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Team of the Week: It is All Black

They may not sit at the top of the standings, but New Zealand completely – and deservedly – dominate our famous weekly selection.

There are 11 All Blacks in our starting XV and another three in our back-up squad – with Ma'a Nonu the only player not to get a look-in.

That ridiculous shoulder charge certainly cost him.

The other winning team from the weekend, South Africa, also received rewards in the form of two players in our starting CXV and four more bubbling under.

However, Argentina have seven players in our back-up squad, where they are all being kept out of the starting XV by the impressive Kiwis.

Australia have two players staring and one in the back-up[ squad.

Five players return from last week – wing Ben Smith (New Zealand), centre Conrad Smith (New Zealand), No.8 Kieran read (New Zealand), lock Sam Whitelock (New Zealand) and hooker Adriaan Strauss (South Africa).

Team of the Week – Round Two:

15 – Israel Dagg (New Zealand):

It was a one-horse race and we struggled to find a back-up.

Bubbling under: Willie le Roux (South Africa)

14 – Ben Smith (New Zealand):

Another easy selection.

Bubbling under: Gonzalo Camacho (Argentina)

13 – Conrad Smith (New Zealand):

At least there was some debate, but Smith just edged Marcelo Bosch because of his involvement in some of the All Black tries.

Bubbling under: Marcelo Bosch (Argentina)

12 – Christian Leali'ifano (Australia):

He offers so much more than just his goal-kicking.

Bubbling under: Jean de Villiers (South Africa)

11 – Julian Savea (New Zealand):

Maybe he didn't get as many chances as his compatriot, but he was better than the others with a No.14 on their backs.

Bubbling under: Horacio Agulla (Argentina)

10 – Morné Steyn (South Africa):

Still not everybody's cup of tea, and his critics will point to his two missed tackles, but his six-form-six at goal won the game for the Boks. However, Kiwi rookie Tom Taylor made a strong argument.

Bubbling under: Tom Taylor (New Zealand)

9 – Aaron Smith (New Zealand):

Another position where one player stood head and shoulders above the rest.

Bubbling under: Martín Landajo (Argentina)

8 – Kieran Read (New Zealand):

Was there ever any doubt?

Bubbling under: Duane Vermeulen (South Africa)

7 – Michael Hooper (Australia):

He fought a brave, but often, lone battle at the breakdown.

Bubbling under: Richie McCaw (New Zealand)

6 – Steven Luatua (New Zealand):

Probably the fight of the year.

Bubbling under: Pablo Matera (Argentina)

5 – Sam Whitelock (New Zealand):

The one position where we had some considerable date, but Whitelock had a higher tackle count and won more line-outs.

Bubbling under: James Horwill (Australia)

4 – Brodie Retallick (New Zealand):

Another of our unanimous calls!

Bubbling under: Julio Farías Cabello (Argentina)

3 – Owen Franks (New Zealand):

His workrate, including a huge tackle count, saw him edge Jannie du Plessis.

Bubbling under: Jannie du Plessis (South Africa):

2 – Adriaan Strauss (South Africa):

Mr consistency!

Bubbling under: Andrew Hore (New Zealand)

1 – Tony Woodcock (New Zealand):

It takes a special player to collect 100 Test caps.

Bubbling under: Marcos Ayerza (Argentina)

Our individual selections!

Paul Dobson XV: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Christian Leali'ifano, 11 James O'Connor, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Steven Luatua, 5 James Horwill, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Marcos Ayerza.

Quintin van Jaarsveld XV: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Tom Taylor, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.

Michael de Vries XV: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Horacio Agulla, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Steven Luatua, 5 James Horwill, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Juan Figallo, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Tony Woodcock.

Jan de Koning XV: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Christian Leali'ifano, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Marcos Ayerza.

Previous selections!

Team of the Week – Round One: 15 Willie le Roux (South Africa), 14 Ben Smith (New Zealand), 13 Conrad Smith (New Zealand), 12 Jean de Villiers (South Africa), 11 Bryan Habana (South Africa), 10 Aaron Cruden (New Zealand), 9 Fourie du Preez (South Africa), 8 Kieran read (New Zealand), 7 Willem Alberts (South Africa), 6 Francois Louw (South Africa), 5 Sam Whitelock (New Zealand), 4 Eben Etzebeth (South Africa), 3 Jannie du Plessis (South Africa), 2 Adriaan Strauss (South Africa), 1 James Slipper (Australia).

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