Super Rugby Team of the Week

After the second round of Super Rugby, it's time for us to take a look at which players stood head and shoulders above the rest.

After the second round of Super Rugby, it's time for us to take a look at which players stood head and shoulders above the rest.

It's no surprise that the Highlanders dominate our selections this week following their well earned win over the Crusaders, with a total of four players.

The Chiefs, Bulls, Waratahs, Reds and Stormers all have two representatives while the Sharks grab hold of a loose forward spot.

15 Robbie Robinson (Chiefs): In wet and slippery conditions, the former Highlander was a ray of sunshine for the Chiefs as he bust through tackles to set up two tries for his team-mates. With conditions heavy underfoot, Robinson's pace took the Blues – and us – by surprise.

14 Akona Ndungane (Bulls): The former Bok winger didn't add his name to the Bulls' scoresheet, but didn't have to cross the whitewash to prove he had a good game. Ndungane hardly put a foot wrong, and proved to be quite a handful for the Cheetahs with ball in hand – putting Zane Kirchner over for one of the visitors' six tries.

13 Ben Tapuai (Reds): The Reds centre was a constant threat on attack in wet conditions, and made the most of his opportunities which included a scintillating try after tippy-toeing down the sideline in a 40m run to touch down in the corner. By far one of the best backs for the Queenslanders in the past two rounds.

12 Tom Carter (Waratahs): Couldn't settle for just one try, so bagged himself another. Carter was at the centre of much of the on-field niggle during the game in Melbourne, but got his own back where it hurt the Rebels the most.

11 Hosea Gear (Highlanders): He was quiet in Round One, but stepped up a gear (sorry, ed!) against the Crusaders, making himself an instant hero with Highlanders fans after diving over for the match-winning try. The stadium clock may have been malfunctioning, but the All Black speedster was ticking along nicely.

10 Mike Harris (Reds): Harris was once again a standout for the defending champs and continued his immaculate form with the boot to kick nine from nine against the Force in a display that takes his career kicking tally to a perfect 24 from 24 in Super Rugby.

9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Chiefs): Following the lengthy injury to first-choice scrum-half Brendon Leonard, Kerr-Barlow took his opportunity well in Hamilton with some sweet option taking and a crisp delivery that had the Chiefs backs running confidently at their much-vaunted opponents. In short, Kerr-Barlow did everything asked of him and more.

8 Nick Koster (Stormers): Tough one this – with Nasi Manu, Wycliff Palu, Victor Vito and Radike Samo all proving to be a thorn in their oppositions' backside, however we felt Koster's Trojan defence in a tight tussle with the Sharks was worthy enough of a place in our XV.

7 John Hardie (Highlanders): If nobody outside of New Zealand knew the name John Hardie, they sure as heck do now. The loose forward got stuck into everything and didn't slip into neutral until he was strangely subbed for James Haskell in the second half.

6 Marcell Coetzee (Sharks): He played with a different number on his back for the Sharks but in South Africa the blindside wears No.7, so Coetzee gets the nod. It was a busy evening for the Sharks loosie – slamming into rucks and tackles constantly, getting to his feet and looking for the next target without barely breaking a sweat.

5 Nick Croswell (Highlanders): Had big boots to fill in the absence of the injured Jarrad Hoeata, but has done an admirable job thus far deputising at lock.

4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers): The Stormers young gun retains his place from last week after another impressive performance at Newlands. The 20-year-old has taken his chance with both hands while first-choice lock Rynhardt Elstadt recovers from an ankle injury.

3 Sekope Kepu (Waratahs): A few tightheads put their hand up in Round Two, but in the end we thought the Waratahs hardman put in a solid all-round performance. A strong scrummager who loves to mix things up in the loose and not afraid to have a go with ball in hand. Bagged a try for his efforts.

2 Andrew Hore (Highlanders): It looks like Hore has settled in nicely with his new team. Last week, Hore's replacement got the nod, this week though the decision was unanimous. Arguably one of the best outings in a long while for the veteran.

1 Dean Greyling (Bulls): Another player to keep his place from last week. Greyling is a workaholic on the pitch, and makes an impact from start to finish.

Team of Round One: 15 Joe Pietersen (Stormers), 14 Dom Shipperley (Reds), 13 Rene Ranger (Blues), 12 Tamati Ellison (Highlanders), 11 Israel Dagg (Crusaders), 10 Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), 9 Sarel Pretorius (Waratahs), 8 Jerome Kaino (Blues), 7 Derick Minnie (Lions), 6 Adam Thomson (Highlanders), 5 Juandré Kruger (Bulls), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 Ben Franks (Crusaders), 2 Jason Rutledge (Highlanders), 1 Dean Greyling (Bulls).