Best off the Bench this Weekend

November 12, 2018
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Ultimate Rugby

As we all know by now test rugby has become 80 minute, 23 man game with the impact off your bench able to win or lose you a test match.

This weekend displayed this with the Springboks and All Blacks, in particular, using their bench effectively to win the game.

We have given credit to the men off the bench this week by selecting a Test Team of the Weekend based on their impact off the bench.

1. Ofa Tu'ungafasi - New Zealand

Playing in the unfamiliar loosehead side of the scrum, Ofa Tu'ungafasi picked up from where his club mate Karl Tuinukuafe left off. He was powerful at scrum time and put in some thumping hits and strong carries.

2. Bongi Mbonambi - South Africa

The Springbok hooker came on and produced a fantastic set piece performance in the final 10 minutes of the game which is likely to earn him more time out on the pitch going forward. He found his jumper on four crucial occasions as the Springboks looked to steal the match. He also peeled off the back of the maul at the right time to score the match winner.

3. Andrew Porter - Ireland

Porter was excellent at scrum time with his domination at the scrum setting the platform for Luke McGrath's try. He also made a few good carries and just beats Vincent Koch to a place in the side.

4. RG Snyman - South Africa

The young second rower made a massive impact off the bench for the Springboks. His lineout work was exceptional and he got stuck in at the rucks.

5. Devin Toner - Ireland

Toner was excellent in replacing Henderson against an in form and firing Los Pumas second row. Toner got stuck in at the rucks and was good option at the lineout.

6. Courtney Lawes - England

Lawes had two excellent stints off the bench for England. He made 8 tackles in 14 minutes before the break and came back on later in the game to make a further 5 tackles and win a turnover. His physicality was also a massive boost for England, although he wasn't able to fix the lineout troubles.

7. Francois Louw - South Africa

Louw made a crucial turnover for the Springboks inside his own 22 with France looking to put the game to bed. He won two turnovers at the breakdown for his side and overall his impact was crucial for the Boks.

8 Josh Strauss - Scotland

Strauss made an excellent appearance off the bench in the 30th minute. He made 6 carries and 5 tackles. He was aggressive and physical for 50 minutes for Scotland.

Big, brutal, beautiful carry from Josh Strauss 🙏🏼🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/l2sjfvqZ3Z
— Thistle Scottish Rugby Podcast (@thistlerugbypod) November 11, 2018

9. Luke McGrath - Ireland

McGrath kicked off from where Kieran Marmion left off and put his hand up for selection against the All Blacks. McGrath, like Marmion, scored a great try and weighed in with 5 tackles.

10. Elton Jantjies - South Africa

Jantjies provided the Springboks with a spark off the bench and combined well with Handre Pollard shifting to inside centre. The Springboks looked flat on attack before Jantjies was injected into the game with the Lions' playmaker giving his side great attacking ball and spread the ball well. Dan Biggar also deserves a mention for slotting the match-winner against the Wallabies.

11. Cheslin Kolbe - South Africa

Like Jantjies, Kolbe provided the Springboks with the attacking spark they needed to snatch the victory. He racked up 44 running metres in just 24 minutes and looked to have scored for the South Africans and would have if it weren't for a last-ditch tackle by Arthur Iturria.

12. Ryan Crotty - New Zealand

Crotty's inclusion in the match in the 30th minute was a game-changing moment for the All Blacks, albeit through injury. Crotty made a number of massive carries and ran testing lines throughout the 50 minutes he was on the pitch. One of his first contributions to the game led to Damian McKenzie's try before the break.