Rugby Championship – Team of the Week

It was yet another action-packed week of Test matches in the Rugby Championship. Repeats of last week’s clashes produced different results with last week’s losers emerging victorious this week. New Zealand pummelled the Pumas while the Springboks beat the Wallabies convincingly. Bet Central assembled the team of the week. 

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15: Willie Le Roux (South Africa)

Willie le Roux is a genius, a flawed one at that, but a genius nonetheless. The senior Bok was at his attacking best against Australia and made the backline tick alongside Damian Willemse. His distribution was excellent.

Positionally, he found himself in the right place more often than not. He gave Jacques Nienaber something to ponder as far as the 15 jersey is concern.

14: Canon Moodie (South Africa)

A great debut performance from the teenage sensation who scored a superb try just before halftime. Canan Moodie showed why he is so highly rated within the Springbok setup, he has a great temperament and feels for the game.

He was not overawed by the occasion and showed he belongs at Test level, Moodie has a big future ahead of him.

13: Rieko Loane (New Zealand)

Arguably his best performance in the All Blacks no.13 jersey. On many occasions, he looks like a winger deployed at the outside centre, but against the Pumas, on Saturday he looked like a proper outside centre. He showed the game nous needed to add to his game breaking prowess.

He also showed up defensively as well, at times in previous Test, Ioane’s defensive alignment has been off, but he showed he can defend that channel against the Pumas. A very encouraging performance.

12: David Havili (New Zealand)

A huge part of why Ioane looked so much better at 13, David Havili seemed to be given license to showcase his playmaking skills rather than bash it up at 12. Showed some of the forms that elevated him from the Crusaders no.12 jersey to the All Blacks inside centre berth.

He also contributed defensively and looked assured with ball-in-hand, not to mention some of those neat touches with his boot that add to the All Blacks’ all-round dynamism

11: Caleb Clarke (New Zealand)

If there is one player who has been grafting in the All Blacks backline over the last few weeks, it is Caleb Clarke and it is showing in his game. Clarke is building up to his best form and there were shades of his best form with all his barnstorming runs which troubled the Puma’s defence.

He was also busy off the ball and his workrate was excellent. The 23-year-old also got a try for his efforts. Good all-round performance.

10: Richie Mo’unga (New Zealand)

A class act in just about every facet of the game, Richie Mo’unga was in imperious form as he inspired New Zealand to victory. He ran well but showed he can dictate play with his boot. Also, put in a goal kicking performance accumulating a tally of 14 points.

Well and truly established as the All Blacks’ 1^st choice at 10 now, his confidence is rubbing off on his teammates. Impeccable against the Pumas.

9: Jadon Hendrickse (South Africa)

With every display Jaden Hendrickse puts on, it becomes harder and harder to see Faf de Klerk winning back the no.9 jersey. His box kick for Moodie’s try alone should propel him into this team, but he did so much more than that.

The Sharks scrumhalf was sharp with his distribution, masterful with his tactical kicking and showed he is not only the future, but also the present.

8: Ardie Savea (New Zealand)

He may not possess all the typical skills required of an 8thman, but Ardie Savea is thriving at the back of the scrum for the All Blacks, got the better of Pablo Matera throughout the contest which would have been deeply satisfying after the Argentinean had the edge on him last week.

He does not give an inch whether carrying the ball up or throwing himself into a tackle with reckless abandon. Easily the All Blacks’ most valuable player.

7: Sam Cane (New Zealand)

A much-needed performance from the All Blacks captain who was under a lot of pressure after a number of below-par outings, Sam Cane’s contribution on defence is never in doubt, but on Saturday he contributed a bit more on the attack.

He was better on carrying and found himself through a couple of gaps as his side relentlessly attacked the Pumas. This game will serve as a confidence booster for the skipper who has been struggling.

6: Siya Kolisi (South Africa) – Player Of The Week

Another captain who was absolutely phenomenal, near unplayable at times as the Australians tried with little success to contain Siya Kolisi. He was all over the park and was a menace throughout as he inspired the Springboks to their 1^st win in Australia in 9 years.

His breakdown work which isn’t a particular strength of his was brilliant and stopped momentum for the Wallabies at various times, captain’s innings from our player of the week.

5: Lood de Jager (South Africa)

Quietly having a good season with the Springboks, once again Lood de Jager was outstanding for the Springboks. It is not a particular aspect of his game that stands out, but more the fact that he does everything so well.

The plaudits will go to the guys who have a bit more flash to offer like Damian Willemse and Willie le Roux, but de Jager is an engine that the Boks can ill afford to lose at this stage.

4: Samuel Whitelock (New Zealand)

The veteran may be ageing, but Sam Whitelock still contributes so much for the All Blacks and more often than not has a massive contribution when the New Zealanders do well and the match against the Pumas was no different.

He contributed at the breakdown and was a pillar at the lineout as has been the case for many a year. Important role to play for the All Blacks if they are to find their best form again.

3: Tyrel Lowmax (New Zealand)

Before Nepo Laulala and Ofa Tu’ungafasi were injured, they had not done much wrong. But they may struggle to regain the All Black no.3 jersey considering the way Tyrel Lomax is playing at the moment.

Not only has he given the New Zealand front row a bit of an edge at scrum time, the 26-year-old also contributes around the park and gets around quickly for a tighthead prop. His 2^nd coming in the All Black environment has been inspired. 

2: Samisoni Taukei’aho (New Zealand)

There is very little flash when it comes Samisoni Taukei’aho, but he is just so brutally effective in everything he does. A hard ball carrier who often takes 2 or 3 defenders with him – he has given the All Blacks a hard edge that has been missing at hooker since the likes of Keven Mealamu.

He also defended well against the Pumas and is now well and truly established as the no.1 hooker in New Zealand.

1: Steven Kitshoff (South Africa)

Finally got a start after a plethora of appearances on the bench and proved an inspired selection. The fiery Steven Kitshoff scrummed well and put the Wallabies under pressure at the set-piece, but he is such a dynamic player for a front-rower.

A ball pilferer who is a great ball carrier, he uses his mobility to good effect on the carry and on defence, perhaps should remain as the starting loosehead prop as he seems to bring the consistency needed at loosehead prop.