Team of the Week: Super Rugby, Round 16

With the dust having settled on Round 16 of Super Rugby, we have gone through the action to pick out the best players from the past weekend.

The Chiefs and Brumbies lead the way with three representatives apiece after their impressive wins, so without further ado here is our side.

Team of the Week: Super Rugby, Round 16

15 Solomon Alaimolo (Chiefs): Sparked that outstanding Chiefs fightback with a wonderful solo try from inside his own half in Suva and went on to finish with an eye-watering 191 running metres from 15 carries against the Crusaders. Alaimolo sees off the Sunwolves’ Semisi Masirewa, who impressed in defeat with a try, two assists and 111 running metres, and Kurtley Beale of the Waratahs.

14 Santiago Carreras (Jaguares): The 21-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough performance against the Reds, with the first of his two tries a joy to watch as he chipped over the top of the final defender. The Jaguares are full of confidence right now and wing Carreras typified that as he sees off Sevu Reece and Cornal Hendricks of the Chiefs and Bulls respectively, both scoring decent tries.

13 Lionel Mapoe (Lions): A standout performer in the Lions’ victory over the Stormers, Mapoe rolled back the years as he was involved in all that was good about this team performance. He made 88 metres with ball in hand and seemed to pop up everywhere as an option for those around him, seeing off the Chiefs’ Anton Lienert-Brown as our 13. Could he make a late push for World Cup squad selection?

12 Irae Simone (Brumbies): Speaking of excellent midfield performances, Simone was outstanding for the Brumbies and played his best game of the Super Rugby season to date. Such a handful when he attacks the line, Simone scored a try and made another, finishing with four defenders beaten against the Sunwolves. Alex Nankivell (Chiefs) and Ngani Laumape (Hurricanes) receive deserved mentions.

11 Marika Koroibete (Rebels): Aphiwe Dyantyi gets a nod of approval for his efforts in Lions colours but there was only one winner of our 11 shirt as Koroibete stole the show on Friday. The Rebels man finished with 112 metres and looked a genuine threat every time he touched the ball against the Waratahs. If he maintains this kind of form then a strong personal World Cup campaign is on the cards.

10 Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes): A tough call on Jaguares fly-half Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, who was excellent as his side continued their winning streak over the weekend. Bonilla’s game management and handling had the Reds in all kinds of bother as he finished with eight points. However, Barrett’s virtuoso showing sees him edge this one as he ended with two try assists and 15 points off the tee.

9 Joe Powell (Brumbies): An all-action performance from the Wallaby as he was in the thick of it, both in attack and defence. He won breakdown penalties, marshalled his team superbly and set up a try to see off the challenge from Brad Weber (Chiefs), who is enjoying a purple patch of form right now. A mention also goes to Jaguares scrum-half Felipe Ezcurra, who also impressed in Round 16.

8 Kwagga Smith (Lions): Pita Gus Sowakula and Akira Ioane impressed for the Chiefs and Blues respectively but we’ve opted for the Lions tearaway, who played a prominent role in his side’s triumph over the Stormers in Johannesburg. Two-try Smith caught the eye with ball in hand and eventually gained 71 metres from 11 runs with three clean breaks and four defenders beaten. He also made 12 hits on defence.

7 Sam Cane (Chiefs): His remarkable comeback from a broken neck continued as he was at the forefront of the Chiefs’ onslaught in a memorable win over the Crusaders in Suva. Cane took the fight to the champions with his leadership skills particularly impressive while he also slowed the Crusaders’ ball down intelligently. He also defended well, making 12 tackles and comes in ahead of All Blacks rival Ardie Savea of the Hurricanes and the Lions’ Vincent Tshituka.

6 Johan du Toit (Stormers): Came into the Stormers’ run-on side as a replacement for his injured older brother, Springbok Pieter-Steph, and gave a good account of himself despite finishing on the losing side against the Lions. Du Toit impressed on attack, gaining 54 metres from eight runs which included three clean breaks, two defenders beaten and he also scored a well-taken try. Beats out Whetu Douglas, who also shone in a losing cause for the Crusaders in Hamilton.

5 RG Snyman (Bulls): The Springbok second-row is fast gaining a reputation for his ability to offload in contact and that skill came in handy when he got a pass out to Hanro Liebenberg, who crossed for a deserved try in the Bulls’ draw with the Blues in Auckland. Snyman also did his bit in the lineouts and on defence where he completed 11 tackles.

4 Scott Barrett (Crusaders): Matt Philip played well for the Rebels in their defeat to the Waratahs but we could not ignore Barrett, who was outstanding for the Crusaders against the Chiefs. The All Blacks utility forward ran hard, gaining 51 metres on attack from seven carries which included one clean break and a defender beaten. Barrett also defended well and made 10 hits.

3 Ofa Tuungafasi (Blues): The All Blacks front-row delivered a strong all-round performance in his side’s draw with the Bulls at Eden Park and beats out Nepo Laulala of the Chiefs and the Lions’ Carlu Sadie. Tuungafasi was solid in the scrums but also impressed with his attacking play, making 18 metres, and was rewarded with a well-taken try.

2 Connal McInerney (Brumbies): Springboks hooker Malcolm Marx was in fine form for the Lions against the Stormers at Ellis Park but McInerney’s excellent performance for the Brumbies against the Sunwolves could not be ignored. The 24-year-old came off the bench at half-time in Tokyo and promptly scored a hat-trick of tries. McInerney also did his bit on defence where he made seven tackles.

1 Atu Moli (Chiefs): The 23-year-old makes our team for the second successive week after another fine performance. Moli was one of the Chiefs’ heroes as they stunned the Crusaders in Suva and his 15-metre pass to the left in the build-up to one of the Chiefs’ tries will live long in the memory. He also performed well in his core duties and beats out the Bulls’ Lizo Gqoboka.