June Internationals: North XV vs South XV - Week 2

June Internationals: North XV vs South XV - Week 2

Following the second round of June Test action, we take a look at the best combined XV's out of the Northern and Southern Hemisphere.

Up Front:

1- Eric Fry (USA) - Tendai Mtwarrira (RSA)

2- Joe Taufete'e (USA) - Bongi Mbonambi (RSA)

3 - Tadhg Furlong (IRE) - Sekope Kepu (AUS)


Eric Fry and Joe Taufete'e were crucial to USA in their historic win over Scotland while Tadhg Furlong was back to his absolute against the Wallabies.

The Beast and Bongi Mbonambi were extremely industrious for the Springboks, while Sekope Kepu put a huge shift in for the Wallabies. 


The Locks:

4- Joe Launchbury (ENG) - Sam Whitelock (NZL)

5- James Ryan (IRE) - Leone Nakawara (FIJ) 

Launchbury was a nightmare for the Springboks pack having missed the first test, he put in a number of solid hits and caused mayhem at the breakdown and maul.

James Ryan hit double digits in both tackles and carries as his side levelled the series Down Under. 

All Blacks captain Sam Whitelock was busy all over the park for a full 80 minutes, while Nakawara displayed his fantastic offloading ability against Georgia and was busy on defence and the breakdown. 

The Loosies:

6- Ellis Jenkins (WAL) - David Pocock (AUS)

7- Jake Polledri (ITA) - Michael Hooper (AUS)

8- CJ Stander (IRE) - Duane Vermeulen (RSA)

Jenkins made 22 tackles against Argentina, without missing a single one, he also made 4 turnovers. Pocock was his usual busy self at the breakdown winning two turnovers and made 15 tackles, his looseforward partner Michael Hooper bettered Pocock in the tackling stats making over 20 tackles.

Polledri made 36 running metres, beating 7 defenders from his 17 carries and scored a crucial try. 

Stander got Ireland on the front foot on attack and was solid on defence, while Vermeulen was outstanding he scoring a superb try and was lethal at the breakdown.

The Half Backs:

9- Conor Murray (IRE) - Henry Sololi (FIJ)

10 - AJ MacGinty (USA) - Damian McKenzie (NZL)

Murray marshalled his side to victory to level the series, while Henry Sololi was sublime in Fiji's win over Georgia scoring two tries.

Damian McKenzie ran a tidy shift replacing Beauden Barrett against France while AJ MacGinty led his side to a historic victory over Scotland.

The Centres:

12- Owen Watkin (WAL) - Damian De Allende (RSA)

13-  Garry Ringrose (IRE)- Semi Radradra (FIJ)

England struggled to deal with De Allende's ball carries as the Springbok centre made the most running metres in the clash.

Watkin had a great all-round performance against Argentina.

Semi Radrada made an immediate impact on his test debut setting up a number of tries before scoring one of his own. 

The Outside Backs

11- Keith Earls (IRE) - Rieko Ioane (NZL)

14- Jonny May (ENG) - Bautista Delguy (ARG)

15- Hallam Amos (WAL) - Jordie Barrett (NZL)

Earls had yet another trademark all-round performance in a green jersey, Ioane didn't cross the whitewash this weekend but racked up over 80 running metres beating 5 defenders and made 2 clean breaks.

Jonny May was one of the best Red Rose's in Bloemfontein and the Springbok defence struggled to keep him quiet as he scored his second try in as many weeks.

Delguy had a strong second test scoring his first test try, making 90 running metres and beat 2 defenders. 

Barrett dotted down for two tries against France, while Amos played a starring role in Wales second win over Argentina.

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