Get Newsletter

Super Rugby Team of the Week: Round Five

OPINION: It was a strange weekend – not just because of the tragedy in Christchurch, but also some interesting results.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Chiefs are still winless, after their draw with the Hurricanes, while the Lions produced one of the most remarkable comebacks in a very long time.

There is a real mix in @rugby365com’s famous weekly selection – with the Hurricanes (three players in our starting XV) slightly ahead of a large chasing pack.

The Rebels, Reds, Stormers, Chiefs, Lions and Brumbies have two players each in our first-choice selection.

There are more rewards for the Chiefs, Lions and Stormers (three players each) in our back-up squad.

The Hurricanes, Brumbies (two each), Sunwolves and Jaguares (one each) make up the numbers.

Two players return from last week – scrumhalf Will Genia (Rebels) and prop Carlü Sadie (Lions).

ADVERTISEMENT
Video Spacer

* Did we get it right this week?

Team of the Week – Round Five:

15 – Damian McKenzie (Chiefs):
The matter about what position is best suited to his free-running game has been settled. He is a fullback, period!
Bubbling under: Chase Tiatia (Hurricanes)

14 – Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes):
His best performance of the year and provided great support to his fullback.
Bubbling under: Tyrone Green (Lions)

13 – Samu Kerevi (Reds):
As always, a real powerhouse – with 14 runs for 78 metres in their last gasp victory over the Sunwolves.
Bubbling under: Matt Proctor (Hurricanes)

ADVERTISEMENT

12 – Billy Meakes (Rebels):
Caused havoc with the Lions’ defence in a dominant first half – making three clean breaks and creating numerous other opportunities.
Bubbling under: Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs)

11 – Wes Goosen (Hurricanes):
He may have scored just one try, but registered 141 run metres from 10 carries, 13 defenders beaten and two clean breaks.
Bubbling under: Ataata Moeakiola (Chiefs)

Video Spacer

10 – Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes):
Was pure quality at the weekend – a calm demeanour and improved goal-kicking performance.
Bubbling under: Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies)

9 – Will Genia (Rebels):
Was pure class, even though his team imploded in the second half.
Bubbling under: Ross Cronje (Lions)

8 – Lachlan McCaffrey (Brumbies):
McCaffrey stepped up with a gritty, abrasive game in the absence of David Pocock and helped the Brumbies win the battle of the collisions.
Bubbling under: Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco (Sunwolves)

7 – Liam Wright (Reds):
The shape of a blindside, but the energy and skill of an openside flank.
Bubbling under: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers:

6 – Siya Kolisi (Stormers):
Finding some of his best form – plenty of carries, making good metres and winning turnovers.
Bubbling under: Mitchell Brown (Chiefs)

Video Spacer

5 – John Schickerling (Stormers):
The plaudits are going to du Toit and Etzebeth but the 23-year-old is a great foil for the other two giants. Good source of line out ball and doesn’t shirk on the clean outs.
Bubbling under: Stephan Lewies (Lions)

4 – Brodie Retallick (Chiefs):
Like a dependable diesel engine – once he gets going, there is no stopping him.
Bubbling under: Guido Petti Pagadizaval (Jaguares)

3 – Carlü Sadie (Lions):
It is not just his scrumming – although there’s plenty of reason for that.
Bubbling under: Frans Malherbe (Stormers)

2 – Malcolm Marx (Lions):
A very busy day for the young hooker. Not just did he have 17 carries, but his set-piece play was from the top shelve.
Bubbling under: Folau Fainga’a (Brumbies)

1 – Scott Sio (Brumbies):
Did most of his good work on defence and it the scrums.
Bubbling under: Steven Kitshoff (Stormers)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frk9qdMUgFo

Our individual selections:

Warren Fortune XV: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Jordie Barrett, 13 Tom English, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Ataata Moeakiola, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Will Genia, 8 Lachlan McCaffrey, 7 Liam Wright, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 John Schickerling, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 Scott Sio.

Jan de Koning XV: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Tyrone Green, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Wes Goosen, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Lachlan McCaffrey, 7 Liam Wright, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 John Schickerling, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Carlü Sadie, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Scott Sio.

Paul Dobson XV: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Jordie Barrett, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Wes Goosen, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Will Genia, 8 Lachlan McCaffrey, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Carlü Sadie, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmLo_ByB7us

Previous selections:

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

All Week Five’s highlights!

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Write A Comment