Team of the Week: 'Saders charging
There were some big performances this weekend, but the biggest warning shot was fired by the Crusaders who dominate our weekly selection.
The seven-time champions were ruthless in their demolition of the Highlanders in Christchurch, which would have been noted nervously by the teams above them on the standings, and the clinical display was also appreciated by our panel who selected seven Crusaders this week.
Against all the odds the two next best represented sides in our team are the bottom-dwelling Lions and Blues who have two players each in our team.
Both teams have had dismal seasons but gave their fans something to cheer about at last this weekend with spirited performances against their more fancied rivals in their respective derbies.
The numbers are made up by a the Chiefs, Brumbies, Hurricanes and Stormers who all secured hard-fought victories and have one player each in our team.
The Lions' surprise victory over the Sharks earned them five places in our bubbling under side, with the Blues and Crusaders featuring prominently as well with three players each.
Team of the Week – Round 15:
15 – Israel Dagg (Crusaders): He is steadily regaining the form that made him such hot property last year and showed a few touches of class which would have greatly encouraged All Blacks boss Steve Hansen.
Bubbling under: Andries Coetzee (Lions)
14 – Rene Ranger (Blues): He may have played on the left wing but there were no oustanding candidates on the right this week and there were a host of impressive performances from left wings, so we have taken the decision to shift the versatile Ranger out to the right. The hot-stepping utility back showed just how dangerous he can be with a series of devastating runs, including what has to be a candidate for individual try of the season.
Bubbling under: Gerhard van der Heever (Stormers)
13 – Francis Saili (Blues): The inexperienced midfielder stood out amongst some of the hottest backline talents around at the moment and looks a very promising option for the future if his polished display against the Chiefs is anything to go by.
Bubbling under: Conrad Smith (Hurricanes)
12 – Sonny Bill Williams (Chiefs): The match was billed as a shootout for the All Blacks No.12 jersey and Sonny Bill certainly fired the biggest shots with some telling runs and deft touches showing what a dangerous customer he can be.
Bubbling under: Ryan Crotty (Crusaders)
11 – Zac Guildford (Crusaders): He has looked a different player since Dan Carter has moved back to flyhalf, and he was right in position this weekend sniffing around for opportunities off the All Black legend's shoulder which reaped rich rewards. Although four-try Asaeli Tikoirotuma was outstanding our selectors were swayed by Guildford's wide array of skills.
Bubbling under: Asaeli Tikoirotuma (Chiefs)
10 – Dan Carter (Crusaders): At his breathtaking best, he managed to control the pace of the game and unlocked the Highlanders defence with some well-timed passing and perfectly-weighted attacking grubbers, just in case anyone was wondering whether he is still the best around.
Bubbling under: Elton Jantjies (Lions)
9 – Andy Ellis (Crusaders): He may not be good enough for the All Blacks, but he definitely played well enough to make our team. His crisp service and fluent linking play ensured that the Crusaders machine ran smoothly throughout the match.
Bubbling under: TJ Perenara (Hurricanes)
8 – Victor Vito (Hurricanes): He can do it all and he showed it again on Saturday, winning line-out ball, tackling his heart out and driving the heft Waratahs back in the tackle consistently.
Bubbling under: Luke Braid (Blues)
7 – Richie McCaw (Crusaders): The master gave a tutorial in how to lead from the front and stamp your authority on the opposition. He and Carter are well and truly over their injuries and are ominously hitting top gear just before the Test break, it is almost as if they planned it that way.
Bubbling under: Grant Hattingh (Lions)
6 – Siya Kolisi (Stormers): Another tireless defensive performance from this young Trojan who certainly makes the most of his physical attributes, but At Loftus he showed what a threat he can be with the ball in hand as well – linking well throughout the match and expertly drifting into the gap which resulted in the decisive try to win the match.
Bubbling under: Derrick Minnie (Lions)
5 – Franco van der Merwe (Lions): The Lions stalwart gives everything no matter the circumstances, but on Saturday his efforts were well supported by his teammates and he had further reason to celebrate later in the evening when he was named in the Springbok squad.
Bubbling under: Samuel Whitelock (Crusaders)
4 – Scott Fardy (Brumbies): The Brumbies have had a hard edge all season thanks in no small part to Fardy who has been a powerhouse in the engine room, and the derby against the Rebels was no different with the big lock leading the way in the tight exchanges.
Bubbling under: Luke Romanao (Crusaders)
3 – Pat Cilliers (Lions): The Lions needed a strong performance up front and Cilliers certainly delivered, showing his worth against the incumbent Springbok front row.
Bubbling under: Ben Alexander (Brumbies)
2 – Quentin MacDonald (Crusaders): He may have come off the bench but he made far more of an impact than any of the starting hookers this weekend. He did the basics well in the set pieces and shone in open play, handling like a back and tearing around the field like a loose forward.
Bubbling under: Callie Visagie (Lions)
1 – Wyatt Crockett (Crusaders): The Crusaders scrum was back at its powerful best against the Highlanders and the big loosehead was central to the dominant display, shoving his weight around to devastating effect.
Bubbling under: Tony Woodcock (Blues)
Our individual selections
Paul Dobson XV: 15 Bernard Foley, 14 Adam Whitelock, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Patric Cilliers, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Len Kaplan XV: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Lachie Munro, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Rene Ranger, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Scott Fardy, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Quentin MacDonald, 1 Dean Greyling.
Tim Hancox XV: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Alapati Leiua, 13 Francis Saili, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Luke Braid, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Quinn Roux, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Pat Cilliers 2 Quentin MacDonald, 1 Benn Robinson.
Michael de Vries XV: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Francis Saili, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Scott Fardy, 3 Pat Cilliers, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Previous selections:
Team of the Week, Round 14: 15 Andre Taylor (Hurricanes), 14 Alapati Leiua (Hurricanes), 13 Tamati Ellison (Highlanders), 12 Sonny Bill Williams (Chiefs), 11 Willie le Roux (Cheetahs), 10 Frederick Michalak (Sharks), 9 TJ Perenara (Hurricanes), 8 Keegan Daniel (Sharks), 7 Willem Alberts (Sharks), 6 Adam Thomson (Highlanders), 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp (Bulls), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 WP Nel (Cheetahs), 2 Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), 1 Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks).
Team of the Week, Round 13: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Adam Whitelock (Crusaders), 13 Paul Jordaan (Sharks), 12 Jean de Villiers (Stormers), 11 Lwazi Mvovo (Sharks), 10 Frederic Michalak (Sharks), 9 Will Genia (Reds), 8 Scott Higginbotham (Reds), 7 Michael Hooper (Brumbies), 6 Adam Thomson (Highlanders), 5 James Horwill (Reds), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 Owen Franks (Crusaders), 2 Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen (Cheetahs).
Team of the Week, Round 12: 15 Luke Morahan (Reds), 14 Mark Gerrard (Rebels), 13 Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), 12 Sonny Bill Williams (Chiefs), 11 Julian Savea (Hurricanes), 10 Kurtley Beale (Rebels), 9 Will Genia (Reds), 8 Scott Higginbotham (Reds), 7 Liam Gill (Reds), 6 Luke Braid (Blues), 5 Juandre Kruger (Bulls), 4 Rob Simmons (Reds), 3 Werner Kruger (Bulls), 2 Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), 1 Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks).
Team of the Week, Round 11: 15 Andre Taylor (Hurricanes), 14 Cory Jane (Hurricanes), 13 Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), 12 Andries Strauss (Cheetahs), 11 Digby Ioane (Reds), 10 Morné Steyn (Bulls), 9 TJ Perenara (Hurricanes), 8 Scott Higginbotham (Reds), 7 Michael Hooper (Brumbies), 6 CJ Stander (Bulls), 5 Nathan Sharpe (Western Force), 4 Craig Clarke (Chiefs), 3 Owen Franks (Crusaders), 2 Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen (Cheetahs).
Team of the Week, Round 10: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Henry Speight (Brumbies), 13 Robbie Fruean (Crusaders), 12 Sonny Bill Williams (Chiefs), 11 Joe Tomane (Brumbies), 10 Johan Goosen (Cheetahs), 9 Will Genia (Reds), 8 Kieran Read (Crusaders), 7 Michael Hooper (Brumbies), 6 Adam Thomson (Highlanders), 5 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 4 Dean Mumm (Waratahs), 3 Charlie Faumuina (Blues), 2 Hika Elliot (Chiefs), 1 Arizona Taumalolo (Chiefs).
Team of the Week, Round Nine: 15 Jesse Mogg (Brumbies), 14 Henry Speight (Brumbies), 13 Andrew Smith (Brumbies), 12 Juan de Jongh (Stormers), 11 Hosea Gear (Highlanders), 10 Peter Grant (Stormers), 9 Francois Hougaard (Bulls), 8 Kieran Read (Crusaders), 7 Sam Cane (Chiefs), 6 CJ Stander (Bulls), 5 De Kock Steenkamp (Stormers), 4 Josh Bekhuis (Highlanders), 3 Ben Franks (Crusaders), 2 Mahonri Schwalger (Chiefs), 1 Steven Kitshoff (Stormers).
Team of the Week, Round Eight: 15 Joe Pietersen (Stormers), 14 Lelia Masaga (Chiefs), 13 Richard Kahui (Chiefs), 12 Pat McCabe (Brumbies), 11 Bryan Habana (Stormers), 10 Aaron Cruden (Chiefs), 9 Francois Hougaard (Bulls), 8 Keegan Daniel (Sharks), 7 Matt Todd (Crusaders), 6 CJ Stander (Bulls), 5 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 4 Scott Fardy (Brumbies), 3 Charlie Faumuina (Blues), 2 Craig Burden (Sharks), 1 Arizona Taumalolo (Chiefs).
Team of the Week, Round Seven: 15 Joe Pietersen (Stormers), 14 Lelia Masaga (Chiefs), 13 Robert Ebersohn (Cheetahs), 12 Jean de Villiers (Stormers), 11 Bryan Habana (Stormers), 10 Morné Steyn (Bulls), 9 Francois Hougaard (Bulls), 8 Scott Higginbotham (Reds), 7 Karl Lowe (Hurricanes), 6 Siya Kolisi (Stormers), 5 Andries Bekker (Stormers), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 WP Nel (Cheetahs), 2 Adriaan Strauss (Cheetahs), 1 Steven Kitshoff (Stormers).
Team of the Week, Round Six: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Odwa Ndungane (Sharks), 13 Richard Kahui (Chiefs), 12 Jean de Villiers (Stormers), 11 Zac Guildford (Crusaders), 10 Johan Goosen (Cheetahs), 9 Aaron Smith (Highlanders), 8 Kane Thompson (Chiefs), 7 David Pocock (Western Force), 6 Adam Thomson (Highlanders), 5 Nathan Sharpe (Western Force), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 WP Nel (Cheetahs), 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle (Bulls), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen (Cheetahs).
Team of the Week, Round Five: 15 Andre Taylor (Hurricanes), 14 Mark Gerrard (Rebels), 13 Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), 12 Wynand Olivier (Bulls), 11 Bryan Habana (Stormers), 10 Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), 9 Andy Ellis (Crusaders), 8 Pierre Spies (Bulls), 7 Jacques Potgieter (Bulls), 6 Marcell Coetzee (Sharks), 5 Juandré Kruger (Bulls), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 Patric Cilliers (Lions), 2 Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), 1 Dean Greyling (Bulls).
Team of the Week, Round Four: 15 Riaan Viljoen (Sharks), 14 Cory Jane (Hurricanes), 13 Tamati Ellison (Highlanders), 12 Jean de Villiers (Stormers), 11 Willie le Roux (Cheetahs), 10 James O'Connor (Rebels), 9 Charl McLeod (Sharks), 8 Victor Vito (Hurricanes), 7 David Pocock (Western Force), 6 Marcell Coetzee (Sharks), 5 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 Ben Tameifuna (Chiefs), 2 Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), 1 Arizona Taumalolo (Chiefs).
Team of the Week, Round Three: 15 Robbie Robinson (Chiefs), 14 Cory Jane (Hurricanes), 13 Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), 12 Tim Whitehead (Sharks), 11 Willie le Roux (Cheetahs), 10 Gareth Anscombe (Blues), 9 TJ Perenara (Hurricanes), 8 Pierre Spies (Bulls), 7 David Pocock (Western Force), 6 Adam Thomson (Highlanders), 5 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 4 Anthony Boric (Blues), 3 Ben Tameifuna (Chiefs); 2 Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), 1 Arizona Taumalolo (Chiefs).
Team of the Week, Round Two: 15 Robbie Robinson (Chiefs), 14 Cory Jane (Hurricanes), 13 Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), 12 Phil Burleigh (Highlanders), 11 Hosea Gear (Highlanders), 10 Aaron Cruden (Chiefs), 9 Will Genia (Reds), 8 Nasi Manu (Highlanders), 7 John Hardie (Highlanders), 6 Adam Thomson (Highlanders), 5 Juandré Kruger (Bulls), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 Chris King (Highlanders), 2 Andrew Hore (Highlanders), 1 Steven Kitshoff (Stormers).
Team of the Week, Round One: 15 Isaia Toeava (Blues), 14 Lelia Masaga (Chiefs), 13 Robbie Fruean (Crusaders), 12 Tim Bateman (Hurricanes), 11 Gio Aplon (Stormers), 10 Elton Jantjies (Lions), 9 Sarel Pretorius (Waratahs), 8 Jerome Kaino (Blues), 7 Derick Minnie (Lions), 6 Adam Thomson (Highlanders), 5 Juandré Kruger (Bulls), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 Werner Kruger (Bulls), 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle (Bulls), 1 Benn Robinson (Waratahs).
