Rugby Championship Team Of The Week - Round One

Rugby Championship Team Of The Week - Round One

Round one of The Rugby Championship is done and dusted with the Springboks and All Blacks both claiming convincing victories over Los Pumas and the Wallabies respectively.

New Zealand made it six Test wins in a row and stretched their unbeaten home run against Australia with an enthralling 57-22 Rugby Championship victory at Eden Park on Saturday in the first game of the competition.

South Africa marked their return to Rugby Championship action with a typically powerful display, beating Argentina in Port Elizabeth. Jaden Hendrikse scored a late debut try as a much-changed South Africa side started their Rugby Championship campaign with a 32-12 win over Argentina.

Here is our team of the week from the opening round.

1. Ox Nche - South Africa

A solid scrummaging performance against the veteran Gomez-Kodela, Ox Nche was strong on his return to test rugby after suffering a neck injury in the opening British and Irish Lions test.


He carried superbly and was sound on defence. He did enough to beat the impressive shift from Karl Tu'inukuafe from the bench.

2. Julian Montoya - Argentina


Three standouts for the position but it is the Argentine captain that cracks the nod for our team of the week. Codie Taylor was superb grabbing a brace against the Wallabies while Jospeh Dweba was excellent on his test debut against the Pumas.

However, it was hard to ignore the performance of Montoya who emulated the kind of shift that Agustin Creevy became renowned for. 

The hooker was excellent over the ball coming up with a penalty at a key time with the Springboks on attack, he threw accurately at the lineout while he topped the tackle count for the South Americans. 

3. Wilco Louw - South Africa

Nepo Laualala and Allan Alaalatoa didn't quite get parity for their side during the opening game of the competition and while they were solid, Louw was simply better.

On the fringes of the Springbok team, Louw made the most of his chance producing a strong showing in the scrums with good carries and tackles too.



4. Brodie Retallick - New Zealand

A two-man race for the #4 jersey in our team of the week with Retallick and Eben Etzebeth shining for their respective sides.

Etzebeth played a key role in the build up to Fassi's try with a good take under the high ball but the All Black second-rower sneaks in after he finished off a stunning try while throwing his weight around on defence. He was a good lineout option and looks to be hitting good form for the All Blacks. 


5. Lood de Jager - South Africa

While Sam Whitelock came in a close second, Lood de Jager's performance was just too good to look past.

He completed 16 tackles without missing one, ran a tidy shift at lineout time and carried strongly into contact.

6. Akira Ioane - New Zealand

Kwagga Smith and Pablo Matera were excellent in the second game of the weekend but Akira Ioane gets the nod at blindside in our team of the week. 

The All Black blindside flanker played a pivotal role in the build to the Brodie Retallick try and worked tirelessly throughout New Zealand's comprehensive victory.

He made more metres than any other forward during the opening round (80) averaging 10 metres per carry and was excellent on defence. He made a strong claim for the starting #6 jersey for the All Blacks.

7. Michael Hooper - Australia

The Wallabies were soundly outplayed by the All Blacks on Saturday but the performance by the Australian captain did not go unnoticed. 

The openside flanker made over 50 running metres, won a turnover and made all of his tackles in an all-action performance. 

Siya Kolisi had a solid outing for the Boks while Dalton Papali'i is incredibly unlucky to miss out on a place in the side. The All Blacks flanker made a round high of 19 tackles and made over 20 running metres.

8. Jasper Wiese - South Africa

A real standout in the no.8 jersey across the four sides on Saturday, Wiese powered the Springboks to victory with his powerful carrying game.

While he was solid during the Lions Series, he shone against the Pumas. In his man of the match shift, he was the top carrier for the Springboks with just Cobus Reinach making more running metres than him in the clash in Port Elizabteth. 

 
 
 
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9. Aaron Smith - New Zealand

No shortage of options in the scrumhalf department this weekend with Tate McDermott shining in the Wallabies' defeat while Cobus Reinach was one of the Boks best in their victory.


However, the masterclass from Aaron Smith could not go unnoticed. Swift service, excellent kicking and two try assists.

The test centurion looks to be getting better and better and Saturday's game was just another example of his stellar form.


10. Richie Mo'unga - New Zealand

The least faultless performance claims the #10 jersey this week with both Noah Lolesio and Elton Jantjies having bright moments in their outings but did have errors. 

Mo'unga run a fantastic All Blacks' attack and kicked well out of hand in a strong 63-minute shift. 

11. Aphelele Fassi - South Africa

Sevu Reece is beaten to a place in the side by the impressive performance by the young Springbok flyer Apehelele Fassi. 

The 22-year-old was outstanding under the high ball, defended well and took his opportunity to score in superb fashion.

12. David Havili - New Zealand

A standout performance from the All Black centre as he carried hard into the Wallabies' defence and scored a deserved try by running an excellent support line.

He linked up well with Mo'unga and Ioane to unlock the Wallabies' defence with regular ease. A mention for Frans Steyn who didn't look off the pace one bit in the Boks' victory.

13. Rieko Ioane - New Zealand 

Picked off a pass in the opening five minutes to get the scoreboard rolling for the All Blacks which set the tone for his performance.

He was sound on defence and played a key role in the build up to Retallick's try with a beaut of a flat ball to his brother Akira. 

14. Andrew Kellaway - Australia

Two tries in a strong performance for the Wallaby winger in what was a tough night for the Australians. 

Will Jordan grabbed a try and was well in the running for a place in the team but Kellaway edges the All Black with a strong all round performance.

He made all of his attempted tackles, took his two chances well and was calm under the high ball. 

15. Santiago Carreras - Argentina

Playing at fullback against the Springboks is now easy task with the number of high balls the South Africans launch into the air.

However, Carreras dealt with those bombs better than many before him. He also had a few promising moments on attack and got a couple of offloads away. 

He did enough to beat Damian McKenzie and Tom Banks to a place in the side with it ultimately being a close call between the three. 

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