International Team of the Week: ‘Exquisite’ Beauden Barrett rewarded as Ireland and All Blacks dominate backline

After a thrilling Saturday of Test rugby in the Southern Hemisphere, here is your Planet Rugby Team of the Week, with some tough selection calls all over the board.

Backs

15 Beauden Barrett (New Zealand): Absolutely exquisite from a master of running rugby, he changed the course of the Test match. A shout out for Jamie Osborne, massive in the humidity of the Shark Tank in Durban, whilst Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu looked a class act for the Boks in opposition.

14 Andrew Kellaway (Australia): A moment of brilliance from the Wallaby flyer saw one of the tries of the season. Immanual Feyi-Waboso impressed once again as he looks a Test superstar in the making for England, whilst France’s Theo Attissogbe also impressed our selectors.

13 Jesse Kriel (South Africa): He and Garry Ringrose had a great duel in the outside centre berth as both men contributed well for their respective countries. France’s Emilien Gailleton also impressed as he crossed for a great solo try and could have had another when brought down short of the line.

12 Jordie Barrett (New Zealand): Huge in defence, direct in attack and intelligent in leadership, Barrett had another impressive outing alongside his two brothers. Damian de Allende was huge in defence against Ireland, whilst Hunter Paisami delivered an impressive shift for the Wallabies as they just got over the line against a doughty Welsh performance.

11 Mark Tele’a (New Zealand): Absolutely brilliant. His ability to beat players in chaotic traffic is his superpower and his performance in Auckland alongside Beauden Barrett was match winning. A shout out to Rio Dyer who scored an impressive solo effort for Wales, with Tommy Freeman also enjoying a fine outing for England. Duhan van der Merwe was physical for Scotland as he crossed yet again as the men in blue hammered the USA.

10 of the week’s top performers including ‘sensational’ All Black veteran and Ireland

10 Ciaran Frawley (Ireland): Only on for 21 minutes but turned the game in Durban with a match-winning brace of drop goals. Absolutely massive for the men in green, taking this week’s shirt from England’s Marcus Smith, who again provided moments of magic for England as he created two tries from nothing.

9 Conor Murray (Ireland): A masterful display of base kicking, spiky handling and dealing with scrappy scrum ball, the veteran made a huge difference to Ireland’s exit and continuity. Baptiste Serin was superb for France, crossing once again, whilst Argentina’s Lautaro Bazan Velez has one of the slickest services in the game with a massive pass. Keiran Hardy also needs a shout out for his impact in a good week for the number nines.

Forwards

8 Caelan Doris (Ireland): He was lucky to stay on the pitch after a shocking croc roll on Malcolm Marx but other than that, the Irish skipper was mountainous both sides of the ball. New Zealand’s Ardie Savea once again did so much grunt work, whilst Ben Earl hammered 23 carries for England in a tireless performance. Matt Fagerson put in an impressive shift for the Scots at Audi Field.

7 Fraser McReight (Australia): A really hard call for our selectors as test centurion Pablo Matera was outstanding for Los Pumas and Peter O’Mahony made a massive impact when replacing Josh van der Flier for Ireland. But McReight was impressive both sides of the ball and had a hand in the try of the weekend, so he takes the shirt.

6 Tadhg Beirne (Ireland): His shift to the blindside was a big part of Ireland’s improvement and we had to toss a coin between him and his opposite number, Pieter-Steph du Toit, who was absolutely relentless in a losing cause – the big man dug deep but it wasn’t enough. A big shout out to Rob Valetini and James Botham who went head to head for Australia v Wales, whilst France’s Lenni Nouchi underlined why he’s so highly rated as he put in a massive display in defeat against Los Pumas.

5 Eben Etzebeth (South Africa): Insane work-rate at the coalface as he combined brilliant rugby intellect with peerless physicality. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto was very close to taking the shirt this week as he delivered an impressive display. James Ryan was lucky to stay on the pitch after his part in the croc roll on Marx but other than that, he delivered a big performance against the world champions.

4 Maro Itoje (England): 60 minutes of brilliance, but his discipline for the last 20 needs to improve. Nevertheless, Itoje is back to his huge and brilliant best. Christ Tshiunza looked far more comfortable at lock for Wales as he really pressured the Wallaby lineout with his athleticism and intellect.

3 Eduardo Bello (Argentina): Birthday boy Bello had a memorable day, crossing for a try and smashing the French scrum to pieces on a couple of occasions as Los Pumas held on against Les Bleus. Archie Griffin again impressed in only his second professional start for Wales, whilst Tyrel Lomax was in fine fettle for the All Blacks.

2 Dewi Lake (Wales): Absolutely inspirational for Warren Gatland’s men as the Welsh hooker crossed twice in a huge personal performance as a leader. Scotland’s Ewan Ashman grabbed a hat-trick off the back of his forwards’ efforts in their win against the USA whilst France’s Gaetan Berlot also caught our eye.

1 Ox Nche (South Africa): We argued long and hard in our selection meeting as Los Pumas’ Thomas Gallo was game changing with his two tries against France, but given the stakes in Durban, Nche’s 21 tackles and countless carries, together with his scrummaging, just sees him nick the shirt off Gallo. Scotland’s Pierre Schoeman also impressed us with his powerful carrying, whilst once again, Ireland’s Andrew Porter emptied the tank around the park in Durban.

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