Team Of The Week From Round Two Of The Rugby Championship 2023
Team Of The Week From Round Two Of The Rugby Championship 2023
Round two of the 2023 Rugby Championship saw New Zealand defeat South Africa and Argentina beat Australia, here is an all-star combined team of the week.
We’re a third of the way through the Rugby Championship, and already just one team remains unbeaten in the competition.
Reigning champions New Zealand hold that title after putting in a stirring first-half performance to brush aside South Africa 35-20. The statement win was one of the best All Blacks performances under Ian Foster to date and reminded all rugby fans that the three-time world champions should not be counted out heading into the World Cup this autumn.
In the other game of the weekend, Argentina recovered from a disappointing first-round loss to edge an exhilarating 34-31 win over Australia at CommBank Stadium. The result means Eddie Jones is still searching for his first victory since taking charge of Australia at the end of last year.
Evidently, it was a weekend to forget for some players, but it was a time to take to the spotlight and shine for others.
1. Steven Kitshoff (SA)
Even when South Africa looked average, Steven Kitshoff put in the hard yards, making sure the Springbok scrum held firm in the face of a first-half All Blacks barrage. He was instrumental in steering the driving maul, which led to South Africa’s first try and caused New Zealand a number of issues when running into contact.
2. Julián Montoya (ARG)
Argentina captain Julián Montoya led from the front on Saturday, playing for a staggering 72 minutes against the Wallabies. He never dropped his intensity levels and made a pivotal intervention early in the second half when the scores were still level, charging through tacklers to put his side in front.
3. Allan Alaalatoa (AUS)
Much like Montoya, Allan Alaalatoa put in a huge shift in the front row, clocking a total of 74 minutes on the pitch. In that time, he made 19 tackles – a truly staggering amount – and orchestrated the Australia set-piece well enough that it remained steady in the face of Argentinian might.
4. Brodie Retallick (NZ)
This was a performance we’ve come to expect from Brodie Retallick. Solid in the lineout and relentless across the park, the second row carried into contact 10 times and made a crucial steal off Lood de Jager in the lineout.
5. Lucas Paulos (ARG)
Lucas Paulos may have played less than a half of rugby, but he made his time count. The long-haired lock worked extremely hard carrying the ball into contact and didn’t stop thundering away at the Australian line. You could see him panting in the 80th minute, venomously waiting for another carry.
6. Shannon Frizell (NZ)
Shannon Frizell has never played better in a New Zealand shirt. He gained 43 metres in total and finished with a match-high of 13 tackles. However, the lasting memory of his display is the highlight-worthy try he scored early on, where he ran over Willie le Roux like prime Jonah Lomu.
Anyone else get the feeling all of the talk during the week about the Boks pack dominating the All Blacks may have added a little bit of spice to that Shannon Frizell try? A nice slamming of the ball onto the ground. Oh and of course Will Jordan was involved!
— Philip Bendon (@PBendon) July 15, 2023
#NZLvRSA #TRC2023 pic.twitter.com/Xaq1ktc1Qv
7. Kwagga Smith (SA)
Even though the Springbok pack were uncharacteristically quiet over the weekend, Kwagga Smith made sure his voice was heard, working hard to disrupt the breakdown. He was rewarded for his efforts with a try late in the game, which came after a powerful run through traffic.
8. Juan Martín González (ARG)
With Juan Martín González around, you know the future of Argentina rugby is in safe hands. The 22-year-old was brilliant over the weekend, working tirelessly at the breakdown for a full 80 minutes. He got his just reward for that hard work when he gambled and carried high into contact, bounding over Australian defenders to score the winning try for Argentina.
9. Aaron Smith (NZ)
If there was an inkling that Aaron Smith was past it, all doubts were cast aside over the weekend as the veteran scrum-half put in yet another accomplished performance, running a brilliant support line off Will Jordan to score the opening try of the game.
10 Richie Mo’unga (NZ)
Richie Mo’unga is all class and he continues to show just how well-rounded he is on the international stage. His attacking decision-making and kicking was sublime throughout on Saturday, giving the All Blacks a platform from which to build. He finished the game with a try and 20 points to his name.
11. Will Jordan (NZ)
At times Will Jordan feels like a cheat code, mixing blistering pace with smarts to outwit opponents. That fine balance was exhibited minutes into the contest when he was left un-tackled and so returned to his feet, stormed through a gap and offloaded to Smith, who scored. It proved to be one of many electric moments from Jordan.
Will Jordan was on another level today for the @AllBlacks #NZLvsRSA #RugbyChampionship #AllBlacks #WillJordan pic.twitter.com/p0r2lWe00v
— FloRugby (@FloRugby) July 15, 2023
12. Jordie Barrett (NZ)
Jordie Barrett is quickly turning into a real gem in the All Blacks midfield. The deep kicking option which he provides is a useful tool, but it’s his effortless linkup play with Mo’unga which really makes him stand out. And then, on top of that, his tackling is pristine, as he finished the game with ten hits in total.
13. Lucio Cinti (ARG)
A highly underrated player, Lucio Cinti once again proved that he feels right at home playing test rugby. The versatile back was a constant feature in the Argentina midfield, finely balancing hard running lines with agile gliding carries, which caused the Wallabies' defence problems.
14. Mark Nawaqanitawase (AUS)
A lot’s been said about the Waratahs' young winger Mark Nawaqanitawase, and it seems all the prophesising about his ability has been justified. Against Argentina, the youngster was sublime, making an early break to set up the Wallabies’ first try before intercepting a pass and running the length of the field to score a try of his own near the end of the contest.
Jeez, the Wallabies really blew that one.
— Philip Bendon (@PBendon) July 15, 2023
But here is the man with the best name in rugby Mark Nawaqanitawase going the length of the pitch in happier times for the Aussies.#RugbyChampionship #AUSvsARG #Wallabies pic.twitter.com/VEua7V5ZI3
15. Beauden Barrett (NZ)
Any question over Beauden Barrett’s suitability to play at fullback seems to have dissipated. The way in which he operates the backfield is a marvel to behold. He controlled the aerial battle throughout with some fine catches and even more impressive kicks launched high into the sky.