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Super Rugby: Team of the Week

11th March 2013 12:38

Super rugby XV or the week 4 2013

Impressive displays: Mogg and Pretorius

Now that the dust has settled over in the southern hemisphere, Planet Rugby thought it was only right to hand out some praise to the stars of Super Rugby, Round Four.

Without further ado, here comes our offering - be sure to send in your own 15-1 team selections.

15 Jesse Mogg (Brumbies) - Has been impressive since the start of the tournament and the rugby league convert continues to improve with every outing. Set up a try for Christian Lealiifano and gained 83 metres on attack, beating six defenders in the process. Joe Pietersen just misses out after a fine effort for the Stormers.

14 Kade Poki (Highlanders) - Was always dangerous and was rewarded with a hat-trick of tries. Made 72 metres on attack and beat six defenders.

13 Rene Ranger (Blues) - Another fine performance secures him the number 13 jersey for a second week in a row. Ranger stood out in his team's defeat to the Bulls with 102 meters gained, two turnovers won and seven tackles made. A mention too for Tim Nanai-Williams who continues to impress in his new position for the Chiefs.

12 Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies) - Gave a superb goal-kicking display but also showed plenty of enterprise as a playmaker, while doing well on defence with eleven tackles.

11 Julian Savea (Hurricanes) - Made a huge impact with ball in hand in the win over the Crusaders, making 130 metres. Scored a memorable try.

10 Johan Goosen (Cheetahs) - Gave his best display of the season in the victory against the Highlanders. Nailed all his kicks at goal and did well to unleash his dangerous outside backs.

9 Sarel Pretorius (Cheetahs) - Combined well with Goosen and proved a handful to the Highlanders defenders with his sniping breaks around the fringes of the rucks and mauls. Gained 107 metres and was rewarded with a brace of tries. Tawera Kerr-Barlow gets a mention.

8 Pierre Spies (Bulls) - Was back to his best on attack in his side's win over the Blues, gaining 73 metres, with two line breaks and also won a crucial turnover.

7 Wimpie van der Walt (Kings) - The Kings hardly attacked in their defeat to the Sharks as they were on the backfoot from the kick-off. Van der Walt led the way in a huge team effort on defence with nineteen hits, which played a huge part in preventing the Sharks from scoring a try. Liam Gill also impressed in the Reds' win over the Rebels.

6 Pieter Labuschagne (Cheetahs) - Labuschagne's defensive effort was phenomenal, making 24 tackles, but unlike Van der Walt his game wasn't just about defence. He carried well, winning 50 metres and also won a crucial turnover.

5 Andries Bekker (Stormers) - Won the official man-of-the-match award in his team's win over the Chiefs and looks like he is close to regaining his best form. Performed admirably in the line-outs but also carried well, beating two defenders while he won two turnovers.

4 Francois Uys (Cheetahs) - Got through plenty of hard work up front and had the second highest tackle count for the Cheetahs - after Labuschagne - with 22 completed.

3 Ben Afeaki (Chiefs) - Beat his opponent in the scrums but also caught the eye with a strong effort in loose. Was also busy on defence, making 12 tackles.

2 Adriaan Strauss (Cheetahs) - This was a tough decision as Saia Faingaa and Stephen Moore also impressed for the Reds and Brumbies respectively. But Strauss sneaks in for a solid display against the Highlanders. As usual, his line-out throwing was good and his leadership superb in a memorable win for the men from Bloemfontein.

1 Ben Franks (Hurricanes) - Was psyched up to face his former team-mates and it showed in his performance. Got through plenty of work in the tight and loose and just shaded his bother, Owen, in their battle at the scrums. Stormers youngster Steven Kitshoff was also impressive.

By David Skippers

Comments

nickarus says...

I didn't watch the Kings game but I would have given a mention to George Smith. He was absolutely everywhere, not only pilfering and slowing the ball down but making big tackles, leading the defence, playing scrumhalf and always supporting. I'll admit I am biased but if you watch the highlights he's in nearly every play. More of a Richie style number 7 then a Pocock style which should be thought about heading into the Lions series

Posted 15:41 12th March 2013

KingShark says...

You can pick anybody but if you don't have Jannie and Beast as your props, your team is invalid. Jafta might have tried to even the battle with his whistle but the Sharks' props dominated in all three encounters where they featured.

Posted 10:43 12th March 2013

carpelone says...

@ malaprade

You are right, would rather name the department of the week.

Posted 10:22 12th March 2013

tha_mai says...

ben7 - 'only one of their teams won'

you don't recognise individual performances? eg Poki scoring three tries on a losing side; anyway, Franks/Savea were on a winning side.

Posted 10:17 12th March 2013

ben7 says...

1 Bulls player? are you kidding me?

Posted 09:36 12th March 2013

stumpy says...

Incredible for Mogg. Before Super rugby started, he would have had Ashley Cooper, Beale, O Connor, and perhaps even the likes of Barnes and Folau ahead of him for Wallaby status against the Lions. Mogg's performances have forced his way into the team and surely Deans will have to shuffle his backline to fit Mogg in.

Posted 23:25 11th March 2013

turboboy says...

For me Ranger needs to develop his game more (and moving overseas is not where to do it) and doesn't deserve the 13 spot from the weekend. He only seems to shift the ball straight away or tuck it under his arm and take them on which makes him predictable unlike the Smiths (Ben and Conrad) and De Villiers who can all take it to the line and distribute/make decisions. He seems to already have his mind made up when he gets the ball instead of seeing what is in front and around him

Posted 23:16 11th March 2013

malaprade says...

@carpelone.

The souties choice as usual. The Bulls have been brilliant but only one player on the list. Rugby is a team sport and the best team will take the cup again. Trying to pick individuals for their contributions gives a warped impression of average talent in the team.

Posted 22:03 11th March 2013

ben7 says...

Wheres aplon and ebersohn? Not sure why there are 5 kiwis seeing that only one of their teams won this weekend

Posted 21:47 11th March 2013

JayStarr says...

@ bloemboy: I wouldn't have minded if they were all Cheetahs! But only 14 of them - Daniller didn't have any work to do the whole night! Absolutely brilliant performance. I hope they keep it up! (Just not against the Stormers...)

Posted 20:56 11th March 2013

JayStarr says...

Good team! Not perfect - can never be - but other than one or two, agree with most of them!

Jesse Mogg is one of my new favourite players - that guy has such great vision and is so deceptively fast... wow!... He's been an absolute pleasure to watch this season. Kade Poki did brilliantly in a team that was under immense pressure. Rene Ranger scored a try that only Rene Ranger could've scored - AMAZING ! Julian Savea is just getting scary good now... Johan Goosen and Sarel Pretorius are starting to find their mojo again - what an incredible combination they are bound to form! And, after so much criticism from my side, hats off to Pierre Spies - for the first time since 2007 you looked like SPIES again! Keep it up.

Posted 20:54 11th March 2013

Tails81 says...

I'm liking the look of Mogg at the moment! That pace, his willingness to have a go, and that booming left foot clearing kick of his would be a great asset for my Wallabies. Still it will be good to see him against some quality opposition in South Africa.

P.S. Does he remind anyone else of Chris Latham with his frame and style of play?

Posted 19:46 11th March 2013

Isograford says...

If there's any justice the NZ selectors will take the blinkers off about Owen Franks this season, who's been treading water for a couple of years now, and put the bigger, meaner and generally more useful Ben Afeaki in at 3 instead.

Actually both Franks brothers should be anywhere near a Black jersey this year.

Posted 18:44 11th March 2013

Jensrsa says...

"Johan Goosen (Cheetahs) - .... and did well to unleash his dangerous outside backs. "

Try 1: Interplay between Sarel Pretorius and Lappies Labuschagne

Try 2: Charge down by Robert Ebersohn

Try 3: Intercept

Apart from his goal kicking and some up and unders Goosen had a relatively quite day spent mainly on defence where he missed 36% of his tackles. The Cheetahs playmaker was Sarel Pretorius with most of the attacking work done by the forwards.

What did he actually do to deserve this pick. Aaron Cruden had a more influential game so to did Beauden Barrett and Elton Jantjies

Posted 18:43 11th March 2013

chubbylugs says...

is there a stats trend seeping in to rugby where you are only judged to have played well if you have made x metres or made x tackles? we'll be talking about sacking the scrum half before we know it

Posted 17:44 11th March 2013

mrbligh says...

I would have definitely taken Gill's performance over van der Walt's. Well picked team though.

Posted 16:33 11th March 2013

Terry_English says...

I think it was a weekend of structured and powerful forward play overcoming brilliant back play. I agree with most of the selection but Ben Franks at loosehead is a strange choice.

Posted 15:06 11th March 2013

MaoriAsh says...

What about Aplon?

Posted 15:04 11th March 2013

carpelone says...

Far too many Kiwis and Aussies.

Posted 13:34 11th March 2013

Trinats2 says...

About right, but I'd have Gill at 7.

Posted 13:28 11th March 2013

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