TEAM OF THE WEEK: Play-off masters
OPINION: The opening round of play-offs produced a number of eye-catching performances in New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.
With four New Zealand teams in the last eight, it is no surprise that our Team of the Week for the quarterfinals is dominated by Kiwis.
Our back three this week consists of Andries Coetzee, Julian Savea and Goerge Bridge. In the midfield, we have Anton Lienert-Brown and Ryan Crotty.
Bernard Foley is our pick at No.10 with Brad Weber at No.9.
In the pack, Kieran Read is at No.8 with Gareth Evans and Lachlan Boshier on the flanks.
Francois Mostert and Scott Barrett are our picks for the second row.
The front row consists of Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Malcolm Marx and Tendai Mtawarira.
Team of the Week – Quarterfinals:
15 – Andries Coetzee (Lions)
He had another impressive performance on attack against the Jaguares and he scored a try as well.
Bubbling under: Israel Folau (Waratahs)
14 – Julian Savea (Hurricanes)
He came out of the blocks firing against the Chiefs with two intercepts, the first of which opened the scoring. He definitely lost some pace, but his physicality was still there for all to see.
Bubbling under: Braydon Ennor (Crusaders)
13 – Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs)
The All Black centre was elusive on attack against the Hurricanes. He broke through the Canes defensive a few times and he was one of his team’s try scorers.
Bubbling under: Rob Thompson (Highlanders)
12 – Ryan Crotty (Crusaders)
He played a massive role in the Crusaders opening tries against the Sharks. He gave his outside backs great service and he held his own on defence.
Bubbling under: Kurtley Beale (Waratahs)
11 – George Bridge (Crusaders)
He exposed the Sharks’ defence out wide with his speed and guile. He made a number of linebreaks and he was solid on defence as well.
Bubbling under: Ben Lam (Hurricanes)
10 – Bernard Foley (Waratahs)
He was instrumental in the Waratahs’ fightback in the second half against the Highlanders. He contributed 25 of his team’s 30 points in the match.
Bubbling under: Elton Jantjies (Lions)
9 – Brad Weber (Chiefs)
He has been in great form recently and he caused the Hurricanes a great deal of problems with his quick service and darting runs.
Bubbling under: Ross Cronje (Lions)
8 – Kieran Read (Crusaders)
He produced a great all-round performance against the Sharks. He was strong in the tackle and played his part in the line-outs as well.
Bubbling under: Luke Whitelock (Highlanders)
7 – Gareth Evans (Hurricanes)
He was a key figure at the breakdowns and on defence in the quarterfinal win over the Chiefs.
Bubbling under: Cyle Brink (Lions)
6 – Lachlan Boshier (Chiefs)
This dynamic player was outstanding in open play against the Hurricanes. He carried the ball strongly and racked up the running metres in the process. He was a powerhouse on defence as well.
Bubbling under: Liam Squire (Highlanders)
5 – Francois Mostert (Lions)
He gave everything and more for his team in the quarterfinal win over the Jaguares. He was influential in a powerful defensive display by the home side.
Bubbling under: Marcos Kremer (Jaguares)
4 – Scott Barrett (Crusaders)
His stock continues to rise with another high work rate. He was effective with ball in hand and he was reliable on defence.
Bubbling under: Tyler Paul (Sharks)
3 – Jeff Toomaga-Allen (Hurricanes)
He did a solid job in the scrums. In open play he put in a few big carries with ball in hand and some big hits on defence.
Bubbling under: Ruan Dreyer (Lions)
2 – Malcolm Marx (Lions)
He won a number of turnovers in crucial areas for the Lions. He was a monster with ball in hand as well.
Bubbling under: Agustin Creevy (Jaguares)
1 – Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks)
He gave his all in a losing cause in Christchurch. He played with great gusto, especially on attack where knocked over a few Crusaders players.
Bubbling under: Toby Smith (Hurricanes)
Our individual selections:
Jan de Koning XV: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Julian Savea, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Lachlan Boshier, 5 Francois Mostert, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Jacques Van Rooyen.
Leezil Hendricks XV: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Julian Savea, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 George Bridge, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Gareth Evans, 6 Lachlan Boshier, 5 Francois Mostert, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Toby Smith.
Paul Dobson XV: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Julian Savea, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Gareth Evans, 6 Lachlan Boshier, 5 Francois Mostert, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
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