This round we had the Rebels on fire, the Brumbies notching an important win, the Crusaders staying calm and the Jaguares sinking the Tahs in Sydney.
This is the team of the week:
15. David Havili – Continues to shine brightly at the Crusaders.
14 Ramior Moyano – Just the two tries for the Argentine in Sydney. He has pace to burn and knows how to find his way to the line.
13 Tevita Kuridrani – Scored a handy hat-trick in the Brumbies win over the Bulls. Ran some great lines, supported well and made an impact. Back to his best form.
The Brumbies. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
12 Damian De Allende – Was sensational for the Stormers, a constant threat with his passing and running game.
11 Marika Koroibete – Grabbed a double for the Rebels and was full of running and tackle busts.
10 Richie Mo’unga – Faced some adversity but showed his class with a cool and at times magical display for Canterbury.
9 Michael Ruru – Came off the bench and was very impressive for the Rebels. Scored a try and set up Jack Maddocks for another. An excellent cameo.
8 Pita Gus Sowakula – Got through a tonne of work for the Chiefs and touched down for a five-pointer as well.
7 Matt Todd – Another Kiwi flanker in fine form, he was scintillating for the Crusaders.
6 Sam Cane – The Chiefs skipper was pivotal for his team as he pilfered at the breakdown and was energetic in defence.
5 Sam Whitelock – Leading the way for the best team in the competition. Might be 30 but seems to be getting better with each year.
4 Patrick Tuipulotu – Was a demon in defence for the Blues. The All Black was on song again this season.
3 Nepo Laulala – The tighthead rose to the occasion and kept the Crusaders scrum together.
2 Folau Fainga’a – The Brumbies rake edged a tough battle with Schalk Brits. Was effective at both scrum time and lineout time, and did not shirk an inch.
1 Joe Moody – The loosehead was just as busy as Laulala. He certainly made his presence felt in Christchurch as the Blues were overpowered.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Yeah not sure how Quade wasn't the best 10. The quality of the opposition shouldn't really matter for a "team of the week".
Purdo
Roar Rookie
Jack, I wasn't happy about Beale, but based on last weekend's performances I didn't really see much from other fullbacks. I would normally agree with you about Banks, but not this week.
Jack
Guest
Beale, seriously? What has he done to deserve the 15 spot? Banks tackles harder, runs harder, is faster, braver, bigger and can kick 20 metres further. Beatles from has been poor for 2 years and yet he is still talked about as a Wallabies 15.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
John D All good selection except Michael Ruru imo. Where did he come from? Cubelli, Smith, Powell, McDermott were all much better imo :)
Michael K
Guest
As an Aussie, there's a worrying number of All-Blacks that seem to be hitting their stride at the right time of the season! That said, good to hear Sam Cane is both back on the paddock and in good form after serious injuries. As always, kiwis have an embarrassment of riches in the loose forwards. Nice problem for Hanson to have.
Sam
Guest
Waisake Naholo played better than any winger and that 6 weeks being out of the tournament.
Purdo
Roar Rookie
Interesting as a Team of the Round is, I would be more interested in seeing an Australian team of the round each week. I think there are many more credible selectors than me, but since I want to see it, I will kick off with my Australian Team of the Round. I’m picking on my impressions of individual performances last weekend. This means that Kerevi doesn’t get a guernsey, but he would normally, and I am thinking of the players as individuals rather than as members of combinations. 1. Robertson 2.Fainga 3.Toupou 4. Arnold 5. Coleman 6. Cusack 7. Hooper 8. Samu 9. Genia 10. Cooper 11. Koroibete 12. Meekes 13. Kuridrani 14. Speight 15. Beale Reserves would be Banks, Hodge, Powell, Kepu, Mafi Sio, Rodda, Coleman. I’ve always been a fan of Adam Ashley Cooper, and to me he always seems to be in good position, and remains a good tradesman. I thought of him as a utility back replacement, but those days are gone. I’m wondering if he might consider becoming a coach. He always seems to know what he should be doing, and is also articulate, so maybe he should be a coach now that his best playing days are over.
Matt
Guest
Quade should be the 10 on that 35 metere pass to Marika alone.That pass he threw is further than Foley can kick.
jameswm
Roar Guru
He's a good player Ruru. Calm and composed, and built almost like a backrower. It'll be good for him to get a full game or close to it.
Dontcallmeshirley
Guest
And Nepo plays for the Chiefs not the Crusaders....
ozxile
Roar Pro
John, Michael Ruru was the revelation of the weekend for me. It is great to see that you noticed him as well. In addition to slipping in seamlessly with Cooper, he appeared to be calm, clever and quick on his feet. His service was precise and intelligent. He is also a big unit. Assuming Genia sits out at least the next game, it would be good to see him show up Phipps/Gordon this coming weekend. A performance to draw some attention away from Phipps, Gordon, McDermott and Powell, would be good for Australian rugby. None of them have me hopeful, let alone convinced, they are credible stand-ins for Genia.
JRVJ
Roar Rookie
Well, it's a good thing that only one Jaguar is in this week's XV (BTW, it's RAMIRO not RAMIOR), because if not, Phil Kearns would absolutely blow a gasket.