Best XV in World Rugby for Weekend of April 11-12

A bye for the Hurricanes in Round 9 of the Super Rugby campaign gave their peers a chance to close the gap at the table's summit this weekend, and others were more than happy to dazzle in their stead.

Among those impressing were the Highlanders, who capitalised on a superb display from Waisake Naholo (pictured) to overturn the Crusaders on their own turf to go fifth in the standings.

Saracens kept up their pursuit of Northampton Saints in the Premiership, but there was a shock at the Marcel Michelin, where Clermont Auvergne slumped to a home defeat against Top 14 minnows Oyonnax.

Stars from both hemispheres have done enough to weave their way into our best XV from this weekend's world rugby slate, but with so many candidates vying for a berth, only the cream of the crop make the cut.

Back Three

15. Jerome Porical, Lyon

No other entrant in this week's lineup came close to boasting the same running impact as Lyon's Jerome Porical this weekend after the Lyon full-back jetted his way to a ridiculous 204 carrying metres at Brive.

We recently saw Melbourne Rebels speedster Sefanaia Naivalu come close to the 200-metre mark against the Reds, but Porical ate up the pitch with his 15 carries, although it wasn't enough to prevent a 22-20 defeat.

Bulls full-back Jesse Kriel deserves a mention after clocking up 194 carrying metres against the Reds, while La Rochelle's Kini Murimurivalu dazzled in beating no fewer than eight Stade Francais defenders.

14. Waisake Naholo, Highlanders

With the Highlanders trailing 14-13 at the break on Saturday, they needed a big second-half effort in order to topple the Crusaders, which is exactly what Naholo gave as soon as play resumed for the second period.

The Fijian finished with 152 carrying metres in total, but the most important of those came in the shape of two quick-fire tries in the 44th and 50th minutes to thrust the Highlanders into a lead.

Ulster's Tommy Bowe grabbed two tries of his own against Connacht, but the brace wasn't quite as impressive as Naholo's.

11. Howard Mnisi, Lions

Howard Mnisi is a unique asset in this weekend's XV in that he didn't play a part in the Lions' starting lineup but did enough with his minutes to prove as influential as any other.

Usually a centre, Mnisi came on after 30 minutes against the Sharks to have a major impact out wide, scoring one try and assisting another to help seal a slim 23-21 triumph.

Centres

13. Damian de Allende, Stormers 

The Stormers' first away victory in 10 attempts was by all means due to the team performing as one cohesive unit, but it's thanks to the flair provided by the likes of Damian de Allende that they took a 32-18 win in New South Wales on Saturday.

The Waratahs led at the break, but De Allende was a constant thorn in their side and scored either side of half-time. He also made nine tackles in total, more than any other Stormers back.

Scarlets maestro Scott Williams led the charge against Zebre to finish with two tries and an assist to aid the Welsh side in their 28-26 victory, but the achievement can't be compared to that of De Allende.

12. Peter Horne, Glasgow Warriors

Peter Horne was the hat-trick hero for Glasgow Warriors this weekend as the Scots rallied to claim a 37-17 win over Cardiff Blues. The centre had three to his name before the half-time whistle.

Taking over kicking duties, Horne finished with 24 points in total, beating four defenders and managing to not miss any of his attempted tackles. 

Francois Venter and Harold Vorster of the Cheetahs and Lions, respectively, earn honourable mentions for their performances too.

Half-Backs

10. Ben Urdapilleta, Oyonnax

It was far from the most glitzy performance this weekend and came with its own share of mistakes, but Oyonnax playmaker Ben Urdapilleta was nonetheless talismanic in leading his side to a historic 11-10 win at Clermont.

Oyonnax will cherish the win for some time to come, and it just so happened to be Urdapilleta's 74th-minute strike that sealed a one-point win for the books. He also did his part to keep Clermont's weapons quiet with 15 tackles.

9. Maxime Machenaud, Racing Metro

A 24-24 draw may not have been the result every Racing Metro supporter was hoping for at home to Montpellier on Saturday, but even that would have been impossible without Maxime Machenaud's brace of tries.

The scrum-half showed his usual knack of initiative to glide over either side of the half-time whistle, scoring from each one of the breaks he mustered in Paris. Racing showed some gaping holes defensively, but Machenaud ranked among the team's best tacklers, making 11 of his own.

Back Row

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8. Peceli Yato, Clermont Auvergne

It may have been part of a losing effort, but Clermont No. 8 Peceli Yato was a bully all the same as he ravaged his way to 70 metres with ball in hand against Oyonnax.

The 22-year-old is understandably causing waves among the Top 14. He finished his Saturday outing with four clean breaks to his name, beating six defenders and making a monstrous nine offloads.

7. Eugene N'Zi, Lyon

Lyon were disappointed to let slip a 10-3 half-time lead at Brive on Saturday, but one who certainly did his part to defend that advantage was openside Eugene N'Zi, the proud owner of a 21-tackle performance.

"Tireless" would be the most succinct description of the flanker's efforts, despite not being sufficient to avoid a two-point loss. Cheetahs flanker Boom Prinsloo was similarly dogged in Perth, contributing 20 tackles against Western Force.

6. Heinrich Brussow, Cheetahs

While team-mate Prinsloo just misses out, Cheetahs flanker Heinrich Brussow edges his way into the No. 6 jersey after matching N'Zi's count of 21 tackles against the Force. He also had a try to go along with that stellar defensive shift.

Brussow's score came at a crucial juncture for the Cheetahs too. He established a lead for the South African outfit in the 66th minute, which they would keep en route to a 24-15 win.

Second Row

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5. Carl Wegner, Cheetahs

The third Cheetahs forward to make his way into our pack this week is Carl Wegner, who was also part of a victory in Perth that may have been impossible if not for their willingness to get physical up front.

Wegner's tackle count was also clearly above the norm, succeeding with 15 in total, but it was the lock's work at the set piece that added a tidy signature to his showcase.

4. Tyler Ardron, Ospreys

It's sometimes difficult to believe lock isn't Tyler Ardron's natural position, and the back-rower-cum-second-row showed off his versatility once again as Ospreys ran to a 33-13 win in Treviso.

The Canadian captain was imperious at the line-out with three takes, racking up an impressive 14 tackles and making two clean breaks in the process—only Rhys Webb and Eli Walker managed more.

Front Row

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3. Aaron Jarvis, Ospreys

Aaron Jarvis made just the single attempted carry against Treviso this weekend, delivering zero offensive impact with ball in hand, but he certainly did his part out of possession, notching 15 tackles on Friday.

The prop is beginning to show more and more consistent numbers on the club level with some active displays for Ospreys. No wonder Wales coach Warren Gatland is taking more notice.

2. Jamie George, Saracens

Rugby wasn't replete with star-studded hooker performances this weekend, but a busy display from Saracens' Jamie George helped the Londoners dish out a confident 22-6 beating to Leicester Tigers.

Saracens were largely reliable at the line-out, but George's 17 tackles really proved to be of use in preventing the Tigers from bagging a single try. 

1. Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Blues

The Blues finally got their 2015 campaign up and running on Friday, as a brutish performance from loosehead Ofa Tu'ungafasi was merely one component in a resounding 16-14 victory over the Brumbies.

The result in Auckland was almost as big of a surprise as it was to see Tu'ungafasi contribute an astonishing 17 tackles. He put up a stern blockade to keep the Canberra visitors at bay.

All statistics come courtesy of ESPN Scrum.