Rugby Championship Team of the Week - Round 3

Rugby Championship Team of the Week - Round 3

With round three of the Rugby Championship behind us, we picked our team of the week.

The All Blacks understandably dominate the team but a few Los Pumas have forced their way into the side with just one Springbok making the team. 

1. Steven Kitshoff - South Africa

A rare start for the red-headed loosehead and the 26-year-old did not disappoint. 

He was solid as ever at scrum time and made 11 tackles and 6 strong carries.


2. Codie Taylor - New Zealand

The pick of the hookers both came from the match in Nelson between Creevy and Taylor.


The All Black gets the nod with his pack showing superiority at scrum time.

Taylor was also potent on attacking making 41 running metres and threw a superb pass out to Nehe Milner-Skudder to score.

3. Owen Franks - New Zealand

Franks cracks the nod at tighthead despite pressure from Frans Malherbe and Taniela Tupou.

Franks was a driving force in the All Blacks scrum that laid the perfect platform for his backs to attack from.

4. Sam Whitelock - New Zealand

Whitelock was injected into the game far earlier than Steve Hansen would have liked after Brodie Retallick's injury.

Bringing over 100 tests caps worth of experience off the bench was always going to work out well for New Zealand with Whitelock making 15 tackles.

He was also a strong presence at lineout time - as ever. Rory Arnold and Izack Rodda were also impressive as to was Eben Etzebeth.

5. Tomas Lavinini - Argentina 

Argentina's massive effort in Nelson is highlighted by Tomas Lavinini's performance. 

Lavinini is known for a never-back-down attitude and he continued in that vein making 16 carries and 12 tackles.

He beats fellow workhorses, Franco Mostert and Scott Barrett, to place in the side.

6. Shannon Frizell - New Zealand

An absolutely outstanding performance by the rookie All Black flanker.

18 tackles, 15 carries and 63 running metres Frizell certainly made the most of his opportunity in the starting line up.

He capped off his performance with his first test try and was far and away the best blindside flanker this weekend.

7. Ardie Savea - New Zealand 

Savea is another All Black who made the most of his opportunity in the starting line up with Sam Cane sidelined.

The 24-year-old made a round high of 21 tackles missing just one! He also made one turnover and made 43 running metres from 12 carries.

8. Javier Ortega Desio - Argentina

Another Los Pumas that stepped up to the plate for his side this weekend.

The experienced loose forward was dangerous on attack making 43 running metres beating 2 defenders and came up with a try assist.

9. TJ Perenara - New Zealand

With Aaron Smith rested TJ Perenara made a massive impact for the All Blacks scoring two tries.

The Hurricanes halfback certainly gave Steve Hansen something to think about ahead of the clash with Springboks this coming weekend.

He ran great support lines and provided Richie Mo'unga with excellent service on his first start.

10. Nicolas Sanchez - Argentina

Two excellent performances in a row for the Argentine playmaker. This week he is not beaten to a place in the side by Beauden Barrett.

Sanchez controlled the attack brilliantly for Los Pumas and finished the match with 14 points, scoring his third try of the competition.

11. Ramiro Moyano - Argentina 

Moyano was Argentina's most lethal attacking weapon this past weekend.

The Argentine flyer was the only player to make over 100 running metres this weekend.

He also crashed over the line for his side and made three clean breaks.

12. Anton Liernert-Brown - New Zealand

Liernert-Brown was another early substitution for the All Blacks and he didn't disappoint.

The 23-year-old put in a massive shift on defence making 14 tackles and 62 running metres and claimed a try assist. 


13. Jack Goodhue - New Zealand

Goodhue completes an all New Zealand midfield and makes our team of the week for the second time during this year's edition of the competition.

Another try and a try assist for the young All Black. He made 56 running metres beating 8 defenders and made three clean breaks.

Goodhue has a gone a long way to prove to the All Blacks coaching staff that he is a long term solution at outside.

14. Bautista Delguy - Argentina

Delguy was the pick of the right wingers this weekend after Makazole Mapimpi impressed but was withdrawn early on against Australia due to injury.

The Argentine youngster beat 4 defenders and made two clean breaks and was unlucky not be rewarded for his efforts.

15. Ben Smith - New Zealand

Unsurprisingly an All Black rounds out the team. Ben Smith seems to always set up when it matters most for the All Blacks.

He set up Kieran Read's try in the 48th minute that proved to be a game-changer for the All Blacks. 

Calm and collected back, Smith racked up 85 running metres, beating 7 defenders and made 2 clean breaks.

Emiliano Boffelli came in a close second while Dane Haylett-Petty was solid for the Wallabies.

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