TRU's International XV - Week 2

There has been a significant shift in the form of international teams over the weekend, so to in our XV. South Africa's win against England, along with a impressive victory for France, sees some well deserved mentions throughout the selected players.

1. Joe Moody, New Zealand
A three-horse race between Moody, Dave Kilcoyne and James Slipper, but Moody’s performance at the scrum surpassed his fellow looseheads and was enough to earn him the nod. He troubled Euan Murray early on and after the veteran tighthead was subbed off with an injury, Moody really found his groove, tormenting Geoff Cross for the rest of his time on the pitch.

2. Ross Ford, Scotland
Both Andy Robinson and Scott Johnson probably watched Ford’s outing against New Zealand dumbfounded, wondering where this form was when they were Scotland’s coaches. The Edinburgh hooker was exceptionally accurate at the lineout, hitting all of his jumpers and contributing pivotally to a Scottish lineout which outplayed their All Black opponents. He also put in a good defensive shift and his form will be music to the ears of Scottish fans, who’ve had very little to be happy about at hooker for the last couple of years.

3. Dave Wilson, England
It was another poor weekend for England with very little to be happy about, though the set-piece was the notable exception, as it once again operated at a high level. England didn’t dominate South Africa’s scrum in the same way they had against New Zealand, it was a very even contest, but Wilson certainly had Tendai Mtawawira’s number on more than one occasion. The tighthead also took his try well off of the back of a driving maul, another of England’s few positives so far this autumn.

4. Leone Nakarawa, Fiji
The big Fijian had to see off some stiff competition from Rob Simmons for this spot, but other than that, was head and shoulders above most other locks this weekend. His seemingly extendable arms were snagging lineout balls and popping offloads for fun against Wales, whilst his energetic contribution defensively also has to be praised. Fiji fell just short of a historic win in Cardiff, but none of that rests on Nakarawa’s shoulders.

5. Jonny Gray, Scotland
Gray completes an all-Glasgow second row in this side and although Jeremy Thrush took home the man of the match in Scotland’s game against New Zealand, thanks in large to his pivotal try, it was the younger Gray brother who shone brightest. He continues an entertaining game of one-upmanship with his older brother, Richie, and led Scotland with 16 tackles this weekend, as well as proving a dangerous carrier whenever he got his hands on the ball.

6. Schalk Burger, South Africa
The wily veteran won a deserved man of the match award at Twickenham on Saturday as he gave the English back row a lesson in how to dominate the breakdown. A try, nine tackles and a lineout take add a little extra gloss to what was a game-winning role at the contact area for Burger, who just couldn’t be moved by the likes of Tom Wood or Chris Robshaw. An honourable mention should go to Rob Harley, as the flanker put in a resolute performance against the All Blacks, outshining his prestigious opposite number, Richie McCaw.

7. Thierry Dusautoir, France
If the French captain wasn’t making bone-crunching tackles, he was poised over the breakdown, getting his hands clamped onto the ball. He took on one of the very best in the world in Michael Hooper and outplayed the Australian, ensuring Camille Lopez had quick ball with which to spark his dangerous back line. An honourable mention is certainly due for Akapusi Qera, also.  

8. Taulupe Faletau, Wales
This slot could have gone to any of a whole host of players and if it was the full-backs that impressed last week, it was the turn of the number eights this week. Duane Vermeulen, Sergio Parisse, Victor Vito and Damien Chouly were all in contention with strong performances, as was Ben Morgan, whose late cameo almost resurrected England, but Faletau really shone in a flat Welsh performance. He led his pack in carries, was the most successful target in an inconsistent Welsh lineout and tackled manfully throughout.

9. Cobus Reinach, South Africa
Ran a lovely line for his second half try and considerably outplayed England’s Danny Care. Controlled the tempo of the game well and though he didn’t set the game alight in the manner of Francois Hougaard or Fourie du Preez, he did what was needed for South Africa to win the game.

10. Camille Lopez, France
Italy’s Kelly Haimona was unlucky to miss out, but in Lopez, Philippe Saint-André has found his fly-half. The Clermont man was accurate with the boot, highly proficient at playing on the gain line and no soft touch in defence, as the Australians found out whenever they chose to run down his channel. The chemistry he brings with club teammate Wesley Fofana at inside centre could be key to a French resurgence just in time for the RWC.

11. Teddy Thomas, France
It’s Thomas’ second appearance in as many weeks and although he couldn’t match his debut hat-trick this weekend, he was just as vital to the French cause. The winger might have been out of position defensively on an occasion or two, but the threat he offered in attack was more than worth the slight defensive frailties. He took his try exceptionally well, showing a searing turn of pace and a very dangerous step.

12. Ian Madigan, Ireland
Madigan narrowly edges out Nemani Nadolo and Jean de Villiers, who set the standards in offensive and defensive play at their position respectively, but Madigan played the perfectly balanced game, albeit from fly-half. Switching him out to inside centre is a bit of a cheat, but he was running at and beating defenders as much as any centre this weekend.

13. Jan Serfontein, South Africa
His intercept try gave South Africa the early momentum they needed to build a significant lead, whilst he consistently shut down England’s midfield, following the lead of de Villiers. He didn’t necessarily stand out, a story that was true of all outside centres this weekend, but he also didn’t put a foot wrong in a resurgent Springbok performance.

14. Adam Ashley-Cooper, Australia
Ashley-Cooper has already made it known he’s looking to move to Europe after the RWC and put on a good show for a number of his potential suitors in Paris on Saturday night. He was always looking for the ball, regularly came off his wing and took his try well. His talents are already well-known, but he may have just earned himself a few extra euros with this performance.

15. Willie le Roux, South Africa
Statistically, le Roux didn’t even come close to matching the game that Liam Williams put up for Wales against Fiji, but it was a game of understated brilliance from the South African this weekend. He may not have danced through the English defence like he’s fully capable of doing, but his tactical kicking was sublime. Every up and under le Roux made, South Africa had a very good chance of recovering, and every kick for the touch line was long and raking. Whether kicking to try and retain possession or to give South Africa the territory they needed, le Roux came through with abundant class. The line he ran to set up Reinach for the scrum-half’s try was also a fantastic illustration of how to play the full-back position.