SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: THE STORMERS' IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE AGAINST THE BULLS MEANS THAT THEY DOMINATE RUGBY365'S FAMOUS SELECTION AFTER ROUND ONE OF THIS YEAR'S SUPER RUGBY TOURNAMENT.
The Cape side has five players in our starting XV - two more than the Brumbies, who thrashed the Hurricanes on Friday.
The Highlanders, Sharks, Rebels, Cheetahs, Chiefs, Lions and Blues are also represented in our starting team with one player each.
Ben Smith, Odwa Ndungane and Raymond Rhule make up the back three with Tamati Ellison and Charlie Ngatai in the midfield. Robert du Preez gets the pick at flyhalf after a heated debate and Tomas Cubelli is at scrumhalf.
In the pack we have Frans Malherbe, Stephen Moore and JC Janse van Rensburg in the front row, while in the second row Sam Carter and Eben Etzebeth got the nods, with Brodie Retallick coming close.
In the back row we have Jaco Kriel and Blake Gibson as the two flanks with Nizaam Carr getting the No.8 spot ahead of Warren Whiteley.
Team of the Week - Round One:
5 - Sam Carter (Brumbies)
The Wallaby lock was simply awesome in open play, on attack and in defence, and also ensured his team secured possession from the line-outs.
Bubbling under: Brodie Retallick (Chiefs)
4 - Eben Etzebeth (Stormers)
He put the Bulls under immense pressure in the line-outs by stealing some of their ball. He carried the ball with his usual aggression and got a try as well.
Bubbling under: Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues)
3 - Frans Malherbe (Stormers)
His impact off the bench in the second half was felt in the scrums against the Bulls. His one of the best tightheads in the game at the moment.
Bubbling under: Greg Holmes (Reds)
2 - Stephen Moore (Brumbies)
Scored a try and created another in his team's demolition of the Hurricanes. He was just everywhere.
Bubbling under: Malcom Marx (Lions)
1 - JC Janse van Rensburg (Stormers)
Just like Malherbe, he came off the bench and the Stormers' scrum went to another level. It was a good debut in the blue and white jersey for the big man.
Bubbling under: Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks)
Our individual selections:
Warren Fortune XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Charlie Ngatai, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Martín Landajo, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Blake Gibson, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Tauriq Ebrahim XV: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Akihito Yamada, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Charlie Ngatai, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Martín Landajo, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Blake Gibson, 6 Chris Cloete, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Hiroshi Yamashita, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Oliver Kebble.
Paul Dobson XV: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Tomás Cubelli, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Greg Holmes, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Jan de Koning XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Santiago Cordero, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Tomás Cubelli, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Blake Gibson, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
@rugby365com
