With the semi-finals of Super Rugby now a thing of the past, it is time for us to pick out which players shone over the past weekend.
After their dominant victories in the last four, the Crusaders and Lions unsurprisingly dominate the XV with Julian Savea the only representative of either the Hurricanes or Waratahs to get in.
Super Rugby: Team of the semi-finals
15 David Havili (Crusaders): It was another polished performance from the All Black as he was solid in all areas in their win over the Hurricanes. Outplaying Nehe Milner-Skudder on the day, he also edges Andries Coetzee and Israel Folau to this spot after excellent kick returns, a steeliness in defence and great option taking throughout. Capped his game with a smart try as he ran an intelligent, hard line.
14 Julian Savea (Hurricanes): The lone Hurricane in our line-up, Savea signed off on a positive note from a personal point of view, although he would have traded his own performance for a place in the final. A superb finish in the right-hand corner saw him bring up 50 tries for the ‘Canes in Super Rugby. Although he’s lost a yard of pace in recent times, his incredible power remains a valuable bullet in his gun.
13 Jack Goodhue (Crusaders): Surely the long-term option for New Zealand at outside centre. Goodhue impressed yet again for the Crusaders as his hard running and tough defence was complimented by smarts and skills. Beat four defenders on attack while defensively he made the third most tackles for his side with 12, as he combined brilliantly with Ryan Crotty to win the crucial midfield battle with ease.
12 Ryan Crotty (Crusaders): Speaking of the veteran back, Crotty nullified Ngani Laumape in Christchurch as the latter made just 11 metres with ball in hand. Crotty had 10 carries for 49 metres and was again the glue as others grabbed the scores.
11 Aphiwe Dyantyi (Lions): Only played 40 minutes but what a 40 minutes that was as his individual try will live long in the memory of Lions supporters. George Bridge also impressed and came close to taking this spot after another workmanlike performance, but Dyantyi is our left wing. The Lions are now sweating on whether their Springbok finisher can shake off a hamstring issue in time for Saturday’s final.
10 Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders): Mo’unga is now surely the next-in-line to Beauden Barrett for the All Blacks as he put in another commanding display at the weekend, scoring a try, setting up another, while kicking two penalties and two conversions for a total haul of 15 points. Took his try excellently with a beautiful step and created Braydon Ennor’s score with a wonderfully instinctive cross-field kick. Comes in ahead of the Lions’ Elton Jantjies, who shone for the Lions for the second week in a row.
9 Ross Cronje (Lions): A wonderful performance from Cronje as he spotted the gaps around the fringes of the ruck with expert precision, beating six defenders – the second most in the match, second only to Kwagga Smith’s tally of 10 tackle busts made on the day. Cronje was highly efficient at the breakdown, providing quick ball which allowed his outside half-back partner Jantjies to flourish. Beats out Bryn Hall, who was in fine form against the Hurricanes.
8 Kieran Read (Crusaders): This was a special performance from the All Black captain, but one that might have gone unnoticed to the untrained eye. Read made 16 tackles (none missed) as well as 16 carries in a typically industrious display. His work at the line-out was immaculate as ever, while he contributed an offload, a clean break and one tackle-bust, as he linked seamlessly with the backline, displaying his superb all-round skill-set. Looks to be back to his best.
7 Kwagga Smith (Lions): Talismanic performance from the Sevens superstar, who showed all his qualities from the shorter format of the game on Saturday as he shrugged off defenders with impunity (beating 10 in total). Struck twice either side of half-time to bring the Lions roaring back into the contest – both magnificent individual efforts. Meanwhile, Gareth Evans backed up his quarter-final performance with another big shift but was unlucky to be on the losing side this time out.
6 Marnus Schoeman (Lions): Talk about having an impact. Many were puzzled by Schoeman’s omission from the starting XV and one could see why when the blonde-haired blindside came on in the 53rd minute for Lourens Erasmus and immediately impressed with some barnstorming carries. Beat three defenders and made two offloads for 33 metres from seven carries in his lovely little cameo. Beats out Ned Hanigan of the Waratahs, who scored a try and created Tom Robertson’s score with good work at the line-out.
5 Franco Mostert (Lions): A difficult call between him and New Zealand international Sam Whitelock but we’ve gone for the South African, who was once again excellent. Mostert was solid in the line-out and made 13 tackles in defence as the defending champions dominated their rivals. Whitelock was similarly influential for the Crusaders but we have gone for the Lions man.
4 Scott Barrett (Crusaders): Another impressive display from the All Black, who proved to be a more than able deputy for Brodie Retallick during the June internationals. In fact, on this form, he may challenge Retallick for the shirt after carrying well throughout Saturday’s game and being a reliable source of line-out ball. Marvin Orie showed up well for the Lions but it’s Barrett once again who gets a slot in the XV.
3 Owen Franks (Crusaders): Both the Crusaders and Lions’ front-rows dominated and are a large reason as to why they made the final. Ruan Dreyer was therefore close to selection but Franks just about edges it after making his mark in the scrum. Toby Smith had a torrid time in the set-piece as the Crusaders’ impressive pack laid the platform for a comfortable victory over New Zealand’s second best team.
2 Malcolm Marx (Lions): While there were debates over the other positions in the front five, there was no such query at hooker with Marx showing his quality once more. Following a dominant display against the Jaguares, the South African international followed it up with another fine effort. Although the two tries he scored came via excellent teamwork at the maul, the front-rower excelled in other facets after running for 36 metres in the loose and being a nuisance at the breakdown.
1 Jacques van Rooyen (Lions): Perhaps tough on Joe Moody, who did a similarly excellent job in the scrum for the Crusaders, but we felt that Van Rooyen was slightly more destructive. In the loose, there was not much in it, with both props proving useful assets when carrying in close quarters, but the Lions prop’s performance opposite experienced Australian international Sekope Kepu was very impressive.