Picking the form team of The Rugby Championship so far
It’s been a wild Rugby Championship to date and we’re in for a tight finish with just two rounds left in the inaugural tournament and only one point separating the table topping All Blacks from their three southern rivals.
The competitive landscape for teams and players is changing weekly with significant injuries and personal matters chopping and changing lineups at any moment.
To celebrate what has been the most dog-eat-dog Rugby Championship yet, here is a team of the tournament so far which includes three Wallabies, five All Blacks, five Springboks and two Pumas:
1. James Slipper (Wallabies)
Stepping in for Michael Hooper as Australia’s captain is a huge ask, even for a 116 cap veteran. He’s put in huge minutes and lead admirably despite the Australian scrum not being the tournaments strongest. Gave us some touches around the ruck that opened some running lines for his more mobile forwards.
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho (All Blacks)
Incredible hookers are hardly in short supply in the Southern hemisphere, competition for the tournament’s top spot amongst a line-up of monstrous men is tough. Were Malcolm Marx given more minutes he might be considered the best hooker in world rugby. For Julian Montoya to be the emotional leader of the most passionate team in rugby deserves recognition in itself. However, for Taukei’aho, Making lineout accuracy look effortless, contributing to what is now a powerful front row and acting as a damaging ball runner, being the tournament’s second leading carrier, has all made for one hell of a Rugby Championship campaign.
3. Frans Malherbe (Springboks)
It’s not a form team without a south African in the front row. The Springboks yet again have the best performing scrum in the tournament and Malherbe’s tackle numbers represent his strong work around the park. Allan Alaalatoa deserves a special mention for squaring up with Eben Etzebeth.
4. Sam Whitelock (All Blacks)
Father time has been kind to big Sammy, who you’ll find is often the first forward up in support after a kick despite often being the oldest on the park. His best ball carrying days are behind him but he’ll never hesitate to put his hand up. An Inspiring work rate from an All Blacks leader on and off the pitch. The most piercing memory from this tournament for most might be Koroibete’s tackle on Makizole Mapimpi, but Eben Etzebeth holding up Ardie Savea over the try line and throwing him back into his own ruck will live rent free in the minds of many rugby fans, therefore big Eben (as always) deserves an honourable mention.
5. Lood De Jager (Springboks)
Perhaps seen as the Robin to Etzebeth’s Batman, Lood de Jager performs week in week out. One of the strongest set piece players in the game, striving in the Springboks game plan. A safe pair of hands for the Springbok lineout and second only to Lavanini in tackles for a lock.
6. Siya Kolisi (Springboks)
His running meters, tackle count and turnover work are all testament to the Springbok captains work-rate. Seventh in tackles won. The more involved he gets around the ruck, the better the Springboks are.
7. Marcos Kremer (Los Pumas)
His physicality is monumental, leading the tournament with 57 tackles (Argentinians make up the entirety of the top five in tackles won). It’s the nature of the tackles that makes that statistic even more remarkable, sprinting up out of the Pumas line to put a hit on the likes of Ardie Savea, Rob Valentini or Shannon Frizell.
8. Ardie Savea (All Blacks)
There’s only one Ardie Savea. He’s miles ahead of any other player in carries, tied for first place in offloads, third in meters carried and tied seventh for line-outs won. Post match reviews frequently mention Ardie with compliments in the realm of ” he played like a man possessed”, and for good reason. Pablo Matera’s dynamic play on top of his defensive prowess also deserves a mention.
9. Nic White (Wallabies)
The most effective player at getting under the other team’s (and their fanbase’s) skin in world rugby right now. The way his playmaking and vision allowed Noah Lolesio to play expansively with confidence is rare for halfbacks.
10. Richie Mo’unga (All Blacks)
Has his fingerprints all over the All Blacks wins, granted that’s only half the time but as is the case for all teams. The execution in his varied kicking game against the Pumas shows what a complete attacking threat he can be. Second in overall points.
11. Marika Koroibete (Wallabies)
Effort around the park is as good as any back in the game right now, constantly showing up all over the field when needed. No comment on his tackle technique but he was man of the match in Adelaide for a reason. Makazole Mapimpi and Caleb Clarke have both had exceptional campaigns respectively, but Marika’s consistency in a tournament which has seen a real lack of game to game cohesion sets him apart.
12. Damian De Allende (Springboks)
The South African backline’s defence has been tasked with diffusing a number of attacking threats in the likes of Rieko Ioane and Hunter Paisami amongst others, De Allende has been more than up to the task. His physicality as a ball runner can have its moments but hasn’t featured so heavily this campaign.
13. Rieko Ioane (All Blacks)
He’s first in defenders beaten and meters carried, fourth in offloads. Always finding ways to use his pace, whether it’s beating defenders, running assist lines, or biting inside defensively only to track down his player trying to burn him on the outside. Deserved recipient of man of the match at Ellis Park. Lukhanyo Am certainly made his impact at 13 and wing before injury ended his Rugby Championship campaign.
14. Emiliano Boffelli (Los Pumas)
The tournament’s top overall points scorer, Boffelli was huge in the Pumas win over the All Blacks, slotting all seven of his kicks off the tee. Will Jordan comes in as a close second.
15. Damian Willemse (Springboks)
His attacking flare has been on full display in whatever position they throw at him. He’s played full back, first-five and second five, having to adapt in game due to his teams injuries but not skipping a beat. Also, the 24 year old has racked up some impressive tackle numbers.
Comments on RugbyPass
It couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
25 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
13 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
25 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
13 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
77 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
1 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
13 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
13 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
13 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
13 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
13 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
44 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to comments