Super Rugby Round 15: Team of the Week & More

Man of the Match

Chiefs vs Bulls                                 Damian McKenzie
Reds vs Sharks                              Bismarck du Plessis
Blues vs Hurricanes                                TJ Perenara
Waratahs vs Crusaders                          Israel Folau
Force vs Highlanders                               Ben Smith
Cheetahs vs Lions                            Warwick Tecklenburg
Stormers vs Rebels                             Frans Malherbe

Team of the Week

The toughest selections are those between Ben Smith and Israel Folau at fullback, at 9 between TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith and Augustine Pulu, and at 10, where Damian McKenzie, Dan Carter (after Colin Slade went off injured before halftime), and Bernard Foley were all excellent.

15 Ben Smith, 14 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Warwick Tecklenburg, 5 Dave Dennis, 4 Alex Ainley, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

Best of the Week

Best Game:
Waratahs vs Crusaders – with a host of top players performing like top players

Team Performance:
Waratahs – and an honourable mention for the Hurricanes

Player:
Ben Smith

Back:
Israel Folau

Forward: 
Bismarck du Plessis

Tries:

Four tries were absolute gems:

Bryce Heem for the Chiefs – 28^th minute: created by perfectly timed inter-passing between forwards and backs to put teammates into space

Augustine Pulu for the Chiefs – 56^th minute: from counter-attack 70m out and a brilliant, elusive run by Damian McKenzie

Nehe Milner-Skudder for the Hurricanes – 67^th minute: a lesson from Milner-Skudder in how to finish when you appear to have no space

Aaron Smith for the Highlanders – 74^th minute: worth watching for the wonderful catch in the air and offload by Marty Banks