Only one of the games from the weekend was an official test match, but let’s throw together a team of the week anyway, just for fun.
1 – Matt Stevens (Barbarians) Played on the loosehead side for the first time in a while and absolutely monstered Ben Alexander in the scrum. Good shift from the old Lion.
2 – Keven Mealamu (New Zealand) Come on early when Nathan Harris went down and got right in to it. Has a bit of spring to his step after realising his spot was in jeopardy.
3 – Charlie Faumuina (New Zealand) Almost 80 minutes in a great shift from the big Blue. Squashed Eric Fry in the scrum and barrelled around the park.
4 – Sam Carter (Australia) Revelled in the open air of the Barbarians match. Scored a good try and ran around like he had something to prove, which he did.
5 – Patrick Tu’ipulotu (New Zealand) Big game from the big man. Started at lock, finished on the flank, and gave the Americans a lesson in brute force.
6 – Sean McMahon (Australia) Replaced Scott Higginbotham early on and took full advantage. Scored a try on debut, and showed a huge willingness to get involved.
7 – Matt Todd (Barbarians) Pretty much ubiquitous at the breakdown. Seems to have his hands into everything. A gentle reminder that he’s still up for All Blacks duty.
8 – Kieran Read (New Zealand) Another stand in appearance as captain, another stand up performance. The Americans will be studying his running lines for a while.
9 – Chris Smylie (NZ Maori) Not the toughest day at the office but he ticked all the boxes. Set up one try directly and played error-free rugby, can’t ask for more than that.
10 – Ihaia West (NZ Maori) Showed his undeniable class against an admittedly ordinary looking Japan side. His passing game is what stands him apart at the moment.
11 – James Lowe (NZ Maori) Massive game from the meaty winger. Broke the line at will and set up numerous tries while adding one of his own.
12 – Sonny Bill Williams (New Zealand) Sure, it was against subpar opposition, but what’s a guy to do? Welcome back to the best code.
13 – Tevita Kuridrani (Australia) Hard luck on excellent Ryan Crotty, but the big Fijian takes it again for his destructive running. The northern sides will be wary of his arrival.
14 – Blaine Scully (United States) Not surprisingly the best American by a country mile. Always shows up to play, regardless of the opposition. Commitment embodied.
15 – Tim Nanai-Williams (Barbarians) Terrific enterprise from the Counties captain. Sidesteps, behind the back passes, he had it all and more.
