Super Rugby Team of the Week - Round 3

March 04, 2018
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Ultimate Rugby

After another fantastic Round of Super Rugby action we take a look at this weekend's Team of the Week.

1. Tendai Mtawarira

The Beast returned to the Sharks starting line up in fine form, the veteran's scrum work was exceptional and so was his work around the field.

He made 9 tackles and carried the ball 9 times. He hit the rucks hard and caused plenty of problems for the Waratahs pack.

Other candidates: Tom Robertson/ Jacques van Rooyen

2. Malcolm Marx

Another impressive performance by the Springbok hooker against the Bulls on Saturday.

The 23-year-old made 2 clean turnovers but won plenty of penalties for his side.

His scrum and lineout work was on point as the Lions came away with a 35-49 victory.

Contenders: Riccy Riccitelli & Codie Taylor

3. Alex Fidow

The young tighthead claims a spot in our team of the week following an exceptional 23-minute cameo off the bench against the Jaguares.

The 137kg front rower showed brilliant pace and hands to combine with Blade Thomson for one of the tries of the round and managed to make 6 tackles.

Close 2nd: Taniela Tupou

4. Sam Whitelock

Whitelock makes our team of the week for the 2nd week in a row, the Crusaders captain had a hugely impressive game against the Stormers as he made a total of 22 tackles!

Whitelock made life difficult for the Stormers at lineout time and between him and the rest of his pack they stole 5 of the Stormers lineouts.

2nd choice: Willie Britz

5. Tom Staniforth

Staniforth narrowly missed out in our team of the week last week but makes the side this week after another hugely impressive game for his new side.

The former Brumbies man hit double digits in both the tackle and carries categories and help his side steal 3 of the Sharks lineout throws - despite having only one out and out second rower in the starting lineup.

Close 2nd: Scott Barrett

6. Michael Wells

Michael Wells fronted out against an imposing Sharks pack on Saturday and had a busy game making 16 tackles, 5 turnovers, 9 carries and 25 metres gained, to complete another sublime performance.

Close 2nd: Brad Shields

7. Billy Harmon

A brilliant run on debut for the Canterbury man against the Stormers. Harmon was one of the busiest flankers this weekend making 19 tackles, carried the ball 9 times and made 25 running metres.

He also grabbed his first Super Rugby try but his debut was cut short when he was yellow carded following multiple infringements by his fellow teammates.

Contenders: Cobus Wiese & Lappies Labuschagne

8. Warren Whiteley

The Lions captain led his side to victory with a superb performance in one of the best Trans-Juskei derbies in recent times.

The lively no.8 made 8 tackles and carried the ball 3 times but it was his overall running game and skillset which earned him a spot in our team of the week.

He made 40 metres from his 3 ball carries, beat 2 defenders, made 1 clean break and assisted one of the Lions tries.

Close 2nd: Amanaki Mafi

9. Ross Cronje

The Springbok scrumhalf has been criticised for his slow tempo but against the Bulls, Ross Cronje proved his critics wrong as the Bulls struggled to deal with the speed at which the Lions played.

Cronje proved his fellow teammates with crisp passes throughout the match and kept the Bulls defence guessing for the full 73 minutes he was on the field.

He also contributed 6 tackles, without a single miss, and won a turnover for his side.

Contenders: Bryn Hall & TJ Perenara

10. Elton Jantjies

The no.10 jersey in our team of the week goes to Elton Jantjies despite a sublime performance by Crusaders flyhalf Richie Mo'unga.

Jantjies just edges Mo'unga as he was able to take control of the game against the Bulls and he had a hand in everything good the Lions did.

The 27-year-old kicked all 7 of his attempts at goal and picked a brilliant try assist.

Contender: Richie Mo'unga

11. Julian Savea

The bus is back! Savea put in a man of the match performance in the final match of the weekend against the Jaguares.

The big winger certainly loves playing against the Argentine side having scored a hattrick against them the last time they met.

He had another superb game against them in Buenos Aires beating 7 defenders, making 3 clean breaks and made 77 metres.

He showed the kind of perfomance that earned him an All Black jersey with some strong ball carriers and managed to make 3 turnovers and 5 tackles.

Contender: George Bridge

12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg

Rohan Janse van Rensburg returned to the starting line up for the first time this season and the Springboks centre should exactly why multiple English Premiership clubs are chasing his signature.

Defensively he did not miss a single tackle and made 2 turnovers, but on attack, he was one of the Lions most lethal weapons as he beat 5 defenders, collected 2 clean breaks and made 77 metres.

Contenders: Andre Esterhuizen & Handre Pollard

13. Jack Goodhue

The Crusaders centre was in fine form against the Stormers assisting 3 of the Crusaders first-half tries with his brilliant vision and exceptional passing game.

Goodhue was tested defensively by the Stormers as he made 15 tackles for the home side a total that was only beaten by Sam Whitelock and Billy Harmon.

Jack Goodhue assisting 3 of the Crusaders tries and George Bridge is on a hattrick 🔥 pic.twitter.com/oiFo3TEqvv
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) March 3, 2018