Super Rugby Round 6 Review - Team Of The Week And More

Man of the Match

Highlanders vs Hurricanes:     Ma’a Nonu (Hurricanes)

Rebels vs Lions:                      Warren Whiteley (Lions)

Crusaders vs Cheetahs:           Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders)

Bulls vs Force:                        Handré Pollard (Bulls)

Sharks vs Chiefs:                    Patrick Lambie (Sharks)

Waratahs vs Brumbies:           Michael Hooper (Waratahs)

Team of the Week

The most difficult selections are at fullback where Ben Smith (Highlanders) was exceptional, but Israel Folau (Waratahs), though not in the game as often as he’d like, had moments of real magic, and Damian McKenzie (Chiefs) had the Sharks defence scrambling with his elusive runs, and at 10 where Patrick Lambie (Sharks) and Handré Pollard (Bulls) were excellent, and Bernard Foley (Waratahs) and Matt Toomua (Brumbies) showed more than glimpses of real class.

15 Ben Smith, 14 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Patrick Lambie, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Sam Wykes, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Tolu Latu, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Best of the Week

Best Game:
Waratahs vs Brumbies – ending Round 6 on a high after a few disappointing games and some shocking indiscipline

Team Performance:
Waratahs – back on track as potential repeat champions after indifferent opening rounds

Player:
Warren Whiteley (Lions) – 26 tackles, along with everything else he did on attack and in rallying an apparently well-beaten team, made for an extraordinary performance

Back:
Patrick Lambie – brilliant in the strong wind and driving rain in a team down to 13 players

Forward: 
Michael Hooper – another sublime openside flank performance

Try:
Israel Dagg (Crusaders, 53^rd minute) : counter-attack from 70m out, moving the ball wide left and then right, with skilful inter-passing between backs and forwards