Super Rugby Round 15: Team of the Week & More
- 1830
Man of the Match
Chiefs vs Bulls Damian
McKenzie
Reds vs Sharks Bismarck
du Plessis
Blues vs Hurricanes TJ
Perenara
Waratahs vs Crusaders Israel
Folau
Force vs Highlanders Ben
Smith
Cheetahs vs Lions Warwick
Tecklenburg
Stormers vs Rebels Frans
Malherbe
Team of the Week
The toughest selections are those between Ben
Smith and Israel Folau at fullback, at 9 between TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith and
Augustine Pulu, and at 10, where Damian McKenzie, Dan Carter (after Colin Slade
went off injured before halftime), and Bernard Foley were all excellent.
15 Ben Smith, 14 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Warwick Tecklenburg, 5 Dave Dennis, 4 Alex Ainley, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Best of the Week
Best Game:
Waratahs vs Crusaders – with a host of top players performing like top players
Team Performance:
Waratahs – and an honourable mention for the Hurricanes
Player:
Ben Smith
Back:
Israel Folau
Forward:
Bismarck du Plessis
Tries:
Four tries were absolute gems:
Bryce Heem for the Chiefs – 28th minute: created by perfectly timed inter-passing between forwards and backs to put teammates into space
Augustine Pulu for the Chiefs – 56th minute: from counter-attack 70m out and a brilliant, elusive run by Damian McKenzie
Nehe Milner-Skudder for the Hurricanes – 67th minute: a lesson from Milner-Skudder in how to finish when you appear to have no space
Aaron Smith for the Highlanders – 74th minute: worth watching for the wonderful catch in the air and offload by Marty Banks