With the dust settling on the Rugby Championship, we got to work picking the best players of the tournament.
The All Blacks clinched the title after an emphatic 40-14 win over Australia that presented the Springboks with a difficult challenge of beating Argentina by more than 39 points in a bid for the title, which Jacques Nienaber’s side saw off only managed a 38:21 victory.
team of the tournament
fifteen Jordie Barrett(New Zealand): A tough choice with no real standouts in the tournament but Barrett’s consistency sees him win over the sometimes unpredictable but always entertaining South African. Willie le Roux. One wonders, however, how long Barrett will stay at 15 given his outstanding performance of 12 this weekend.
14 Will Jordan (New Zealand): A brilliant season for the All Black Flyers earned him more clean breaks in the tournament and has probably got more fans off their seats and on their feet than any other player. He anticipates the claims of the impressive wallaby Andrew Kellaway.
? This step and pace by Will Jordan. #BledisloeCup #AUSvNZLpic.twitter.com/3JMqvqB85E
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) September 15, 2022
13 Reiko Ioane (New Zealand): The wing converter enjoys life in the centers, where his bulk and pace prove an integral part of the All Black game plan. of South Africa Lukhanyo Am is still a force to be reckoned with but has been injured for much of the season Matthew Moroni was at times outstanding for Argentina.
12 Damien de Allende (South Africa): De Allende’s direct, physical, and intelligent play at 12 is an important part of springbok tactics, especially when chasing kicks. Elsewhere Jeronimo de la Fuente impressed every time he played for Los Pumas while playing for Australia Hunter Paisami shown promising
11 Emiliano Boffelli (Argentina): One of our toughest decisions given the shape of Makazol Mapimpi (South Africa), Marika Korobete (Australia) and Caleb Clarke (New Zealand). However, The Boff has been named our Team of the Week four times and his value for every team he plays for is illustrated by his top position in the points scored table and his 91% career shot rate.
10 Richie Mo’unga (New Zealand): Tied with Boffelli on 71 points, the all-black pivot’s recall was crucial in stopping the rot for Ian Foster and his team as he offered tremendous control with ten points. Our runner-up was the impressive Argentine Santiago Carreraswho gave Los Pumas some wonderful moments in attack.
9 AaronSmith (New Zealand): Evergreen Smith got his mojo back once in partnership with Mo’unga, and their lead kept the All Blacks moving forward, both to the goal line and to the title. Jaden Hendrikse also impressed for South Africa when he finally got an extended run as a starter for the Springboks.
8th Jasper Wies (South Africa): We could have picked any of four players here, on equal merit, but Wiese’s power in terms of carry and contact has been a key factor in SA’s championship campaign and sees him win the jersey by a mustache over the equally impressive Rob Valentini from New Zealand and Pablo Matera from Argentina.
7 Ardie Savea (New Zealand): Selection of the outstanding Argentine Juan Martin Gonzalez was very tempting for Planet Rugby selectors as he scored four great tries, but Savea’s carries, tackles and leadership are an absolute X-factor in the New Zealand pack and he moves into arguably his best position on our Team of the Season.
?? Ardie Savea leads the fight again for the All Blacks. #RSAvNZLpic.twitter.com/zgJ96bOL8z
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) August 14, 2022
6 Marco Kremer (Argentina): Kremer made more tackles (80) than any other player in the competition and was a powerful tower in Los Puma’s defence, making it an easy pick despite the excellent performance Pieter Steph du Toit for South Africa.
5 Lood de Jäger (South Africa): Big Lood was extremely reliable and his presence in the SA Maul pod was crucial as he topped the line out stats with 26 takes. Tomas Lavaninni had a great tournament, as well Brodie Retallick by New Zealand, but de Jager was the most effective suspension in the competition.
4 Just Etzebeth (South Africa): A man who has surpassed 100 caps this season, he continues to be the top Test winner in world rugby, with attrition and confrontation central to his game. Sam Whitelock looked back on his best days and he is our second.
3 Franz Malherbe (South Africa): Our site’s easiest pick, Malherbe’s scrummage power is unmatched in-game. It was his presence that won the crucial final game for the Springboks Tyrel Lomax Improvement sees him runner-up to the Springbok World Champion.
2 Samisoni Taukei’aho (New Zealand): While Tighthead was the easiest choice, Hooker was the hardest Malcolm Marx (South Africa) and Julian Montoya (Argentina) both world class contenders. However, with five tries and a better line-out percentage than the rest, the young All Black secures a spot in our starting XI. But we are sure that Marx would be trotting on after 45 minutes!
1 Ethan by Groot (New Zealand): When fools like Malherbe fight a fool, you know you have something special on your team, and de Groot proved just that. Argentina Thomas Gallos The work going on around the park is hugely impressive and we have high hopes for this former U20 World Cup star.
CONTINUE READING: England: Danny Care is out of the training squad while Manu Tuilagi returns from injury
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