Best XV from World Rugby for Weekend of October 10-12
Domestic action around the world took centre stage this weekend, so for this XV we have studied the best performances from the Currie Cup in South Africa, the ITM Cup in New Zealand and the main leagues across Europe to see who stood out.
Tries, points tallies and reports of fine performances all go into the mix to produce this team of the weekend, which does not house many household names from the southern hemisphere with most of them enjoying some time off after the Rugby Championship’s finale.
No such lay-offs for Europe’s big names, however, as league action prepares to make way for some major continental collisions in the Rugby Champions Cup.
Here are our picks for the week.
Full-Back
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15. Ben Foden
There was not a finer full-back display than that given by Ben Foden at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday.
The former Sale man helped the champions slay his old paymasters in fine style with a performance that will certainly give England coach Stuart Lancaster food for thought.
Harlequins’ Mike Brown has plenty of credit in the bank with the England hierarchy for what he has done in a white shirt over the last 18 months, but he is struggling in a misfiring Quins outfit, and Foden is playing well enough to deserve consideration.
Wings
2 of 714. Bjorn Basson
Basson boosted his chances of a return to Springbok colours with a hat-trick for the Blue Bulls in a 46-12 romp against the Griquas in South Africa’s Currie Cup, per Sport24.co.za.
According to rugbyweek.com, Basson’s triple made it a record 50 tries in 50 appearances in the tournament.
These are happier times for the flying wing who was banned for taking a prohibited substance while on tour with South Africa in 2010 before being exonerated, via The Telegraph.
11. Metuisela Talebula
There was one try last week, two this one and both were in 50–point hauls for Bordeaux Begles.
Fijian flyer Metuisela Talebula is in red–hot form. The wing, who has seven tries in 11 Tests for Fiji, plundered a brace as his side cut loose against Castres, 59-7.
He topped the try-scoring charts last season with 15, all of which you can see above, and has four in his first seven this term.
Centres
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13. George Pisi
Northampton’s Samoan brothers, George and Ken Pisi, were both on the scoresheet in the Saints’ 43-10 thumping of Sale, with George putting in a fine display at outside centre.
Pisi carried for 18 metres and made seven tackles per ESPNScrum.com and was a major handful for the men from Manchester all afternoon.
12. Brad Barritt
Saracens got back to winning ways against Gloucester, and their returning England centre, Brad Barritt, garnered much of the praise for a performance that helped Sarries to victory and came directly against the man who took the South African-born midfielder’s Test jersey, Billy Twelvetrees.
The Telegraph’s Steve James wrote:
"Having created a try moments earlier Twelvetrees was simply displaying the inconsistency that so frustrates England’s management: brilliance followed by blunder.
In contrast Barritt reflected his side’s efforts; solid, organised, error-free and clinical. Saracens looked very different from defeat without him last weekend at Bath.
Indeed so valuable is he that his director of rugby, Mark McCall, is convinced that he must play for England again this autumn.
“People underestimate Brad, they think he is a one-trick pony,” McCall said. “Of course, he defended brilliantly but there is so much more to his game.
“Without question he is the most competitive person I have come across. He leads by example. I would have him on my international team every day of the week.”
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Half-Backs
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10. Gareth Anscombe
Cardiff–bound Gareth Anscombe scored a try, three conversions and three penalties for Auckland in their 38-10 ITM Cup win over Northland.
The fly–half is moving to the Blues at the end of Auckland’s season and is eligible to play for Wales through his mother.
This fact has not been lost on Wales coach Warren Gatland, who reportedly has Anscombe on the list for one of the 10 dual contracts set to be handed out in Wales, per ESPNScrum.com.
Anscombe’s selection in this team of the week was a close call between him and Camille Lopez, who bagged a try and kicked six from six with the boot for Clermont Auvergne in their 30-10 win over La Rochelle in the Top 14.
9. Rhys Webb
Ospreys scrum-half Rhys Webb continued his great form for the unbeaten region, as they beat Welsh rivals Cardiff 26-15.
He scored his fifth try of the season and took another step toward confirming himself and half-back partner Dan Biggar as the best pairing for the national side this autumn.
Andy Howell of Wales Online wrote:
"Mike Phillips has been second-choice scrum-half at Racing Metro this campaign while Webb has been thriving with his latest try his fifth of the campaign. It could be a case of whether Gatland picks on current form or the solid showing of the experienced Phillips in the second clash with South Africa.
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Back Row
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8. Samu Manoa
Northampton’s American No. 8 Samu Manoa did a passable impression of a runaway Mack Truck with a hat-trick against Sale that epitomized the side’s power all over the park. He rarely has quiet games. This was not one.
7. James Haskell
A monumental shift from the England man James Haskell with 16 tackles and a strong display all round, as Wasps secured a deserved win against one of the Premiership’s pace-setters in Bath.
6. Ashley Johnson
Wasps’ South African battering ram Ashley Jonson was one of the driving forces behind a high-octane display from his side that was eventually enough to see off Bath. He forced some crucial turnovers and was a menace with the ball in hand.
Second Row
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5. Alun-Wyn Jones
Alun-Wyn Jones is leading this revamped Ospreys side with distinction this season and put in another outstanding display as he led his men to a sixth-straight win in this PRO12 campaign.
Andy Howell of Wales Online was certainly impressed:
"His influence on the humbling of the Blues was immense and the way in which he dealt with referee Leighton Hodges was impressive.
He’s also assured of a place in Gatland’s starting line-up on form while (Sam) Warburton is struggling to be at his influential best.
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4. Courtney Lawes
Lawes was as industrious as ever in the Northampton engine room, putting in his tackles and performing well in the line–out, as the Saints steamrolled Sale in every department.
He sets high standards for himself and consistently meets them.
Front Row
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3. Nicky Smith
This weekend could signal a landmark weekend for young Ospreys loose-head Nicky Smith, who found himself up against a man once deemed rugby royalty in Ospreys country.
Adam Jones, now wearing the blue of Cardiff, may be a veteran of two Lions tours and have more Welsh caps than Smith has had hot dinners, but the 20-year-old Osprey Smith performed brilliantly against the older man and has put himself on Warren Gatland’s radar.
2. Rory Best
Ulster skipper Rory Best was at the heart of a powerful performance from the Irish province to pop Glasgow’s early–season bubble at Ravenhill.
The Irish Test hooker put in a busy, boisterous display to lead his side to a 29-9 win that closes the gap between his side and Gregor Townsend’s men.
1. Matt Mullen
Wasps’ win over Bath was built on a scrummaging display that not many would have seen coming against Mike Ford’s team, given their dominance in that area over none other than Leicester two weeks ago.
Yet they were taken apart at times by Dai Young’s forward unit, with loose-head Matt Mullan particularly impressive against England tight-head David Wilson, as the The Guardian’s Rob Kitson explained:
"Mullan, in particular, gave England’s first-choice tight-head Davey Wilson an almighty hurry-up and must be pushing Joe Marler hard in every sense for the startling loose-head berth.
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