Best XV from World Rugby for Weekend of October 31-November 2
A curious weekend in the fixture calendar saw domestic competition return in Europe, while Australia and New Zealand circled the globe before the autumn internationals take centre stage next week.
Australia warmed up with an entertaining clash against the Barbarians at Twickenham, while the All Blacks took the rugby gospel to Chicago, and delivered it with a sound beating of the USA Eagles.
While the big players of the home nations rested easy ahead of the international window, the big hitters in France had no such downtime. All played in another round of Top 14 fixtures, with some notable performances among them.
Here is your finest 15 from this hotchpotch of a weekend.
The Back Three
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15. Israel Dagg
New Zealand’s full-back will rarely enjoy as much space as he was afforded at Soldier Field as the All Blacks battered the Americans.
Dagg bagged a try and displayed his ability to create space and tries for others. He has done enough to stay in the side as New Zealand head to Twickenham.
14. Martin Bustos Moyano
Moyano got a try, kicked a penalty and nailed a conversion for a thoroughly satisfactory night’s work as Bayonne beat Clermont Auvergne 24-13.
His try was a piece of fine individual skill as he dabbed the ball off his toe and chased through to score.
11. Timoci Matanavou
Toulouse’s flying Fijian had an outstanding game, capped by a try, but he was more impressive for the eye–popping 161 metres he ran with he ball.
This is a good team to play in when they get their free–flowing passing going, and the left wing was very much a part of that on Saturday.
Centres
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13. Waisea Nayacalevu Vuidravuwalu
Vuidravuwalu scored twice and carried for 83 metres as Stade Francais overcame Bordeaux 39-22 in the Top 14.
The hulking Fijian didn’t have too far to travel for either of his tries, but his game intelligence was also in evidence, with his positioning spot-on on more than one occasion to mop up Bordeaux kicks and launch attacks from deep.
12. Sonny Bill Williams
In his first game back in the 15-a-side national team, Sonny Bill looked as though he had never been away, running with pace and power and getting his famous off–loading game going.
He has made it look easy against far better sides than this American team.
Half-Backs
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10. Nicolas Sanchez
Sanchez was picked up by Toulon after the Rugby Championship as cover for the injured Freddie Michalak.
The Argentinian hit the ground running with five penalties and two conversions for his new side as they took Grenoble apart 61-28.
9. Will Genia
Genia looked in good touch as he returned to the Wallabies’ starting lineup against the Barbarians.
Frozen out under the Ewen McKenzie regime, with Michael Cheika now in charge, the old stager may just be asked to delay the inevitable move to Europe a little longer.
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Back Row
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8. Kieran Read
Read did not allow his level to drop one iota, which was impressive given the level of opposition he was up against.
The IRB World Player of the Year was in fine form against the Eagles and seems to be approaching his best after shaking off the concussions that scuppered much of his Super Rugby season in 2014.
7. Sean McMahon
Young Melbourne Rebels flanker Sean McMahon was called upon just 19 minutes into Australia’s clash with the Barbarians. He came on in place of the injured Scott Higginbotham and earned rave reviews for his display, per ESPNScrum.com
"The 20-year-old made the most of his chance, producing a series of barnstorming runs, scoring a try and defending strongly to be one of Australia's best players. It's already been a dream year for McMahon, who won three awards at last month's John Eales' Medal awards night, but it appears likely to get even better.
With Higginbotham to miss the Test against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, and possibly the rest of the tour, coach Michael Cheika indicated it would be hard to leave the Australian under 20s captain out.
'I thought he was outstanding,' Cheika said of McMahon. 'At the John Eales Medal the other night he was doing his fitness work by going back up to the podium to collect awards. He got on the field and took his opportunity with both hands. With the injury to Scott Higginbotham there's a place in the back row open for the Test next week and he's definitely put himself right up there.'
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6. Yannick Nyanga
Toulouse made it five wins in a row with a 41-17 victory over Lyon, and their Kinshasa–born flanker was one of the star men.
Nyanga made 19 tackles, ran for 30 metres and scored a try. Are there many better back-row trios around than this man, Imanol Harinordoquy and the in–form Louis Picamoles?
Second Row
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5. Patrick Tuipolotu
The highly rated lock from Auckland showed up well against the States, scoring a try, running well and putting in an impressive 14 tackles.
New Zealand have another promising option at second row to back up the first choice pairing of Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick.
4. Bakkies Botha
The old war horse got on the scoresheet for Toulon and threw his weight around as only he can. There appear to be plenty of miles left on the clock for the 35-year-old.
Front Row
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3. Charlie Faumuina
New Zealand’s tight–head was not exercised at scrum time, so put his energies to use around the paddock with some fine ball–carrying that may not have gone unnoticed by any NFL scouts in the crowd on the watch for a new defensive lineman.
2. Nathan Harris
Harris scored on debut for New Zealand to get their rout over the Eagles under way in Chicago.
He couldn't have done much more to announce himself on the scene, but he knows the queue is long and illustrious in front of him for the starting spot when it comes to the crunch.
1. Alexandre Menini
Toulon's loose-head nabbed a try for himself in his side's dominant display over Clermont.
The loss of Andrew Sheridan has been tempered by the form of the Frenchman, who is upholding his pack's fearsome reputation admirably.
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