The latest cross-hemisphere battles produced a fascinating insight into the current balance of power in world rugby and with it a host dazzling individual displays – but who made the grade in our latest Team of the Week?
Here is a team picked by Scrum , where would YOU change this team. Give it a go.
15. Mils Muliaina (New Zealand)
The All Blacks veteran celebrated his record-equalling Test appearance with two tries against the woeful Scots at Murrayfield. The 30-year-old, who is enjoying a vintage year, benefited from some great work by team-mates Dan Carter and Sonny Bill Williams but was also a vital link man himself in a glorified training run for the Grand Slam-chasing Kiwis.
14. Chris Ashton (England)
A leading light in a sensational England performance against Australia at Twickenham. His uncanny ability to read play helped him bag his first score with his blistering pace carving out his second. The memory of him speeding down the touchline before cutting inside and leaving Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell – no slouch himself – grasping at air will live long in the memory. Ashton continues to impress on the international stage and be warned – he is still improving.
13. Mike Tindall (England)
The England veteran copped a lot of flak in the wake of his side’s recent loss to the All Blacks but responded as expected – with a solid display that proves there is life in the old dog yet. Many appear happy to write the 32-year-old’s career off but with this kind of performance he is set to remain a key player in manager Martin Johnson’s plans.
12. Sonny Bill Williams (New Zealand)
He’s only played two Tests but we are already running out of superlatives for the All Blacks’ powerhouse. He continues to defy the laws of physics with his amazing ability to distribute the ball with one hand while occupying the interest of two or three defenders with the other. A key player throughout the All Blacks’ demolition of the Scots he rightfully claimed the Man of the Match honour. He looks like he’s been playing Test rugby all his life but amazingly is still learning the game. The Sonny Bill tour hits Dublin next – watch out Ireland.
11. George North (Wales)
The 18-year-old North announced himself on the international stage with two tries and an assist against South Africa in Cardiff, although here he switches to the other wing due to the commanding presence of the slightly more experienced Ashton. The Springboks’ defence parted to provide his first score but he showed impressive composure in claiming Stephen Jones’ cross kick for his second. Just a shame his stand out performance came in defeat. One to watch.
10. Dan Carter (New Zealand)
It is easy to take a Carter masterclass for granted due to the regularity of such commanding displays – the latest of which came against the Scots at Murrayfield. It may have last only 50 minutes but that was all he needed to bury the hosts with an enchanting blend of a clinicial passing game, precision kicking and unrivalled vision.
9. Ben Youngs (England)
Another rising star of the international game, the 21-year-old was making only his fourth Test appearance against the Wallabies but set the tone and dominated proceedings like a grizzled veteran. The Leicester No.9 oozed confidence – most notably stepping Wallabies poster boy Quade Cooper on his own line in the lead up to Ashton’s stand out score – and was an omnipresent force on one of England’s best outings in recent memory.
1. Tendai Mtawarira (South Africa)
The Beast rose to the challenge of facing in-form Wales tight-head Adam Jones – more than holding his own at scrum time. He was also a monster in the loose where he helped inspire the Springboks’ decisive comeback. In doing so he racked up a game-changing 17 tackles.
2. Bismarck du Plessis (South Africa)
If you needed a reminder as to who is the best hooker in South Africa then Du Plessis provided just that with an impressive display against Wales in Cardiff. The gainline proved no barrier with the ball in hand and in defence he conjured a couple of key turnovers while also helping to shackle the Welsh with a superb work-rate and tackle count.
3. Dan Cole (England)
Denied the much anticipated scrum showdown along with his front-row colleagues, Cole offered the latest reminder of his international class with a bristling display in the loose against the Wallabies at Twickenham.
4. Courtney Lawes (England)
Another of England’s new breed, Lawes lent his sizeable frame to England’s lung-busting effort at Twickenham. Ever hungry for the ball, the 21-year-old galloped up and down England’s HQ all day long, chalking up an impressive 35m with the ball in hand including a delightful pass to set Ashton away for his second score. When he wasn’t stretching the Wallabies’ defence he was shackling their much-vaunted back division.
5. Victor Matfield (South Africa)
The Springboks veteran was celebrating becoming his country’s most-capped international and marked the occasion with a typically dominant display to lead his side to victory and keep their Grand Slam hopes alive. He may not boast the industry of the considerably younger Lawes but his exemplary tackle count and imperious lineout presence underlined his status as one of the greats. Also crashed over for the Boks’ decisive second try after a powerful surge and intelligent line.
6. Tom Croft (England)
Another who relished England’s expansive approach to the task of devouring the Wallabies. His ability to dominate in all areas of the game make him a potent threat and that was again the case at Twickenham where he gleefully ran with the ball, cut down opposing attackers and leapt high and mighty at the lineout.
7. Martyn Williams (Wales)
Another old stager to offer a reminder of his class. Veteran openside Williams only reclaimed his place in the starting line-up due to an injury to Sam Warburton but he made the most of his opportunity – showing the classy handling and link play that his young rival cannot yet offer at the top level.
8. Nick Easter (England)
The England No.8 continued his recent reinvention with an industrious display in defence and attack. The strong-running 32-year-old has brought a new engery to his game of late and it paid huge dividends at Twickenham. Time and time again he took the game to the Wallabies and he was at the heart of the defensive effort that laid the foundation for a famous win.
Last Weeks Team
15. Kurtley Beale (Australia)
14. James O’Connor (Australia)
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Australia)
12. Jean de Villiers (South Africa)
11. Hosea Gear (New Zealand)
10. Dan Carter (New Zealand)
9. Will Genia (Australia)
8. Pierre Spies (South Africa)
7. David Pocock (Australia)
6. Juan Smith (South Africa)
5. Victor Matfield (South Africa)
4. Sam Whitelock (New Zealand)
3. Dan Cole (England)
2. Matthew Rees (Wales)
1. Gethin Jenkins (Wales)
Obviously this rating comes from England, 7 England players get the nod. The All Blacks get 3 backs and South Africa 3 forwards, Matfield , The Beast and Bismark.
sal vir juan en spies in gesit het
I hope we beat the English because if we dont we are not going to hear the end of it for a very long time..
@ Winston:
Hope the fire burns out for them. At this stage they look bloody good.
I wish we had our full/best back line available for that test. And i hope PdeV does not go the rest route now, i think with Victor there he will give his input to what team he wants. If we want the Grand Slam we can not be nice and dish out jerseys.
Blue Bird here is a link you would love to check out.
http://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/rugby/
30 seconds with Willem Alberts
From Timeslive.
After the big hits and the bullocking runs, our readers want to know: how tall are you and how much do you weigh?
(Laughs) I’m 1.92m and I weigh just under 120kg.
Did you get a chance to talk to Schalk Burger about breaking his rib in the Currie Cup final?
We didn’t speak about that and I didn’t know about that until we were at the Springbok camp. It was just a normal tackle but it was unfortunate that he got injured because we lost a valuable player for the tour.
Do you have a favourite hit from this season?
Er, no. Hopefully that’s still to come.
What were you doing when you found out you were a Springbok?
I was in the changing room after we won the Currie Cup final. We were very happy we’d won and then I heard I’d made it into the Springbok team. Fortunately there were lots of friends and family to celebrate with. Being a Bok is a goal of any kid who starts to play rugby, so it’s a dream come true.
After years of not winning anything at the Lions, what’s it like to be a Currie Cup champion?
It hasn’t really sunk in yet because the Sunday after the game we went up to Joburg to start with Springbok training. It’s been a very exciting time, I still smile when I think about it. After the tour and everything I think I’ll take a week just to think back to the Currie Cup win …
How difficult was it being the subject of such a fierce a tug-of-war between the Sharks and the Lions?
It wasn’t the best way to start my career with a new union, but I knew everything would work out eventually.
You’ve made the Bok squad playing blindside flank, but do you have ambitions of playing No8?
I have played most of my rugby at No8 but I’m a utility back so I don’t really mind where I play. I like to play wherever the game plan allows me to get my hands on the ball as much as I can.
Who’s your favourite rugby player of all time?
In matric I started playing lock so I looked up to our captain, Victor Matfield. I also looked up to (former Lions and Springbok flanker) Ian MacDonald, who has been a big influence in my career.
@ superBul:
@5 – How lovely, better than any photos I took of the best No.15 the world has ever seen…..
Hehhehehe
Oh btw, I know it is GBS that has problems spelling Welsh, not you..!! 😆
WHEN Sharks prodigy Pat Lambie dummied and scored in the Boks’ training session on Tuesday, the feat was greeted with cries of: “Well done whizzkid”, and “Nice going Kid Wonder”. When asked about him in a TV interview, Bakkies Botha said he was: ” ‘n ordentlike Engelsman wat sy plek ken .” Frans Steyn is just happy because, at 23, he’s no longer the youngest guy in the team. Lambie and Elton Jantjies, both 20, share that honour.
@ Blue Bird:
At least i made your day
@ superBul:
😆
Thanks for that!!
“This was a test of character and the guys passed with flying colours,” said De Villiers. “We had experience in the Vodacom Tri-Nations of losing games in the final moments when we thought we had the game won.
Die toer kan nog baie vir ons beteken, wen net al die games en siedaar. Daar gaan n paar broeke bewe.
Late reminder and invitation , 1st game starts in 8 hours time.
Come join my pool in SuperBru, the ultimate Summer Cricket prediction game! It’s easy – just go to the website and enter the pool code clueidea to join my pool, R-T Summer Cricket.
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RugbyHeaven picks the best XV from the weekend’s six internationals.
15. Kurtley Beale (Australia)
14. Chris Ashton (England)
13. Conrad Smith (New Zealand)
12. Sonny Bill Williams (New Zealand)
11. Hosea Gear (New Zealand)
10. Toby Flood (England
9. Ben Youngs (England)
8. Nick Easter (England)
7. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
6. Tom Croft (England)
5. Victor Matfield (South Africa)
4. Courtney Lawes (England)
3. Owen Franks (New Zealand)
2. Bismarck du Plessis (South Africa)
1. Andrew Sheridan (England)
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