TEAM OF THE WEEK: The Crusade marches on

OPINION: The Crusaders ended the regular season of Super Rugby with another masterful display of rugby.

After their 54-17 win over the Blues, the Crusaders lead the way with five players in our Team of the Week. The Lions are the next best represented with three players after their win over the Bulls.

Andries Coetzee gets the nod at fullback and he is joined in the back three by Seta Tamanivalu and George Bridge.

Tevita Kuridrani and Ryan Crotty are our picks for the midfield.

Richie Mo’unga gets the No.10 spot and his halfback partner in our selection is Brad Weber.

In the pack, Liam Squire is our No.8 with Cyle Brink and Marco van Staden on the flanks. The second row consists of Samuel Whitelock and Rory Arnold.

In the front row this week we have Thomas du Toit, Malcolm Marx and Tom Robertson.

Team of the Week – Round 19:

15 – Andries Coetzee (Lions)
He had a stellar performance with ball in hand against the Bulls. He was a constant threat out wide.
Bubbling under: Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes)

14 – Seta Tamanivalu (Crusaders)
He epitomised the Crusaders’ ruthless display against the Blues. He was almost unstoppable!
Bubbling under: Henry Speight (Brumbies)

13 – Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies)
He played one of his best games this season against the Waratahs. He was a force with ball in hand in the midfield and he made a couple of important tackles.
Bubbling under: Jessie Kriel (Bulls)

12 – Ryan Crotty (Crusaders)
It was another masterful display by the experienced midfield. He was an important link man on attack against the Blues and his channel was solid on defence.
Bubbling under: Kyle Godwin (Brumbies)

11 – George Bridge (Crusaders)
He was on fire against the Blues. He scored three tries and was a handful out wide. He also defended his channel well against some big ball runners.
Bubbling under: Taqele Naiyaravoro (Waratahs)

10 – Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders)
He ran the show again and this time it was the Blues who were punished by his rugby intelligence. He orchestrated some dangerous attacking plays and he holds his own on defence.
Bubbling under: Reece Hodge (Melbourne Rebels)

9 – Brad Weber (Chiefs)
He caused the Hurricanes a truckload of problems with his sniping runs and excellent service to his backline.
Bubbling under: Joe Powell (Brumbies)

8 – Liam Squire (Highlanders)
The All Black was quite busy around the park against the Melbourne Rebels. He was powerful with ball in hand and he put in a massive amount of work on defence.
Bubbling under: Akira Ioane (Blues)

7 – Cyle Brink (Lions)
He won a few turnovers in the win against the Bulls and he got his team over the gain line on numerous occasions with some powerful carries.
Bubbling under: Will Miller (Waratahs)

6 – Marco van Staden (Bulls)
An absolute menace at the breakdowns against the Lions and he won few balls as well.
Bubbling under: Jordan Taufua (Crusaders)

5 – Samuel Whitelock (Crusaders)
Another incredible shift by the lock. He carried the ball a number of times and always made some good metres. He also tackled out of his skin again.
Bubbling under: Francois Mostert (Lions)

4 – Rory Arnold (Brumbies)
He tackled like there was no tomorrow in the win over the Brumbies. He also used his big physical frame with good effect when he had ball in hand.
Bubbling under: Jed Holloway (Waratahs)

3 – Thomas du Toit (Sharks)
A strong performance in the scrums and his work rate around the park against the Jaguares was right up there.
Bubbling under: Allan Alaalatoa (Brumbies)

2 – Malcolm Marx (Lions)
The world’s best hooker was at again with his powerful carries, aggression at the breakdowns and abrasiveness on defence.
Bubbling under: Armand van der Merwe (Sharks)

1 – Tom Robertson (Waratahs)
He played out of his skin again. He carried the ball a number of times and his speed and power got his team some serious metres going forward.
Bubbling under: Pierre Schoeman (Bulls)

Our individual selections:

Paul Dobson XV: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Pierre Schoeman.

Jan de Koning XV: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Liam Squire, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Francois Mostert, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Tom Robertson.

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