Autumn Nations Series team of the week: Round 2 - Ruck
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Autumn Nations Series team of the week: Round 2

7 November 2021
Rugby Rucker

It’s that time of the week where we compile our dream side from the weekend’s action, here is RUCK’S Autumn Nations Series Team of the Week:

RESULTS:

Autumn Nations Series team of the week:

#BACK-THREE:

15. Frans Steyn (South Africa)

IOL: “Came on after about 15 minutes for the injured Willemse at fullback, and made a similar impact to the last victory over the All Blacks in Australia. Used his cannon boot to good effect to get the Boks out of trouble, and blasted over a 55-metre penalty as well. Also breached the Welsh defence with an outstanding line-break when he shaped to kick.”

14. Andrew Conway (Ireland)
RTE: “His finishing was lethal as he crossed for a hat-trick, particularly his first of the day when he judged Jamison Gibson-Park’s grubber to perfection. Reliable as ever when the ball is in the sky.”

11. Makazole Mapimpi (South Africa)

IOL: “Chased every type of Bok kick with great energy, and contested for possession courageously in the air. Thought he scored a wonderful try that was started by a Cobus Reinach line-break, but the referee ruled it out due to offside. Won the ball from a box-kick that led to the penalty that was kicked out to the corner, to set up the lineout for the winning try from a maul.”

Honourable mentions:

James Lowe (Ireland), Freddie Steward (England)

#CENTRES:

13. Henry Slade (England)

Telegraph: “Outstanding. Relished acting as the primary playmaker in Farrell’s absence. Would be very harsh if he was sacrificed against Australia.”

12. Damian de Allende (South Africa)

IOL: “Produced a devastating line-break in the first half, but was just a bit too late with his pass to Herschel Jantjies. Put his body on the line by running into the red Welsh defensive wall time and again, and made a number of tackles too.”

Honourable mentions: Manu Tuilagi (England)

#HALFBACKS:

10. Johnny Sexton (Ireland)

RTE: “Showed why he’s still Ireland’s beating heart, even at 36-years-old. Dictated Ireland’s attack and continuously brought others into the game. Steamrolled his way over for his second-half try and kicked well off the tee.”

9. Antoine Dupont (France)

Spent most of the first half putting out fires and fannying about with loose balls care of his profligate forward pack. The France captains influence grew as the game wore on.

Honourable mentions: Finlay Christie (New Zealand), Marcus Smith (England), Ben Youngs (England), Dan Biggar (Wales)

#FRONT-ROW:

1. Ellis Genge (England)

Telegraph: “The Baby Rhino was on the charge at Twickenham, tearing around the field with his typical fiery abandon.”

2. Dane Coles (New Zealand)

“A reliable display in his starting return from injury. Scored two tries, one at the back of a dominant NZ maul, one a sneaky breakaway from a similar set-up. Industrious throughout and managed to get a few off-the-ball shoves in throughout the match.” Rugby Pass.

3. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)

RTE: “Another beastly performance from the best tighthead in the world. Would have scored a nine had he not spilled the ball in the lead up to a potential first half try. Dominated Japan physically and his ball-handling skills make him a threat both in the tight and loose.”

Honourable mentions: Jamie George (England), Malcolm Marx (South Africa)

#SECOND-ROW:

4. Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)

Rugby Pass: “There was plenty of endeavour, both with ball in hand and on defence. Another workmanlike performance from the Bok stalwart.”

5. Courtney Lawes (England)

Telegraph: “Led by example, just how Jones would have wanted. His sensational cover tackle on Veainu was the highlight but showed up in all facets of the game.”

Honourable mentions: Will Rowlands (Wales)

#BACK-ROW:

6. Ellis Jenkins (Wales)

Wales Online: “Returning to the Test arena three years after shattering his knee during a man-of-the-match performance against South Africa, Jenkins got Wales out of trouble at one point with a text-book turnover. There was also an interception which defused a potentially menacing Springbok attack and another possession steal after the break. A really strong effort. His return was a successful one as he took up where he had left off in 2018.”

7. Hamish Watson (Scotland)

World class – again!

8. Jack Conan (Ireland)

RTE: “In a game where Sexton was excellent on his 100th appearance and Conway scored a hat-trick, it says a lot that Conan was the Man of the Match. Carried relentlessly with nearly 100 metres off 15 runs, he was constantly an option for offloads. A complete performance.”

Honourable mentions: Pablo Matera (Argentina), Siya Kolisi (South Africa)

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