Team of the Week: Rugby Championship Round 5

The All Blacks retained the Bledisloe Cup by overcoming a resilient Wallabies side 33-24, with New Zealand scrum half Cam Roigard returning from injury for a star making performance. Roigard bagged two tries against Joe Schmidt's side, with his second crucial score taking the match out of reach from Australia, who's 23-year wait for the Bledisloe Cup goes on.

South Africa fly half Sacha Feinberg-Ngomezulu set a new Springbok scoring record for the most individual points in a Test match, as the number 10 was at the heart of the emphatic 67-30 win over Argentina. The linchpin scored a hat-trick and sent an array of kicks through the sticks for a 37-point personal haul.

Back in the Eden Park spotlight, Will Jordan looked far more like the world-class full-back we know. His display under the high ball was assured, and he inserted himself intelligently into open play, offering a spark that lifted the All Blacks. Jordan’s vision and timing were key when he set up Caleb Clarke’s early try, showing he can influence a game beyond simply finishing.

Defensively, he was secure and rarely beaten, reading the Wallabies’ kicks and counter-attacks with poise. What stood out was his balance: calculated safety at the back combined with a willingness to inject himself into the attacking phases. After a quieter showing last week, Jordan reminded everyone why he’s a cornerstone of New Zealand’s back three. This version of Jordan, combining composure, attacking creativity, and aerial dominance, is exactly the player the All Blacks need as the Championship heads into its final rounds.

Leroy Carter’s instincts as a finisher were on full display at Eden Park. The winger’s close-range try underlined his natural eye for the try line, while his ball-carrying off the wing kept the Wallabies’ defence honest. Carter may be new to regular international duty, but he already shows a mature sense of timing and positional awareness that bely his experience.

Beyond scoring, he made crucial meters with every touch, linking well with midfield runners and providing clean support lines for teammates like Caleb Clarke and Jordie Barrett. His work in defence was also quietly impressive; he was often first to the breakdown and unafraid to challenge bigger forwards. If he continues to combine finishing instincts with high work-rate and positional intelligence, Carter could cement himself as one of New Zealand’s most versatile and reliable backs. This was a performance full of promise and poise under pressure.

Len Ikitau was the engine in Australia’s midfield, a centre whose ball-carrying made a tangible difference throughout. Ikitau consistently hit the gain line and kept the Wallabies’ attack flowing with direct, hard running. The Wallabies midfielder thrives in tight exchanges, turning contact into forward momentum while offering a reliable offload option.

Ikitau's work rate was remarkable; even when the All Blacks pressured the breakdown, Ikitau kept generating yards and holding his defensive line. The Wallabies relied on him to get them front-foot ball, and he delivered repeatedly, combining brute strength with intelligent decision-making. While the scoreboard didn’t reflect it, Ikitau was arguably the most consistently dangerous Wallaby, proving his value as both a battering ram and a creative outlet. Simply put, when Australia went direct, Ikitau was their fulcrum and the player most capable of slicing through New Zealand’s defences.

Once again, Jordie Barrett showed why he is such a vital link in the All Blacks backline. Versatile, intelligent, and calm under pressure, he made the right decisions at key moments, whether carrying, kicking, or distributing. Barrett’s vision helped unlock space for runners like Caleb Clarke and Cam Roigard, while his kicking provided both tactical advantage and attacking flair.

He was particularly effective at reading the game, knowing when to launch counter-attacks and when to slow play down. Barrett’s presence gave New Zealand coherence in attack and security in defence; his work around the ruck and support lines made him a central figure in a performance that demanded precision. At just 25, he’s proving to be the glue that holds New Zealand’s backline together, balancing creativity with composure, and ensuring that the All Blacks remain both unpredictable and efficient.

Eden Park was electric, and Caleb Clarke responded in kind. The emotional start with his father singing the national anthem, seemed to galvanise him, with Clarke scoring a brilliant early try to set the tone. He carried with power and intent, making clean breaks and offering dangerous support lines throughout.

Clarke’s pace and direct running were a constant threat, forcing Australia to commit extra defenders to cover his channel. Defensively, he remained alert and aggressive, adding balance to his attacking threat. Unfortunately, an injury saw him leave the field, but before that, he delivered one of his more assured international displays, blending raw physicality with intelligent decision-making. Clarke remains a tantalising mix of speed, power, and skill, and when fit, he’s capable of turning the tide of a match with a single run.

If there were ever a masterclass in attacking fly-half play, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu delivered it in Durban. By half-time, he had scored 20 of South Africa’s 25 points, including two tries, demonstrating a mix of precision kicking, intelligent distribution, and sheer audacity. His second-half hat-trick only added to the spectacle, and he combined perfectly with Cheslin Kolbe’s pace to stretch Argentina at every opportunity.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu ran the game with authority, choosing when to attack, when to kick, and when to create space for teammates, leaving the opposition scrambling as he racked up 37 points. A near-perfect performance, he was only blemished by minor errors that didn’t detract from an otherwise stunning display. Watching him operate at full throttle, it was clear why he now holds the Springboks’ record for most points in a Test.

Cam Roigard returned to the All Blacks starting lineup with authority. The nine's speed around the fringes and ability to exploit front-foot ball made a significant difference, as he dictated tempo and created multiple attacking opportunities. Roigard scored two tries, but his contribution went far beyond the scoreboard. Roigard orchestrated plays with composure, linking forwards and backs seamlessly, and his decision-making under pressure highlighted why he is considered among the world’s best scrum-halves.

Even when Australia threatened momentum, Roigard’s tactical acumen helped retain control. He was aggressive at the ruck, opportunistic in attack, and unflappable in defence. The sort of performance that reminds everyone why New Zealand can rely on him as both a playmaker and a finisher, Roigard combined poise with impact in a game that demanded both.

James Slipper’s milestone 150th cap was marked by a quietly effective display. He wasn’t particularly troubled in the scrum but showed immense work-rate around the field, making crucial tackles and supporting his back row. Slipper’s positioning and mobility allowed him to contribute in open play, while he also offered stability in set-piece scenarios.

On a day when the Wallabies’ forwards were tested repeatedly by a dominant All Blacks pack, Slipper rolled back the years to provide experience and reliability. He wasn’t flashy, but in the modern game, that kind of steady, intelligent work is invaluable. For someone reaching such a significant milestone, he delivered a performance that combined durability, technical competence, and leadership, to now sit amongst the likes of Sam Whitelock and Alun Wyn Jones in the 150 Test cap club.

Malcolm Marx produced a performance of contrasts in Durban. His work around the field was exemplary, carrying hard, securing quick ball, and acting as a key presence in the maul and lineout. Yet his yellow card and the resulting penalty try for Argentina highlighted how small lapses can be costly at Test level. Thankfully, Marx returned to dominate in the second half, making crucial carries and maintaining South Africa’s momentum.

His athleticism, relentless energy, and physicality meant that even when the game momentarily went against the Springboks, Marx’s influence could not be ignored. A powerful, commanding display that reminded everyone why he remains one of the world’s top hookers.

Tyrel Lomax had a quietly effective game for the All Blacks. The scrum remained stable under his watch, and although he wasn’t the headline act in set-piece play, he contributed significantly in open play. His carries were forceful and well-timed, helping New Zealand dominate the gain line early.

Lomax also provided intelligent support to the backs, linking well with the midfield and ensuring continuity in attack. Defensively, he was alert, making key tackles at the breakdown and slowing opposition ball. This was a mature, professional display, unspectacular in flashes but essential to New Zealand’s success.

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto produced a standout display in a losing cause. The lock showed immense power in collisions, helping the Wallabies hold their own against a surging All Blacks pack. His work in the set-piece, particularly lineouts, was solid, providing the foundation for Australia’s attack. Salakaia-Loto also displayed athleticism around the field, making crucial tackles and contributing in open play. After a period on the sidelines under Joe Schmidt, he is establishing himself as a key figure in the Australian engine room. His combination of size, technique, and mobility makes him a threat in every facet of the game.

Tupou Vaa'i let his rugby do the talking. His lineout work was accurate, his defensive reads impeccable, and his presence at the breakdown relentless. Vaa'i consistently disrupted Australian ball and made crucial stops around the fringes. Vaa'i’s discipline and timing ensured he was rarely penalised while making a maximum impact, demonstrating an understanding of when to contest and when to consolidate. A complete performance that balanced physicality, intelligence, and work-rate.

Hooper delivered a bruising, uncompromising performance. He consistently won collisions against a physically imposing All Blacks pack, providing a platform for the Wallabies to build phases. His defensive reads and tackling were sharp, and he was active at the breakdown,

disrupting opposition possession. Hooper continues to improve with each outing, combining raw power with intelligent work-rate. A big-game performer, he demonstrated both resilience and aggression.

Pieter-Steph du Toit was tireless. Operating across close-quarter exchanges and open-field opportunities, he contributed a brace of tries and dominated collisions. Du Toit’s mobility allows him to roam effectively in Rassie Erasmus' system, creating second-phase opportunities and applying defensive pressure. He thrives under high workloads and is central to the Springboks’ engine room, combining strength, skill, and relentless stamina.

Jasper Weise was a relentless force in Durban. At number eight, he continually charged into contact, making ground and keeping Argentina on the back foot. His ball-carrying at close quarters enabled the Springboks to establish front-foot ball, while his defensive efforts ensured minimal gaps around the fringes. Weise’s intensity never dipped, and he remained a pivotal figure in both attack and defence throughout the match, epitomising an enduring work ethic.