Rugby Championship Team of the Week – Round 1

All Blacks flair and Springbok muscle fuel our maiden Rugby Championship Team of the Week writes Quintin van Jaarsveld. 

New Zealand made a major statement when they romped to a record 57-22 rout against the Wallabies in the tournament opener at Eden Park on Saturday to retain the Bledisloe Cup, while later in the day, South Africa eased to a 32-12 win over Argentina at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Seven All Blacks stormed into our side, where they are joined by six Springboks and a pair of Wallabies.

15: Damian McKenzie (New Zealand)

Dangerous on attack, ran himself out of trouble a few times, great offload to put Brodie Retallick in and slotted a monster 58-metre penalty. Santiago Carreras was good under the aerial assault of the Springboks and with ball in hand but was found wanting on defence. 

14: Tom Wright (Australia)

Took his opportunities to score a brace and looked for work. A coach can’t ask for more from a winger. Made it look easy when he took Noah Lolesio’s crosskick and stepped McKenzie to score his first. Will Jordan delivered as well, notching a try and try-assist.

13: Rieko Ioane (New Zealand)

A seamless shift from the wing to the midfield. Made an immediate impact with an intercept try to draw first blood, sparked another with a slick cut out pass to his brother Akira, which left Rob Valetini in no man’s land, and remained influential throughout.

12: David Havili (New Zealand)

Exhibited firepower and finesse. A physical presence, carrying hard (64 metres in nine carries) and shoring up his channel, showcased ridiculous ball skills at times and beat three defenders to score a deserved try in the final play of the game. 

11: Aphelele Fassi (South Africa)

Made for international rugby. The blue-chipper showed it in his debut and he showed it again against the Pumas. Special hands to gather Elton Jantjies’ crosskick to make it two tries in two Tests and was excellent in the air. His speed, timing and lanky frame are tailor-made for the Springboks’ kick-heavy style.  

10: Richie Mo’unga (New Zealand)

A complete performance. Decision-making and execution were spot on and never took his foot off the gas. Took the ball to the line, sliced through to get the ball rolling for the All Blacks’ third try and stood up strong on defence, making a big hit on Tate McDermott and a crucial tackle on Marika Koroibete.

9: Cobus Reinach (South Africa)

A tough call as McDermott was at the heart of everything good for the Wallabies and scored an important try just before half-time to get them back in it, while Aaron Smith was superb as well, orchestrating both of Codie Taylor’s tries. However, Reinach had the greatest overall impact; his box-kicking was as good as it gets and was what troubled the Pumas the most, plus his work rate and speed saw him score a good opportunistic try. 

8: Jasper Wiese (South Africa) – Player of the Week

“Enormous in a physical battle” as Joel Stransky put it. Vermeulen-like ferocity, physicality and stability. A momentum-generating wrecking ball who smashed over the gain line at will in a Man of the Match performance. Made 79 metres and beat seven defenders in 12 carries. Ardie Savea was stellar as well, scoring and setting up a try, but conceded a yellow card.

7: Michael Hooper (Australia)

Produced a captain’s innings. The Wallabies’ most prominent ball-carrying forward, making 54 metres in seven carries, and covered oceans of space in open play as always, particularly on cover defence. Made five tackles and snatched a turnover. 

6: Akira Ioane (New Zealand)

His best performance yet. Showcased power, speed, skill, will and intelligence. His high rugby IQ was highlighted when he dummied on a breakaway to create an extra man against the cover defence to set up Retallick’s try, made plenty of extra metres in contact and some big hits. Racked up 80 metres and beat three defenders in nine carries and made all nine of his tackles. 

5: Lood de Jager (South Africa)

Took over the ironman mantle from the rested Franco Mostert. A tireless defensive display, making 14 tackles and winning a turnover on the deck. Bossed the lineout as well, securing five takes and poaching one on the Pumas’ throw to edge out Sam Whitelock.

4: Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)

Back to his best. Immense in all aspects, galloped over for the try of the weekend and made all eight of his tackles. Eben Etzebeth also had a strong showing, adding a new wrinkle to his game as he regained three kicks in the air, one of which led to Fassi’s try.

3: Wilco Louw (South Africa)

Maximised his starting opportunity. A tank of a man who fired missiles upfront. Powerful scrummaging performance, which included winning a penalty in the 25th minute, held up a three-man maul single-handedly (watch below) and made four tackles. 

2: Codie Taylor (New Zealand)

Work rate, work rate, work rate. A world-class display of hard grafting summed up by three plays – assisting Savea over the line, great support play on Smith’s inside to score and being at the right place at the right time to go over for his second. Special mention must be made of Joseph Dweba after his impressive Springbok debut.

1: Ox Nché (South Africa)

Full of hustle and bustle. Strong at scrum time and dynamic in general play, the mobile man-mountain has found his feet at Test level. Punched the ball up on four occasions and matched captain Siya Kolisi with seven tackles. 

Quintin van Jaarsveld

Quintin Van Jaarsveld is a former MDDA-Sanlam SA Local Sports Journalist of the Year and a former three-time Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal Sports Journalist of the Year. Formerly the sports editor and Outstanding Journalist of the Year award winner at The Fever Media Group, deputy editor at eHowzit, editor at SARugby.com and senior staff writer at Rugby365.com, he boasts over 15 years’ experience and is currently a freelance sports writer.