Super Rugby team of the week – Round 3

The 2013 Super Rugby tournament saw some close encounters and big defeats in Round 3.

The standout moments of the weekend included the Blues surprising the well-prepared Crusaders with a 35-14 win at Eden Park, while the Chiefs crushed the Cheetahs 45-3 in Hamilton.

The big game of the weekend, the Sharks up against the Stormers, was a tightly-contested battle which saw the Sharks get the edge in a nerve-racking arm-wrestle.

Check out the Super Rugby team of the week for Round 3 below.

Super Rugby 2013 team of the week (Round 3):

1. Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks) – Mtawarira was impressive in all his aspects of the game – his power in the scrum and breakdown gave the Stormers a hard time and the Sharks the advantage.

2. Craig Burden (Sharks) – Burden partnered up with Mtawarira and Du Plessis excellently, and the hooker also showed his strength and attacking skill when taking the ball to the line.

3. Ben Afeaki (Chiefs) – the Chiefs front-rower was purely dominant in every encounter against the Cheetahs, and picked up a good try for himself.

4. Rob Simmons (Reds) – Simmons finally picked up his first Super Rugby try in 51 matches, and he led the Reds’ under some serious pressure to hold out the Hurricane’s last-quarter attacks.

5. Kane Douglas (Waratahs) – Douglas put in all the hard work at the breakdown and lineouts to keep the Waratahs in the game and help them overcome the Rebels.

6. Liam Messam (Chiefs) – The Sharks’ Marcel Coetzee was a contender for the best blindside , but Messam continued to lead his team by example, and never stepped a foot wrong throughout his team’s crushing victory.

7. Jean Deysel (Sharks) – Deysel was questioned during his selection, however the big flanker was stubborn in defence and ruthless when carrying the ball – exactly what was needed from him.

8. Peter Saili (Blues) – the big Blues number 8 carried well and defended strongly. He managed to get over the advantage-line every time he attacked, and overshadowed Kieran Reid, which is no easy task.

9.  Augustine Pulu (Chiefs) – the young Chiefs halfback was called in ahead of the always-impressive Kerr-Barlow, and he showed exactly why. Quick to the breakdown, clean ball and some great decision-making helped the Chiefs get the momentum which carried them through the match.

10. Chris Noakes (Blues) – Noakes showed that his attacking mind-set and quick thinking is ideal for the Blues’ gameplan this season. His chips and tactical kicking were phenomenal.

11. Digby Ioane (Reds) – the Wallaby flyer showed exactly why he is one of the toughest wingers in the world. He caused defensive chaos every time he touched the ball, and his finishing for the Reds’ try was superb.

12. Ben Tapuai (Reds) – the Reds centre seems to get better and better every week, and Tapuai stood up to the Hurricanes defensively, and showed his dangerous nature with ball in-hand.

13. Rene Ranger (Blues) – can Rene Ranger get any better? The centre looked to cut through the Crusaders’ defence with ease and once again used the support around him brilliantly.

14. Frank Halai (Blues) – the sevens star has shown his deadly finishing abilities, picking up two tries for himself and demonstrating his versatility.

15. Gareth Anscombe (Chiefs) – Anscombe was discarded by the Blues in the off-season, but the 21-year never missed a kick, and added a try to the 45-3 punishing of the Cheetahs.