Super Rugby Team of the Season
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The Crusaders claimed their third consecutive title beating the Jaguares in the final of the 2019 edition of Super Rugby.
There were a number of standout players featured for the Jaguares and Crusaders on their way to the final and have earned places in our team of the competition.
15. David Havili - Crusaders
Some tough competition from the likes of Will Jordan, Solomon Alaimalo and Melani Nanai. Nanai was a standout in his final season with the Blues making more running metres than any other player.
However, Havili's consistent performances throughout the season helped the Crusaders to the Super Rugby Final and ultimately winning their tenth Super Rugby title.
Havili beat more defenders than any other player this season and finished third overall for running metres gained. His performances didn't earn him a recall with the All Blacks but he may force his way back into the squad with the Maori All Blacks.
14. Sevu Reece - Crusaders
Sevu Reece v the Hurricanes 🔥
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) June 29, 2019
0️⃣5️⃣ Carries 🏃
0️⃣2️⃣ Clean breaks 💨
5️⃣5️⃣ Metres⚡️
0️⃣1️⃣ Try assist 🅰️
0️⃣2️⃣ Tries 🏉
0️⃣1️⃣ Outstanding goose step 🤯
Should he be in the All Black squad?🤔
pic.twitter.com/TyQtcDPJ3C
A standout rookie Super Rugby season saw him score 15 tries and earn a call up to the All Blacks squad having originally not even picked up a Super Rugby contract.
Reece showed off all his talents throughout the season and made the most of his opportunities. Matias Moroni was brilliant for the Jaguares as too was Semisi Masirewa for the Sunwolves.
13. Anton Lienert-Brown - Chiefs
Jack Goodhue, Matias Orlando and Tevita Kuridrani were all fantastic throughout the season for their respective clubs but Liernert-Brown claims the thirteen jersey.
The Chiefs' midfielder was outstanding for the Waikato-based side whether he was starting at inside or outside centre. He was regularly the Chiefs best player throughout the season and had tough competition from Lukhanyo Am.
12. Samu Kerevi - Reds
Kerevi led the Reds in his final year with the side and was exceptionally effective on attack making more carries than any other player in the competition, averaging over 15 carries per game.
The Hurricanes' Ngani Laumape was close to making the side but his inconsistent performances saw Kerevi claim the jersey.
11. Ramiro Moyano - Jaguares
The Jaguares boasted one of the deadliest back three in the competition and could have easily featured in back three slots in our team of the competition.
Mayona scored seven tries, one less than the side's top scorer Matias Orlando. He also finished behind Emiliano Boffelli in metres gained.
10. Richie Mo'unga - Crusaders
Mo'unga was regularly able to unlock opposition defences with relative ease and the Crusaders were a vastly different side without their star playmaker. The All Black first-five was simply superb for the Crusaders, particularly in the semi-final against the Hurricanes.
Mo'unga was by some way the pick of the flyhalves throughout the competition with Joaquin Diaz Bonilla coming close with his form with the Jaguares while Beauden Barrett produced some brilliance and Curwin Bosch starring when given the 10 jersey at the Sharks.
9. TJ Perenara - Hurricanes
Incredibly close between TJ Perenara and Brad Weber with the latter finally earning a test recall. Perenara led his side brilliantly in the absence of Dane Coles and was his usual live-wire self.
He controlled the Hurricanes' game superbly and overall he was outstanding and consistent for the Hurricanes. The likes of Bryn Hall were also brilliant for the Crusaders and Tomas Cubelli for the Jaguares.
8. Dan du Preez - Sharks
Akira Ioane dominated last season and was the standout no.8 in the competition and although he did produce some great performances this season, it was du Preez who claimed the jersey this season.
The Lions' Kwagga Smith was just as superb with du Preez suffering an injury that put him of contention for a test recall with Smtih earning a call-up.
Du Preez was the top carrier at the Sharks, scored more tries than any other Shark and made the second most tackles behind Jacques Vermeulen.
7. Ardie Savea - Hurricanes
Savea brought his 2018 test form with him into the new season with the Hurricanes and was one of the players' Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson picked out for the season.
Savea got some tough competition from Matt Todd and fellow All Black Sam Cane who were both outstanding for their sides.
Wallabies and Waratahs' captain Michael Hooper continued to impress making more tackles than any player this season.
6. Pablo Matera - Jaguares
Man of the Final, Pablo Matera 🎖
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) July 6, 2019
1️⃣6️⃣ Carries
4️⃣9️⃣ Metres
0️⃣4️⃣ Defenders beaten
1️⃣1️⃣ Tackles made
0️⃣0️⃣ Missed
0️⃣1️⃣ Turnover won#CRUvJAG #SuperRugbyFinal pic.twitter.com/7ABVMStvU3
Player of the final despite his side being on the losing end of the result. The Jaguares man did it all this season, he scored a blinder with a chip and chase, showed off his overall skillset.
He tackled well, offloaded superbly, carried even better and was arguably the player of the season with Richie Mo'unga.
Pieter-Steph du Toit was impressive in a disappointing season with the Stormers. Marcos Kremer was also brilliant for the Jaguares playing a blindside-styled role for the side.
5. Scott Barrett - Crusaders
Another stellar season with the Crusaders, Scott Barrett has impressed throughout the year with many suggesting that his form deserves a starting role with the All Blacks.
Barrett was destructive on defence and dominated with his ball carries and was excellent at the lineouts.
4. Guido Petti - Jaguares
The Bulls' RG Snyman came close to making the side but in the end, it was the Jaguares man who claimed our second lock slot.
Petti was incredible at the lineout making more steals than any other player and combined superbly with Tomas Lavanini.
The Jaguares lock fronted up on both attack and defence for the Argentine side and was in the top 5 for tackles and carries for the Jaguares.
3. Allan Alaalatoa - Brumbies
The Brumbies pack guided them to the Super Rugby semi-final and like most powerful packs, it all starts with a strong tighthead and Alaalatoa was just that for the Brumbies.
He cemented the Brumbies pack in the scrums and was busy around the park both on attack and defence. Elsewhere, Tyrel Lomax impressed in what will be his final season at the Highlanders while Trevor Nyakane was brilliant for the Bulls throughout the season, starting every single game.
2. Malcolm Marx - Lions
Dane Coles was outstanding for the Hurricanes in the latter stages of the competition while Liam Coltman impressed enough to earn a test call up over Nathan Harris.
Folau Fainga was solid for the Brumbies and regularly hit his jumpers throughout the season. However, Marx was overall the standout hooker completing the season with the best accuracy at the lineout.
He featured strongly in top carrying and turnovers lists and led the Lions well in the absence of Warren Whiteley.
1. Lizo Gqoboka - Bulls
Gqoboka was brilliant for the Bulls starting every game for his side with his strong ball carrying and stellar scrummaging earning him a test call and will look to make his test debut.
His fellow South African, Steven Kitshoff came close to making the side as to did Scott Sio and James Slipper.