Rugby Championship Team of the Week- Round 2
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A weekend filled with plnety of action that saw records tumble. We were all spoiled 15 tries in two games this weekend as the all Blacks and Los Pumas rocked the Wallabies and Springboks into submission. Here is your team of the week.
1. Nahuel Tetaz - Argentina:
The Los Pumas pack put in a great shift against the much fancied Springbok side and came out tops. Tetaz was both in form in the tight phases and set-piece as well as in open play.
It was a close call between him and Scott Sio with the Australian having a great game at scrum time.
2. Augustin Creevy - Argentina:
Creevy was immense against SA and he led his side in his usual manner with hard no compromising play. He will go down as a great in the game of Argentina rugby and the game this weekend is an example of why.
Codie Taylor was the Argentine's closest competitor for a spot in the side.
3. Allan Alaalatoa - Australia:
What a scrumming machine the 24 year old is. He put Moody through the mixer a few times and adding 10 tackles to his contribution on a tough day for his side.
Alaalatoa was brought in to sure up the Wallabies scrum and did so superbly which sees him beat centurian Owen Franks to place in the side.
4. Brodie Retallick - New Zealand:
There is no doubting that he is in the form of his life but it seems that he gets better and better each game. This weekend was no exception as carved the Wallabies open 12 carries, 11 tackles, and a clean break.
He also made a number of telling turnovers and stripped the ball off the Wallabies a number of times one of which leading to a superb try from inside his own 22.
5. Sam Whitelock - New Zealand:
Often overlooked and an unsung hero he is by far one of the best line out jumpers, on defence and attack, in the world. 14 tackles and 7 carries on the day to add to his great tight 5 work.
Whitelock well and truely got the better of the Wallabies lineout over the past two tests and sees off Tomas Lavaninni this week.
6. Siya Kolisi - South Africa:
The Bok captain had a poor team day on Saturday but a decent personal showing beating 7 defenders and making 3 clean breaks with 11 carries thrown in.
He was aggressive on defence and carried well often making the advantage line. He also ran a great line off Eben Etzebeth to score this superb try.
Kolisi just edges Liam Squire for a place in the side.
Captain Fantastic πΏπ¦
— SuperSport (@SuperSportTV) August 25, 2018
Siya Kolisi with the opening try for the @Springboks against Argentina in Mendoza. #RugbyChampionship pic.twitter.com/yl4bj9pnAC
7. David Pocock - Australia:
Pocock stood out on Saturday and was unbelievable in a game that saw Australia get a rugby lesson. He made 18 tackles and was a constant threat to the All Black ball at the breakdown.
Marcos Kremer is unlucky not to have made the side after another strong performance against the Springboks.
8. Kieran Read - New Zealand:
21 tackles on the day says about all that needs to be said. The All Black captain lead from the front and was superb in all facets of the game.
9. Aaron Smith - New Zealand:
With the clean platform that his loosies provided and a flyhalf that was in Beast Mode, Aaron Smith was a menace to the opposition and his vision game management and quick thinking was a joy to watch.
Once again Los Pumas scrumhalf Gonzalo Bertranou was unlucky to snubbed for a place in the side.
10 Beauden Barrett - New Zealand:
What a performance and one that can only be described as out of this world. Nicholas Sanchez deserves an honourable mention for his brilliant performance against the Springboks.
However, Barrett had possibly his best performance in an All Black jersey and probably the best performance by an All Black first-five since Dan Carter retired from test rugby.
Beauden Barrett's v @qantaswallabies π’
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) August 25, 2018
4β£ Tries π
5β£ Conversions
2β£ Clean Breaks π¨
7β£ Defenders Beaten π₯
π Kicks from hand π
8β£3β£ Kick success π
1β£4β£5β£ Running Metres πβοΈ
World Class ππ #NZLvAUS pic.twitter.com/GQarGcvDN3
11. Ben Smith - New Zealand:
Although Smith played on the right wing, he makes our side on the left with both him and Bautista Delguy outperforming all the other wingers this weekend.
Smith was exceptional in the air and devastating on the counter-attack. Smith didn't get on the scoresheet but did pick up two try assists.
12. Ngani Laumape - New Zealand:
Laumape made the most of his opportunity in the starting jersey for the All Blacks.
He made 81 running metres from his 16 runs drawing in two or more Australian defenders in each of those 16 runs.
His work in the midfield opened up space out wide for the All Blacks speedsters.
13. Matias Moroni - Argentina:
The Springboks were on the receiving end of arguably Moroni's best game in a Los Pumas jersey.
The 27-year-old took the Springbok defence apart with his clever runnning lines and powerful carries.
He assisted three of Argentina's tries and made 51 running metres. Jack Goodhue was Moroni's closest competitor for a place in the side.
14. Bautista Delguy - Argentina:
As mentioned before Bautista Delguy and Ben Smith were the best wingers this weekend by some margin.
The winger scored two tries for his side and caused the Springboks a number issues beating 10 defenders and made 3 clean breaks.
15. Jordie Barrett - New Zealand:
The second Barrett to make out team of the week. Jordie was shown up by his older brother Beauden but still had a fantastic game against the Wallabies.
His opposite number Dane Haylett-Petty was one of the few Wallabies that had a good game while Emilliano Boffelli was impressive against the Springboks.
Jordie Barrett's 149 running metres, 5 defenders beaten and 2 clean breaks means he claims the no.15 jersey.