Just one Australian and three Argies have managed to sneak in between the two obvious front runners from Ellis Park this week.
1 – Tendai Mtawarira (South Africa) His best performance of the Championship. Strong in the scrum and threw in a few trademark Beast-mode charges.
2 – Agustin Creevy (Argentina) It had to be. Led his team superbly in an 80 minute effort.
3 – Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro (Argentina) Not as dominant as Ramiro Herrera has been, but handled James Slipper in the scrum. Positive impact in defense and with ball in hand.
4 – Tomas Lavanini (Argentina) Launched himself into the rucks and got through a massive amount of work. To get 80 minutes from the giant lock is amazing.
5 – Victor Matfield (South Africa) Big tackle on Owen Franks earned a turnover , supported well on attack. Primary source of possession at the lineout per usuale.
6 – Teboho Mohoje (South Africa) An even better performance after a good one last week. Big tackles, a key turnover, powerful at the breakdown and had a couple strong hit ups to boot.
7 – Richie McCaw (New Zealand) A legend continues. Relentless work ethic, put in loads of tackles and was the first man at the breakdown on countless occasions.
8 – Duane Vermeulen (South Africa) Outplayed Kieran Read for the second time this season. Monumental performance from the big man with bruised ribs.
9 – Francois Hougaard (South Africa) Scored a cracker and his service was accurate. Missed a couple tackles but added enough on attack to get the nod over Aaron Smith.
10 – Handré Pollard (South Africa) What a meteoric rise from the u20 player of the year. Two tries against the world’s best team, he’s getting better by the day.
11 – Julian Savea (New Zealand) His chip ahead set up the first New Zealand try. Made a huge number of metres and dragged in defenders with every carry.
12 – Malakai Fekitoa (New Zealand) Can’t be denied this week. Terrific with ball in hand, causing almost as much havoc as Savea and scoring a fine try..
13 – Conrad Smith (New Zealand) Classic outside swerve put Ben Smith over for a crucial score. Just edges unlucky Jan Serfontein who also played well.
14 – Juan Imhoff (Argentina) Another excellent performance, scored a try and constantly offered himself as an option. Shut down every attack that came in his direction.
15 – Israel Folau (Australia) Maybe kicked a couple away he should have, but once again a terror with ball in hand. If only he had seen the ball more!
