Super Rugby Team of the Week: Round Two
OPINION: There were plenty of Australian players who stood out in Round Two of Super Rugby 2019.
The Brumbies were the most impressive team in the round and they lead the way with four players in our Team of the Week. The Reds have two players in our selection this week.
The Crusaders, Highlanders, Jaguares, Sharks and Lions are also represented this week.
* Let us know what you think!
Team of the Week – Round Two:
15 – Tom Banks (Brumbies)
He was exceptional with ball in hand on attack against the Chiefs and he scored a great try as well.
Bubbling under: Israel Folau (Waratahs)
14 – Chance Peni (Brumbies)
He terrorised the Chiefs’ defence and he racked up the running metres. He scored two tries in the win.
Bubbling under: Gerhard van den Heever (Sunwolves)
13 – Jordan Petaia (Reds)
The 18-year-old caused all kinds of problems for the Highlanders’ defence with his pace and power.
Bubbling under: Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies)
12 – Samu Kerevi (Reds)
The Highlanders struggled to bring the big man down. His big frame attracted the Highlanders’ defence which opened some space for his outside backs.
Bubbling under: Ryan Crotty (Crusaders)
11 – George Bridge (Crusaders)
Again, he showed how dangerous he is out wide with his pace and guile against the Hurricanes.
Bubbling under: Sefa Naivalu (Reds)
10 – Christian Leali’ifano (Brumbies)
He produced a flyhalf masterclass against the Chiefs. He pulled the strings nicely and outplayed his opposite number, Damian McKenzie.
Bubbling under: Josh Ioane (Highlanders)
9 – Tomas Cubelli (Jaguares)
His game management was outstanding against the Bulls, which was key to securing the victory for the Argentinians.
Bubbling under: Aaron Smith (Highlanders)
8 – Lachlan McCaffrey (Brumbies)
He made his presence felt in the physical exchanges and he got his team over the advantage line with a number of strong carries.
Bubbling under: Jack Dempsey (Waratahs)
7 – Kwagga Smith (Lions)
He was outstanding against the Stormers at Newlands. Carried the ball with aggression and he defended well. He scored a try and won a few turnovers as well.
Bubbling under: Dalton Papali’i (Blues)
6 – Shannon Frizell (Highlanders)
The All Black loose forward was immense in the win against the Reds. He made some serious metres every time he carried the ball and scored two tries as well.
Bubbling under: Jordan Taufua (Crusaders)
5 – Josh Dickson (Highlanders)
His work rate was impressive against the Reds. He carried the ball well and made some metres. He was a good defender as well.
Bubbling under: Eben Etzebeth (Stormers)
4 – Scott Barrett (Crusaders)
Scored two tries in the win against the Hurricanes. He was outstanding in the physical exchanges once again.
Bubbling under: Lood de Jager (Bulls)
3 – Carlu Sadie (Lions)
He was a workhorse in the scrums and in open play
Bubbling under: Sekope Kepu (Waratahs)
2 – Armand van der Merwe (Sharks)
It was another powerful performance from the hooker. His work rate was impressive, and he found his way to the tryline once again.
Bubbling under: Dane Coles (Hurricanes)
1 – Joe Moody (Crusaders)
The All Black prop was solid up front. He was strong in the scrums and was an important cog in a powerful Crusaders machine.
Bubbling under: James Slipper (Brumbies)
Our individual selections:
Jan de Koning XV: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Chance Peni, 13 Jordan Petaia, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Christian Leali’ifano, 9 Tomas Cubelli, 8 Lachlan McCaffrey, 7 Albertus Smith, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Eben Etzebeth, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Armand van der Merwe, 1 Joe Moody.
Paul Dobson XV: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Chance Peni, 13 Jordan Petaia, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Sefa Naivalu, 10 Christian Leali’ifano, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Lachlan McCaffrey, 7 Kwagga Smith, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Joe Moody.
Warren Fortune XV: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Gerhard van der Heever, 13 Jordan Petaia, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 George Bridge, 10 Christian Leali’ifano, 9 Tomas Cubelli, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Kwagga Smith, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Josh Dickson, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Armand van der Merwe, 1 James Slipper.
Previous selection:
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).
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