Club Pro580 posts
14 Apr 2014, 18:38
#1
14 Apr 2014, 18:38#1
There is another good spread in our famous weekly Super Rugby selection, but it is the Western Force that steals the spotlight.
Nick Cummins, the self-titled Honey Badger, is one of three Force players in our starting XV - with no other team able to get more.
While Cummins opted to use the handle Honey Badger because of the gritty animal's ferocious defensive abilities, the flying left wing was pouncing more like a Cheetah in getting his hat-trick to help the Force to an unprecedented fifth consecutive win.
Other teams to get a good look-in this week include the Sharks and Brumbies, with three each.
The Crusaders, after their fine come-from-behind win in Bloemfontein, provide two members of our starting XV. The Highlanders, Chiefs, Rebels and Cheetahs make up the numbers.
There is more reward for the Force in our back-up squad, with three more men from Perth bubbling under.
The Chiefs (four) and Cheetahs (three) are also well represented in our back-up selection, with the Highlanders (two), Sharks, Crusaders and Bulls (one each) making up the numbers.
For the third week in a row no players return from last week.
Team of the Week - Round Nine:
15 - Lwazi Mvovo (Sharks):
It appears more and more to have been a Jake White masterstroke to have moved him to fullback.
Bubbling under: Willie le Roux (Cheetahs)
14 - Joe Tomane (Brumbies):
His ability to beat defenders and make valuable metres for his team got him our vote.
Bubbling under: Cornal Hendricks (Cheetahs)
13 - Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders):
Made the Bulls' famed midfielders look decidedly ordinary.
Bubbling under: Johann Sadie (Cheetahs)
12 - Bundee Aki (Chiefs):
He made headlines on attack, but was equally impressive on defence.
Bubbling under: Frans Steyn (Sharks)
11 - Nick Cummins (Western Force):
There is only one Honey Badger!
Bubbling under: Patrick Osborne (Highlanders)
10 - Colin Slade (Crusaders):
He ran the show, literally.
Bubbling under: Gareth Anscombe (Chiefs)
9 - Nic White (Brumbies):
It was a tough call to make, but White just edged Alby Mathewson with the addition of his goal-kicking.
Bubbling under: Alby Mathewson (Western Force)
8 - Kieran Read (Crusaders):
When the team needed someone to rally, Read provided the direction.
Bubbling under: Ben McCalman (Western Force)
7 - Matt Hodgson (Western Force):
It was a weekend for inspirational leadership.
Bubbling under: Matt Todd (Crusaders)
6 - Angus Cottrell (Western Force):
It was another close call, with Cottrell's higher tackle count allowing him to edge Gareth Evans.
Bubbling under: Gareth Evans (Highlanders)
5 - Luke Jones (Rebels):
He went up against one of the tournament's form locks and emerged with his reputation enhanced.
Bubbling under: Brodie Retallick (Chiefs)
4 - Lodewyk de Jager (Cheetahs):THIS GUY...WATCH THIS SPACE!!!!
One of the few Cheetahs who have managed to maintain his standards.
Bubbling under: Michael Fitzgerald (Chiefs)
3 - Ben Alexander (Brumbies):
Had a field day against a very ordinary Reds scrum.
Bubbling under: Ben Tameifuna (Chiefs)
2 - Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks):
His petulance sometimes distracts from the great game he plays.
Bubbling under: Nathan Charles (Western Force)
1 - Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks):
He is getting his 'Beast' back.
Bubbling under: Dean Greyling (Bulls)
