid on defence and a carried the ball with intent. He also won his team a few turnovers and he scored a try as well.

Bubbling under: Liam Gill (Reds)

6 – Pieter Labuschagne (Bulls)

He was the star of the Bulls' win against the Sunwolves. He had a hand in two of his team's tries and scored one himself in what was a complete all-round performance by the loose forward.

Bubbling under: Elliot Dixon (Highlanders)

5 – Franco Mostert (Lions)

He was a machine against the Southern Kings. He worked hard in the set pieces and also carried the ball well in open play. His work in the physical exchanges was a marvel to behold.

Bubbling under: Samuel Whitelock (Crusaders)

4 – Jason Jenkins (Bulls)

It was another solid performance from the big lock. He was solid and efficient in the set piece and he gave a good account of himself in open play.

Bubbling under: Eben Etzebeth (Stormers)

3 – Vincent Koch (Stormers)

He was again at the forefront of a strong Stormers' scrum against the Western Force. He also tackled like a demon.

Bubbling under: Ofa Tu'ungafasi (Blues)

2 – Ash Dixon (Highlanders)

Definitely one of the standout players in Round 16. The Jaguares struggled to bring him down when he had the ball and he put in a solid performance on defence as well.

Bubbling under: Malcom Marx (Lions)

1 – Sam Prattley (Blues)

He held his own in the scrums against a strong Brumbies front row and he scored a great try as well.

Bubbling under: Retshegofaditswe Nche (Cheetahs)

Our individual selections:

Jan de Koning XV: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Matt Duffie, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Pieter Labuschagne, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Ash Dixon, 1 Sam Prattley.

Paul Dobson XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Piers Francis, 11 James Lowe, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Ash Dixon, 1 Retshegofaditswe Nche.

Warren Fortune XV: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Jimmy Tupou, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Malcom Marx, 1 Sam Prattley.

Previous selections:

Team of the week – Round 15: 15 Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), 14 Ruan Combrinck (Lions), 13 Israel Folau (Waratahs), 12 Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs), 11 Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders), 10 Nicolás Sánchez (Jaguares), 9 Francois de Klerk (Lions), 8 Ruan Ackermann (Lions), 7 Sam Cane (Chiefs), 6 Jaco Kriel (Lions), 5 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 Julian Redelinghuys (Lions), 2 Stephen Moore (Brumbies), 1 Reggie Goodes (Hurricanes).

Team of the week – Round 14: 15 Andrew Kellaway (Waratahs), 14  Ruan Combrinck (Lions), 13 Israel Folau (Waratahs), 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Lions), 11 Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders), 10 Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies), 9 Francois de Klerk (Lions), 8 Warren Whiteley (Lions), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Jaco Kriel (Lions, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers), 4 Dave Dennis (Waratahs), 3 Julian Redelinghuys (Lions), 2 Malcom Marx (Lions), 1 Reggie Goodes (Hurricanes).

Team of the week – Round 13: 15 Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), 14 Ruan Combrinck (Lions), 13 Lionel Mapoe (Lions), 12 Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs), 11 James Lowe (Chiefs), 10 Patrick Lambie (Sharks), 9 Brad Weber (Chiefs), 8 Warren Whiteley (Lions), 7 Jannes Kirsten (Bulls), 6 Pieter Labuschagne (Bulls), 5 Rudolph Snyman (Bulls), 4 Dominic Bird (Chiefs), 3 Julian Redelinghuys (Lions), 2 Armand van der Merwe (Lions), 1 James Slipper (Reds).

Team of the week – Round 12: 15 Israel Dagg (Crusaders), 14 Waisake Naholo (Highlanders), 13 Lionel Mapoe (Lions), 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Lions), 11 Wes Goosen (Hurricanes), 10 Elton Jantjies (Lions), 9 Aaron Smith (Highlanders), 8 Luke Whitelock (Highlanders), 7 David Pocock (Brumbies), 6 Elliot Dixon (Highlanders), 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers), 4 Tim Bond (Sunwolves), 3 Julian Redelinghuys (Lions), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Reg Goodes (Hurricanes).

Team of the week – Round 11: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Waisake Naholo (Highlanders), 13 Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies), 12 Kurtley Beale (Waratahs), 11 Jone Macilai-Tori (Crusaders), 10 Garth April (Sharks), 9 Tomás Cubelli (Brumbies), 8 Luke Whitelock (Highlanders), 7 Matt Todd (Crusaders), 6 Keegan Daniel (Sharks), 5 Stephan Lewies (Sharks), 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues), 3 Josh Hohneck (Highlanders), 2 Stephen Moore (Brumbies), 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown (Highlanders).

Team of the week – Round 10: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Cory Jane (Hurricanes), 13 Matt Proctor (Hurricanes), 12 Kurtley Beale (Waratahs), 11 Julian Savea (Hurricanes), 10 Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), 9 Martin Landajo (Jaguares), 8 Michael Leitch (Chiefs), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Hendrik Tui (Reds), 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers), 4 Rudolph Snyman (Bulls), 3 Frans Malherbe (Stormers), 2 Dane Coles (Hurricanes), 1 Reg Goodes (Hurricanes).

Team of the week – Round Nine: 15 Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), 14 Ruan Combrinck (Lions), 13 Reece Hodge (Melbourne Rebels), 12 David Havili (Crusaders), 11 Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders), 10 Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), 9 TJ Perenara (Hurricanes), 8 Kieran Read (Crusaders), 7 Sam Cane (Chiefs), 6 Chris Cloete (Southern Kings), 5 Franco Mostert (Lions), 4 Luke Romano (Crusaders), 3 Vincent Koch (Stormers), 2 Shota Horie (Sunwolves), 1 Toby Smith (Melbourne Rebels).

Team of the week – Round Eight: 15 Israel Dagg (Crusaders), 14 Rieko Ioane (Blues), 13 Lionel Mapoe (Lions), 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Lions), 11 Julian Savea (Hurricanes), 10 EltonJantjies (Lions), 9 Francois de Klerk (Lions), 8 Warren Whiteley (Lions), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Jordan Taufua (Crusaders), 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers), 4 Jason Jenkins (Bulls), 3 Charlie Faumuina (Blues), 2 Dane Coles (Hurricanes), 1 Trevor Nyakane (Bulls).

Team of the week – Round Seven: 15 Cheslin Kolbe (Stormers), 14 Johnny McNicholl (Crusaders), 13 Samu Kerevi (Reds), 12 Charlie Ngatai (Chiefs), 11 Patrick Osborne (Highlanders), 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis (Stormers), 9 Martin Landajo (Jaguares), 8 Warren Whiteley, (Lions), 7 Liam Gill (Reds), 6 Hendrik Tui (Reds), 5 Franco Mostert (Lions), 4 Jason Jenkins (Bulls), 3 Charlie Faumuina (Blues), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Dyllan Smith (Lions).

Team of the week – Round Six: 15 Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), 14 Johnny McNicholl (Crusaders), 13 Rene Ranger (Blues), 12 Ryan Crotty (Crusaders), 11 James Lowe (Chiefs), 10 Aaron Cruden (Chiefs), 9 Aaron Smith (Highlanders), 8 Paul Schoeman (Cheetahs), 7 Sean McMahon (Rebels), 6 Cyril-John Velleman (Southern Kings), 5 Lopeti Timani (Rebels), 4 Luke Jones (Rebels), 3 Charlie Faumuina (Blues), 2 James Parsons (Blues), 1 Toby Smith (Rebels).

Team of the week – Round Five: 15 Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), 14 Johnny McNicholl (Crusaders), 13 Seta Tamanivalu (Chiefs), 12 Charlie Ngatai (Chiefs), 11 Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders), 10 Aaron Cruden (Chiefs), 9 Aaron Smith (Highlanders), 8 Michael Leitch (Chiefs), 7 David Pocock (Brumbies), 6 Roelof Smit (Bulls), 5 Tomás Lavanini (Jaguares), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 Frans Malherbe (Stormers), 2 Edgar Marutlulle (Southern Kings), 1 Joe Moody (Crusaders).

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 Jantjies (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 Malcolm 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), 4Eben 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 Malcolm 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).

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