Super Rugby Team of the Week: Round 16
OPINION: The match between the Chiefs and the Crusaders was probably the best so far this season.
It was a match filled with outstanding tries and drama as the Chiefs knocked over defending champions in Suva, Fiji.
Therefore, it comes as no surprise that six players from that game are in our Team of the Week for Round 16. The Chiefs are represented by five players, while the Crusaders have one player in our selection.
Other teams represented this week includes the Lions, Hurricanes, Bulls and Blues.
The next-best represented team after the Chiefs is the Lions with four players.
Team of the Week - Round 16:
15 - Andries Coetzee (Lions):
The Bok fullback had one of his best games in a Lions jersey. He controlled play nicely from the back and he gave the Stormers a few problems with ball in hand.
Bubbling under: Tom Banks (Brumbies)
14 - Shaun Stevenson (Chiefs):
He was devasting with ball in hand and scored the amazing match-winning try against the Crusaders.
Bubbling under: Sibusiso Nkosi (Sharks)
13 - Lionel Mapoe (Lions):
He had a hand in a couple of tries against the Stormers. He was a constant threat in the midfield with Harold Vorster.
Bubbling under: Jack Goodhue (Crusaders)
12 - Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs):
He was excellent as a playmaker in that Chiefs midfield. His all-round play was brilliant in the second half against the Crusaders.
Bubbling under: Ngani Laumape (Hurricanes)
11 - Braydon Ennor (Crusaders):
The speedster is quickly becoming a household name in Super Rugby. He was elusive with the ball against the Chiefs and scored a great try as well.
Bubbling under: Marika Koroibete (Melbourne Rebels)
10 - Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes):
He hardly put a foot wrong in the win over the Sharks in Durban. He had a try assist and his kicking game was accurate.
Bubbling under: Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies)
9 - Brad Weber (Chiefs):
He is in great form at the moment. His service to his backline was excellent and he kept troubling the Crusaders' defence with his speed.
Bubbling under: Will Genia (Melbourne Rebels)
8 - Albertus 'Kwagga' Smith (Lions):
Scored two tries in the win over the Stormers. He was a menace at the breakdowns and a powerhouse in the physical exchanges.
Bubbling under: Pita Sowakula (Chiefs)
7 - Ardie Savea (Hurricanes):
He was immense at Kings Park in Durban. He won several turnovers and was just difficult to contain around the Park.
Bubbling under: Sam Cane (Chiefs)
6 - Lachlan Boshier (Chiefs):
He kept the Crusaders busy around the breakdowns and he made his presence felt on defence.
Bubbling under: Tom Robinson (Blues)
5 - Rudolph Snyman (Bulls):
The big man was an important cog in the Bulls' pack. He rattled the opposition with a few big tackles and got his team over the advantage line with some strong carries.
Bubbling under: Sam Carter (Brumbies)
4 - Scott Barrett (Crusaders):
Barrett's dynamism was there for all to see in Suva. He also showed his pace to score a sensational try against the Chiefs.
Bubbling under: Rory Arnold (Brumbies)
3 - Ofa Tu'ungafasi (Blues):
He played out of his skin in the draw with the Bulls. He was solid in the scrums and scored a try as well.
Bubbling under: Carlu Sadie (Lions)
2 - Malcolm Marx (Lions):
Another impressive performance from the world's best hooker. He was powerful with ball in hand and won a few turnovers as well.
Bubbling under: Samisoni Taukei'aho (Chiefs)
1 - Atu Moli (Chiefs):
He was fantastic to watch in open play against the Crusaders. His distribution is excellent for a prop and brought a lot of energy to the Chiefs' pack.
Bubbling under: James Slipper (Brumbies)
Our individual selections:
Paul Dobson XV: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Braydon Ennor, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Will Genia, 8 Kwagga Smith, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Tom Robinson, 5 Rudolph Snyman, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 James Slipper.
Jan de Koning XV: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Shaun Stevenson, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Braydon Ennor, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Albertus Smith, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Lachlan Boshier, 5 Rudolph Snyman, 4 Marcos Kremer, 3 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Atu Moli.
Warren Fortune XV: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Shaun Stevenson, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Albertus Smith, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Lachlan Boshier, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 2 Samisoni Taukei'aho, 1 Atu Moli.
Previous selections:
Team of the Week - Round 15: 15 Emiliano Boffelli (Jaguares), 14 Seabelo Senatla (Stormers), 13 Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies), 12 Damian de Allende (Stormers), 11 Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks), 10 Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders), 9 Herschel Jantjies (Stormers), 8 Dan du Preez (Sharks), 7 Matt Todd (Crusaders), 6 Lachlan Boshier (Chiefs), 5 Rudolph Snyman (Bulls), 4 Scott Barrett (Crusaders), 3 Coenie Oosthuizen (Sharks), 2 Julian Montoya (Jaguares), 1 Steven Kitshoff (Stormers).
Team of the Week – Round 14: 15 Kurtley Beale (Waratahs), 14 Caleb Clarke (Blues), 13 Matias Moroni (Jaguares), 12 Jeronimo de la Fuente (Jaguares), 11 Marika Koroibete (Melbourne Rebels), 10 Handre Pollard (Bulls), 9 Aaron Smith (Highlanders), 8 Albertus Smith (Lions), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers), 6 Pablo Matera (Jaguares), 5 Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), 4 Rudolph Snyman (Bulls), 3 Carlu Sadie (Lions), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Alex Hodgman (Blues).
Team of the Week – Round 13: 15 Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), 14 Sevu Reece (Crusaders), 13 Jack Goodhue (Crusaders), 12 Harold Vorster (Lions), 11 George Bridge (Crusaders), 10 Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders), 9 Brad Weber (Chiefs), 8 Luke Jacobson (Chiefs), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Jordan Taufua (Crusaders), 5 Scott Barrett (Crusaders), 4 Ruan Botha (Sharks), 3 Alan Alaalatoa (Brumbies), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Atunaisa Moli (Chiefs).
Team of the Week – Round 12: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Wes Goosen (Hurricanes), 12 Ngani Laumape (Hurricanes), 11 George Bridge (Crusaders), 10 Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), 9 Tomas Cubelli (Jaguares), 8 Duane Vermeulen (Bulls), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Luke Jacobson (Chiefs), 5 Rudolph Snyman (Bulls), 4 Jackson Hemopo (Highlanders), 3 Trevor Nyakane (Bulls), 2 Folau Fainga’a (Brumbies), 1 Lizo Gqoboka (Bulls).
Team of the Week – Round 11: 15 Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), 14 Sevu Reece (Crusaders), 13 Braydon Ennor (Crusaders), 12 Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs), 11 Dillyn Leyds (Stormers), 10 Curwin Bosch (Sharks), 9 Aaron Smith (Highlanders), 8 Dan du Preez (Sharks), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (Stormers), 5 Rudolph Snyman (Bulls), 4 Cobus Wiese (Stormers), 3 Thomas du Toit (Sharks), 2 Agustin Creevy (Jaguares), 1 Lizo Gqoboka (Bulls).
Team of the Week – Round 10: 15 Melani Nanai (Blues), 14 Matt Faddes (Highlanders), 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs), 12 Samu Kerevi (Reds), 11 Semisi Masirewa (Sunwolves), 10 Bernard Foley (Waratahs), 9 Tate McDermott (Reds), 8 Warren Whiteley (Lions), 7 Cyle Brink (Lions), 6 Jahrome Brown (Brumbies), 5 Izack Rodda (Reds), 4 Rory Arnold (Brumbies), 3 Carlu Sadie (Lions), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Harry Hoopert (Reds).
Team of the Week – Round Nine: 15 Tom Banks (Brumbies), 14 Sevu Reece (Crusaders), 13 Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies), 12 Burger Odendaal (Bulls), 11 Dillyn Leyds (Stormers), 10 Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders), 9 Tomas Cubelli (Jaguares), 8 Paul Schoeman (Bulls), 7 Lachlan Boshier (Chiefs), 6 Pablo Matera (Jaguares), 5 Rudolph Snyman (Bulls), 4 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 3 Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Blues), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Steven Kitshoff (Stormers),
Team of the Week – Round Eight: 15 – Curwin Bosch (Sharks), 14 – Will Jordan (Crusaders), 13 – Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), 12 – Ma’a Nonu (Blues), 11 – Sevu Reece (Crusaders), 10 – Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders), 9 – Will Genia (Melbourne Rebels), 8 – Dan du Preez (Sharks), 7 – Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 – Shannon Frizell (Highlanders), 5 – Scott Barrett (Crusaders), 4 – Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues), 3 – Tyrel Lomax (Highlanders), 2 – Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Reds), 1 – Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks).
Team of the Week – Round Seven: 15 David Havili (Crusaders), 14 Jack Maddocks (Rebels), 13 Jack Goodhue (Crusaders), 12 Ma’a Nonu (Blues), 11 Semisi Masirewa, (Sunwolves), 10 Hayden Parker (Sunwolves), 9 Will Genia (Rebels), 8 Akira Ioane (Blues), 7 Angus Cottrell (Rebels), 6 Luke Jacobson (Chiefs), 5 Samuel Whitelock (Crusaders), 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues), 3 Michael Alaalatoa (Crusaders), 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi (Stormers), 1 Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks).
Team of the Week – Round Six: 15 Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), 14 Gerhard van den Heever (Sunwolves), 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs), 12 Samu Kerevi (Reds), 11 Rieko Ioane (Blues), 10 Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), 9 Nic Groom (Lions), 8 Akira Ioane (Blues), 7 Michael Hooper (Waratahs), 6 Ned Hanigan (Waratahs), 5 Rob Simmons (Waratahs), 4 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 3 Sekope Kepu (Waratahs), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Steven Kitshoff (Stormers).
Team of the Week – Round Five: 15 Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), 14 Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), 13 Samu Kerevi (Reds), 12 Billy Meakes (Rebels), 11 Wes Goosen (Hurricanes), 10 Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), 9 Will Genia (Rebels), 8 Lachlan McCaffrey (Brumbies), 7 Liam Wright (Reds), 6 Siya Kolisi (Stormers), 5 John Schickerling (Stormers), 4 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 3 Carlü Sadie (Lions), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Scott Sio (Brumbies).
Team of the Week – Round Four: 15 Will Jordan (Crusaders), 14 Sevu Reece (Crusaders), 13 Jack Goodhue (Crusaders), 12 Ngani Laumape (Hurricanes), 11 Rieko Ioane (Blues), 10 Handre Pollard (Bulls), 9 Will Genia (Rebels), 8 Duane Vermeulen (Bulls), 7 Michael Hooper (Waratahs), 6 Jordan Taufua (Crusaders), 5 Scott Barrett (Crusaders), 4 Josh Dickson (Highlanders), 3 Carlü Sadie (Lions), 2 Codie Taylor (Crusaders), 1 Dylan Smith (Lions).
Team of the Week – Round Three: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty (Rebels), 14 Gerhard van den Heever (Sunwolves), 13 Jack Goodhue (Crusaders), 12 Michael Little (Sunwolves), 11 Ramiro Moyano (Jaguares), 10 Handre Pollard (Bulls), 9 Will Genia (Rebels), 8 Duane Vermeulen (Bulls), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers), 6 Shannon Frizell (Highlanders), 5 Uwe Helu (Sunwolves), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 Hiroshi Yamashita (Sunwolves), 2 Dane Coles (Hurricanes), 1 Joe Moody (Crusaders).
Team of the Week – Round Two: 15 Tom Banks (Brumbies), 14 Chance Peni (Brumbies), 13 Jordan Petaia (Reds), 12 Samu Kerevi (Reds), 11 George Bridge (Crusaders), 10 Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies), 9 Tomas Cubelli (Jaguares), 8 Lachlan McCaffrey (Brumbies), 7 Albertus Smith (Lions), 6 Shannon Frizell (Highlanders), 5 Josh Dickson (Highlanders), 4 Scott Barrett (Crusaders), 3 Carlu Sadie (Lions), 2 Armand van der Merwe (Sharks), 1 Joe Moody (Crusaders).
Team of the Week – Round One: 15 Israel Folau (Waratahs), 14 Jack Maddocks (Rebels), 13 Braydon Ennor (Crusaders), 12 Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs), 11 Rosko Specman (Bulls), 10 Handre Pollard (Bulls), 9 Will Genia (Rebels), 8 Duane Vermeulen (Bulls), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Marnus Schoeman (Lions), 5 Lodewyk de Jager (Bulls), 4 Scott Barrett (Crusaders), 3 Carlu Sadie (Lions), 2 Armand van der Merwe (Sharks), 1 Dylan Smith (Lions).
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