Round 17 Super Rugby team of the week: James Horwill back to his best, Waratahs dominate again

JAMES Horwill wound back the clock for the Reds to storm into our Round 17 Super Rugby XV. Check out who joined him in the team of the week!

Super Rugby Rd 17 - Rebels v Reds

THE Waratahs jumped to top of the Super Rugby ladder with a big win over the Brumbies, while the Reds’ resurgence rolled on following their defeat of the Rebels.

Across the ditch the Hurricanes notched an impressive win over the Crusaders and the Highlanders did the same against the Chiefs, and out west the Blues blew away the Force in Perth.

With the South African sides enjoying a bye, the five winning teams provided the players for

our Round 17 Super Rugby team of the week — read on to see who made the cut!

1. Loose-head Prop — Ben Franks (Hurricanes) put in a mountain of work in his side’s gritty win over the Crusaders. Franks made 1 linebreak, 7 runs (27m), 1 offload and 15 tackles with no misses (the most by any prop in the round.)

2. Hooker — Dane Coles (Hurricanes) showed why he’s the number one hooker in New Zealand with his effort against the Crusaders, making 1 linebreak, a team high 10 runs (55m), 2 offloads, 4 tackle busts and 10 tackles.

3. Tight-head Prop — Charlie Faumuina (Blues) was one of six try-scorers for his side in the rout over Western Force in Perth on the weekend, grabbing his first five-pointer since 2012. Faumuina notched 1 linebreak, 6 runs (33m), 1 offload, 3 tackle busts, 1 pilfer and 8 tackles in his 53 minutes on the field.

James Horwill showed a welcome return to form for the Reds.

4. Second Row — James Horwill (Reds) showed the form that saw him take over the Wallabies captaincy in 2011. Horwill led the Reds defensive effort against the Rebels making a team-high 14 tackles as well as 7 runs (46m), 1 offload, 1 tackle bust and 6 lineout wins.

5. Second Row — Blade Thomson (Hurricanes) tripled his career try tally in Super Rugby with his double in Wellington to prove the difference in the win over the Crusaders. Thomson made 1 linebreak, 5 runs (72m), 2 tackle busts, 2 lineout wins and 6 tackles.

6. Blindside — Steven Luatua (Blues) was another standout in Perth, both in defence and attack. Luatua made a team-high 7 runs (47m), 3 tackle busts, 12 tackles, 4 lineout wins and 2 breakdown turnovers.

7. Openside — Michael Hooper (Waratahs) gets the open-side jersey after another dominant display with and without the ball, in NSW’s win over the Brumbies. Hooper made 2 linebreaks, 13 runs for 101m, 2 offloads, 8 tackle busts and 12 tackles. Luke Braid also deserves a mention for another massive game for the Blues which included a try and a round-high 21 tackles.

Wycliff Palu dives over to score a try the Waratahs.

8. No. 8 — Wycliff Palu (Waratahs) put in his best display in a NSW jersey for a long time and picked up where le left off in the June Test series. Palu was the Waratahs’ best making 19 runs (90m), 1 linebreak, 3 offloads, 6 tackle busts, 9 tackles and thoroughly deserved his 80th minute try, his first for in Super Rugby since 2012.

9. Halfback — Nick Frisby (Reds) gets the scrumhalf jersey after scoring a double against the Rebels in Melbourne. Frisby ended the game with 2 linebreaks, 1 linebreak assist, 8 runs (31m), 2 offloads, 4 tackle busts and 4 tackles.

10. Fly-half — Bernard Foley (Waratahs) broke the game wide open against the Brumbies with his 61st-minute try, and near flawless goal kicking. Foley finished with 16 points, 1 linebreak, 8 runs (65m), 3 tackle busts and 3 tackles. Lima Sopoaga also deserves a mention for his own 16-point haul in the Highlanders win over the Chiefs.

Bernard Foley scored a try for the Waratahs.

11. Left Winger — Patrick Osborne (Highlanders) beats out two-try hero Lachie Turner to get the left winger spot with another strong performance for the New Zealanders. Osborne has now scored in three consecutive Super Rugby games and chipped in with 8 runs (95m), 3 offloads, 3 tackle busts and 3 tackles.

12. Inside centre — The Force would have been relieved when Ma’a Nonu (Blues) was replaced as he terrorised their midfield for the 57 minutes he was on the field. Nonu scored a try, made 1 linebreak, 1 linebreak assists, and 5 tackle busts.

13. Outside Centre — Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders) has been an absolute revelation this season and has continued the strong form that earned him an All Blacks jersey. Fekitoa was a constant threat through the match against the Crusaders setting up both of his team’s tries as well as making 2 linebreaks, 7 runs (99m), 1 offload, 6 tackle busts and 5 tackles.

Rod Davies (number 14) is congratulated by Reds teammates after scoring a try against the Rebels.

14. Right winger — “Rocket” Rod Davies (Reds) showed glimpses of his 2011 form on the weekend, setting up Lachie Turner’s first try in the 9th minute of the game while also grabbing one himself. Davies ended the game with 3 linebreaks, 4 runs (59m), 3 tackle busts and 3 offloads.

15. Fullback — Israel Folau (Waratahs) is almost a permanent fixture in the team of the week, and once again had a strong game for the Waratahs. Folau set up Alofa Alofa’s second try, and was an inch away from scoring one himself dragging 4 defenders with him on the way to being held up over the line. Folau made 1 linebreak, 1 linebreak assist, 8 runs (100m), 4 offloads, and 6 tackle busts.

Originally published as Round 17 Super Rugby team of the week: James Horwill back to his best, Waratahs dominate again