Find out who makes our XV this week as we take a look at the top performers from the international scene.
15. Willie le Roux (South Africa)
At his attacking best for South Africa and looked dangerous every time he touched the ball. His stature at the back helped his debutant wingers do what they do best and he was instrumental in the Boks’ comeback. Created a couple of tries and went over himself too. Beats Damian McKenzie into the No 15 jersey.
14. S’busiso Nkosi (South Africa)
Johnny May was very, very good for England but Nkosi recovered from some early defensive errors to shine for South Africa. Could have had a hat-trick on his debut but had to settle for a brace as he made 95m with some powerful breaks.
13. Anton Lienert-Brown (New Zealand)
A couple of unforced errors early on but showed his class with some lovely hands and balanced running. Great awareness of who and what space was around him and has the ability to really straighten that All Blacks line and make the most of their attack.
12. Kurtley Beale (Australia)
4:19 Highlights from the opening Test of the series as Australia took on Ireland at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
Hadleigh Parkes unlucky to miss out but Beale was at his attacking best for the Wallabies. Always looking to create something and ran some beautiful lines. Was very solid in defence too.
11. Rieko Ioane (New Zealand)
Looked dangerous every time he had the ball and really opened up in the second half. Scored a brace including a well-read interception.
10. Rhys Patchell (Wales)
George Ford was outstanding for England in that opening quarter but Patchell’s all-round game for Wales helped settle them in Argentina. He had an air of confidence and his all-court game was excellent. Also defended well.
9. Faf de Klerk (South Africa)
With ball in hand he was a pleasure to watch as he helped South Africa’s remarkable comeback. England could not handle his pace around the rucks and mauls but his game management was also very good. Scored their first try and punched way above his weight in defence. England tried their best to rattle him but he was more than up for it.
1. Steven Kitshoff (South Africa)
5:15 Highlights from the first Test between South Africa and England.
The replacement prop had quite an impact for South Africa. Not only did he scrummage like an absolute machine but won some vital turnovers as well
2. George Turner (Scotland)
New Zealand’s Codie Taylor and South Africa’s Bongi Mbonambi were serious contenders but Turner’s hat-trick sees him get the nod this week. Nothing too flash from Turner but Scotland’s win was built on their forward dominance in which the replacement hooker played a big part. His tries all came courtesy of the rolling maul which Turner directed with aplomb to become the first Scotland player to score a hat-trick in 11 years.
3. Dillon Lewis (Wales)
The Pumas pack were supposed to make mincemeat out of the young and inexperienced Wales frontrow, but they forgot to tell Lewis! The Cardiff Blues prop was simply outstanding at the set-piece and helped get the Wales scrum onto the front foot. Put in a huge shift defensively and won a couple of crucial turnovers too.
4. Scott Barrett (New Zealand)
4:07 Highlights from Eden Park where New Zealand overturned a half-time deficit to thrash France 52-11.
Stepped into Brodie Retallick’s shoes with a very good performance. Stood up to the French pack and also showed his mobility and offloading skills – one of them leading to brother Beauden’s try.
5. RG Snyman (South Africa)
We would have liked to have eased James Ryan’s pain for losing for the first time by including him, but Snyman’s debut for South Africa just pips him. His big carries and soft hands may have caught the eye but it was his grunt work to help the Boks pack dominate that really impressed. A massive presence at the set-piece and stole England’s attacking lineout in the last minute.
6. David Pocock (Australia)
After an 18-month sabbatical Pocock returned to the international scene with a bang. Caused all sorts of problems for Ireland at the breakdown and won some massive turnovers. Huge in defence as well, took his try well and was a huge influence for Australia.
7. James Davies (Wales)
Stepped up big time for Wales and showed that he can reproduce his club form at international level. Davies was excellent over the ball – in fact he made a nuisance of himself everywhere – 17 tackles, vital turnovers, slowing the ball down and some good linking runs. He also rounded off a quite spectacular try for Wales too.
8. Duane Vermeulen (South Africa)
A nod to Ross Moriarty but Vermeulen won the battle of the No 8’s against the dangerous Billy Vunipola and his presence helped settle the Boks after a terrible opener. Some very big carries and important turnovers helped his side get back into the game and go on to win it.
Also See:
Sourse: skysports.com
