Skip to content

Rugby union team of the week

Vaea Fifita runs in a try for the All Blacks

International stars combine with the best from the PRO14, Top 14 and Premiership to represent our latest team of the week.

 Blair Kinghorn breaks for Edinburgh
Image: Blair Kinghorn breaks for Edinburgh

15. Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh)

A wonderful attacking performance from Kinghorn, who scored a superb try and set up another with some scorching runs as Edinburgh beat the Dragons 35-18. He topped the metres made in this game and beat seven defenders with his cutting running lines.

14. Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath)

BATH - MARCH 04 2017:  Semesa Rokoduguni of Bath runs with the ball during the Aviva Premiership match between Bath and Wasps at the Recreation Ground
Image: Semesa Rokoduguni scored two tries

A match-winning performance from the Bath flyer, whose double helped his side to a superb win over Saracens. Rokoduguni was quiet for 75 minutes of the game but exploded into life when Bath were down to 14 men to score two tries in three minutes to give them the win.

13. Alex Dunbar (Glasgow)

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights from Dave Rennie's first home game at Scotstoun as Glasgow Warriors head coach

Two tries for the Warriors centre as Glasgow made it two wins from two with a 31-10 win against the Ospreys.

12. Ben Te'o (Worcester)

Worcester may have lost against Wasps but they looked very threatening in attack from open play with Te'o causing the Wasps defence problems with his powerful direct running lines. Went off after 67 minutes with a bump to his arm and Worcester will hope they can get him back for next Friday's clash against Exeter.

11. Alex Wootton (Munster)

Alex Wootton's four tries saw him enter the Guinness PRO14 record books as Munster demolished the Cheetahs 51-18 at Thomond Park.

The 23-year-old winger joins former Munster centre Mike Mullins (2001), Cardiff's Lee Abdul (2003) and Jamie Robinson (2004) and Glasgow's Tommy Seymour (2016) in scoring the most tries in a single PRO14 game.

10. Lima Sopoaga (New Zealand)

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

The All Blacks overcame a spirited Pumas side in New Plymouth

All the talk will be about Sopoaga landing his four out of five kicks when Beauden Barrett had another nightmare from the kicking tee. However, Sopoaga brought more than just his boot to the role. His decision making was impeccable and he controlled the game when the All Blacks were down on the scoreboard and down to 14 men.

9. Tomas Cubelli (Argentina)

Another excellent performance from Cubelli, who bossed his forwards around and made good use of the ball he got. A great mix of passing and kicking game kept the Pumas well in this game until they ran out of steam.

1. Joe Moody (New Zealand)

Had a couple of rampaging runs that caught the eye but it was his core role that gets him the nod as he piled on the pressure in the scrum and caused all sorts of problems for his opposite number. Unfortunately dislocated his shoulder and will be a huge loss for the All Blacks.

2. Agustin Creevy (Argentina)

 Agustin Creevy of Argentina is tackled during The Rugby Championship against New Zealand
Image: Argentina's Agustin Creevy is tackled during The Rugby Championship against New Zealand

Head and shoulders the best Puma on the field and played with his usual passion. Lifted his side with his performance as he carried strongly and tackled his heart out.

3. Coenie Oosthuizen (South Africa)

Oosthuizen suffered a broken arm during the Springboks clash against Australia and will be sorely missed when they head to New Zealand. He sorted out some early issues to come out top in the scrums and was superb around the paddock topping the table for tackles for South Africa with 16.

4. Courtney Lawes (Northampton)

 Courtney Lawes puts in a big tackle on Jonny May
Image: Courtney Lawes puts in a big tackle on Jonny May

Yes, he played No 6 for Saints against Leicester but his performance was so good we had to get him in. A massive engine and he was everywhere - carrying hard, disrupting lineouts and putting in his trademark massive tackles.

5. Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)

Pieter-Steph du Toit breaks for the boks
Image: Pieter-Steph du Toit breaks for South Africa

Like Lawes, he has one massive engine and did not stop against Australia. Great work in the loose, and was the Springboks' main ball carrier with some impressive pick and gos. Excellent in the lineout as well.

6. Vaea Fifita (New Zealand)

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Thinus Delport and Michael Lynagh discuss the impact of Vaea Fifita and New Zealand's impressive production line

An outstanding performance from Fifita. Made huge metres with ball in hand and showed his remarkable speed in the second half to score his try.

7. Levani Botia (La Rochelle)

 Levani Botia runs with the ball against Clermont
Image: Levani Botia runs with the ball against Clermont

A rampaging performance from the Fijian flanker-come-centre, who switches from the back row to the backline with ease. He once again popped up everywhere to cause chaos for La Rochelle. Clermont had no answer to his power and offloading game. Turned over some vital ball and topped the table for carries with a massive twenty, and topped thee defenders beaten with four as well.

8. Jack Conan (Leinster)

Guinness PRO14, RDS, Dublin 8/9/2017.Leinster vs Cardiff Blues.Leinster...s Jack Conan.Mandatory Credit ..INPHO/Billy Stickland
Image: Jack Conan put in a superb display

An all-action display from Conan, who made a huge impact on this game with his big carries and solid defence. Played a part in Leinster's bonus-point try as well. A nod to Exeter's Sam Simmonds and Wasps No 8 Nathan Hughes, who were also very good.

Around Sky