Team of the Week: Puma tracks
The unbeaten All Blacks dominate the Team of the Week yet again, but Rugby Championship newcomers Argentina also left their mark in Round Three.
The South American side produced a stirring performance in diificult conditions in Wellington against the world champions, and they have been rewarded with four spots in our weekly selection.
New Zealand came back well in the second half against the Pumas, which secured them six places in our team, with Australia and South Africa making up the numbers.
The Wallabies registered their first victory of the competition when they overhauled the Springboks in Perth after trailing at half-time, and that effort sees them match the Pumas with four players in our team whilst the Boks' disappointing display means that there is only one South African in the side.
Our bubbling under team has a fairly similar spread, with six All Blacks, four Wallabies, three Pumas and just two Boks.
Rugby Championship Team of the Week, Round Three
15 Israel Dagg (New Zealand)
Despite the difficult conditions he was his usual composed self and confirmed his status as the best fullback in the world at the moment with another good performance.
Bubbling under: Martín Rodríguez (Argentina)
14 Cory Jane (New Zealand)
Used his aerial skills to reduce the threat of the Pumas' tactical kicking game and showed his class on attack when given the opportunity.
Bubbling under: Bryan Habana (South Africa)
13 Conrad Smith (New Zealand)
Returned to the Test arena and showed us what we have been missing as he marshalled the backline expertly on defence and provided a vital creative influence on attack, drawing defenders and distributing neatly to put those around him in space.
Bubbling under: Marcelo Bosch (Argentina)
12 Berrick Barnes (Australia)
Varied his game well in the midfield and took the pressure off Quade Cooper with his more accurate boot, as well as delivering the goods off the kicking tee.
Bubbling under: Ma'a Nonu (New Zealand)
11 Julian Savea (New Zealand)
The big, bustling wing got involved often and showed what a threat he can be when given some space with the ball in hand.
Bubbling under: Francois Hougaard (South Africa)
10 Juan Martín Hernández (Argentina)
An assured performance from the Pumas pivot who showed off his sublime tactical kicking skills to keep the pressure on the All Blacks in the tough conditions.
Bubbling under: Aaron Cruden (New Zealand)
9 Will Genia (Australia)
In what will sadly be his last game for six months the Wallabies scrumhalf put together a typically sharp performance, providing quality service and leading by example.
Bubbling under: Nicolas Vergallo (Argentina)
8 Juan Martín Fernandez Lobbe (Argentina)
Another inspirational outing for the Pumas skipper who plays with a good blend of passion and skill. He did not take a backwards step against the world champions and provided some good touches at the back of the scrum.
Bubbling under: Kieran Read (New Zealand)
7 Michael Hooper (Australia)
The energetic young flank made more ground than the entire Bok loose trio combined and played with plenty of commitment, giving his team an important edge at the breakdown.
Bubbling under: Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
6 Marcell Coetzee (South Africa)
Tackled his heart out yet again and managed to impose himself on the Wallabies but lacked support and found himself trying to do everything himself.
Bubbling under: Liam Messam (New Zealand)
5 Patricio Albacete (Argentina)
Another consistent display from the hard-working lock who provided a hard edge in the tight exchanges and made his presence felt on defence.
Bubbling under: Nathan Sharpe (Australia)
4 Luke Romano (New Zealand)
continues to develop as a long term second row option for the All Blacks. He was reliable in the line-outs and carried the ball up well.
Bubbling under: Sitaleki Timani (Australia)
3 Ben Alexander (Australia)
Had Tendai Mtawarira under some serious pressure in the scrums and capped off a good game with his barnstorming try in the corner which sunk the Boks' hopes.
Bubbling under: Owen Franks (New Zealand)
2 Keven Mealamu (New Zealand)
Although his line-out work can still improve the veteran showed his worth with another powerful display against a tough Pumas pack.
Bubbling under: Adriaan Strauss (South Africa)
1 Rodrigo Roncero (Argentina)
The 35-year-old played with the enthusiasm of a debutant, taking the game to the All Blacks up front, and scored all of his team's points on the night through his try from close quarters.
Bubbling under: Tony Woodcock (New Zealand)
Our individual selections:
Paul Dobson XV: 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 Victor Vito, 5 Patricio Albacete, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Rodrigo Roncero.
Quintin van Jaarsveld XV: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Bryan Habana, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Juan Martin Hernandez, 9 Will Genia, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Patricio Albacete, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Rodrigo Roncero.
Jan de Koning XV: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Dominic Shipperley, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Juan Martin Hernandez, 9 Will Genia, 8 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Sitaleki Timani, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Eusebio Guinazu, 1 Rodrigo Roncero.
Michael de Vries XV: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Juan Martin Hernandez, 9 Nicolas Vergallo, 8 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Patricio Albacete, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Rodrigo Roncero.
Len Kaplan XV: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 François Hougaard, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Will Genia, 8 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Keven Mealamu, 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.
