TEAM OF THE WEEK: Spoils shared

OPINION: The Crusaders and the Lions share the spoils in our Super Rugby Team of the Week for the semifinals.

Both teams have six players in our selection this week after their semifinal victories over the Hurricanes and the Waratahs.

The Hurricanes have two players in our XV, while the Waratahs are represented by a single player.

In the backline, Israel Folau is at fullback with Julian Savea and George Bridge on the wings. Jack Goodhue and Ryan Crotty are our midfielders.

Richie Mo’unga is at No.10 with Ross Cronje getting the No.9 spot.

In the pack, Kieran Read is at No.8 with Gareth Evans and Albertus Smith on the flanks. The second row consists of Francois Mostert and Scott Barrett.

Ruan Dreyer, Malcolm Marx and Jacques van Rooyen make up the front row this week.

Team of the Week – Semifinals:

15 – Israel Folau (Waratahs)
He made a number of telling runs against the Lions which included beating eight defenders. He was also a threat under the high ball.
Bubbling under: Andries Coetzee (Lions)

14 – Julian Savea (Hurricanes)
His physical presence out wide kept the Crusaders busy and he scored an incredible try as well.
Bubbling under: Seta Tamanivalu (Crusaders)

13 – Jack Goodhue (Crusaders)
It was another impressive defensive display by the centre. On attack, he was powerful with ball in hand.
Bubbling under: Curtis Rona (Waratahs)

12 – Ryan Crotty (Crusaders)
Once again, his experience showed on attack with his good running lines and excellent service against the Hurricanes.
Bubbling under: Kurtley Beale

11 – George Bridge (Crusaders)
He made a few clean breaks in the win against the Hurricanes and he scored one of his team’s tries. He also defended his channel well.
Bubbling under: Aphiwe Dyantyi (Lions)

10 – Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders)
It was another composed performance by the tournament’s No.1 flyhalf. He was lethal on attack once again and strong on defence. He also played a big role in one of his team’s tries.
Bubbling under: Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes)

9 – Ross Cronje (Lions)
His distribution was swift, and he kept the Waratahs’ defence on their toes with a few darting runs.
Bubbling under: Thomas Perenara (Hurricanes)

8 – Kieran Read (Crusaders)
He was outstanding on defence and he carried the ball more than anyone else over the weekend.
Bubbling under: Michael Wells (Waratahs)

7 – Gareth Evans (Hurricanes)
He put in a dynamic performance across the park against the Crusaders. He got his team over the gain line with a couple of runs and he was prominent at the breakdowns.
Bubbling under: Matt Todd (Crusaders)

6 – Albertus Smith (Lions)
He was incredible in his team’s win over the Waratahs. He notched over a 100 running metres with his carries and he scored two tries as well. He also won several turnovers for his team.
Bubbling under: Ned Hanigan (Waratahs)

5 – Francois Mostert (Lions)
He was a force in the line-outs and on defence. He also made a number of carries.
Bubbling under: Samuel Whitelock (Crusaders)

4 – Scott Barrett (Crusaders)
He put in another incredible shift with ball in hand. His physical presence gave the Crusaders a lot of muscle up front against the Hurricanes.
Bubbling under: Jed Holloway (Waratahs)

3 – Ruan Dreyer (Lions)
The big ban was strong in the scrums against the Waratahs and never a missed a tackle on defence.
Bubbling under: Owen Franks (Crusaders)

2 – Malcolm Marx (Lions)
He was a menace at the breakdowns again winning a couple of balls and he was effective with ball in hand. He got two tries off driving mauls.
Bubbling under: Codie Taylor (Crusaders)

1 – Jacques van Rooyen (Lions)
Formed part of a powerful Lions front row. He did his job well in the scrums and made a couple of big contributions in open play.
Bubbling under: Tom Robertson (Waratahs)

Our individual selections:

Jan de Koning XV: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Julian Savea, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Gareth Evans, 6 Albertus Smith, 5 Francois Mostert, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Jacques van Rooyen.

Paul Dobson XV: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Julian Savea, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Gareth Evans, 6 Albertus Smith, 5 Francois Mostert, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Jacques van Rooyen.

Warren Fortune XV: 15 Israel Folau, Julian Savea, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Albertus Smith, 5 Francois Mostert, 4 Jed Holloway, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Tom Robertson.

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