The Rugby Championship 2014 - Team of Round 1

The first round of the Rugby Championship was played in difficult conditions across the southern hemisphere with two enthralling encounters sparking the competition into life.

Based on statistics from the weekend’s games, TRU’s Scott Donaldson names a team of the first round – do you agree?

There are plenty of surprises in the XV, with Argentinian hooker Agustin Creevy named the Player of the Round.  This sums up the frustrations of Round one when a front row forward takes the honour. 

It wasn't a round for the outside backs! Willie Le Roux gets the nod at fullback ahead of Israel Folau and Ben Smith, while there were some low scoring players in the usual high scoring positions of outside back and inside back.

Creevy gets the Number 2 jersey ahead of Bismarck du Plessis, Nathan Charles and Dane Coles. 

While both Kieran Read and Richie McCaw miss out in their positions. The Wallabies props get the nod, while Pat McCabe won a low scoring battle with the other right wingers. 

Damian de Allende gained selection ahead of Adam Ashley-Cooper, while Aaron Cruden was the best first five eighth despite not even scoring 200 testrugby.com points.

The selections for this team also show what positions you should pick players from with fullbacks, hookers and Number Eights scoring well.

The Rugby Championship Round 1 Team of the Round based on jersey number is. 15. Willie Le Roux (RSA) 14. Pat McCabe (AUS) 13. Damian de Allende (RSA) 12. Matt Toomua (AUS) 11. Julian Savea (NZL) 10. Aaron Cruden (NZL) 9. Aaron Smith (NZL) 8. Duane Vermeulen (RSA)/ Juan Manuel Leguizamón (ARG) 7. Michael Hooper (AUS) 6. Francois Louw (RSA) 5. Sam Whitelock (NZL) 4. Brodie Retallick (NZL) 3. Sekope Kepu (AUS) 2. Agustin Creery (ARG) 1. James Slipper (AUS)

By country, the team sees a relative lack of All Blacks for a change, with five Australians, another five from New Zealand, four from South Africa and just two from Argentina.

Who would you select for the Rugby Championship Team of Round 1?