Team of the week: Lions half-backs and Munster props feature

Image: Santiago Cordero showcased the Jaguares' attacking intent in Durban

The Lions half-backs lead a team of the week featuring Munster props and a pair of wingers who each recorded hat-tricks.

15 Santiago Cordero (Jaguares)

Jaguares fullback Santiago Cordero scores a wonder try against the Sharks.

A big shout-out to Phil Dollman of the Chiefs who was instrumental despite Exeter's 31-27 loss to the Tigers, but the neutrals' Super Rugby favourites once again came out firing, this time against a disciplined Sharks side.

Down to 13 men - something they're making a habit of so far in Super Rugby - the Jaguares full-back scored a wonderful try to give the visitors the lead. Showed plenty of pace and vision to counter-attack from deep in his own half.

14 Bjorn Basson (Bulls)

Image: Bjorn Basson scored a hat-trick for the Bulls

Basson played on the left wing in the Bulls' 45-25 win over the Rebels in Pretoria but we had to find a spot for him in this team.

He carried 12 times at an average gain of 9.1 metres per carry. The winger scored three tries in the demolition job of the Australians to get the Bulls' campaign back on track.

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13 Jonathan Davies (Clermont)

Image: Jonathan Davies was all all-round star for Clermont in their win

Clermont's 45-12 thrashing of Grenoble was a complete performance, and so was that of Wales outside centre Jonathan Davies.

Davies scored a try of his own but had a big part in several others as he took control of the midfield throughout. Likely to feature this weekend against England, a possible showdown with Jonathan Joseph would be quite some clash.

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12 Sam Hill (Exeter)

Image: Sam Hill stood out in his battle with Manu Tuilagi in the midfield

A big battle took place in the Exeter game against Leicester as England international Manu Tuilagi squared off against Sam Hill.

It was a superb performance from Tuilagi, capped off with a try, but Hill was out in force on Sunday, carrying the ball 19 times and putting in eight tackles while effecting three turnovers for his side.

11 Noa Nakaitaci (Clermont)

Image: Clermont's Noa Nakaitaci scored three times as Clermont thrashed Grenoble

A hat-trick from the big French winger, but that was only part of his contribution on the day. He made a staggering 200 yards in his 11 carries, at an average of almost 20 yards per carry, beating no less than 12 defenders in the process.

He also made 10 tackles to keep the Grenoble threat out wide at bay. A performance that will keep Guy Noves' eye on the winger if he maintains the form.

10 Elton Jantjies (Lions)

Image: Elton Jantjies helped Lions to their first win in Hamilton

The Lions arrived in New Zealand having never beaten the Chiefs in Hamilton, but that all changed as half-backs Jantjies and Faf de Klerk orchestrated a stunning win over the two-time champions.

Jantjies offered 16 points with the boot while bringing about an all-round attacking game in which he pulled the strings confidently.

Since bursting on the scene and featuring for the Boks in 2010 against the Barbarians, Jantjies has struggled to forge a consistent international career, but with the way the Lions are playing at the moment with him at the helm, that may well change.

9 Faf de Klerk (Lions)

Image: Lions' Faf De Klerk sets a high tempo for the team

After the stunning victory, Lions skipper Warren Whiteley said: "We weren't happy with last week's performance, so we worked really hard on our string to spread it from side to side and I think it worked."

It certainly did work, and the tempo was set by the live-wire De Klerk. The Lions are a well-drilled side with impressive fitness, allowing them to play a high-speed game which is facilitated by the work at the base from their No 9. There will surely be more to come from the Gauteng-based side.

1 Dave Kilcoyne (Munster)

Image: Dave Kilcoyne scores one of two tries for Munster

Two tries is a good afternoon for any prop, and for Kilcoyne it was no different. Solid in the scrum, and also contributed to the team cause with seven carries as Munster beat the Dragons 26-5.

2 Adriaan Strauss (Bulls)

Image: Adriaan Strauss was successful with 11 out of 12 lineout throws

He may have had one unsuccessful lineout to his name, but the front rower had 11 successful completions throwing to his jumpers.

With nine tackles and 11 carries added to his work in the set piece, the hooker was influential in helping the Bulls to their first win of the season.

3 John Ryan (Munster)

Highlights of the Guinness PRO12 round 17 clash between Munster and Newport Gwent Dragons.

John Ryan not only anchored the Munster scrum against the Dragons but also carried his weight with four carries and 12 tackles.

As the season draws closer to the play-offs, a full team effort is required to get Munster over the line, making contributions from the props as invaluable as those of the attacking threats and kickers.

4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers)

Image: Eben Etzebeth carried the ball 12 times against the Cheetahs

The war in Bloemfontein between the Cheetahs and Stormers was won 20-10 by the visitors, and the battle between Springbok second rowers Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager lived up to the billing it was given before the game.

Etzebeth was immense for the Cape side, making the second-most amount of carries along with Juan de Jongh after running the ball up 12 times, and his nine tackles were the most by any of the Stormers players. Etzebeth also took eight throws from his hooker at the lineout and stole three intended for Cheetahs jumpers.

5 Grant Hattingh (Bulls)

Image: Grant Hattingh took eight balls at the lineout

Grant Hattingh matched Etzebeth in terms of lineout balls taken on his team's throw with eight, and also managed one steal from a Rebels feed.

The second rower stood up for 13 carries, the second-most of all the Bulls players.

6 Sione Kalamafoni (Gloucester)

Image: Sione Kalamafoni made 18 carries for Gloucester

Victories over Wasps don't come very easily these days, in Europe or in the Premiership, but the cherry and whites managed a 13-10 win at Kingsholm on Saturday. The modest scoreline suggests how much of an arm-wrestle the encounter was, so work ethic was a priority.

Kalamafoni carried the ball 18 times - the most out of all the players involved in the game - and made 18 tackles, which was also unmatched by an individual. A workmanlike shift at the office.

7 Dan Leavy (Leinster)

Highlights of the Guinness PRO12 round 17 clash between Leinster and Ospreys

Leavy scored the try that put Leinster ahead at half-time, and it was a lead they would not relinquish despite a strong fightback from the Ospreys.

The comeback was repelled with defensive might, and no man put in more tackles than Leavy, who stopped 21 attackers in the tracks.

8 Tom Wood (Northampton)

Image: Tom Wood led a strong forward performance from Saints

Another bit of licence as we move Wood from the openside to No 8 for our team. Saracens had only lost twice in the season when Saints arrived at Allianz Park, but 80 minutes later Northampton were 20-15 to the good thanks to a strong forward performance.

Tom Wood led the performance with 13 carries (ranked 2nd for Saints) and 11 tackles, the most from any Northampton player.

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