Super Rugby Team of the Week: Round 13

OPINION: The Crusaders sent a strong message to the pretenders: ‘You want the title? You will have to be extraordinarily good!’

The ease with which they dismissed the Bulls in Pretoria showed just how tough it will be to topple them, given they are likely to have all their play-off matches at home.

It is not surprising they dominate the famous @rugby365com selection – with six players in our starting line-up. There are another three bubbling under.

Two other New Zealand team – Chiefs (three players) and Hurricanes (two) – added to the Kiwi dominance.

The Lions (two), Sharks and Brumbies (one each) make up the numbers in our starting XV.

Apart from the three Crusaders bubbling under, our back-up squad consists of two Brumbies, two Rebels, two Highlanders, two Bulls, along with one each from the Jaguares, Hurricanes, Lions and Chiefs.

Just two players returned from last week – wing George Bridge (Crusaders) and flank Ardie Savea (Hurricanes).

* Did we get it right this week? See our team below:

Team of the Week – Round 13:

15 – Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes):
He has found his form at a crucial time of the season. Along with brother Beauden, they will be crucial in the Hurricanes’ bid to unseat the Crusaders.
Bubbling under: Dane Haylett Petty (Rebels)

14 – Sevu Reece (Crusaders):
There was so much more to him than just the hat trick. We also looked at his wide range of his skills – pace to finish, fast frantic feet in less space and his ability to collect those crossfield kicks in the air.
Bubbling under: Henry Speight (Brumbies)

13 – Jack Goodhue (Crusaders):
His creative skills are well documented and his defence was there for all to see. What clinched it for us was those turnovers he won – like a true openside flank.
Bubbling under: Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies)

12 – Harold Vorster (Lions):
Critics were beginning to wonder if he will ever regain his best form and if those injuries had turned him into a plodder. Wonder no more. Showed he still has the power to go with some silky stepping skills and canny distribution.
Bubbling under: Sio Tomkinson (Highlanders)

11 – George Bridge (Crusaders):
His value goes beyond the raw stats. His workrate was off the charts as he appeared on the right wing as much as the left.
Bubbling under: Ramiro Moyano (Jaguares)

10 – Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders):
Making the All Black selectors’ job more difficult with each passing week. Bulls were schooled in their own kraal.
Bubbling under: Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes)

9 – Brad Weber (Chiefs):
Two tries were just reward for an amazing performance. His support play is what gets him into those positions.
Bubbling under: Will Genia (Rebels)

8 – Luke Jacobson (Chiefs):
Many will look at his powerful carries and workrate, but you don’t need to look beyond the 18 tackles and two crucial turnovers to knows why he is our choice.
Bubbling under: Duane Vermeulen (Bulls)

7 – Ardie Savea (Hurricanes):
He may wear No.7 on his back – which suggests that he is an openside flank, at least in New Zealand – but he gets into trench warfare like a blindside flank. That didn’t stop him from making more than 50 running metres, beat four defenders and making a clean break.
Bubbling under: Matt Todd (Crusaders)

6 – Jordan Taufua (Crusaders):
Made sure the All Black selectors won’t forget about him when World Cup decisions come around.
Bubbling under: Albertus Smith (Lions)

5 – Scott Barrett (Crusaders):
Bullied the Bulls’ heavy forwards, helping his team dominate the most crucial aspects of the game.
Bubbling under: Tyler Ardron (Chiefs)

4 – Ruan Botha (Sharks):
A huge lump of a man that provides great verve in the collision and at the ruck.
Bubbling under: Mitchell Dunshea (Crusaders)

3 – Alan Alaalatoa (Brumbies):
He has run into a rich vein of form at a time when the Brumbies needed it most.
Bubbling under: Michael Alaalatoa (Crusaders)

2 – Malcolm Marx (Lions):
An absolute monster and such a key player for the Lions.
Bubbling under: Liam Coltman (Highlanders)

1 – Atunaisa Moli (Chiefs):
Was under pressure in the scrums and conceded a couple of penalties. However, was instrumental in helping the Chiefs get back into the game.
Bubbling under: Lizo Gqoboka (Bulls)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sw5hlBLA4l8&t=5s

Our individual selections:

Paul Dobson XV: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Sio Tomkinson, 11 Ramiro Moyano, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Will Genia, 8 Luke Jacobson, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Ruan Botha, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Lizo Gqoboka.

Warren Fortune XV: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Luke Jacobson, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Alan Alaalatoa, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Atunaisa Moli.

Jan de Koning XV: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Luke Jacobson, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Mitchell Dunshea, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Atunaisa Moli.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xj17-508EH8

Previous selections:

Team of the Week – Round 12: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Wes Goosen (Hurricanes), 12 Ngani Laumape (Hurricanes), 11 George Bridge (Crusaders), 10 Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), 9 Tomas Cubelli (Jaguares), 8 Duane Vermeulen (Bulls), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Luke Jacobson (Chiefs), 5 Rudolph Snyman (Bulls), 4 Jackson Hemopo (Highlanders), 3 Trevor Nyakane (Bulls), 2 Folau Fainga’a (Brumbies), 1 Lizo Gqoboka (Bulls).

Team of the Week – Round 11: 15 Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), 14 Sevu Reece (Crusaders), 13 Braydon Ennor (Crusaders), 12 Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs), 11 Dillyn Leyds (Stormers), 10 Curwin Bosch (Sharks), 9 Aaron Smith (Highlanders), 8 Dan du Preez (Sharks), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (Stormers), 5 Rudolph Snyman (Bulls), 4 Cobus Wiese (Stormers), 3 Thomas du Toit (Sharks), 2 Agustin Creevy (Jaguares), 1 Lizo Gqoboka (Bulls).

Team of the Week – Round 10: 15 Melani Nanai (Blues), 14 Matt Faddes (Highlanders), 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs), 12 Samu Kerevi (Reds), 11 Semisi Masirewa (Sunwolves), 10 Bernard Foley (Waratahs), 9 Tate McDermott (Reds), 8 Warren Whiteley (Lions), 7 Cyle Brink (Lions), 6 Jahrome Brown (Brumbies), 5 Izack Rodda (Reds), 4 Rory Arnold (Brumbies), 3 Carlu Sadie (Lions), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Harry Hoopert (Reds).

Team of the Week – Round Nine: 15 Tom Banks (Brumbies), 14 Sevu Reece (Crusaders), 13 Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies), 12 Burger Odendaal (Bulls), 11 Dillyn Leyds (Stormers), 10 Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders), 9 Tomas Cubelli (Jaguares), 8 Paul Schoeman (Bulls), 7 Lachlan Boshier (Chiefs), 6 Pablo Matera (Jaguares), 5 Rudolph Snyman (Bulls), 4 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 3 Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Blues), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Steven Kitshoff (Stormers),

Team of the Week – Round Eight: 15 – Curwin Bosch (Sharks), 14 – Will Jordan (Crusaders), 13 – Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), 12 – Ma’a Nonu (Blues), 11 – Sevu Reece (Crusaders), 10 – Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders), 9 – Will Genia (Melbourne Rebels), 8 – Dan du Preez (Sharks), 7 – Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 – Shannon Frizell (Highlanders), 5 – Scott Barrett (Crusaders), 4 – Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues), 3 – Tyrel Lomax (Highlanders), 2 – Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Reds), 1 – Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks).

Team of the Week – Round Seven: 15 David Havili (Crusaders), 14 Jack Maddocks (Rebels), 13 Jack Goodhue (Crusaders), 12 Ma’a Nonu (Blues), 11 Semisi Masirewa, (Sunwolves), 10 Hayden Parker (Sunwolves), 9 Will Genia (Rebels), 8 Akira Ioane (Blues), 7 Angus Cottrell (Rebels), 6 Luke Jacobson (Chiefs), 5 Samuel Whitelock (Crusaders), 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues), 3 Michael Alaalatoa (Crusaders), 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi (Stormers), 1 Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks).

Team of the Week – Round Six: 15 Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), 14 Gerhard van den Heever (Sunwolves), 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs), 12 Samu Kerevi (Reds), 11 Rieko Ioane (Blues), 10 Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), 9 Nic Groom (Lions), 8 Akira Ioane (Blues), 7 Michael Hooper (Waratahs), 6 Ned Hanigan (Waratahs), 5 Rob Simmons (Waratahs), 4 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 3 Sekope Kepu (Waratahs), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Steven Kitshoff (Stormers).

Team of the Week – Round Five: 15 Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), 14 Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), 13 Samu Kerevi (Reds), 12 Billy Meakes (Rebels), 11 Wes Goosen (Hurricanes), 10 Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), 9 Will Genia (Rebels), 8 Lachlan McCaffrey (Brumbies), 7 Liam Wright (Reds), 6 Siya Kolisi (Stormers), 5 John Schickerling (Stormers), 4 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 3 Carlü Sadie (Lions), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Scott Sio (Brumbies).

Team of the Week – Round Four: 15 Will Jordan (Crusaders), 14 Sevu Reece (Crusaders), 13 Jack Goodhue (Crusaders), 12 Ngani Laumape (Hurricanes), 11 Rieko Ioane (Blues), 10 Handre Pollard (Bulls), 9 Will Genia (Rebels), 8 Duane Vermeulen (Bulls), 7 Michael Hooper (Waratahs), 6 Jordan Taufua (Crusaders), 5 Scott Barrett (Crusaders), 4 Josh Dickson (Highlanders), 3 Carlü Sadie (Lions), 2 Codie Taylor (Crusaders), 1 Dylan Smith (Lions).

Team of the Week – Round Three: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty (Rebels), 14 Gerhard van den Heever (Sunwolves), 13 Jack Goodhue (Crusaders), 12 Michael Little (Sunwolves), 11 Ramiro Moyano (Jaguares), 10 Handre Pollard (Bulls), 9 Will Genia (Rebels), 8 Duane Vermeulen (Bulls), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers), 6 Shannon Frizell (Highlanders), 5 Uwe Helu (Sunwolves), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 Hiroshi Yamashita (Sunwolves), 2 Dane Coles (Hurricanes), 1 Joe Moody (Crusaders).

Team of the Week – Round Two: 15 Tom Banks (Brumbies), 14 Chance Peni (Brumbies), 13 Jordan Petaia (Reds), 12 Samu Kerevi (Reds), 11 George Bridge (Crusaders), 10 Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies), 9 Tomas Cubelli (Jaguares), 8 Lachlan McCaffrey (Brumbies), 7 Albertus Smith (Lions), 6 Shannon Frizell (Highlanders), 5 Josh Dickson (Highlanders), 4 Scott Barrett (Crusaders), 3 Carlu Sadie (Lions), 2 Armand van der Merwe (Sharks), 1 Joe Moody (Crusaders).

Team of the Week – Round One: 15 Israel Folau (Waratahs), 14 Jack Maddocks (Rebels), 13 Braydon Ennor (Crusaders), 12 Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs), 11 Rosko Specman (Bulls), 10 Handre Pollard (Bulls), 9 Will Genia (Rebels), 8 Duane Vermeulen (Bulls), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Marnus Schoeman (Lions), 5 Lodewyk de Jager (Bulls), 4 Scott Barrett (Crusaders), 3 Carlu Sadie (Lions), 2 Armand van der Merwe (Sharks), 1 Dylan Smith (Lions).

@rugby365com