IN THE SPOTLIGHT: AFTER THEIR IMPRESSIVE 36-32 AWAY WIN OVER THE CHIEFS IN HAMILTON, IT IS NO SURPRISE THAT THE LIONS DOMINATE RUGBY365'S FAMOUS SELECTION FOR ROUND TWO OF SUPER RUGBY.
The Johannesburg-based team has five players in our starting XV, while the Highlanders, Crusaders and Stormers have two players each.
The Chiefs, Hurricanes, Sharks and Brumbies are also represented with one player each in the starting team.
For the second week in a row, Ben Smith is our fullback. Ruan Combrinck and Nemani Nadolo complete back three.
Charlie Ngatai and Matt Toomua were contenders again for inside centre and again Ngatai gets the nod. There were four different selections for outside centre with Malakai Fekitoa ultimately slotting in at No.13.
We have an all Lions halfback pairing with Elton Jantjies and Francois de Klerk. Their teammate and captain Warren Whiteley got our vote at No.8.
Ardie Savea and Marcell Coetzee complete the loose trio after their impressive showings.
Stormers duo, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Eben Etzebeth, are our selections for the second row. Owen Franks, Malcom Marx and Scott Sio make up our front row.
Team of the Week - Round One:
15 - Ben Smith (Highlanders)
He was marked man this weekend, but still managed to find space in the Hurricanes defence. He was also solid on defence when it mattered.
Bubbling under: Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)
14 - Ruan Combrinck (Lions)
The Chiefs defence looked like Swiss cheese at times when Combrinck had ball in hand. He also scored a great try in the second half.
Bubbling under: Matías Orlando (Jaguares)
13 - Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders)
He put up his hand for that All Blacks No.13 jersey with his strong ball carrying and solid defence. He put in try-saving tackle on Cory Jane and got his team's only try of the game.
Bubbling under: Lionel Mapoe (Lions)
12 - Charlie Ngatai (Chiefs)
The 25-year-old exposed the weaknesses in the Lions defence with his vision and strong running. He is starting to form a lethal combination with Seta Tamanivalu.
Bubbling under: Matt Toomua (Brumbies)
11 - Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders)
Got his team over the advantage line on a number of occasions with his powerful bursts and also set up a crucial try for his team late on in their win over the Blues.
Bubbling under: Joe Tomane (Brumbies)
10 - Elton Jantjies (Lions)
He was absolutely brilliant against the Chiefs. He orchestrated the Lions attack and controlled the game nicely with his decision making.
Bubbling under: Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies)
9 - Francois de Klerk (Lions)
His snappy service from the breakdown ensured the Lions had quick ball on attack - his decision making also took some of the pressure off Jantjies.
Bubbling under: Tomás Cubelli (Brumbies)
8 - Warren Whiteley (Lions)
The captain put in an incredible amount of work around the park against the Chiefs. He carried the ball with aggression and made some big hits on defence. He also scored one of his team's four tries.
Bubbling under: Kieran Read (Crusaders)
7 - Ardie Savea (Hurricanes)
Was his team's best player this weekend. His speed and physicality caused a few problems for the Highlanders and also kept himself busy in defence as well.
Bubbling under: Warwick Tecklenburg (Lions)
6 - Marcell Coetzee (Sharks)
Tackled like a demon and made quite a few metres with ball in hand against the Jaguares. It was an awesome display by the Springbok.
Bubbling under: Jaco Kriel (Lions)
5 - Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers)
He was a nuisance in the line-outs, stealing the ball on a few occasions on the Cheetahs throw-in. He also carried the ball with great intent.
Bubbling under: Lodewyk de Jager (Cheetahs)
4 - Eben Etzebeth (Stormers)
Was a master in the line-outs. He stole a few balls on the Cheetahs throw-ins and won his battle with Springbok teammate and SA Player of the Year, Lodewyk de Jager, in that area of the game.
Bubbling under: Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues)
3 - Owen Franks (Crusaders)
He is pillar of strength in the scrums and also looked for work in open play, especially in the physical exchanges.
Bubbling under: Julian Redelinghuys (Lions)
2 - Malcom Marx (Lions)
It's not often you see a South African hooker make more than one clean break in match. He was brilliant with ball in hand and got over the advantage line more often than not. He scored a try as well!
Bubbling under: Stephen Moore (Brumbies)
1 - Scott Sio (Brumbies)
Showed once again that he is the best scrumming prop in Australia by putting Angus Ta'avao of the Waratahs under some pressure. He also did not shy from the physical stuff in open play.
Bubbling under: Dylan Smith (Lions)
Our individual selections:
Warren Fortune XV: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Charlie Ngatai, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Francois de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Scott Sio.
Paul Dobson XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Scott Sio.
Jan de Koning XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Francois de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Dylan Smith.
Tauriq Ebrahim XV: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Charlie Ngatai, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Tomás Cubelli, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 David Pocock, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Lodewyk de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Scott Sio.
@rugby365com
