Team of the Week: Super Rugby, Round 5

With the fifth round of Super Rugby’s matches now a thing of the past, it’s time to work out which players excelled over the weekend.

The Waratahs lead the way with three representatives in our team after their impressive win over the Rebels while the Chiefs, Reds, Stormers and Highlanders are next best with two players each.

15 Damian McKenzie (Chiefs): Showed a great step off his left foot to bamboozle Kriel and free up Lienert-Brown in the build-up to Retallick’s try. Made eight tackle busts with three offloads from his 83 metres. Kicked well off the tee, too. Meanwhile, Warrick Gelant was excellent for the Bulls, notching up a try as well as an assist.

14  Hosea Saumaki (Sunwolves): The Tongan tearaway scored one of the tries of the season on Saturday, evading three Lions defenders out on the left touchline to notch up a superb solo effort. The right winger made more metres (168) and beat more defenders (11) in total than any other player on the weekend. The Bulls’ Divan Rossouw and Stormers’ JJ Engelbrecht also deserve a mention.

13 Jesse Kriel (Bulls): Ran great support lines for his teammates, always on hand to link up the play. Lovely inside pop pass for Ismaiel in the build up to Gelant’s try and created two further tries for Rossouw and Pollard. Beat four defenders. Elsewhere, Chris Feauai-Sautia and Lalakai Foketi impressed for the Reds and Waratahs respectively.

12 Kurtley Beale (Waratahs): Beale was involved in almost every try, adding a touch of genius to the Tahs’ backline. Came away with two try assists. Showed excellent range of passing and wasn’t afraid to take the ball up either with 12 carries. Elsewhere, Johnny Fa’auli scored a try and set up another for the Chiefs.

11 Taqele Naiyaravoro (Waratahs): Fantastic impact off the bench, scoring two magnificent tries, the second very similar to Saumaki’s effort for the Sunwolves and also a contender for try of the season. Elsewhere, Tevita Li was in fine form for the Highlanders as they toppled the Crusaders, beating eight defenders for his 117 metres.

10 Bernard Foley (Waratahs): Commanding match-winning display as the Wallaby fly-half racked up 21 points. His understanding with Beale was almost telepathic as that axis ignited the Tahs’ backline time and time again, allowing for their more explosive outside backs to flourish. Meanwhile, the Stormers’ Damian Willemse as well as the Brumbies’ Wharenui Hawera also caught the eye.

9 Aaron Smith (Highlanders): Was electric to the breakdown and his passing was crisp as usual. Decision-making excellent. Made some sniping darts, one of which led to a try. The Bulls’ Embrose Papier did a sterling job as an 18th-minute replacement. Made a scintillating break and offload to set Kriel away in the lead-up to Pollard’s try.

8 Caleb Timu (Reds): Was one of the Reds’ standout performers in an impressive victory over the Jaguares in Buenos Aires. Timu was brilliant on attack, gaining a team-high 62 metres from 12 runs with two clean breaks and five defenders beaten. Was also superb on defence and made 18 tackles which was more than any other player in that match. He beats out the Rebels’ Amanaki Mafi.

7 Siya Kolisi (Stormers): The Stormers captain led by example as his side ended a three-match losing streak against the Blues in Cape Town. The Springbok tearaway made an impact with ball in hand, gaining 60 metres from 10 carries with three clean breaks, one defender beaten and two offloads. Also put in some big hits on defence and edges out Waratahs skipper Michael Hooper.

6 Elliot Dixon (Highlanders): Came on as a replacement in the first half for the injured Liam Squire and hit the ground running in the Highlanders’ win over the Crusaders in Dunedin. Dixon fronted up as a ball carrier to make 51 metres from seven runs with one clean break and four defenders beaten. The Stormers’ Pieter-Steph du Toit and Lachlan McCaffrey of the Brumbies also played well.

5 Matt Philip (Rebels): Even though he finished on the losing side against the Waratahs, Philip came to the fore with a solid display and edges out the Highlanders’ Tom Franklin, who did well on defence against the Crusaders. Philip gets the nod though as he was a willing ball carrier and finished with a try for his efforts. Also did his bit on defence, making six tackles

4 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs): The All Blacks stalwart showed why he is arguably the best lock in the world with an outstanding performance in the Chiefs’ triumph over the Bulls in Hamilton. Scored two tries with his second one particularly impressive after beating several defenders on a 40 metre run. Eventually gained 59 metres from 12 carries with three clean breaks, six defenders beaten and three offloads. Izack Rodda of the Reds also caught the eye.

3 Taniela Tupou (Reds): The young Wallaby was at the forefront of the Reds’ forward challenge against the Jaguares. Stood his man in the scrums but also shone with ball in hand and eventually gained 20 metres from five runs with a clean break and one defender beaten. Also did well on defence with six tackles and beats out Stormers hardman Wilco Louw.

2 Malcolm Marx (Lions): The Lions were given a scare against the Sunwolves in Johannesburg but Marx was still one of the best players on the park ad delivered a fine all-round effort. The Bok hooker was his usual busy self on attack and crossed the whitewash on two occasions. Was also impressive on defence and eventually made 10 tackles. Elsewhere, Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Ramone Samuels impressed for the Reds and Stormers respectively.

1 Steven Kitshoff (Stormers): The Springbok was one of his side’s best players and gave his all against the Blues at Newlands. Kitshoff was solid in the scrums, put his body on the line on defence with seven tackles and also did well on attack, gaining 20 metres from 10 runs with one clean break and five defenders beaten. Aki Seiuli also played well for the Highlanders.