The following from Planet Rugby:-
15 Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes): Produced his best performance for some time as the ‘Canes hammered their New Zealand rivals in Wellington. Scored the hosts’ first two tries against the Chiefs with fine finishes and then assisted two more with a neat pass and a superb run and off-load. With Damian McKenzie cruelly ruled out of the World Cup, Barrett showed that he is getting back to his best and could be the man Steve Hansen turns to in September after making a staggering 196 metres on Saturday, which included four clean breaks.
14 Sevu Reece (Crusaders): A potential bolter for the All Blacks’ squad after putting his off-field troubles behind him to produce a series of excellent displays for the defending champions. Was a constant menace to the Lions rearguard and was rewarded for his efforts by touching down twice on Friday. Elsewhere, Sebastian Cancelliere went well for the Jaguares but Reece, after making 86 metres and four clean breaks, deservedly takes the position.
13 Braydon Ennor (Crusaders): Has excelled in a slick Crusaders outfit and it would not be a shock should he feature in the upcoming Rugby Championship. Has outstanding pace and is a wonderfully balanced runner but, in the mould of team-mates Ryan Crotty and Jack Goodhue, also has superb game-awareness. Ran for over 100 metres, scored a try and set-up George Bridge’s second score with a stunning break. The ever-impressive Lukhanyo Am once again played well for the Sharks but Ennor comfortably gets into the XV.
12 Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs): Whatever the Chiefs do, be it win or lose heavily – as they did against the Hurricanes – the All Black centre always plays well. Similar to Ennor, the main qualities you notice are his athletic traits but it’s his decision-making which sets him apart. Often has time on the ball and, as a result, creates space for both himself and others. On Friday, he made 85 metres, which included two clean breaks and eight defenders beaten, meaning the 24-year-old edges out opposite number Ngani Laumape and the Sharks’ Andre Esterhuizen.
11 Dillyn Leyds (Stormers): Tough on the Highlanders’ Tevita Li, who was in stunning form as they thrashed the Sunwolves but, in a tight match, Leyds was arguably the decisive factor for the Cape Town outfit. The talented wing created their final try for Hershel Jantjies with a searing run and sprinted for 104 metres in total, which included four clean breaks, as he gets in over Li and the Crusaders’ George Bridge.
10 Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes): The two-time World Player of the Year is a regular in this XV and for good reason. Underplayed his hand this week but was no less effective as the Wellington side thrashed their North Island rivals. Controlled the match well and was once again a threat with ball in hand, making 45 metres, while he also did his bit on defence. As a result Josh Ioane, who continues to show promise at the Highlanders, just misses out.
9 TJ Perenara (Hurricanes): A battle between the two All Blacks scrum-halves, with the Highlanders’ Aaron Smith also impressing, but Perenara just edges it following a fine display against the Chiefs. His passing was sharp at the base of the ruck while his support lines and running game was typically excellent. Finished well late on in the first half to extend the Hurricanes’ advantage before he sent Jordie Barrett clear in the second period, which led to Ardie Savea crossing the whitewash.
8 Dan du Preez (Sharks): The Springbok back-row was one of the standout players for the Sharks in their first away victory against the Waratahs in 19 years. Du Preez proved a handful on attack as he gained 30 metres from 10 carries which included two clean breaks, three defenders beaten, an offload and also crossed the whitewash. Also shone on defence with 11 hits and edges out Kieran Read of the Crusaders.
7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes): On current form the All Blacks tearaway is one of the best players in the competition and he played an influential role in the Hurricanes’ derby win over the Chiefs in Wellington. Savea scored an important try and was particularly effective on defence where he made a game-high 17 tackles. He also did well on attack where he made 39 metres from six runs with two clean breaks, five defenders beaten and an offload.
6 Pablo Matera (Jaguares): The Jaguares claimed an important victory over the Brumbies in Buenos Aires and Matera played a leading role for his side. The Argentina international had a busy day with ball in hand, gaining 44 metres from 19 runs, and also did his bit on defence where he made eight tackles. Comes in ahead of Jean-Luc du Preez of the Sharks.
5 Tom Franklin (Highlanders): Was part of a brilliant all-round effort which helped his team notch a half-century of points in a one-sided triumph against the Sunwolves in Tokyo. Franklin finished with 41 metres gained from 13 carries with four clean breaks, five defenders beaten, an offload and also scored one of his side’s tries.
4 Cobus Wiese (Stormers): The utility forward is equally at home on the side of the scrum but he caught the eye with an excellent display in the Stormers engine room in a narrow win over the Bulls at Newlands. Wiese ran hard for 50 minutes – before being replaced by Eben Etzebeth – and gained 39 metres from eight runs with one clean break, five defenders beaten and also managed three offloads.
3 Thomas du Toit (Sharks): Angus Ta’avao gets a mention after a solid shift in a losing cause against the Hurricanes but it’s the Springbok who gets the nod after impressing in a memorable win over the Waratahs. He was yellow carded for his role in an altercation with Jed Holloway, which saw the latter receive a red card, but Du Toit did well in the tight exchanges, especially in defence, where he made nine hits.
2 Codie Taylor (Crusaders): The All Blacks hooker was at the forefront of an excellent forward effort in his side’s victory over the Lions in Christchurch. Taylor did well in the execution of his core duties, especially accurate throw-ins at the lineouts, which was used as an attacking launchpad by the nine-time champions. Gained 21 metres on attack from eight runs and finished with a try assist after a deft offload to George Bridge. Liam Coltman of the Highlanders was next best.
1 Lizo Gqoboka (Bulls): One of the Bulls’ unsung heroes, Gqoboka has cemented his place in the Pretoria-based franchise’s starting line-up with several fine performances and, despite finishing on the losing side against the Stormers, he was one of his side’s standout performers. Impressed with ball in hand where he gained 48 metres from six carries, including one clean break and four defenders beaten. Also defended well and completed seven tackles.
Mozart will hate the above with a vengeance - his heroes Snyman and Vermeulen he praised never even got a mention.
The dominant lock on Saturday was not Snyman - but as I stated clearly Wiese, Why does he reminds me of Bakkies Botha - the only difference is that Wiese apparently can actually think.
