Check out our Rugby Championship team of the week following narrow wins for Argentina against the Boks and All Blacks over the Wallabies in round five.
Front rankers: Ox Nche (RSA), Codie Taylor (NZL) and Thomas du Toit (RSA)
Nche was far and away the Boks’ best player in their defeat in South America, making some big carries with ball in hand and shining at scrum time. His tighthead partner du Toit was also good value in what was a rare start for the Bath man, while Taylor continued his impressive form in Sydney.
Second row: Scott Barrett and Tupou Vaa’i (both NZL)
The Kiwi combo gets the nod this week, with skipper Scotty putting in a tidy shift that included a turnover and some good defensive work. Vaa’i’s stocks continue to rise, with the 24-year-old Chief always looking dangerous in the carry.
Back row: Wallace Sititi (NZL), Fraser McReight (AUS) and Pablo Matera (ARG)
Cheating slightly by shifting opensider Matera to No 8, but it would be harsh to leave out any of these individuals, with the Argentine coming up with an important try for Los Pumas in a standout display in Santiago del Estero. The uber physical Sititi was a monster again for the ABs, while McReight announced his return in Wallaby gold with a try and stunning 50/22.
Halfbacks: Cortez Ratima (NZL) and Tomas Albornoz (ARG)
Livewire Ratima was a constant threat to the Aussie defence, while Albornoz scored 14-points, including a try, in an influential performance at pivot for the Pumas.
Midfield: Santiago Chocobares and Lucio Cinti (both ARG)
The Argentina centre partnership ran rampant against the Boks during one stage in the first-half, while they were both busy on defence too, with Cinti making 16 tackles and Chocobares 12.
Back three: Mateo Carreras (ARG), Sevu Reece (NZL) and Tom Wright (AUS)
Carreras bagged a try and made seven tackles for his side at the Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades, while Reece set up Ardie Savea for his score in the first-half and had some good moments on either side of the ball. Wright did well to spark several Wallaby attacking chances from the back.
Round 5 Team of the Week
1. Ox Nche (RSA)
2. Codie Taylor (NZL)
3. Thomas du Toit (RSA)
4. Scott Barrett (NZL)
5. Tupou Vaa’i (NZL)
6. Wallace Sititi (NZL)
7. Fraser McReight (AUS)
8. Pablo Matera (ARG)
9. Cortez Ratima (NZL)
10. Tomas Albornoz (ARG)
11. Mateo Carreras (ARG)
12. Santiago Chocobares (ARG)
13. Lucio Cinti (ARG)
14. Sevu Reece (NZL)
15. Tom Wright (AUS)
