Round 8 Super Rugby team of the week: Force is strong with Nathan Charles, Ben McCalman and Jayden Hayward

THE Western Force hogged the headlines with another stunning win to make it four in a row, but can they dominate our team of the week?

Jayden Hayward celebrates a Force try.

THE Western Force hogged the headlines with another stunning win, but can they dominate our team of the week?

With the help of Fox Sports Stats we have selected our Round 8 Super Rugby team of the week — read on to check it out, and have your say on the side in the comments box at the bottom of the page.

1. Loosehead Prop — James Slipper (Reds) scored his first try since 2012 and was the pick of the looseheads from the weekend. Alongside his try, Slipper made 2 linebreaks, 6 runs (47m), 1 offload, 3 tackle busts and 10 tackles against the Force.

2. Hooker — Nathan Charles (Force) gets the nod at hooker beating out Adriaan Strauss and Callie Visagie. Charles had 1 try assist, 1 linebreak assist, 1 linebreak, 3 runs (27m), 2 tackle busts and 7 tackles against the Reds.

3. Tighthead Prop — Jeff Toomaga-Allen (Hurricanes) made the second most runs by a prop in the round with 8 (21m) and also chipped in with 5 tackles against the Bulls.

James Horwill in action for the Reds against the Western Force.

4. Second Row — James Horwill (Reds) had his best game for the Reds in a long time against the Force, showing the form that earned him the Wallabies captaincy. Horwill made a linebreak, 10 runs (45m), 4 lineout wins (including 2 steals), and 14 tackles.

5. Second Row — Flip van der Merwe (Bulls) was a workhorse in defence for the Bulls, making the most tackles in the round — 23 with just one miss.

6. Blindside — Jacques Potgeiter (Waratahs) was at his abrasive best for the Waratahs against the Stormers leading the team for runs (9 for 43m) and tackles (10 with no misses).

7. Openside — Shane Christie (Highlanders) continued his strong form and nabbed his first Super Rugby try. Christie made 1 linebreak, 8 runs (37m), 1 offload, 4 tackle busts and 14 tackles against the Rebels.

Ben McCalman tries to break through Beau Robinson’s tackle at Suncorp Stadium.

8. No. 8 — Ben McCalman (Force) is the form No. 8 in the competition and beat Liam Messam for a place in the team of the week. McCalman scored his third try of the season and made 2 linebreaks, 14 runs (75m), 1 offload, 1 tackle busts and 11 tackles against the Reds.

9. Halfback — Sarel Pretorius (Cheetahs) pips his Chiefs opposite Augustine Pulu following a try-scoring shootout in Bloemfontein, with both scrumhalves nabbing a brace. Pretorius also chipped in with 3 linebreak assists, 11 runs (137m), 4 offloads, 7 tackle busts, 1 pilfer and 4 tackles.

10. Flyhalf — Quade Cooper (Reds) looks to be returning to career best form with his running game on full display against the Force. Cooper was the best of a beaten bunch, making 1 linebreak, 2 linebreak assists, 11 runs (76m), 3 offloads, 5 tackle busts, and 7 tackles.

11. Left Winger — Aseli Tikoirotuma (Chiefs) was one of three Chiefs to grab a double on the weekend and also helped his team out with his work at the breakdown. Tikoirotuma made 2 linebreaks, 1 try assist, 8 runs (47m), 2 offloads, 2 tackle busts, 2 tackles, 1 pilfer and 1 forced penalty.

12. Inside centre — The Chuck Norris of rugby Pat McCabe (Brumbies) has been brilliant since his injury scare earlier this year against the Force. McCabe grabbed a double against the Blues on Friday night and also made 2 linebreaks, 13 runs (133m), 1 offload, 5 tackle busts and 7 tackles against the Blues.

Juan de Jongh on the attack against the Waratahs at Newlands Stadium.

13. Outside Centre — Juan de Jongh (Stormers) has been a shining light for his struggling side over the past three matches since returning from injury. De Jong made 1 try assist, 2 linebreaks, 5 tackle busts, and 6 tackles against the Waratahs.

14. Right winger — Tim Nanai-Williams (Chiefs) broke the Cheetahs hearts after the siren in Bloemfontein, scoring the try that would lead to a match-equalling conversion. Nanai-Williams scored his third career Super Rugby double as well as having 1 linebreak, 1 linebreak assist, 14 runs (104m), 1 offload, 6 tackle busts and 2 tackles.

Jayden Hayward skips out of a Will Genia tackle on his way to score the winning the try for Force.

15. Fullback — Jayden Hayward (Force) scored the winning try in the Force’s record fourth straight win. It’s no coincidence they have won all four games since he has returned to the starting side. Against the Reds Hayward made 1 linebreak, 7 runs (81m), 2 offloads, 5 tackle busts and 4 tackles.