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2018 Rugby Championship Team of the Tournament

Siya Kolisi in his Test against New Zealand

We pick the 2018 Rugby Championship Team of the Tournament based on stats and performances throughout the Tournament. 


New Zealand won their sixth Rugby Championship title this year and finished on top of the standings, having only lost won match against South Africa.

2018 Rugby Champions Team of the Tournament



Fullback: Emiliano Boffelli – Argentina

  • Boffelli scored 21 points in this year’s competition, including three tries, and also beat 23 defenders in total. The silky runner proved elusive throughout the tournament when he slipped into the backline on attack.

Wing: Rieko Ioane –  New Zealand 

  • Ioane scored five tournament tries in just four appearances. Not only is he a great finisher of, he’s extremely quick off the mark and possesses a devastating step, which goes some way in explaining why he ghosted past 12 defenders in the Rugby Championship. Ioane is one to watch for the future heading into the 2019 Rugby World Cup. .   

Wing: Aphiwe Dyanti –  South Africa

  • Dyanti has made a huge impact since being called up to the national side, scoring pivotal tries when it mattered the most. The youngster played in all six Rugby Championship matches this year and has very much cemented his place in the side ahead of the World Cup. He scored five tries in the tournament and made 12 clean breaks. Could we be seeing signs of a new Habana?

Centre: Jack Goodhue – New Zealand 

  • Jack Goodhue was handed a call up after the conclusion of the Super Rugby tournament. And the centre did not disappoint Steve Hansen. The 23-year-old made 267 carry metres, completed six offloads, and beat 21 defenders. 

Centre: Reece Hodge – Australia

  • One of the few shining lights in an otherwise dismal Australian side. The utility back that can has a masive boot, often kicking for goal from inside his own half. Hodge made eight clean breaks, and scored one try while he scored 11 points from his kicking boot. 

Fly-half: Nicolás Sánchez  – Argentina

  • The play-maker led his team from the front, scoring four tries, beating 19 defenders, and made seven offloads. Sanchez topped the points scoring chart for the 2018 Rugby Championship finishing on 67.  

Scrum-half: Faf de Klerk –  South Africa 

  • The electric scrumhalf proved to be a handful for his opposition. His kicking improved as the tournament progressed and his quick ball from the breakdown was vital when it came to releasing his backs. Faf played his role close to perfection and also scored two tries.  

No 8: Kieran Read (c) –  New Zealand 

  • The experienced All Black captain pushed his team through to another Rugby Championship title. His experience and leadership carried his team over the line especially when South Africa were on the verge of completing a tournament double. Read also completed 53 tackles, and scored one try for his team. 

Flanker: Siya Kolisi –  South Africa 

  • Kolisi was named as Springbok captain for the Rugby Championship and he showed true leadership, bringing the South Africans into a second place finish after the All Blacks. Kolisi also scored one try for the team, completed 67 tackles, carried 267 metres,  and beat 21 defenders – tied with the likes of Jack Goodhue, Nicolas Sanchez, and Dane Haylett-Petty, a great feat for a flanker who also scored one try in the tournament, 

Flanker: Sam Cane – New Zealand 

  • The flanker is now ruled out for the All Blacks end of year tour after he broke a bone in his neck in New Zealand’s win over South Africa. Cane was strong on defence and relentless with his ball carrying making sure the All Blacks kept moving moving over the advantage line.  

Lock: Sam Whitelock – New Zealand 

  • Big “Sammy” played a pivotal role in yet another title, as he won 67 tackles, and helped his team finish with an 86.8% line-out win rate. 

Lock: Pieter-Steph du Toit – South Africa

  • You could see the passion when Steph du Toit was brought to tears after his team’s win over New Zealand. The lock leads the way when it comes to tackles with a monstrous 83. He also contributed with five offloads – du Toit was a true warrior in this series and will be one of the main players to watch going into the 2019 Rugby World Cup. 

Prop: Tendai Mtawarira – South Africa

  • The experienced prop held his own against tough opponents at scrum-time. And he helped his team achieve a 92% of scrums won. 

Prop:  Owen Franks – New Zealand 

  • Franks brought a wealth of experience to the All Blacks side, with 98 caps under his name. He made sure his team won 100% of scrums in this years tournament. An unreal feat. 

Hooker: Augustin Creevy – Argentina

  • Creevy holds 74 caps under his belt. The hooker almost led his team to a third-placed tournament finish but for a catastrophic implosion in their final match against Australia.

Replacements:

  • Hooker: Malcolm Marx
  • Prop:  Steven Kitshoff
  • Prop: Owen Franks
  • Lock: Brodie Retallick
  • Flanker:  Marcos Kremer
  • Scrumhalf: Aaron Smith
  • Centre: Jack Goodhue
  • Flyhalf: Beauden Barrett
  • No 8: David Pocock
TRC Player Stats
Tries
Rieko Ioane
5
Beauden Barrett
5
Aphiwe Dyanti
5
Nicolas Sanchez
4
Carries
Emiliano Boffelii
71
Dane Haylett-Petty
70
Beauden Barrett
65
Marcos Kremer
62
Ben Smith
62
Defenders Beaten
Waisake Naholo
24
Ramiro Moyano
23
Israel Folau
23
Emiliano Boffelli
23
Offloads
Kurtley Beale
10
Anton Lienert-Brown
8
Ben Smith
8
Nicolas Sanchez
7
Will Genia
7
Points
Nicolas Sanchez
67
Beauden Barrett
61
Handre Pollard
47
Rieko Ioane
25
Aphiwe Dyantyi
25
Tackles Won
Pieter-Steph du Toit
83
David Pocock
72
Siya Kolisi
67
Sam Whitelock
67

Image © SArugby
Stats via sanzarrugby.com


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