Super Rugby Team of the Week - Round 14
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Round 14 of Super Rugby saw the Jaguares win their 5th consecutive game, the Waratahs claimed their first victory over New Zealand opposition in 40 games and the Sunwolves claimed back-to-back victories for the first time in their history. Following all the action we pick our Super Rugby Team of the Week.
1. Tendai Mtawarira
Another strong performance by the veteran prop who seems to have turned back the clock in the past few weeks with big performances. Beast faced up against a strong Chiefs pack and not only held is own but was dominant.
Mtawarira beats off his fellow countrymen in JP Smith and Trevor Nyakane.
2. Folau Faingaa
With all eyes on potential contenders for the Wallabies no.2 jersey, Folau Faingaa put his hand high up for selection. He made 21 tackles against the Lions, a total that was only bettered by Marco van Staden this round.
His lineout work was solid and he was a threat at the breakdown and edged out fellow Wallabies contender Damien Fitzpatrick as well as Augustin Creevy and Akker van der Merwe/
3. Taniela Tupou
The Reds battled it out against an in-form Hurricanes side with Taniela Tupou one of the stars of the game.
He made 5 tackles, carried the ball 6 times making 43 running metres beating 5 defenders, scored a try and came up with a fantastic try assist.
Tupou's opposite number Jeffery Toomaga-Allen was also brilliant as to was the Waratahs' Sekope Kepu and the Sharks' Thomas du Toit.
4. Tom Staniforth
The Waratahs ended Australia's winless drought against New Zealand opposition and Tom Staniforth played a big part in that victory with a busy 65 minute performance.
He carried the ball 11 times and made 8 tackles - without missing. He also won a turnover and was a threat at the lineout on attack and defence.
Jason Jenkins & Izack Rodda both put in big shifts in defeat while Tyler Paul had was solid against the Chiefs.
5. Samiuela Lousi
Lousi has a great against the Blues last week but this week he was even better against the Reds. He carried the ball 12 times, made 7 tackles and won a turnover.
He got his name on the scoresheet in the 65th and he made 26 running metres, beat 3 defenders, made 2 clean breaks and 2 offloads.
Lousi finished off a brilliant 80 minutes by stealing a Reds lineout with time up on the clock preventing the Reds from stealing the match at the death.
Pieter-Steph du Toit & Grant Hattingh both had strong games when they clashed in Hong Kong.
6. Kwagga Smith
Man of the Match against the Brumbies, Kwagga Smith furthered his claim for Springbok call up for the June Internationals with a solid all round performance.
He made 31 running metres and beat 1 defender from his 11 carries. He also made 6 tackles and won 2 turnovers.
His work at the breakdown was the real standout against the likes of David Pocock, Rob Valetini and Isi Naisarani.
Smith had a lot of competition for the no.6 jersey with Reed Prinsep making the most his start, while Angus Scott-Young made a massive 19 tackles against the Canes.
7. Marcos Kremer
Marcos Kremer had tough competition this week with Dalton Papali'i, Franco Mostert and Ardie Savea all playing starring roles for their sides.
Kremer, however, takes the cake making 44 running metres from 14 carries beating 5 defenders and making 3 clean breaks.
He also grabbed a 5-pointer and made 9 tackles as the Jaguares won their 5th game of the trot.
The Jaguares this season
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) May 19, 2018
❌Stormer
❌Lions
❌Hurricanes
✅Waratahs
❌Reds
✅Lions
❌Crusaders
✅Rebels
✅Brumbies
✅Blues
✅Chiefs
✅Bulls pic.twitter.com/nP3cOvEoVg
8. Marco van Staden
A round high of 23 tackles for Marco van Staden sees him earn the no.8 jersey despite Blade Thomson's & Jordan Taufua's efforts.
Van Staden won 1 turnover and was a regular threat at the breakdown for the Bulls.
9. Bryn Hall
Hall's outstanding performance against the Blues was not enough to earn an All Black call up but the Crusader makes our Team of the Week as he had a hand in everything good the Crusaders did on their way to a 24-32 victory.
He made 48 running metres, beat 1 defender, made two clean breaks and dotted down for a try. His attacking performance sees him edge out Fumiaki Tanaka and Louis Schreuder.
10. Hayden Parker
Bernard Foley and Elton Jantjies both had fantastic games this weekend but it's the Sunwolves Hayden Parker who steals the headlines as his 21 point haul saw the Sunwolves claim back-to-back wins.
He made 28 running metres, beat 4 defenders, made two clean breaks, scored a try and scored the winning points with a clutch drop goal with the scores level and time up on the clock.
11. Rieko Ioane
The left wing was hotly contested this weekend with Dillyn Leyds, Taqele Naiyavoro and Sebastian Cancelliere all playing exceptionally but Rieko Ioane's performance against the Crusaders could not be overlooked.
Ioane was involved in all 4 of the Blues tries (2 tries & 2 assists). He made 78 running metres, beat 9 defenders and made 4 clean breaks.
12. Kurtley Beale
Alongside the likes of Bernard Foley, Curtis Rona and Israel Folau, Beale helped his side end Australia's woes against New Zealand Super Rugby sides as the Waratahs went on to beat the Highlanders 41-12.
The Waratahs' attack ticked over against one of the best defences in the competition and racked up 59 running metres beating 2 defenders and was heavily involved in most of the Waratahs best attacks.
Jeronimo de la Fuente and Sonny-Bill Williams were the closest contenders to Beale this week.
13. Samu Kerevi
Kerevi was arguably the best Red as the came close to edging the Hurricanes in the first game of the round.
The Wallaby centre beats the likes of Jack Goodhue and Curtis Rona this week after making 71 running metres beating 2 defenders.
He also dotted down for a try and assisted the Reds first try after running a superb line from a lineout.
14. Bautista Delguy
2 tries, 5 defenders beaten, 60 running metres and 4 clean breaks sees Bautista Delguy claim the #14 jersey with Waisake Naholo his closest contender.
Delguy's form over the past few weeks should see him make his test debut in June after helping the Jaguares to 5 straight wins in his debut Super Rugby season.
15. Israel Folau
Fullback was another hotly contested position this weekend with Kotaro Matsushima, Jordie Barrett and Emiliano Boffelli all playing a big roles in their victories but it is the Wallaby fullback who gets the nod.
Folau grabbed a brace in the Waratahs' win over the Highlanders and as per usual he was brilliant in the air and made 78 running metres, beat 5 defenders and made 4 clean breaks.
