Team of the Week: Waves of Emerald
Ireland ended an 18-match winning streak when they beat New Zealand in convincing fashion – showing the rest of the world what can be achieved with courage and commitment.
It is thus not a big surprise that they dominate rugby365's famous Team of the Week – with nine players in the starting XV.
Australia, who produced a sound mixture of entertaining play and hard work to overpower Wales, also made a healthy contribution – four players ion our first-choice selection.
The Barbarians and Wales make up the numbers with one player each.
However, the real award for the Barbarians, following their entertaining 31-0all draw with South Africa, comes in our back-up squad – where they have five players bubbling under.
There is further reward for Ireland's bravery, with three more players making this team.
South Africa, for their part in the Wembley showpiece, Australia and Argentina have two players each.
New Zealand have one player bubbling under.
Team of the Week – November, Week One:
15 – Rob Kearney (Ireland):
Not only did he outplay his All Black counterpart, but he was key to the attacking threats they posed.
Bubbling under: Melani Nanai (Barbarians)
14 – Dane Haylett-Petty (Australia):
He is making a big statement this year and has become an invaluable attacking option to the Wallabies.
Bubbling under: Andrew Trimble (Ireland)
13 – Tevita Kuridrani (Australia):
The Welsh defence wasn't the greatest, but many other teams would have struggled to contain this beast as well.
Bubbling under: George Moala (New Zealand)
12 – Robbie Henshaw (Ireland):
It is not often that an All Black midfielder is made to look 'mediocre' by the opposition.
Bubbling under: Rohan Janse van Rensburg (South Africa)
11 – Taqele Naiyaravoro (Barbarians):
Springboks defenders were falling over like 10 pins.
Bubbling under: Simon Zebo (Ireland)
10 – Johnny Sexton (Ireland):
His return had a lot to do with the sparkle retiring to the Irish backline.
Bubbling under: Bernard Foley (Australia)
9 – Conor Murray (Ireland):
He showed that a good scrumhalf knows when to deliver quick and accurate service and when to attack – reading the game like a training manual.
Bubbling under: Andy Ellis (Barbarians)
8 – Ross Moriarty (Wales):
One of the few Welshmen who could hold his head high after the hiding his team received.
Bubbling under: Luke Whitelock (Barbarians)
7 – Josh van der Flier (Ireland):
He would not have expected to have come on so early, but ended up with the highest tackle count in the match – on the back of a massive workrate.
Bubbling under: Jordan Taufua (Barbarians)
6 – Christian Stander (Ireland):
His work at the breakdown, winning crucial turnovers, and on defence was up to his usual brilliant standards.
Bubbling under: Roelof Smit (South Africa)
5 – Devin Toner (Ireland):
Got his big frame around the park like a loose forward and was solid in the set-pieces.
Bubbling under: Adam Coleman (Australia)
4 – Rory Arnold (Australia):
He has come on in leaps and bounds this year.
Bubbling under: Donnacha Ryan (Ireland)
3 – Tadhg Furlong (Ireland):
He left his mark on the All Black pack in no uncertain terms.
Bubbling under: Ramiro Herrera (Argentina)
2 – Stephen Moore (Australia):
He often gets the job done with such ease you almost don't notice the mountain of work he gets through.
Bubbling under: Armand van der Merwe (Barbarians)
1 – Jack McGrath (Ireland):
Part of an Irish tight five that showed scant regard for All Black reputations.
Bubbling under: Lucas Noguera Paz (Argentina)
Our individual selections:
Warren Fortune XV: 15 Melani Nanai, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Jordan Taufua 6 Christiaan Stander, 5 Michael Fatialofa, 4 Donnacha Ryan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Rory Best, 1 Jack McGrath.
Tauriq Ebrahim XV: 15 Melani Nanai, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Roelof Smit, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Armand van der Merwe, 1 Jack McGrath.
Paul Dobson XV: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 George Moala, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Ross Moriarty, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Christian Stander, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Jack McGrath.
Jan de Koning XV: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Ross Moriarty, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Christian Stander, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Jack McGrath.
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