Another blockbuster round saw the Brumbies inflict pain on the Tahs, the Reds fightback in Japan, the Lions sink the Rebels in the last minute, and tragedy hit Christchurch.
Here’s the Team of the Week:
15. Damian McKenzie – The Chiefs fullback was back to his best with a try, two conversions and three penalty goals. Seems much more at home wearing the 15 jersey. Israel Folau was also handy in a losing Tahs outfit.
14. Tyrone Green – Outstanding display from the Lions outside back who switched from fullback to wing. Troubled the Rebels all afternoon with some live-wire efforts.
13. Tom English – The Rebels might have lost this weekend but English remains an outstanding ball-runner. He leads Super Rugby in linebreaks, has ten tackle busts and added his fourth try of the season against the Lions.
12. Anton Linert-Brown – Probably the form All Black in the world right now. Every week he is like the postman, he always delivers.
11. SP Marais – It was more dead-eyed kicking from the Stormers winger. He landed two conversions and three penalties in the victory over the Jaguares.
10. Beauden Barrett – The All Blacks playmaker found his feet after a slow start to the season. Just looked at ease and full of class.
Beauden Barrett of the Hurricanes makes a break (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
9 Tate McDermott – The Reds scrum half continues to impress off the bench. McDermott helped spark Queensland to a wonderful comeback win and must be in line for a starting spot soon.
8. Lachlan McCaffrey – Put in a huge shift in the seven-point win against NSW. Got through a mountain of work and defensively very strong.
7. Liam Wright – Only 21 but the flanker is making a name for himself at the Reds. Tackled himself into the dirt. A real competitor.
6. Pieter-Steph Du Toit – Not a natural flanker but the Stormers man doesn’t shirk his work in defence or around the ruck. With his bulk and height is always a threat with ball in hand.
5. Vaea Fifita – Had a big night in the Hurricanes’ dramatic draw. The All Black is a menace regardless of when he plays as a breakway, a number eight or in the second row. Tough to stop.
4. JD Shickerling – The South African lock will be pushing hard for a Springbok bench spot with these kinds of energetic performances.
3. Frans Malherbe – The Stormers prop bashed and bullied the Jaguares’ scrum.
2 Folau Fainga’a – The Brumbies take grabbed a brace and helped the Brumbies put the Waratahs to the sword. He gets in ahead of super sub Brandon Paenga-Amosa, who crossed twice for the Reds in Tokyo.
1. Scott Sio – Fainga’a’s teammate Sio was also a powerhouse for the ACT. Very strong at scrum-time and powerful with his carries. Makes it front of Stormers’ loosehead Steven Kitshoff, who also caught the eye.
Harry Jones
Expert
When his try-to-knockon ratio rises above 1:1, maybe.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Glad that came from you Harry. I would have invited pushback if it came from me. I understated my comment deliberately. But yes who is better. Marx possibly puts his hand up.... About 1 year ago watching a varsity cup game I mentioned to you to keep an eye on a certain Wiese fellow. The new Thor in the making.
Harry Jones
Expert
PSDT is the best forward in world rugby over the last 2 seasons.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
James, its good to see someone else recognise BPA instead of Cheika's favs of penalty-magnet Latu and "old man" TPN. The rest of the team is a snorter though I would start S.Kepu and bring on T.Tupou off the bench, and happy with J.Slipper also. :)
jameswm
Roar Guru
I have them that way because of Banks's speed and Hodge's boot, mainly. I think Hodge is currently a more rounded player and more reliable at FB.
Phil
Guest
Not a bad side,jameswm,but not sure why you would have Hodge at fullback and Banks on the wing?Why not Banks in his normal position and it's not as if Hodge plays fullback? I was never a great DHP fan,but watching him this year I can actually see why Cheika does like him.He does most things very well(except talk to SA refs!).
jameswm
Roar Guru
I started last week (or was it a week before) picking an Aussie team, if I had to pick it right now. It is not based solely on the weekend's form, though that is a factor. Not considered due to long term injury - Petaia and Uelese. In summary Dempsey has fallen out of favour with me, Naisarani despite a couple of errors was very strong, but there is still a question mark at 6/8, Coleman good and Salakai-Loto good but I'm swapping them around. 1 Sio 2 Fainga'a 3 Tupou 4 Rodda 5 Coleman 6 Higginbotham (strong game) 7 Pocock 8 Naisarani 9 Genia 10 Cooper (what were you doing on that try?) 11 Banks 12 Kerevi 13 Kuridrani 14 Folau 15 Hodge 16 BPA 17 Kepu (Slipper close) 18 Ala'alatoa 19 Salakai-Loto 20 Hooper 21 Gordon 22 Hunt 23 DHP, but not entirely happy. Also considered Beale, Naivalu, Maddocks
Lano
Roar Guru
Thanks John. One comment: I think you've selected the stand-out individual players, but it's not "a team" I'd select.
The Slow Eater
Roar Rookie
Tom English could walk on water and still not get in the Wallabies squad.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
We and I include myself keep bracketing Pieter-Steff Du Toit as a “not natural flanker”. I will admit that I was against his shift from lock to flank and in his 1st season as a flank in Superugby had the highest missed tackle Stat out of all teams. He has proved me and I think others wrong. Now arguably the best openside flank in the world. Also seriously was I alone in thinking the decision to move Mckenzie to fly half was a massive case of brain freeze. He is not just a good fullback he is a potential match winner… From nr 15 only.
Rugby wizard
Guest
The way Liam Wright plays reminds me of great springbok Francois Pienaar. It's probably better for AUS rugby that Mcreight and Wright are not at the same franchise,it would be disappointing too see one of them leave the Reds,but AUS rugby comes first. Would like too see either at Brumbies next year.