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Team of the Week: Pure class

There are nine New Zealand players in our selection this week. The Hurricanes lead the way with four players in our XV after their 36-15 win over the Blues.

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The Highlanders and Chiefs have two players each in our team, while the Crusaders are represented with one player.

In the backline, we have George Bridge at fullback with Waisake Naholo and Hosea Saumaki on the wings. The midfield consists of Jesse Kriel and Reece Hodge.

Beauden Barrett gets the No.10 spot with Thomas Perenara at No.9.

In the pack, Luke Whitelock is at No.8. Jean-Luc du Preez and Roelof Smit are the two flanks.

In the second row, we have Grant Hattingh and Brodie Retallick, while the front row consists of Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen, Ricky Riccitelli and Karl Tu'inukuafe.

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Team of the Week – Round 13:

15 – George Bridge (Crusaders)

A key player in the Crusaders' comeback against the Waratahs. He was brilliant with ball in hand and unlocked the Waratahs' defence a number of times.

Bubbling under: Israel Folau (Waratahs)

14 – Waisake Naholo (Highlanders)

He was great with ball in hand against the Lions. He always made metres when he had the ball and he scored a try as well.

Bubbling under: Seta Tamanivalu (Crusaders)

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13 – Jesse Kriel (Bulls)

South Africa's No.1 midfielder at the moment. He was hard to contain when he had the ball and he defended well against the Sharks. He also scored one of his team’s five-pointers.

Bubbling under: Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs)

12 – Reece Hodge (Melbourne Rebels)

His big frame got the Rebels over the gain-line against the Brumbies and his late penalty goal sealed the win for his team. He was outstanding on defence.

Bubbling under: Kurtley Beale (Waratahs)

11 – Hosea Saumaki (Sunwolves)

He was on fire against the Reds scoring three tries in an emphatic win.

Bubbling under: Solomona Alaimalo (Chiefs)

10 – Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes)

The Blues kept a close eye on him, but it did not stop him from dictating play at Eden Park. 

Bubbling under: Hayden Parker (Sunwolves)

9 – Thomas Perenara (Hurricanes)

Still the best in his position, despite the amount of time he had on the field.

Bubbling under: Bryn Hall (Crusaders) 

8 – Luke Whitelock (Highlanders)

His work rate was top notch against the Lions. He was a handful with ball in hand and he scored a try as well.

Bubbling under: Albertus Smith (Lions)

7 – Jean-Luc du Preez (Sharks)

He continued his fine form against the Bulls. He was an absolute monster on defence and one of the best ball carriers over the weekend.

Bubbling under: Ardie Savea (Hurricanes)

6 – Roelof Smit (Bulls)

This dynamic player put up his hand for Bok selection once against. He was outstanding on defence and a menace at the breakdown. He also made some good metres with a few carries he had,

Bubbling under: Brad Shield (Hurricanes)

5 – Grant Hattingh (Sunwolves)

He was one of the enforcers against the Reds. He secured the ball in the line-outs, tackled out of his skin and he was a strong ball carrier.

Bubbling under: Sam Lousi (Hurricanes)

4 – Brodie Retallick (Chiefs)

The All Black superstar was immense on defence and in the line-outs. He was also a prominent figure at the breakdowns. 

Bubbling under: Rudolph Snyman (Bulls)

3 – Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen (Hurricanes)

The prop was a force on attack and on defence in the win over the Blues at Eden Park

Bubbling under: Thomas du Toit (Sharks)

2 – Ricky Riccitelli (Hurricanes)

He continues to flourish in the absence of Dane Coles. He was a workhorse in open play again.

Bubbling under: Armand van der Merwe (Sharks)

1 – Karl Tu'inukuafe (Chiefs)

He gave a good account of himself in the scrums against the Stormers. He also did a lot of work around the park as well.

Bubbling under: Daniel Lienert-Brown (Highlanders)

Our individual selections:

Jan de Koning XV: 15 George Bridge, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Reece Hodge, 11 Solomona Alaimalo, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Thomas Perenara, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Colby Fainga'a, 6 Roelof Smit, 5 Grant Hattingh, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown.

Paul Dobson XV: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Reece Hodge, 11 Hosea Saumaki, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Thomas Perenara, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Roelof Smit, 5 Grant Hattingh, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

Warren Fortune XV: 15 George Bridge, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Hosea Saumaki, 10 Hayden Parker, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Albertus Smith, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Roelof Smit, 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen, 2 Armand van der Merwe, 1 Karl Tu'inukuafe.

Previous selections:

Team of the Week – Round 12: 15 Joaquin Tuculet (Jaguares), 14 Seta Tamanivalu (Crusaders), 13 Jack Goodhue (Crusaders), 12 Ryan Crotty (Crusaders), 11 Ben Lam (Hurricanes), 10 Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), 9 Augustine Pulu (Blues), 8 Amanaki Mafi (Melbourne Rebels), 7 Jean-Luc du Preez (Sharks), 6 Marnus Schoeman (Lions), 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers), 4 Scott Barrett (Crusaders), 3 Wilco Louw (Stormers), 2 Andrew Makalio (Crusaders), 1 Steven Kitshoff (Stormers).

Team of the Week – Round 11: 15 Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), 14 Filipo Daugunu (Reds), 13 Rob Thompson (Highlanders), 12 Vince Aso (Hurricanes), 11 Johannes Engelbrecht (Stormers), 10 Handre Pollard (Bulls), 9 Aaron Smith (Highlanders), 8 Jordan Taufua (Crusaders), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Albertus Smith (Lions), 5 Tom Franklin (Highlanders), 4 Guido Petti Pagadizaval (Jaguares), 3 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro (Jaguares), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Jean-Pierre Smith (Reds).

Team of the Week – Round 10: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Sibusiso Nkosi (Sharks), 13 Matias Orlando (Jaguares), 12 Samu Kerevi (Reds), 11 Solomon Alaimalo (Chiefs), 10 Nicolas Sanchez (Jaguares), 9 Michael Ruru (Melbourne Rebels), 8 Amanaki Mafi (Melbourne Rebels), 7 Dillon Hunt (Highlanders), 6 Shannon Frizell (Highlanders), 5 Lodewyk de Jager (Bulls), 4 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 3 Thomas du Toit (Sharks), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Jacques van Rooyen (Lions).

Team of the Week – Round Nine: 15 Warrick Gelant (Bulls), 14 Ramiro Moyano (Jaguares), 13 Curtis Rona (Waratahs), 12 Rieko Ioane (Blues), 11 Ben Lam (Hurricanes), 10 Handré Pollard (Bulls), 9 Will Genia (Melbourne Rebels), 8 Amanaki Mafi (Melbourne Rebels), 7 David Pocock (Brumbies), 6 Pablo Matera (Jaguares), 5 Lodewyk de Jager (Bulls), 4 Guido Petti Pagadizaval (Jaguares), 3 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro (Jaguares), 2 Damien Fitzpatrick (Waratahs), 1 Pierre Schoeman (Bulls).

Team of the Week – Round Eight: 15 Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), 14 Manasa Mataele (Crusaders), 13 Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs), 12 Ryan Crotty (Crusaders), 11 Madosh Tambwe (Lions), 10 Elton Jantjies (Lions), 9 Joe Powell (Brumbies), 8 Isi Naisarani (Brumbies), 7 Jean-Luc du Preez (Sharks), 6 Albertus Smith (Lions), 5 Francois Mostert (Lions), 4 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 3 Thomas du Toit (Sharks), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Steven Kitshoff (Stormers).

Team of the Week – Round Seven: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Waisake Naholo (Highlanders), 13 Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs), 12 Ngani Laumape (Hurricanes), 11 Ben Lam (Hurricanes), 10 Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), 9 Thomas Perenara (Hurricanes), 8 Amanaki Mafi (Rebels), 7 Jean-Luc du Preez (Sharks), 6 Marco van Staden (Bulls), 5 Samuel Whitelock (Crusaders), 4 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 3 Michael Alaalatoa (Crusaders), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Pierre Schoeman (Bulls).

Team of the Week – Round Six: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Waisake Naholo (Highlanders), 13 Matt Proctor (Hurricanes), 12 Bill Meakes (Melbourne Rebels), 11 Emiliano Boffelli (Jaguares), 10 Damian Willemse (Stormers), 9 Thomas Perenara (Hurricanes), 8 Luke Whitelock (Highlanders), 7 Jean-Luc du Preez (Sharks), 6 Pablo Matera (Jaguares), 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers), 4 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 3 Wilco Louw (Stormers), 2 Codie Taylor (Crusaders), 1 Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks).

Team of the Week – Round Five: 15 Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), 13 Jesse Kriel (Bulls), 12 Samu Kerevi (Reds), 11 Hosea Saumaki (Sunwolves), 10 Damian Willemse (Stormers), 9 Dewald Duvenage (Stormers), 8 Amanaki Mafi (Melbourne Rebels), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers), 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (Stormers), 5 Scott Barrett (Crusaders), 4 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 3 Taniela Tupou (Reds), 2 Codie Taylor (Crusaders), 1 Steven Kitshoff (Stormers).

Team of the Week – Round Four: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Waisake Naholo (Highlanders), 13 Rieko Ioane (Blues), 12 Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), 11 Melani Nanai (Blues), 10 Damian Willemse (Stormers), 9 Aaron Smith (Highlanders), 8 Akira Ioane (Blues), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Pablo Matera (Jaguares), 5 Lodewyk de Jager (Bulls), 4 Vaea Fifita (Hurricanes), 3 Ofa Tu'ungafasi (Blues), 2 Armand van der Merwe (Sharks), 1 Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks).

Team of the Week – Round Three: 15 David Havili (Crusaders), 14 Julian Savea (Hurricanes), 13 Jack Goodhue (Crusaders), 12 Handré Pollard (Bulls), 11 George Bridge (Crusaders), 10 Richie Mo'unga (Crusaders), 9 Brad Weber (Chiefs), 8 Warren Whiteley (Lions), 7 Billy Harmon (Crusaders), 6 Brad Shields (Hurricanes), 5 Adam Coleman (Melbourne Rebels), 4 Ruan Botha (Sharks), 3 Wilco Louw (Stormers), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Jacques van Rooyen (Lions).

Teams of the Week – Round Two: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Sylvian Mahuza (Lions), 13 Rob Thompson (Highlanders), 12 Ryan Crotty (Crusaders), 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi (Lions), 10 Lima Sopoaga (Highlanders), 9 Aaron Smith (Highlanders), 8 Jordan Taufua (Crusaders), 7 Pieter Labuschagne (Sunwolves), 6 Roelof Smit (Bulls), 5 Samuel Whitelock (Crusaders), 4 Rudolph Snyman (Bulls), 3 Ruan Dreyer (Lions), 2 James Parsons (Blues), 1 Steven Kitshoff (Stormers).

Team of the Week – Round One: 15 Dillyn Leyds (Stormers), 14 Seabelo Senatla (Stormers), 13 Lionel Mapoe (Lions), 12 Damian de Allende (Stormers), 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi (Lions), 10 Robert du Preez (Sharks), 9 Ross Cronje (Lions), 8 Nizaam Carr (Stormers), 7 Cyle Brink (Lions), 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (Stormers), 5 John Schickerling (Stormers), 4 Ruan Botha (Sharks), 3 Nahuel Tétaz Chaparro (Jaguares), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Jacques van Rooyen (Lions).

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