Team of the Week: The Rugby Championship - Round 3

With all four nations showcasing flashes of brilliance, narrowing down the best performers was no easy task. The tournament still remains anyone's to win, with the closest Rugby Championship in recent memory generating up another stellar weekend across the Southern Hemisphere. Here’s our Team of the Week, spotlighting the stars who rose above the rest in round three.

Jordan faced plenty of aerial traffic in tough conditions, and while the fullback didn’t claim every contest, his All Black teammates provided strong cover in the back-field. With ball in hand, however, the Crusaders man showcased his trademark quality. Jordan's running lines remained razor sharp, culminating in a superb first-half try where he ghosted through the Springbok defence. It was a reminder of his natural finishing instincts and composure under pressure, underlining why he remains one of the most dangerous broken-field runners in world rugby.

Delguy was electric on the wing for Argentina, constantly stretching Australia’s backfield with his pace and relentless energy. His tireless chasing created pressure that unsettled the Wallabies and swung momentum in the Pumas’ favour for a first half dominanted by blue and white flourishes. The winger’s sharp finish for his try rewarded Argentina’s early dominance and set the tone in the first half, as alongside Matteo Carreras, he formed a lethal wide pairing, proving instrumental in keeping the Wallabies pinned back and unable to settle defensively.

Joseph Sua’ali’i was a powerhouse in midfield with two standout tries against Argentina. His first came after a bruising carry outside Len Ikitau, and his second from a silky set-piece strike move which exploded past the gain-line. The Wallaby centre also made his mark defensively, with key tackles early in the second half to halt Argentine momentum. Other than conceding a penalty for an off-ball clear-out, it was a near-complete performance that blended power, finesse, and defensive steel from the cross-code superstar.

Chocobares once again showed why he is now being mentioned among the world’s best inside centres. The Stade Toulousain sensation showed brilliant running line for Delguy’s try, cut the Wallabies’ defence apart, while his work at the breakdown and in cover defence was also immense. Rarely flashy, he combined intelligence with execution, influencing the match in ways that often fly under the radar. With consistency now matching his natural talent, Chocobares is quickly becoming one of Argentina’s most reliable game-breakers.

Carreras proved impossible to pin down, tormenting Australia with his footwork and resilience in contact. The flying wing consistently beat defenders, bouncing out of tackles and generated go-forward momentum from the left wing. Carreras' try was another highlight-reel effort, perfectly capturing his blend of speed, balance, and finishing instincts. Every time he touched the ball, the Wallabies looked uneasy, as Carreras is steadily building his reputation as one of world rugby’s most elusive wide men.

Thrust into the action after just six minutes due to Emoni Narawa’s injury, McKenzie had to quickly adjust to the intensity of the Springboks clash. While he was tested relentlessly under the high ball and didn’t always secure possession, his courage never wavered. More importantly, the Chiefs man's tactical kicking and accuracy off the tee kept the Springboks at bay upon the score-board. Two conversions and a penalty under pressure showcased McKenzie's reliability, ensuring the All Blacks remained in the driver's seat throughout a brutal contest.

The veteran scrum-half rolled back the years with a composed performance against Argentina. He marshalled the Wallabies’ attack with precision and dictated tempo when Argentina were at their most dominant. White's own reward came with a smartly taken first-half try, finishing off tidy build-up play with a neat snipe from close range. Substituted early in the second half as Australia chased the game, his influence was missed when Argentina pulled away, before the Wallabies eventual comeback. On his farewell tour, White continues to deliver, proving just how much class and experience he still brings.

Bell emerged as Australia’s match-winner, sealing the game with a close-range try that capped his impact off the bench. From the moment he entered, the loose-head lifted the Wallabies’ intensity, particularly with his powerful carries that gave the pack renewed momentum. A penalty against him in the 72nd minute threatened to undo that good work, but his decisive finish more than made amends. It was a performance full of grit, energy, and composure in clutch moments.

Argentina’s captain once again embodied consistency and leadership in a typically tireless shift. Montoya was immense in the first half, steering the Pumas’ set-piece and leading by example with his relentless work around the breakdown. Even as momentum swung after the interval, he continued to rally his side with physicality and presence. Rarely delivering anything below an eight-out-of-ten display, Montoya reinforced why he is one of the most reliable hookers in world rugby.

Du Toit turned in a strong performance that anchored the Springboks’ scrum and provided an uncompromising physical edge. He lasted 65 minutes and, despite conceding one penalty, generally dominated his duels to give South Africa a solid platform. His influence wasn’t limited to set-piece, with purposeful carries that helped sustain pressure during crucial passages. It was from this momentum that Malcolm Marx crossed for his try, and du Toit’s work at the coalface was central to building that opportunity.

Frost was busy from the off, making himself available as a carrier and hitting contact with intent. In the first 25 minutes alone, he had already carried six times, setting the tone for a high-involvement display. Across the match he finished with nine carries, seven tackles, and four line-out takes, with his value throughout both the tight and loose exchanges. Once again, Frost showed the growing maturity that is cementing his place as a mainstay in the Wallabies pack.

Va’ai delivered a hard-nosed performance in the engine room, providing reliable line-out ball and plenty of work in defence. His presence added balance alongside his skipper Scott Barrett, as he put in a high tackle count while keeping the breakdown clean for the All Blacks. Though not as eye-catching as others in open play, Va'ai's physicality and accuracy ensured New Zealand had the structure and control needed in a bruising clash. It was an understated but vital contribution.

Introduced from the bench, Tupaea made an immediate impression with his explosive ball-carrying and raw aggression. His crowning moment came when he powered over for the decisive try against the Springboks, with both strength and composure on show at a critical stage of the match. Beyond that, his defensive effort and ability to get over the gain line gave the All Blacks a late surge. It was a cameo packed with influence as a high-impact option.

On his 100th Test, Savea lived up to his billing with another all-action display. While quieter than usual in the opening 40 minutes, the Moana Pasifika man grew into the contest, producing trademark bursts of carrying, tackling, and breakdown pressure. Savea's relentless work culminated in a vital turnover late in the game, sealing the result for New Zealand. For a milestone occasion, it wasn’t his most dominant outing, but when the defining moments came, Savea was right at the heart of them.

Matera was once again central to Argentina’s effort, leading by example with physicality and work rate across his 50-minute stint. His carries were direct, his tackling uncompromising, and he brought authority to every exchange up front. The Pumas noticeably lost composure and discipline after he departed, highlighting just how pivotal his presence remains to the men in blue and white. Matera continues to embody Argentina’s fighting spirit, and his influence was crucial in keeping them in the contest for as long as they were.