Super Rugby 2019: RUGBY.com.au Team of the Year

Sat, Jul 6, 2019, 3:34 AM
AAP
by AAP
Richie Mo'unga has steered the Crusaders to the Super Rugby final. Photo: Getty Images
Richie Mo'unga has steered the Crusaders to the Super Rugby final. Photo: Getty Images

The Super Rugby title will be decided this weekend when the Crusaders take on the Jaguares.

It's not just those two teams who have supplied standout performers this season though.

The RUGBY.com.au team has sat down and picked out the form 23 of Super Rugby this season.

Who has impressed you?

1. Lizo Gqoboka - Bulls

Gqoboka has been overwhelmingy the standout loosehead across Super Rugby this season. The Bulls may have missed the playoffs but they created plenty of headaches with their powerful forward performances, many of which were largely down to this man's contribution.

2. Malcolm Marx - Lions 

Marx had another consistent season for the Lions, despite plenty of turmoil for the Johannesburg outfit. Whenever the Lions are doing well, Marx is playing well and his ability to win turnovers and keep their lineout on track was critical.

3. Allan Alaalatoa - Brumbies

Alaalatoa had a career-best season in 2019 in the Brumbies' powerful scrum. The Aussie tighthead helped the Brumbies to the second-best success rate in scrums of any team in the competition (95 per cent) and showed his carrying ability on a number of occasions as well.

4. Rory Arnold - Brumbies

The Brumbies lineout was their key weapon all season and though it was halted in their Super Rugby semi-final, Arnold's performance for much of the year helped ensure their rolling maul could be dominant. His aggression in defence proved to be one of his greatest assets again and the 28-year-old also showed his capability in attack with some impressive tries. Arnold led Super Rugby in 2019 for lineouts won off the Brumbies' throw, helping to set up some of their best scoring chances.

5. Guido Petti - Jaguares

The Jaguares' pack has laid the foundations for their run into the  Super Rugby final this year and Petti has been a big part of it. The experienced lock leads Super Rugby in lineout steals with 11 for the season and third in lineouts won.

6. Pablo Matera - Jaguares

The Jaguares veteran has led from the front in 2019 and set the tone with some impressive breakdown work. The Argentinians' backrow has been the backbone of their success this season and Matera is a huge part of that.

7. Ardie Savea - Hurricanes


Savea has produced another stellar season in 2019 and propelled himself to the top of the pecking order when it comes to the All Blacks no. 7 jersey. His 29 turnovers are a competition-high this season and his ability to create something in attack as well makes him super dangerous.

8. Daniel du Preez - Sharks

While the South African teams had mediocre seasons this year, there were a handful of individuals who stood up and Du Preez was one of these. Was heavily involved in the Sharks' efforts this season, finishing second overall in carries for the year. Finished with seven tries as well and seventh in tackle breaks for the season.

9. Brad Weber - Chiefs


In a rollercoaster year for the Chiefs, Weber was a standout almost every week for the Waikato outfit. Showed his pace to create some pivotal attack for his side this season.

10. Richie Mo'unga - Crusaders

Mo'unga has had another sensational season for the Crusaders, as the Canterbury juggernaut rolled into their third straight Super Rugby final. Mo'unga was the second-highest points scorer this season. He led the competition in runs for flyhalves as well. The 24-year-old is certainly pushing his case for more Test rugby.

11. Rieko Ioane - Blues

Ioane proved his finishing abilities again this year with nine tries but also shaped as a consistent threat, leading the competition in linebreaks. 

12. Samu Kerevi - Reds

🔥 Man on fire. #SuperRugby

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Kerevi has been arguably the best player in Super Rugby in 2019. The Reds skipper was a beast in attack for Queensland, leading the competition in carries, and defenders beaten, second in offloads and fifth in clean breaks. All but certainly will be the Wallabies' no. 12 once the Rugby Championship kicks off.

13. Anton Lienert-Brown - Chiefs

Lienert-Brown has had some game-turning outings in an impressive 2019. Lienert-Brown finished the season leading Super Rugby in offloads and was in the top 10 for run metres per game.

14. Sevu Reece - Crusaders

⚡️Reece lightning. #CRUvHUR #SuperRugby

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Reece has set Super Rugby alight in 2019, leading the competition with 15 tries and topping the lot wiht 39 clean breaks. The speedster was also in the top five for metres gained. Expect him to earn his first All Blacks Test this season.

15. David Havili - Crusaders

Havili goes under the radar for the Crusaders but make no mistake, he has been very good for the reigning champions this season.

Reserves

16. Folau Fainga'a - Brumbies

Fainga'a had a game to forget in the Brumbies semi-final against the Jaguares, but that finish was not reflective of what was his best season of Super Rugby. Equalled the Super Rugby record for tries by a forward with 12 for the year.

17.  Scott Sio - Brumbies

Sio fought it out with James Slipper for a starting spot for much of the season and just edges out his Brumbies teammate here. Helped lay the foundation for the Brumbies with his scrummaging in what was arguably a career-best season.

18. Trevor Nyakane - Bulls

Nyakane was super consistent for the Pretoria outfit this season in an impressive tight five.

19. Marcos Kremer- Jaguares

Similarly to Petti, Kremer has played a vital role for the Jaguares this season. Has had some discipline worries but made a physical impact on almost every game.

20. Michael Hooper - Waratahs

Hooper is one of the hardest-working players in Super Rugby and his stats reflect that. The NSW skipper finished with a competition-high 210 tackles and would have had even more had he not been rotated out of the side twice as part of the Wallabies' World Cup policy.

21. TJ Perenara - Hurricanes


Perenara continued to prove himself as one of the world's best halfbacks this season, in his partnership with All Blacks 10 Beauden Barrett. Perenara's skills are slick and he had plenty of chances to show off his zip in attack this season as well.

22. Christian Lealiifano - Brumbies

Leaiifano was back in career-best form in 2019 and proved himself to be Australia's most consistent playmaker. Reliable in attack and defence, Lealiifano steered the Brumbies to some powerful victories and himself into Test contention this season.

23. Tom Banks - Brumbies

Banks had one of his busiest seasons in 2019, helping the Brumbies to the final four. His ability to run the ball is well-documented - he was second in carries in Super Rugby behind Kerevi and second in metres made behind the Blue's Melani Nanai - but his long-range kicking was critical to setting up ACT's maul play this year as well. Gets better every week/

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