Only one South African player has been included in Sanzaar’s Vodacom Super Rugby Team of the Week based on statistics from round-six action this past weekend.
The Bulls’ Cornal Hendricks in the only player from the South African conference who has been selected in Sanzaar’s Team of the Week, the same number as the Sunwolves, who is presented by hooker Efi Ma’afu.
Surprisingly, there are no Sharks players in the team, despite their dominant performance against the Test-laden Jaguares side, which led to a commanding 33-19 victory.
The Crusaders beat the Reds 24-20, but both teams have four players in the composite team, while the Brumbies, Blues, Chiefs, Rebels and Waratahs all have one player in the side to complete the supposed form XV lineup from round six.
15. George Bridge (Crusaders)
Beat a total of 10 defenders – the second most of any player – as well as making two offloads, 10/11 tackles and scoring a try.
14. Cornal Hendricks (Bulls)
No player made more clean breaks than Hendricks (5), who also gained the second-most metres (114) of any player and scored a try from his 12 carries.
13. Jack Goodhue (Crusaders)
Made 11 carries for 56m gained, two clean breaks, two offloads and two kicks in play, as well as making 14/17 tackles.
12. Bill Meakes (Rebels)
No outside back made more tackles than Meakes (15), who also made 12 carries for 29m gained, beat five defenders and won a turnover.
11. Mark Telea (Blues)
Gained a round-high 140m – his most in a single Super Rugby game – as well as making four clean breaks, three offloads, beating a round-high 11 defenders and scoring a try.
10. Will Harrison (Waratahs)
Made the most carries (15), gained the most metres (70) and beat the most defenders (8) of any flyhalf, as well as making 4 tackles and landing 2/2 conversions.
9. Brad Weber (Chiefs)
Only Joaquin Diaz Bonilla (14) made more kicks in play than Brad Weber (11), who also made three clean breaks and gained 74m from his seven carries on top of crossing for a brace of tries.
8. Harry Wilson (Reds)
Made a round-high 26 carries, the joint most of any player in a game in the last 10 Super Rugby seasons and more than any other forward; Wilson also made three offloads and scored a try.
7. Liam Wright (Reds)
Made 23/25 tackles, won four lineouts and gained six metres from his seven carries.
6. Rob Valetini (Brumbies)
Became just the second forward to make multiple try assists (2) in a game in the last two years (also Rory Arnold), as well as making three clean breaks, 10 carries for 74m gained and scoring a try of his own.
5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Reds)
Made 15 carries – the most of any front-five forward – for 40m gained, made four clean breaks, two offloads and made 11/12 tackles.
4. Scott Barrett (Crusaders)
Made 25 tackles – the most of any player in a game this season – as well as 10 carries, two offloads and seven lineouts wins (including two steals).
3. Taniela Tupou (Reds)
Made more carries (12), gained more metres (42) and made more clean breaks (2) than any other prop, as well as crossing for a try and winning two lineouts.
2. Efi Maafu (Sunwolves)
Made 11/12 successful throws, eight carries – the most of any hooker – and 14 tackles without missing.
1. Joe Moody (Crusaders)
Beat two defenders, made one clean break and gained 11m from his seven carries, as well as crossing for a try.
Photo: Sanzaar
