Team of the Week; Rugby 365

There are a few teams who are beginning to pick up some handy momentum as the Super Rugby season heads towards the June break.

And those are the sides that have been rewarded for their good form inrugby365's famous weekly Super Rugby selection.

The Crusaders, with odds shortening dramatically on them winning an eighth title, have four members in our starting XV - in the wake of their demolition of the Reds at the weekend.

The Bulls, another team that have been showing improved form in recent weeks, provide three members to our frontline selection.

Other form teams, the Chiefs and Brumbies, have two each - with the Highlanders, Western Force, Lions and Hurricanes making up the numbers.

There's furthers reward in our back-up squad for the Chiefs and Brumbies (three players each bubbling under), as well as the Crusaders, Force (two each) and Bulls (one).

The Hurricanes (two), Highlanders and Rebels (one each) make up the numbers.

Five players return from last week - fullback Ben Smith (Highlanders), wing Johnny McNicholl (Crusaders), flyhalf Colin Slade (Crusaders), lock Paul Willemse (Bulls) and hooker Stephen Moore (Brumbies).

Team of the Week - Round 13:

15 - Ben Smith (Highlanders):
Again showed his potency on attack, even though the Lions' defence is not exactly the benchmark of the competition.
Bubbling under: Andre Taylor (Hurricanes)

14 - Johnny McNicholl (Crusaders):
No shortage of quality finishers in New Zealand.
Bubbling under: Richard Buckman (Highlanders)

13 - Marcel Brache (Western Force):
And to think he was unwanted in Cape Town.
Bubbling under: Tim Nanai-Williams (Chiefs)

12 - Jan Serfontein (Bulls):
The young man seem to be benefiting greatly from having been reunited with his former South African Under-20 teammate Handré Pollard.
Bubbling under: Ryan Crotty (Crusaders)

11 - Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders):
This was a tough call between the giant Fijian and the Honey Badger, the Crusaders man just edging the contest because of his greater workrate on defence.
Bubbling under: Nick Cummins (Western Force)

10 - Colin Slade (Crusaders):
He may not be the first-choice for the All Blacks, but he is certainly New Zealand's form flyhalf..
Bubbling under: Handré Pollard (Bulls)

9 - Francois Hougaard (Bulls):
He still switches smoothly between scrumhalf and wing, but it is his much-improved kicking game that won him our vote.
Bubbling under: Andy Ellis (Crusaders)

8 - Warren Whiteley (Lions):
He can justifiably feel having been cheated out of a win. It is such when such hard work goes unrewarded.
Bubbling under: Victor Vito (Hurricanes)

7 - Ardie Savea (Hurricanes):
With, or without, the ball he is a monster.
Bubbling under: Sam Cane (Chiefs)

6 - Tanerau Latimer (Chiefs):
He may not be the biggest ball carrier, but on defence, at the breakdown and even in the line-outs he adds plenty of value.
Bubbling under: Angus Cottrell (Western Force)

5 - Brodie Retallick (Chiefs):
The cement that holds the Chiefs pack together and a real workhorse.
Bubbling under: Sam Carter (Brumbies)

4 - Paul Willemse (Bulls):
Growing nicely under the tutoring of one Victor Matfield.
Bubbling under: Adam Coleman (Brumbies)

3 - Ben Alexander (Brumbies):
Another long debate ensued, with Alexander edging three others based on his enormous workrate on defence in a game were tackling was his primary role. He wasn't half bad in the set pieces either.
Bubbling under: Ben Tameifuna (Chiefs)

2 - Stephen Moore (Brumbies):
He has emerged as the form hooker in the competition and vital to the Brumbies' cause.
Bubbling under: Pat Leafa (Rebels)

1 - Wyatt Crockett (Crusaders):
It was slim pickings among the loosehead props.
Bubbling under: Scott Sio (Brumbies)

Our individual selections!
 
Paul Dobson XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Tim Nanai-Williams, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Warren Whitely, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Paul Willemse, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Wyatt Crockett.

Michael de Vries XV: 15 Andre Taylor, 14 Richard Buckman, 13 Marcel Brache, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Nick Cummins, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Francois de Klerk, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Angus Cottrell, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Paul Willemse, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Wyatt Crockett.

Darryn Pollock XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Marcel Brache, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Tanerau Latimer, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Paul Willemse, 3 Marcel van der Merwe, 2 Pat Leafa, 1 Wyatt Crockett.

Jan de Koning XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Marcel Brache, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Nick Cummins, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Warren Whitely, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Tanerau Latimer, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Paul Willemse, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Scott Sio.

Perhaps some posters can stop & check out what the experts say about some players that are being "debated" on  this forum, lol
Rugby 365 TOW included:
12 - Jan Serfontein (Bulls); 9 - Francois Hougaard (Bulls); 5 - Brodie Retallick (Chiefs)

Planet rugby included:13 Juan de Jongh (Stormers): 9 Faf de Klerk (Lions)

Link to TOW Planet Rugby

Ardie Savea was picked for TOW ahead of Same Cane. Savea is a really young guy & still developing physically. Only has a few starts at s15 level so watch out, he is one for the future.