TRC 2017: Team of the Week
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1. Tendai 'Beast' Mtawarira
Another solid performance by the 32-year-old veteran, he carried the ball 7 times and made 4 tackles in his 47 minutes and was strong as ever in the scrum.
Second choice: Scott Sio
2. Malcolm Marx
An improved performance by the Springbok hooker following a horrible day at the office against the All Blacks. The Springboks lost only 2 of their 19 lineouts against the Wallabies, while the young hooker made 35 metres from his 9 carries.
Close 2nd: Dane Coles
3. Sekope Kepu
Kepu fronted up against 'Beast' -who also had an outstanding game- and performed well as he made 8 tackles.
Second choice: Nepo Laulala
4. Luke Romano
Romano filled in for Brodie Retallick and the Crusaders lock took his rare start with both hands making 11 tackles, made 15 metres and beat one defender.
Second choice: Eben Etzebeth
5. Franco Mostert
Mostert went missing during the Springboks clash against the All Blacks but bounced back against Australia, as he was back to his busy best making 11 tackles, 1 clean break, 6 carries, 1 offload and a lineout steal.
Alternative choice: Scott Barrett
6. Vaea Fifita
2 clean breaks, 28 running metres and 5 tackles as Vaea Fifita had another impressive game in only his second start for the All Blacks.
2nd choice: Siya Kolisi
7. Matt Todd
His first game in just over a month, after a hand injury, Todd was busy as usual making 9 tackles in 55 minutes and beat 2 defenders.
Second choice: Tomas Lezana
8. Kieran Read
A massive performance by Read as he crossed the white-wash twice against Los Pumas. The All Black captain also made 2 clean breaks and 6 tackles. The only blemish was his yellow card for a high tackle
Close 2nd: Sean McMahon
9. Martin Landajo
Came off the bench to replace Tomas Cubelli in the first half and lifted the Pumas attacking. The feisty halfback made 32 metres with the ball in hand and made two clean breaks.
2nd choice: Will Genia
10. Beauden Barrett
Another world-class performance by the All Black playmaker. Barrett beat 5 defenders, made 2 clean breaks, assisted a try and replicated Carlos Spencer's 'through the leg pass'.
2nd choice: Bernard Foley
11. Rieko Ioane
Has he had a bad game in the All Black jersey? He beat 6 defenders, made 2 clean breaks and carried the ball 65 metres in yet another great performance by the 20-year-old.
2nd choice: Courtnall Skosan
12. Kurtley Beale
Absolutely brilliant throughout the Rugby Championship, Beale makes yet another appearance in our Team of the Week. The exciting playmaker was named man of the match after the game after he made 85 metres, beat 3 defenders and collected 2 clean breaks.
Close 2nd: Jan Serfontein
13. Anton Lienert-Brown
Hard to believe he is 22-years-old, Lienert-Brown had a superb game for the All Blacks as he was defensively sound and beat 3 defenders and made 35 metres with the ball in hand.
14. Marika Koroibete
Koroibete started his test career with 2 tries on debut, he made 40 metres, beat 2 defenders and made 7 tackles in what was an impressive performance.
2nd choice: Waisake Naholo
15. Damian McKenzie
Another fantastic performance by McKenzie as he continues to fill the void left by Ben Smith. The speedster made over 100 running metres and his quick thinking set himself up for a well-taken try from a penalty. He also assisted in another try and beat 7 defenders.
Battling it out for 2nd place: Israel Folau & Andries Coetzee
