Team of the Week: Merciless Crusade
The Crusaders have five players in our selection after their 55-10 win in Melbourne. The Stormers are the next best represented with three players in our team.
In the backline we have Joaquin Tuculet at fullback with Seta Tamanivalu and Ben Lam on the wings. The midfield consists of Jack Goodhue and Ryan Crotty.
Beauden Barrett is our flyhalf with Augustine Pulu at No.9.
In the pack, Amanaki Mafi is at No.8 with Jean-Luc du Preez and Marnus Schoeman completing the back row.
Our locks this week are Pieter-Steph du Toit and Scott Barrett
Wilco Louw, Andrew Makalio and Steven Kitshoff are our choices for the front row.
Team of the Week - Round 12:
15 - Joaquin Tuculet (Jaguares)
He was the Jaguares' best-attacking weapon out wide in the win against the Chiefs. He carried the ball with great intent and made good metres.
Bubbling under: Curwin Bosch (Sharks)
14 - Seta Tamanivalu (Crusaders)
He was certainly a handful for the Melbourne Rebels. He broke through their defence a number of times and scored a try as well. He also had a hand in a few of his team's other tries in the 55-10 win.
Bubbling under: Sibusiso Nkosi (Sharks)
13 - Jack Goodhue (Crusaders)
He was a force in the midfield in the win over the Rebels. He was hard to contain when he had the ball and his defensive work was outstanding.
Bubbling under: Matt Proctor (Hurricanes)
12 - Ryan Crotty (Crusaders)
Like his midfield partner, Ryan Crotty dominated play in the midfield. His passing was top class he was dangerous when he ran with the ball.
Bubbling under: Rieko Ioane (Blues)
11 - Ben Lam (Hurricanes)
He continued his try-scoring form against the Lions. He took advantage of some awful defensive work from the visitors to score three tries.
Bubbling under: Makazola Mapimpi (Sharks)
10 - Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes)
The gulf in class between him and Elton Jantjies was there for all to see at the Westpac Stadium on Saturday.
Bubbling under: Richie Mo'unga (Crusaders)
9 - Augustine Pulu (Blues)
His experience helped guide the Blues to victory against the Waratahs. His distribution and decision-making was world class.
Bubbling under: Gonzalo Bertranou (Jaguares)
8 - Amanaki Mafi (Melbourne Rebels)
The way he plays he should be part of a champion side. He was simply outstanding against the Crusaders with his strong carries and abrasive defence.
Bubbling under: Gareth Evans (Hurricanes)
7 - Jean-Luc du Preez (Sharks)
It was another industrious performance by the Springbok. He gave the Highlanders plenty of headaches on attack and on defence.
Bubbling under: Ardie Savea (Hurricanes)
6 - Marnus Schoeman (Lions)
He played out of skin against the Hurricanes and was close to beating Ben Lam for the man of the match award.
Bubbling under: Pete Samu (Crusaders)
5 - Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers)
He put his body on the line in a highly physical game against the Bulls. He got his team over the gain line with some strong carries and he put in a truckload of tackles.
Bubbling under: Samuel Whitelock (Crusaders)
4 - Scott Barrett (Crusaders)
He was impressive with ball in hand against the Rebels. He also never missed a tackle on defence.
Bubbling under: Vaea Fifita (Hurricanes)
3 - Wilco Louw (Stormers)
Powerful in the scrums and a force in open play with a number of big carries. He got a five-pointer as well.
Bubbling under: Jeff Toomaga-Allen (Hurricanes)
2 - Andrew Makalio (Crusaders)
He was a key figure in a powerful Crusaders pack against the Rebels. He scored two of his team's tries in the win.
Bubbling under: Ricky Riccitelli (Hurricanes)
1 - Steven Kitshoff (Stormers)
Gave the Bulls headaches in the scrums and he did his fair share of work around the park in the win.
Bubbling under: Wyatt Crockett (Crusaders)
Our individual selections:
Jan de Koning XV: 15 Joaquin Tuculet, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Paul Dobson XV: 15 Joaquin Tuculet, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Gareth Evans, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Alex McLeod XV: 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Rieko Ioane, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Ardie Savea XV, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Andrew Makalio, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Warren Fortune XV: 15 Joaquin Tuculet, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Rieko Ioane, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Vaea Fifita, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Andrew Makalio, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Previous selections:
Team of the Week - Round 11: 15 Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), 14 Filipo Daugunu (Reds), 13 Rob Thompson (Highlanders), 12 Vince Aso (Hurricanes), 11 Johannes Engelbrecht (Stormers), 10 Handre Pollard (Bulls), 9 Aaron Smith (Highlanders), 8 Jordan Taufua (Crusaders), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Albertus Smith (Lions), 5 Tom Franklin (Highlanders), 4 Guido Petti Pagadizaval (Jaguares), 3 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro (Jaguares), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Jean-Pierre Smith (Reds).
Team of the Week - Round 10: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Sibusiso Nkosi (Sharks), 13 Matias Orlando (Jaguares), 12 Samu Kerevi (Reds), 11 Solomon Alaimalo (Chiefs), 10 Nicolas Sanchez (Jaguares), 9 Michael Ruru (Melbourne Rebels), 8 Amanaki Mafi (Melbourne Rebels), 7 Dillon Hunt (Highlanders), 6 Shannon Frizell (Highlanders), 5 Lodewyk de Jager (Bulls), 4 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 3 Thomas du Toit (Sharks), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Jacques van Rooyen (Lions).
Team of the Week - Round Nine: 15 Warrick Gelant (Bulls), 14 Ramiro Moyano (Jaguares), 13 Curtis Rona (Waratahs), 12 Rieko Ioane (Blues), 11 Ben Lam (Hurricanes), 10 Handré Pollard (Bulls), 9 Will Genia (Melbourne Rebels), 8 Amanaki Mafi (Melbourne Rebels), 7 David Pocock (Brumbies), 6 Pablo Matera (Jaguares), 5 Lodewyk de Jager (Bulls), 4 Guido Petti Pagadizaval (Jaguares), 3 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro (Jaguares), 2 Damien Fitzpatrick (Waratahs), 1 Pierre Schoeman (Bulls).
Team of the Week - Round Eight: 15 Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), 14 Manasa Mataele (Crusaders), 13 Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs), 12 Ryan Crotty (Crusaders), 11 Madosh Tambwe (Lions), 10 Elton Jantjies (Lions), 9 Joe Powell (Brumbies), 8 Isi Naisarani (Brumbies), 7 Jean-Luc du Preez (Sharks), 6 Albertus Smith (Lions), 5 Francois Mostert (Lions), 4 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 3 Thomas du Toit (Sharks), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Steven Kitshoff (Stormers).
Team of the Week - Round Seven: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Waisake Naholo (Highlanders), 13 Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs), 12 Ngani Laumape (Hurricanes), 11 Ben Lam (Hurricanes), 10 Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), 9 Thomas Perenara (Hurricanes), 8 Amanaki Mafi (Rebels), 7 Jean-Luc du Preez (Sharks), 6 Marco van Staden (Bulls), 5 Samuel Whitelock (Crusaders), 4 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 3 Michael Alaalatoa (Crusaders), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Pierre Schoeman (Bulls).
Team of the Week - Round Six: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Waisake Naholo (Highlanders), 13 Matt Proctor (Hurricanes), 12 Bill Meakes (Melbourne Rebels), 11 Emiliano Boffelli (Jaguares), 10 Damian Willemse (Stormers), 9 Thomas Perenara (Hurricanes), 8 Luke Whitelock (Highlanders), 7 Jean-Luc du Preez (Sharks), 6 Pablo Matera (Jaguares), 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers), 4 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 3 Wilco Louw (Stormers), 2 Codie Taylor (Crusaders), 1 Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks).
Team of the Week - Round Five: 15 Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), 13 Jesse Kriel (Bulls), 12 Samu Kerevi (Reds), 11 Hosea Saumaki (Sunwolves), 10 Damian Willemse (Stormers), 9 Dewald Duvenage (Stormers), 8 Amanaki Mafi (Melbourne Rebels), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers), 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (Stormers), 5 Scott Barrett (Crusaders), 4 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 3 Taniela Tupou (Reds), 2 Codie Taylor (Crusaders), 1 Steven Kitshoff (Stormers).
Team of the Week - Round Four: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Waisake Naholo (Highlanders), 13 Rieko Ioane (Blues), 12 Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), 11 Melani Nanai (Blues), 10 Damian Willemse (Stormers), 9 Aaron Smith (Highlanders), 8 Akira Ioane (Blues), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Pablo Matera (Jaguares), 5 Lodewyk de Jager (Bulls), 4 Vaea Fifita (Hurricanes), 3 Ofa Tu'ungafasi (Blues), 2 Armand van der Merwe (Sharks), 1 Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks).
Team of the Week - Round Three: 15 David Havili (Crusaders), 14 Julian Savea (Hurricanes), 13 Jack Goodhue (Crusaders), 12 Handré Pollard (Bulls), 11 George Bridge (Crusaders), 10 Richie Mo'unga (Crusaders), 9 Brad Weber (Chiefs), 8 Warren Whiteley (Lions), 7 Billy Harmon (Crusaders), 6 Brad Shields (Hurricanes), 5 Adam Coleman (Melbourne Rebels), 4 Ruan Botha (Sharks), 3 Wilco Louw (Stormers), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Jacques van Rooyen (Lions).
Teams of the Week - Round Two: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Sylvian Mahuza (Lions), 13 Rob Thompson (Highlanders), 12 Ryan Crotty (Crusaders), 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi (Lions), 10 Lima Sopoaga (Highlanders), 9 Aaron Smith (Highlanders), 8 Jordan Taufua (Crusaders), 7 Pieter Labuschagne (Sunwolves), 6 Roelof Smit (Bulls), 5 Samuel Whitelock (Crusaders), 4 Rudolph Snyman (Bulls), 3 Ruan Dreyer (Lions), 2 James Parsons (Blues), 1 Steven Kitshoff (Stormers).
Team of the Week - Round One: 15 Dillyn Leyds (Stormers), 14 Seabelo Senatla (Stormers), 13 Lionel Mapoe (Lions), 12 Damian de Allende (Stormers), 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi (Lions), 10 Robert du Preez (Sharks), 9 Ross Cronje (Lions), 8 Nizaam Carr (Stormers), 7 Cyle Brink (Lions), 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (Stormers), 5 John Schickerling (Stormers), 4 Ruan Botha (Sharks), 3 Nahuel Tétaz Chaparro (Jaguares), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Jacques van Rooyen (Lions).
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