Captain18,570 posts
15 Jun 2015, 18:11
#1
15 Jun 2015, 18:11#1
Some impressive rugby was seen coming out of the New Zealand camps this weekend with 10 of the 15 places up for grabs in rugby365's team of the week claimed by Kiwi players. The battle of two heavyweights - Hurricanes and Chiefs, was a highly anticipated match and it did not fail to deliver. The Chiefs were tipped by many to win but the Hurricanes were quick to squash those predications. Conrad Smith, Brad Shields and Dan Coles all had cracking games while Sonny Bill Williams was unlucky to miss out on a place. Dan Pryor put his name in the mix with a well-rounded performance for the Highlanders as they cleaned up the Blues. The Crusaders sent out two of their legends with an emphatic win in Canberra against a Brumbies side seeking a home semifinal. Luke Romano, Nemani Nadolo and Dan Carter played themselves into the team. South Africa was the provider of a high scoring game in Pretoria where the Cheetahs outclassed the Bulls. Ryno Benjamin makes a debut appearance in the Team of the Week. Sarel Pretorius edged out Aaron Smith for the scrumhalf post. There wasn't much on offer in a dead-rubber game at Kings Park although Odwa Ndungane was a class act on the wing for the Sharks. Chris Heiberg, Sam Whitelock and James Marshall all missed out by the slightest of margins. Team of the Week: Super Rugby, Round 18: 15 - Ben Smith (Highlanders): Mr.Reliable Ben Smith makes his fifth appearance in the Team of the Week and he is definitely a contender for Team of the Season.Bubbling under: Jesse Kriel (Bulls) 14 - Odwa Ndungane (Sharks): The veteran Sharks flyer found some form of old as he crossed the try-line himself and was the provider of two try-assists. Bubbling under: Bryce Heem (Chiefs) 13 - Conrad Smith (Hurricanes): The Canes' captain was a force in the midfield during a tough encounter and scored a quality try. He showed who the true 'underdogs' were.Bubbling under: Richard Buckman (Highlanders) 12 - Ryno Benjamin (Cheetahs): Benjamin was a demon on defence denying the Bulls chances to break the line. He made 14 tackles ands scored a fantastic try. Bubbling under: Sonny Bill Williams (Chiefs) 11 - Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders): The try-machine got another double. The solo effort he scored collecting his own grubber was enough to pick him.Bubbling under: Patrick Osborne (Highlanders) 10 - Dan Carter (Crusaders): The man is back to his best proving all the critics wrong. In his last game for the Crusaders he delivered a complete performance.Bubbling under: James Marshall (Hurricanes) 9 - Sarel Pretorius (Cheetahs): The livewire Cheetah was a constant threat keeping the Bulls defence on their toes. He scored a try and assisted two.Bubbling under: Aaron Smith(Highlanders) 8 - Dan Pryor (Highlanders): The No.8 continued to raise his profile with a quality performance. He was everywhere on defence and scored a five-pointer. Bubbling under: Kieran Read (Crusaders) 7 - Michael Hooper (Waratahs): Hooper was a shining light in a rather dull performance from both teams. As usual the flank was a prominent feature in all passages of play.Bubbling under: Richie McCaw (Crusaders) 6 - Brad Shields (Hurricanes): What a workhorse! The loose forward carried the ball 13 times making 48 metres, plus made 12 tackles.Bubbling under: Matt Todd (Crusaders) 5 - Brodie Retallick (Chiefs): Retallick wrecked the Canes line-out all day. He won his own ball and stole three of theirs. The lock forward was cleaning rucks, making tackles and carrying solidly. Bubbling under: Sam Whitelock (Crusaders) 4 - Luke Romano (Crusaders): The enforcer for the Crusaders reminded everyone why he is an All Black. He was ruthless in the rucks and prominent in attack for the Crusaders. bubbling under: Luke Jones (Rebels) 3 - Ben Franks (Hurricanes): Franks held his ground in the scrums, and he got around the park well for such a big man. Bubbling under: Paul Alo-Emile (Rebels) 2 - Dane Coles (Hurricanes): Coles virtually made the All Black No.2 jersey his after another great game against the Chiefs. He was mobile and always in support.Bubbling under: Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks) 1 - Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks): The Sharks' loosehead scrummed well providing his team with a platform to attack. As usual he carried well and did plenty of dirty work.Bubbling under: Chris Heiberg (Force) Our individual selections! Paul Dobson XV: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Liam Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Marcel Coetzee, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Jones, 3 Owen Franks , 2 Dane Coles, 1 James Slipper. Andrew Duncan XV: 15 Jesse Kriel, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Richard Buckman, 12 Rey Lee-Lo, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Dan Pryor, 7 Hencu Venter, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Paul Alo-Emile, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Chris Heiberg. Warren Fortune XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Bryce Heem, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ryno Benjamin, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 James Marshall, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Dan Pryor, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Luke Romano 3 Ben Franks, 2 Bismark du Plessis, 1 Pauliasi Manu. Tauriq Ibrahim XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Clayton Blommetjies, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ryno Benjamin, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 James Marshall, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Dan Pryor, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Matt Todd, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Michael Willemse, 1 Tendai Mtawarira. Michael de Vries XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Dan Pryor, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
