Team of the Week: Rugby Championship
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1. Joe Moody - New Zealand
Consistent performer once again for the All Blacks. Combined impressively with Coles & Laulala in a dominant All Black front-row that over-powered the Wallabies to finish with 100% scrum success.
2. Malcolm Marx - South Africa
Delivered another impressive effort in the No.2 jersey for the Springboks in a hostile environment in Salta. Shone at his core duties delivering accurate line-out and an ever willing carrier in attack gaining 32m from 9 carries. Bismarck 2.0 confirmed. Honourable mention for the return of Dane Coles winning his 50th cap for the All Blacks on his return to Test rugby.
3. Nepo Laulala - New Zealand
Cornerstone of an ummovable New Zealand front-row on his first Test start. Got the better of Scott Sio at scrum time and put his body on the line with 6 tackles in defence. Impressive display from the Chiefs powerhouse.
4. Brodie Retallick - New Zealand
Arguably the best lock in wold rugby and has brought his form from the Lions series into this year's Rugby Championship. Immense in the air & chipped in with 13 carries. Unlucky to have a try ruled out close home.
5. Eben Etzebeth - South Africa
The Springbok leader led from the front against the Pumas. Dominated collisions and finished the game beating 4 defenders, carrying 11 times and gaining 23m for his side. A fifth straight Test win sees Coetzee's men climb to 3rd in the latest World Rugby rankings.
6. Siya Kolisi - South Africa
Outstanding performance for a 2nd consecutive week from the Stormers flanker. Kolisi pitched in with two tries and made 6 tackles in defence. His skill set makes him a crucial link between forwards & backs in attack.
7. Sean McMahon - Australia
The departing Wallaby back-rower put in a huge shift in Dunedin and it was no surprise that Michael Cheika singled him out for praise in his post-match comments. McMahon made 11 tackles and carried on 13 occasions in a mammoth 80 minute display.
8. Kieran Read - New Zealand
The All Blacks skipper delivered a solid performance and made the difference at the death with his excellent work at the re-start and clean break that led to Barrett's game winner. Read was his usual dependable self with 14 carries in attack as he secured the Bledisloe for another year.
9. Will Genia - Australia
The standout Wallaby against the All Blacks. Genia scored a fine solo effort and finished the game with incredible attacking stats with 55m in attack, 4 defenders beaten, 3 clean breaks and one try assist. His return to Melbourne for 2018 Super Rugby is sure to benefit the Wallabies as they prepare for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
10. Beauden Barrett - New Zealand
Stepped up at crucial times for the All Blacks in the Bledisloe decider. Landing two critical conversions in the first half to reduce the deficit on the Wallabies. Barrett showed us how easily he can decide Test matches with two tries in the 2nd half, including the game winning score in the 78th minute. The Canes playmaker pitched in with 9 tackles on D - Player of the Week.
11. Rieko Ioane
The world-beating youngster beat 10 defenders in a mesmerising attacking display. His searing pace was a constant threat for the Wallabies defence as he gained 122 metres and made three clean breaks from 12 carries. He scored a fantastic try to take his tally to 6 tries in 6 Tests. Hugely exciting prospect for the All Blacks.
12. Jan Serfontein
Serfontein was a rock in defence for the Bok midfield and a constant danger from broken play with his natural awareness for open space. Chipped in with 6 tackles and combined superbly with Jesse Kriel in the centre.
13. Kurtley Beale
Consistent performer for the Wallabies since his return to Test rugby. Beale got through plenty of work pitching in with 10 carries. He played a key role in iniating Wallaby attacks with his playmaking abilities and accurate distribution. Fully deserved his try for his efforts on the night.
14. Ben Smith
In his final Test match before a four-month sabbatical, Smith made 78m from 8 carries with four clean line breaks & a beaten defender. He scored a vital try in the corner to round off his season in front of his hometown crowd.
15. Israel Folau
Opened the scoring in Dunedin with a perfectly-timed interception reading Damian McKenzie's floated pass before showing great pace to sprint clear. Folau provided a real threat on the counter and dominated the aerial battles that came his way. 139m gained in attack, two defenders beaten and two clean breaks highlight how dangerous it is to stop the free-flowing Wallaby.
