Team of the Week: Making strides
OPINION: The Melbourne Rebels secured a good win in Auckland and now they lead the way in our Super Rugby Team of the Week for Round 16.
There are four players from the Rebels in our XV this week after their 20-10 victory over the Blues. The Highlanders are the next best represented with three players after their victory over the Hurricanes.
The Crusaders, Waratahs and Chiefs have two players each in our selection.
At the back, Israel Folau is our fullback with Henry Speight and George Bridge on the wings. In the midfield we have Anton Lienert-Brown and Bill Meakes.
Richie Mo’unga is our No.10 with Aaron Smith at No.9.
In the pack, Amanaki Mafi is at No.8 with Ardie Savea and Luke Jacobson on the flanks. Thomas Franklin and Matt Philip are in the second row.
Our front row consists of Jermaine Ainsley, Ash Dixon and Tom Robertson.
Team of the Week – Round 16:
15 – Israel Folau (Waratahs)
He was a devasting force on attack against the Reds. He scored two tries and played his part in a few others as well.
Bubbling under: Ben Smith (Highlanders)
14 – Henry Speight (Brumbies)
The Sunwolves had a torrid time marking this man out wide. Speight was lethal with ball in hand and he crossed the whitewash twice.
Bubbling under: Waisake Naholo (Highlanders)
13 – Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs)
His play with ball in hand out wide is one of the best in the tournament and unlocked a strong Crusaders’ defence on a few occasions.
Bubbling under: Seta Tamanivalu (Crusaders)
12 – Bill Meakes (Melbourne Rebels)
He has great vision on attack in the midfield and he was a handful for the Blues in Auckland. He scored two tries in his side’s win.
Bubbling under: Kurtley Beale (Waratahs)
11 – George Bridge (Crusaders)
He constantly looked for work around the park against the Chiefs and he got a five-pointer as well. He carried the ball the more than any other player in the match.
Bubbling under: Tevita Li (Blues)
10 – Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders)
He was instrumental in the Crusaders’ dominance against the Chiefs. He dictated play with his skill and awareness and he was a constant threat on attack.
Bubbling under: Bernard Foley (Waratahs)
9 – Aaron Smith (Highlanders)
He certainly won the battle against his All Blacks teammate Thomas Perenara. Smith’s service was incredible in the win and he had few good carries as well.
Bubbling under: Augustine Pulu (Chiefs)
8 – Amanaki Mafi (Melbourne Rebels)
The Japanese international continues to impress with his work rate. He put his body on the line in the win over the Blues with several powerful and effective carries.
Bubbling under: Scott Higginbotham (Reds)
7 – Ardie Savea (Hurricanes)
His work rate was outstanding again. The Highlanders had to work overtime to bring him down. Savea also tackled like a machine.
Bubbling under: Matt Todd (Crusaders)
6 – Luke Jacobson (Chiefs)
He gave the Chiefs something extra amongst the loose forwards against the Crusaders. He was an effective ball carrier and scored two tries in the loss.
Bubbling under: Ethan Blackadder (Crusaders)
5 – Thomas Franklin (Highlanders)
He was aggressive and abrasive up front in the win over the Hurricanes. He got his side over the gain line and he was a brick wall on defence.
Bubbling under: Sam Carter (Brumbies)
4 – Matt Philip (Melbourne Rebels)
He stood up physically against the Blues which helped his team in the tight loose. He was also outstanding with ball in hand.
Bubbling under: Scott Barrett (Crusaders)
3 – Jermaine Ainsley (Melbourne Rebels)
Another Rebels player who played out of his skin against the Blues. It is always a joy to watch a prop running with the ball.
Bubbling under: Jeff Toomaga-Allen (Hurricanes)
2 – Ash Dixon (Highlanders)
He was the best of the hookers this weekend. He put in a solid performance in the win over the Hurricanes.
Bubbling under: Codie Taylor (Crusaders)
1 – Tom Robertson (Waratahs)
He proved his worth once again in open play in the win against the Reds.
Bubbling under: Dan Lienert-Brown (Highlanders)
Our individual selections:
Paul Dobson XV: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Seta Tamanivalu, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 George Bridge, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 David Pocock, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Michael Ala’alatoa, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Tom Robertson.
Jan de Koning XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Bill Meakes, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Luke Jacobson, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 2 Ash Dixon, 1 Dan Lienert-Brown.
Warren Fortune XV: Israel Folau, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Bill Meakes, 11 George Bridge 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Luke Jacobson, 5 Thomas Franklin, 4 Matt Philip, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Ash Dixon, 1 Tom Robertson.
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