Super Rugby Team of the Week - Round 18

Super Rugby Team of the Week - Round 18

Following the penultimate round of regular season action, we pick our Super Rugby Team of the Week. 

1. Wyatt Crockett

Crockett's selection in this weekend team of the week is far from a sentimental one as the veteran Crusader became the first player in Super Rugby history to make 200 Super Rugby appearances.

Crockett made his 200th appearance a lot earlier than expected when Joe Moody left the field in the opening minutes with an injury. 

He spent a good 75 minutes on the pitch and was solid in the scrum despite giving away a penalty or two and showed no signs of aging putting in a few hefty tackles and was heavily involved in the build up to Scott Barrett's try.


Elsewhere Jean-Pierre Smith was strong against the Rebels, Toby Smith caused the Blues a few issues while Pierre Schoeman was busy against the Jaguares. 


2. Ricky Riccitelli

Riccitelli continued his fine run of form in the middle of the Hurricanes pack against the Blues this weekend.

His set pieces were on point and was telling on defence making 13 tackles and forced a few penalties for his side. 

He beats Augustin Creevy and Folau Faingaa to a place in our team of the week after Faingaa furthered his claim for a Wallabies call-up while Creevy was everywhere on defence and attack against the Bulls. 

3. Sekope Kepu

Tighthead was once again a hotly contested position this past weekend with Wallabies Allan Alaalatoa and Taniela Topou putting in fine performances but the veteran Sekope Kepu takes top spot.

The Waratahs veteran was strong against a handy Sunwolves pack, scored a try and assisted two.

Michael Cheika will be pleased by the performances of his respective tightheads while elsewhere Tyrel Lomax battle well with Wyatt Crockett in Christchurch and Thomas du Toit was strong against Steven Kitshoff in Cape Town.

4. RG Snyman

Snyman continued his fine form that earned him a test debut in June. He made 18 tackles and 9 carries against the Jaguares.

His 9 carries led to him making 42 running metres beating 1 defender and made 1 clean break. 

He beats off fellow South African Cobus Wiese to a place in the side as well Rory Arnold and Izack Rodda who both had brilliant games for their sides.

5. Tyler Ardron

The Chiefs Canadian workhorse beats Stormers lock Jan de Klerk, Highlanders Tom Franklin and Kane Douglas.

His stats don't tell the full story of what was yet another stellar performance, he made 3 carries and 8 tackles but his real work was done when the Brumbies looked to maul over the Chiefs line.

He dismantled the Brumbies maul on a number of occasions and did some excellent work at the breakdown.

 

6. Marco van Staaden

Luke Jacobson and Brad Shields were both exceptional for the Chiefs and Hurricanes this weekend making it a very close call at no.6.

Bulls' flanker Marco van Staden gets the nod ahead of the pair after he made 18 tackles and 8 carries.

He made 49 running metres, beat 5 defenders and dotted down for a try. 

His work at the break down in the second half halted a lot of the Jaguares promising attacks as the Argentine side looked to force their way back into the match. 

7. Sam Henwood

Another tough call on the other side of the scrum with Liam Wright, Will Miller and Jannes Kirsten all putting in performances worthy of a place in the team of the week but Henwood's round high of 23 tackles sees him claim the no.7 jersey.

8. Amanaki Mafi

Mafi once again makes our team of the week after yet another fine performance against the Reds despite his side going down 37-23.

Luke Whitelock and Akira Ioane were amongst the top performing no.8 yet again, while Sikhumbuzo Notshe and Hanro Liebenberg are also extremely unlucky not get the nod.

Mafi made 113 running metres from his 12 carries, beat 2 defenders and come up with 3 turnovers. 

9. Nick Phipps

The Wallaby halfback was brilliant against the Sunwolves despite the Japanese side being a man down.

Phipps scored two and assisted two of the Waratahs' tries as they went onto claim a 77-25 victory.

Elsewhere TJ Perenara performed for the Hurricanes while Embrose Papier and Bryn Hall both had strong games for their respective sides.

 

10. Richie Mo'unga

Mo'unga takes top spot despite strong competition from his fellow All Black first fives, while also beating off Bernard Foley and Stormers rookie Joshua Stander.

The Crusaders playmaker opened up one of the competition's best defences on Friday and finished the clash with 25 points - 4 penalties, 4 conversions, 1 try and a try assist.

11. Taqele Naiyaravoro

The Waratahs winger was too much for the Sunwolves to handle on Saturday as he went on to record over 200 running metres against the Japanese side.

He was also directly involved in three tries scoring 2 and assisting a third.

George Bridge, Julian Savea and Akihito Yamada all had strong performances this weekend but were not able to top the Tahs man. 

12. Ngani Laumape

Laumape was arguably the player of the round scoring 4 tries and assisting another as the Hurricanes ended a three-game losing streak smashing the Blues 42-24.

He made 119 running metres beating 10 defenders and made 3 clean breaks.

His opposite number, Rieko Ioane was superb this weekend despite his side's loss while Kurtley Beale was exceptional against the Sunwolves.

Johnny Kotze was also in fine form in the Bulls come from behind victory over the Jaguares. 



13. Jesse Kriel

Kriel was another Bulls player that stepped up to the plate when his side needed it most.

His clever running lines and exceptional pace saw make 81 running metres and beat 3 defenders on his way to an important try. 

He beats a number of players who performed this weekend including the likes of Curtis Rona, Tevita Kuridrani, Jordan Petaia and Jack Goodhue.

14. Jamba Ulengo 

Ulengo was superb in what was only his second match back from a potentially career-ending injury. 

The speedster dotted down for two tries and assisted a third as his side overcame a 19 point deficit to beat the Jaguares 43-34.

His performance sees him beat off Henry Speight, who has responded extremely well to being left out of the Wallabies squad in June, as well as Nehe Milner-Skudder. 

15. Israel Folau

Folau was at his devasting best against the Sunwolves as his side went on to secure an emphatic 77-25 win over the Sunwolves.

The Wallabies fullback scored a brace, made 134 running metres and beat 4 defenders.

Jono Lance, Tom Banks, Emiliano Boffelli and David Havili all came close to beating the Waratah to the 15 jersey. 

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