With the dust having settled on Round Three of the Rugby Championship, we’ve studied the action to pick our standout players from the weekend.
After making it three wins from three, there’s nine All Blacks in our side with three apiece from the Wallabies and Pumas. The Springboks therefore find themselves without a representative.
Rugby Championship: Team of Round Three
15 Ben Smith (New Zealand): Such an intelligent player, who was a constant threat on attack in his side’s victory against Argentina in Nelson. Smith delivered a busy shift with ball in hand gaining 85 metres from 14 runs which included two clean breaks and seven defenders beaten. Emiliano Boffelli and Dane Haylett-Petty also played well for Argentina and Australia respectively.
14 Nehe Milner-Skudder (New Zealand): Made a rare run-on appearance for the All Blacks but did well despite being tested on defence by the Pumas’ dangerous attackers. Milner-Skudder made nine tackles but made a bigger impact on attack where he gained 48 metres from eight runs with two clean breaks, two defenders beaten, an offload and was rewarded with try for his efforts. Springbok flyer Makazole Mapimpi also played well before leaving the field through injury at half-time in his side’s loss to the Wallabies in Brisbane.
13 Jack Goodhue (New Zealand): Another superb performance from the young Crusader who has now cemented his place in the world champions’ starting line-up. Goodhue’s running lines were superb and he scored a well-taken try but also stood up well in defence. Gained 56 metres after completing 10 runs with three clean breaks, eight defenders beaten and he also managed an offload as well as 11 hits. Reece Hodge of Australia was next best.
12 Matt Toomua (Australia): A standout performer in Brisbane, the Leicester Tiger returned to the Wallabies’ starting line-up and took his opportunity well. Combined nicely with Hodge in midfield and contributed 15 points via a try, two penalties and two conversions. Toomua’s goalkicking was particularly impressive as he finished with a 100 percent record off the tee. All Blacks replacement Anton Lienert-Brown also caught the eye.
11 Ramiro Moyano (Argentina): The Test rookie came to the fore with several excellent attacking runs in Nelson and scored arguably the best try of the round. Moyano’s brilliance on attack kept the All Blacks’ defence on their toes and he finished with 106 metres gained from 10 carries with six defenders beaten, three clean breaks and an offload.
10 Nicolas Sanchez (Argentina): Argentina may have lost to the All Blacks but they did not go down without a fight and leading the way was Sanchez, who impressed as his side’s chief playmaker. Won his personal duel with Richie Mo’unga and kept the All Blacks’ defenders busy with a polished attacking display. Sanchez eventually finished with a 14-point haul courtesy of a try, three conversions and a penalty and beats out Australia’s Kurtley Beale.
9 TJ Perenara (New Zealand): Came into the world champions’ starting line-up and took his chance with a superb all-round performance. Perenara delivered a slick service to his backs and kept his forwards on the front foot with clever offloads. He rounded off a superb performance by crossing for a brace of tries and comes in ahead of Will Genia, who also impressed in Brisbane.
8 Kieran Read (New Zealand): Gets in ahead of opposite number Javier Ortega Desio after his try-scoring showing at Trafalgar Park on Saturday. While Desio was strong in several areas, he did lose possession five times with Read his usual tidy self in all aspects.
7 Ardie Savea (New Zealand): Michael Hooper deserves a mention after he helped lead Australia to victory over South Africa, despite struggling with a hamstring injury. However, we opt for Savea here after his tireless showing for the All Blacks that saw him finish with a huge 21 tackles and 13 carries for 43 metres. His game is improving all the time and this start will give him confidence.
6 Shannon Frizell (New Zealand): Nailed on for this jersey after an outstanding performance in Nelson. Frizell grabbed this chance with both hands and was everywhere in the first-half for New Zealand, causing Argentina so many problems with his carries at space. One journalist likened Frizell to the great Michael Jones, such was his performance, as he now puts pressure on Liam Squire for the six jersey.
5 Tomas Lavanini (Argentina): That was one of Lavanini’s best performances for the Pumas as he put his size to excellent use while keeping his discipline in check, making him a nuisance to New Zealand. He finished with 16 carries – only Marcos Kremer had more for Argentina – while he also made the second most tackles for the Pumas. If only he could bottle that showing and replicate it in every fixture.
4 Rory Arnold (Australia): The Wallabies needed to front up after their players were dropping like flies. Adam Coleman’s late withdrawal did not rattle Arnold, who combined well with Izack Rodda and later Rob Simmons in a strong showing against a powerful Bok pack.
3 Allan Alaalatoa (Australia): Despite all the upheaval in selection before kick-off, the Wallaby pack can hold their heads high after that win. Alaalatoa is one of those who impressed and could well have nailed down the three jersey moving forward, with Taniela Tupou an incredible option to have coming off the bench as he showed on Saturday. Owen Franks was solid in black but we pick Alaalatoa.
2 Codie Taylor (New Zealand): Dane Coles is nearing his return but in all honesty the All Blacks have not missed the hooker because of Taylor’s excellent form. Once again he stood out in open play with his pass to Milner-Skudder for his try another excellent bit of skill from the Crusader. He made over 40 metres with ball in hand against Argentina and throwing in 11 tackles added to a strong outing.
1 Karl Tu’inukuafe (New Zealand): It was another solid performance from the 25-year-old as he fills in for the injured Joe Moody. Strong in the set-piece and impressive around the field, Tu’inukuafe edges out Steven Kitshoff to this jersey after the Bok pressed his claims for a regular starting spot at loosehead. But Tu’inukuafe, a former nightclub bouncer, gets the nod here into our team.