Super Rugby Team of the Week: Round 17

Mon, Jul 2, 2018, 10:47 AM
Beth Newman
by Beth Newman
Super Rugby returned with a bang in round 17 with some exhilarating efforts. Which one is your favourite?

It was a strong weekend for Australian Super Rugby teams.

Who stood out on the weekend?

1. Tom Robertson

He was sporting a nasty cauliflower ear on Friday night, but it all came from a good cause. Robertson is going from strength to strength in 2018 and anchored a strong Waratahs scrum in Melbourne.

2. Folau Faingaa

Faingaa continues to prove his quality for the Brumbies and set the tone in the forward pack against the Hurricanes. Form like this will not hurt his Test chances come Rugby Championship.

3. Sekope Kepu

Kepu lays the foundation for the Waratahs scrum, a set piece that is becoming a major weapon for NSW. One of their most valuable players and proved that again on Friday night.

4. Matt Philip

It's rare to have a man of the match from a losing side but Matt Philip surely earned that honour against the Waratahs. Ran for 97 metres off 19 carries and made six tackles as well. Had to step up in the absence of Adam Coleman and filled that enforcer role very nicely.

5. Rory Arnold

Rory Arnold has had a patchy Super Rugby season but the Wallabies lock is finding some form as the Super Rugby year ticks on.Scored a try, made 53 attacking metres and notched six tackles as well. Good things are on the way for the Wallabies second row, if this competition keeps up.

6. Ned Hanigan


Hanigan played his first Super Rugby game in seven weeks on Friday night and clearly relished the return. Was one of the Waratahs' best, with a try capping off a superb performance. It was his defence that proved the most impressive, with 12 tackles and an immense four turnovers for the night.

7. Will Miller

Will Miller had some big shoes to fill and he took the responsibility of stepping up into Michael Hooper's no. 7 in his stride. His last-minute turnover kept the Rebels from a possible match-winning score, with 16 tackles on top of that. The flanker also finished off a super slick try in a critical moment for the Waratahs, proving his value on both sides of the ball.

8. Amanaki Mafi

There's not much you can do to stop this man and in a Rebels side that was abrasive and physical, he was up there with the best at AAMI Park. Finished with 90 metres off 18 carries, a reminder of his ball-carrying abilities. Oh, and a lazy 14 tackles to boot.

9. Joe Powell

Joe Powell has come out of the June Series in form, showing some slick service for the Brumbies. Up against TJ Perenara, Powell got the chocolates - something that doesn't often happen when the 'Canes are in town.

10. Bernard Foley

 

@bernardfoley with the steal in Melbourne. 🔥🔥🔥 #REBvWAR #SuperRugby

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Bernard Foley stepped into the NSW captaincy for the first time in round 17 and he absorbed the extra pressure well. A match-winning intercept try was not bad either. 

11. Andy Muirhead

Andy Muirhead showed off his finishing skills against the Hurricanes, with a spectacular swan dive sealing the Brumbies' unlikely win. He has gone from club footy player to exciting Super Rugby winger in the space of a year and Brumbies fans would be keen to see more performances where Saturday's came from.

12. Billy Meakes

Billy Meakes put a slow start to 2018 behind him, with another special performance for the Rebels. Meakes stepped into first receiver as support for Reece Hodge, helping the youngster steer the ship in a tight game. Finished with 10 tackles as well, underlining his defensive threat.

13. Tevita Kuridrani


The pressure will all be on Tevita Kuridrani in the coming weeks, after news Samu Kerevi will miss four months with a bicep injury, but if he builds on his last outing, the Wallabies will be pleased. Kuridrani has been largely absent a lot of the year, but he stepped up with 43 metres off 12 carries and seven tackles against an intimidating Hurricanes centre pairing.

14. Jack Maddocks

Jack Maddocks is yet to make his Wallabies debut, but each week he is pushing himself further and further into the game. Though it wasn't his most influential game on Friday night, the youngster still played a key role in their attack.

15. Tom Banks

Tom Banks has grown plenty in 2018 and was a key cog for the Brumbies in their drought-breaking win over the Hurricanes. 

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