November Test TOTW

November Test TOTW

Following a blockbuster Saturday of test rugby, we have selected our Test Team of the Weekend.

1. Allan Dell - Scotland

The Scotland loosehead prop sneaks in ahead of the All Blacks Karl Tuinukuafe for a place in our team of the week. 

The 26-year-old was strong in the scrum and was busy around the park making 10 carries and burst his way over the line to score his side's first try of the game.

2. Joe Taufete'e - USA


The American hooker edges the likes of Guilhem Guirado and Dylan Hartley to claim the #2 jersey this week after he helped his side to a narrow win over Samoa.

Taufete'e provided his side with great front foot ball throughout the game and was solid at the set pieces. 


3. Frans Malherbe - South Africa

A tough call between Malherbe and Ireland's Tadhg Furlong. The South African gets the nod over the Irishman after an impressive all round showing.

He got the better of Jefferson Poirot at scrum time, got front foot ball on attack and made all 10 of his attempted tackles. 

4. James Ryan - Ireland 

Yet another stellar performance fro the 22-year-old as he claimed the man of the match award in the win over Argentina.

He finished the game with 18 carries and 13 tackles and was physical throughout the game against a tough Los Pumas pack.

Both Matias Alemanno and Tomas Lavanini were in for a place in the side but ultimately the Irishman got the nod.

Sam Whitelock and Pieter-Steph du Toit also came close to making the side.



5. Brodie Retallick - New Zealand

What a return to the starting line up Brodie Retallick had! 

The All Black second rower produced an absolute masterclass at Twickenham on Saturday that helped his side claim a fantastic come from behind victory.

Retallick was physical in all facets of the hand and took the England lineout apart along with Scott Barrett and Sam Whitelock. 

6. Justin Tipuric - Wales

The man of the match in Wales first victory over Australia in 10 years, Justin Tupuric makes our team of the week on the side of the blindside of our scrum despite playing on the openside against the Wallabies.

It was impossible to pick between him and Sam Underhill for the openside meaning Tupuric moves to the blindside to accommodate Underhill. 

The Osprey's man was outstanding at the breakdown against two of the best fetchers in the business in David Pocock and Michael Hooper. 

Unfortunately, Peter O'Mahony and Arthur Iturria miss out on the squad due to the Tupuric switch. 

7. Sam Underhill - England

Underhill's game against the All Blacks had everything! He made a number of bone-crunching, with Damian McKenzie being his main victim, while he was excellent over the ball and showed some stellar footwork to bamboozle Beauden Barrett for that disallowed try,

He also made a match-high of 24 tackles, won a turnover and made 66 running metres from 7 carries - only Ben Smith made more running metres than the flanker.



8. Beka Gorgadze - Georgia

The 22-year-old Georgian loose forward has outstanding for Georgia despite his side loss to Italy in Florence.

The powerful no.8 finished the game with a match-high of 70 running metres from 9 carries and made 15 tackles!

He just beat the likes of CJ Stander and Mark Wilson to a place in our side.

9. Kieran Marmion - Ireland 

 

Marmion stepped up for Ireland in the absence of Conor Murray against Argentina this weekend. His decision making and service was excellent throughout the game and the nifty halfback ran in a try for his side.

His replacement, Luke McGrath, was just as impressive while the likes of Baptiste Serin, Greig Laidlaw and Italy's Tito Tebaldi all deserve mentions. 

10. Beauden Barrett - New Zealand 

 

A superb all round performance from Barrett provided a fantastic spectacle between him and Owen Farrell at Twickenham.

Barrett kicks, out of hand and off the tee, were exceptional and he even slotted his first test drop goal.

His game management and ability to link up with the likes of Damian McKenzie and Richie Mo'unga proved pivitol for the All Blacks as they came from behind to beat England.

Jonathan Sexton, Owen Farrell, Camille Lopez and Nicholas Sanchez were amoungst the candiates to claim the jersey but the World Player of the Year just takes it.

11. Teddy Thomas - France

The Racing 92 speedster made more running metres than any other player this weekend finsihing the match with 97 metres gained having beaten 5 defenders.

He looked dangerous every time he got the ball and was vital in France's performance as they looked to avenge the Springboks.

He got stiff competition for the jersey from the likes of Jacob Stockdale, Sean Maitland and Mattia Bellini but just edges off the trio to claim a spot in the side.

12. Ryan Crotty - New Zealand

The All Black centre was outstanding from the minute he came onto the pitch and delivered what can only be described as game-changing performance. 

He ran superb lines that troubled the English defence and set up Damian McKenzie's try that started the All Blacks comeback. 

His defence was astute helping him beat off the likes of Bundee Aki for a place in the side.

13. Michele Campagnaro - Italy 

The Italian captain was key to his side's victory over Six Nations hopefuls Georgia this weekend.

He scored an outstanding try and tested the Georgian defence with awkward lines as he beat 4 defenders and made 1 clean break.

Jonathan Davies had another superb game for Wales while Peter Horne, Jack Goodhue and Mathieu Bastareaud were solid for their sides.

14. Tommy Seymour - Scotland

The hattrick hero in Scotland's impressive win over Fiji.

Seymour was excellent for the Scots scoring a try before the breaking before completing his hattrick in the second half. 

The winger beat 3 defenders and made two clean breaks to beat Ben Smith to a place in the side.

 

15. Emiliano Boffelli - Argentina 

The 23-year-old continued his fine form at fullback for Los Pumas, with Joaquin Tuculet still nursing an injury.

The potent attacker racked up 75 running metres against a solid Irish defence while his kicking and defence game was on point for the Argentines.

Damian McKenzie also had a good game for the All Blacks this weekend while Ashee Tuala was superb for Samoa against the USA.

In this Article

Latest News