Team of the Week: Close call
Both Rugby Championship matches last weekend were competitive affairs, which is reflected in the even representation in our Team of the Week.
The All Blacks continued their unbeaten run with a victory in Dunedin that was made much easier for them by the poor strike-rate of the Springbok goal-kickers, and they lead the way once more with five players in our starting line-up.
The Pumas were left heartbroken after the Wallabies came from behind to deny them their first win of the competition on the Gold Coast, but they were impressive enough to earn four spots in our side, with Australia and South Africa close behind with three players each.
Things are a little different in the bubbling under side which has six All Blacks, four Boks, four Pumas and just one Australian.
Rugby Championship Team of the Week, Round Four:
15 Israel Dagg (New Zealand)
Head and shoulders above the rest, he produces excellence on a consistent basis and Saturday was no exception as he was at the heart of the All Blacks' counter-attacking game once more.
Bubbling under: Berrick Barnes (Australia)
14 Bryan Habana (South Africa)
Came up with a moment of individual brilliance which will be a contender for try of the season and kept up his tireless workrate in another committed display.
Bubbling under: Cory Jane (New Zealand)
13 Adam Ashley-Cooper (Australia)
Made the most of the opportunities he got with some good stepping which showed that outside centre really is his best position despite his value as a utility back.
Bubbling under: Marcelo Bosch (Argentina)
12 Ma'a Nonu (New Zealand)
Dealt well with the heavy traffic the Boks were directing to midfield and showed a few touches of class on attack as well as he continues to gain confidence.
Bubbling under: Frans Steyn (South Africa)
11 Digby Ioane (Australia)
Looked for work as usual and was rewarded with a try that proved decisive. He remains the most dangerous runner in the Wallaby backline and gives them a vital spark with his ability to break the line.
Bubbling under: Francois Hougaard (South Africa)
10 Juan Martin Hernandez (Argentina)
Another impressive game from the Pumas playmaker who showed that he has an ability to attack the gainline and an eye for the gap on top of his pinpoint tactical kicking game.
Bubbling under: Aaron Cruden (New Zealand)
9 Aaron Smith (New Zealand)
Provided some vital urgency for the All Blacks with his speedy service and put his team back in control with his try which showed just how dangerous he can be when given too much space.
Bubbling under: Martin Landajo (Argentina)
8 Kieran Read (New Zealand)
A hard-working performance, he showed off his rounded game by getting through plenty of defensive work and carrying the ball up well.
Bubbling under: Juan Martín Fernandez Lobbe (Argentina)
7 Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
The legend continues to produce quality every week and stepped up when his team needed him to lead from the front against a highly physical Bok pack.
Bubbling under: Willem Alberts (South Africa)
6 Julio Farias Cabello (Argentina)
He was everywhere for the Pumas and his energy was rewarded when he followed up a linebreak to claim the last pass and go over for a try that swung the momentum in favour of Argentina.
Bubbling under: Liam Messam (New Zealand)
5 Patricio Albacete (Argentina)
Blended some tough work in the tight exchanges with some silky touches as his impressive form in the competition continues.
Bubbling under: Sam Whitelock (New Zealand)
4 Kane Douglas (Australia)
A powerful game from Nathan Sharpe's new second row partner. Got over the gainline consistently and made his tackles count.
Bubbling under: Luke Romano (New Zealand)
3 Jannie du Plessis (South Africa)
A much-improved game from the tighthead who showed that he does not need his brother next to him to scrum well at Test level.
Bubbling under: Owen Franks (New Zealand)
2 Adriaan Strauss (South Africa)
None of the line-outs on display were particularly impressive, but Strauss showed his value as a ball-carrier and got through plenty of work on defence as well.
Bubbling under: Eusebio Guinazu (Argentina)
1 Rodrigo Roncero (Argentina)
The veteran continues to inspire with spirited performances every week, and on Saturday it was the Australian front row's turn to feel the pressure.
Bubbling under: Tendai Mtawarira (South Africa)
Our individual selections:
Paul Dobson XV: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Bryan Habana, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Juan Martín Hernández, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Juan Martín Fernandez Lobbe, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Rodrigo Roncero.
Jan de Koning XV: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Bryan Habana, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Juan Martín Hernández, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Juan Martín Fernandez Lobbe, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Julio Farias Cabello, 5 Patricio Albacete, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Eusebio Guinazu, 1 Rodrigo Roncero.
Quintin van Jaarsveld XV: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Bryan Habana, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Ma’a Nonu , 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Juan Martin Hernandez, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Julio Farias Cabello, 5 Patricio Albacete, 4 Kane Douglas, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Rodrigo Roncero.
Len Kaplan XV: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Bryan Habana, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Juan Martin Hernandez 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Kane Douglas, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Rodrigo Roncero.
Michael de Vries XV: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Bryan Habana, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Juan Martin Hernandez, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Julio Farias Cabello, 5 Patricio Albacete, 4 Kane Douglas, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Rodrigo Roncero.
Previous selections:
Round One: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Bryan Habana (South Africa), 13 Jean de Villiers, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Round Two: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Ma'a Nonu, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Patricio Albacete, 4 Sitaleki Timani, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Eusebio Guiñazu, 1 Rodrigo Roncero.
Round Three: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Juan Martín Hernández, 9 Will Genia, 8 Juan Martín Fernandez Lobbe, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Patricio Albacete, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Rodrigo Roncero.
