Super Rugby Team of the Week - Round 8

After another entertaining round of Super Rugby action we pick our Team of the Week:

1. Tendai Mtwarira (Sharks)

The veteran prop had another stellar performance for the Sharks making 9 tackles, one turnover and carried the ball 23 metres from his 6 carries. 

Contender: Dylan Smith (Lions)

2. Codie Taylor (Crusaders)

The Crusaders hooker had a fantastic game against the Jaguares making 9 tackles and 3 turnovers. He carried the ball 64 metres from his 5 carries and came up with a try assist.

Contenders: Folau Faingaa (Brumbies) & Malcolm Marx (Lions)

3.Angus Ta'avo (Chiefs)

The Taranaki tighthead has made the most of his opportunities having been included in the Chiefs squad as an injury replacement. He made 11 tackles against the Blues, carried the ball 9 times and was solid in the scrum.

Contender: Thomas du Toit (Sharks)

4. Brodie Retallick (Chiefs)

Yet again Retallick makes our team of the week, the All Black second rower was crucial in the Chiefs come from behind victory over the Blues. He carried the ball 14 times for 36 metres, beat 2 defenders and made 1 clean break. He also made 6 tackles and a game-high of 4 offloads.

Contender: Luke Romano (Crusaders) and Marvin Orie (Lions)

5. Franco Mostert (Lions)

Mostert put in a huge shift as the Lions beat the Stormers 52-31 at Ellis Park. The stand in captain made 15 tackles and one turnover. He carried the ball 8 times, made one clean break and got over the line for a try.

Contenders: Sam Wykes (Sunwolves), Izack Rodda (Reds)

6. Jean-Luc du Preez (Sharks)

Another superb performance by the Sharks flanker against the Hurricanes. He made 15 tackles, without missing a single one, carried the ball 12 times, made 4 offloads and was credited with a try assist.

Contenders: Brad Shields (Hurricanes), Marnus Schoeman (Lions) 

7. David Pocock (Brumbies)

Pocock edges fellow Wallaby Michael Hooper, Crusaders openside Matt Todd and Chiefs captain Sam Cane for the no.7 jersey this week. 

He was ever present at the breakdown forcing multiple penalties and won 3 turnovers. 

He was a consent threat every time the Reds tried to maul and ended the match with 16 tackles.

Contenders: Michael Hooper (Waratahs), Matt Todd (Crusaders)

8. Akira Ioane (Blues) 

Another tough decision for the no.8 jersey with Isi Naisarani putting in a massive shift for the Brumbies, while Kazuki Himeno was sublime for the Sunwolves, as well as Heiden Bedwell Curtis for the Crusaders but it is Akira Ioane who just comes out on top.

Ioane battled hard in a losing effort but made 19 tackles, won two turnovers and gathered 39 running metres from just 5 carries. 

Contenders: Heiden Bedwell-Curtis (Crusaders), Isi Naisarani (Brumbies) & Kazuki Himeno (Sunwolves)

9. Jake Gordon (Waratahs)

Gordon was sensational against the Sunwolves scoring 2 tries. His kicks were also on point and he made 40 running metres beat 3 defenders and one clean break.

He just edges Jonathan Ruru who was outstanding in attack and defence for the Blues.

Contender: Michael Ruru (Blues)

10. Bernard Foley (Waratahs)

Foley marshalled his trumps to a comfortable win over the Sunwolves. His general play with the ball in hand was outstanding and his partnership with Kurtley Beale seems to be getting better and better as the weeks go by. 

Foley missed only 1 of his 8 attempts at goal and collected 2 try assists. 

Contenders: Elton Jantjies (Lions) and Ihaia West (Hurricanes) 

11. Madosh Tambwe (Lions)

A hattrick in just 12 minutes for the winger, Madosh Tambwe was clinical in the Lions impressive win over the Stormers. He scored try number four 10 minutes after the break before getting a well-deserved rest soon after. 

He racked up 122 running metres, beat 6 defenders and made 4 clean breaks. 

Contender: George Bridge (Crusaders)

12. Ngani Laumape (Hurricanes)

Laumape played a crucial role in the Hurricanes come from behind win over the Sharks at McLean Park. The mini bus dotted down for two tries the second of which winning the game for the home side.

He made 42 running metres beat 5 defenders and collected 4 clean breaks.

Contenders: Ryan Crotty (Crusaders), Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks) and Michael Little (Sunwolves)

13. Lukhanyo Am (Sharks)

Another brilliant performance by Lukhanyo Am against the Hurricanes this weekend, he scored two tries from brillinat support play and made a total of 33 running metres. On defence he made 13 tackles and won two turnovers.

Contenders: Vince Aso (Hurricanes) & Chris Feauai-Sautia (Reds)

14. Taqele Naiyaravoro (Waratahs)

Naiyaravoro edges Manasa Matele for a spot in our team of the week. The Northampton Saints bound winger made a round high of 176 running metres, beat 10 defenders and scored one try.

He was involved in a number of the Waratahs tries making 4 clean breaks and 2 offloads.

Contender: Manasa Mataele

15. Solomon Alaimalo

The Chiefs fullback was the only fullback to crack the 100-metre mark in terms of running metres this round and made 42 running metres more than his closest competitor in the Chiefs win over the Blues.

He beat 4 defenders and made 2 clean breaks against the Blues and edges the likes of Curwin Bosch, Jordie Barrett and Tom Banks in our team of the week.

Contenders: Curwin Bosch (Sharks), Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes) and Tom Banks (Brumbies)