Super Rugby R19 team of the week: Brumbies stars in form ahead of Chiefs rematch

FOUR Brumbies players have made our final team of the week for 2014, the ACT side hitting form ahead of Saturday’s GF rematch with the Chiefs.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - JULY 11: Brumbies players celebrate a try by Matt Toomua during the round 19 Super Rugby match between the Brumbies and the Force at Canberra Stadium on July 11, 2014 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Stefan Postles/Getty Images)

THE Brumbies will be hunting a second serving of revenge and a spot in the second week of the Super Rugby finals when they face the Chiefs in Canberra on Saturday.

Defeated by the two-time defending champions in last year’s finale, the Brumbies head into Saturday’s encounter on the back of a thumping win over the Force.

That victory secured home ground advantage on Saturday while four of their players earned selection in our final team of the week for 2014.

Read on to find out who else made Fox Sports Stats’ cut!

Loosehead Prop - Corne Fourie (Lions) makes the team of the week following his 10-minute try-scoring cameo off the bench in the Lions’ win over the Cheetahs. Fourie made a 40m break before fooling Willie Le Roux with a neat little dummy as he ran in his first Super Rugby try. Fourie also set up Lionel Mapoe’s third try of the match.

Hooker – Josh Mann-Rea (Brumbies) gets the nod for his defensive work against the Force, the hooker making an impressive 14 tackles - the most by any rake in the round.

Tighthead Prop – Charlie Faumuina (Blues) was busy in the Blues’ narrow loss to the Chiefs at a wet and miserable Eden Park. Faumuina made the most runs by any prop in the round with 11 for 30m, and also chipped in with a tackle bust and two tackles.

Second Row – Paul Willemse (Bulls) became just the second Bulls player to score a brace this season with his two-try effort in the 40-7 rout of the Rebels in Pretoria. Willemse also made two linebreaks, nine runs (32m), six tackle busts, five lineout wins and 11 tackles.

Second Row - Sam Carter (Brumbies) was solid in his return from injury for the Brumbies, putting in plenty of work in their win over Western Force. Carter made one linebreak, six runs (55m), one offload, two tackle busts, two lineout wins and 12 tackles.

Blindside – Liam Messam (Chiefs) put in a true captain’s knock in miserable conditions for the Chiefs, with his turnover try proving to be the difference in their win over the Blues. Messam finished the game with a match-high seven runs (71m), one tackle bust and a massive 20 tackles with no misses.

Openside – Matt Todd (Crusaders) grabbed his first career Super Rugby double, being the beneficiary of some solid Crusaders mauling. Todd also made a linebreak, nine runs (51m), two offloads, one tackle bust, one forced penalty and 19 tackles.

No.8 - Warren Whiteley (Lions) makes the team following another try-scoring effort for the Lions. After grabbing his first five-pointer of the season last week, Whitely doubled his 2014 tally and finished the match with one linebreak, one linebreak assist, eight runs (44m), two tackle busts, two offloads, five lineout wins (including 1 steal) and 13 tackles.

Halfback – Ross Cronje (Lions) was another strong performer for the Lions in their 35-point win over the Cheetahs at Ellis Park. Cronje scored his first Super Rugby try, set up another and made one linebreak, one linebreak assist, four runs (17m), three tackle busts and five tackles.

Fly-half - Matt Toomua (Brumbies) scored his first career Super Rugby hat-trick and became the first Brumbies player to do so since Mark Gerrard managed the feat against the Crusaders in the 2004 Super Rugby Final. Toomua was brilliant with the ball, making two linebreaks, one linebreak assist, nine runs (138m), four tackle busts and six tackles. Elton Jantjies (Lions) also deserves a mention for his strong showing in the Lions’ win over the Cheetahs.

Left Winger – Lionel Mapoe (Lions) had to switch over to the left wing to accommodate the brilliant Henry Speight on the right. Mapoe scored his first ever Super Rugby hat-trick and is the first Lions player to do so since Wandile Mjekevu scored one in the Lions’ 72-65 loss to the Chiefs back in 2010. Mapoe ended the game with two linebreaks, seven runs (104m), two offloads, five tackle busts and five tackles.

Inside centre - Kurtley Beale (Waratahs) is in career best form at the moment and has to be one of the best signings of the season. Beale grabbed a double against the Reds and is now the Waratahs’ second highest try-scorer this season with seven. Along with his two tries, Beale finished the game with a try assist, two linebreaks, one linebreak assist, eight runs (96m), an offload, four tackle busts and six tackles.

Outside Centre - Ryan Crotty (Crusaders) was the standout outside centre of the weekend, combining nicely in the midfield alongside Dan Carter. Crotty made two linebreaks, a team-high 10 runs (95m), three offloads, three tackle busts, one forced penalty and eight tackles against the Highlanders.

Right winger – Henry Speight (Brumbies) was absolutely brilliant in the Brumbies’ win over the Force and was an easy winner in his head-to-head battle with Nick Cummins. Speight scored a try, set up another and made four linebreaks, 11 runs (150m – the most in the round), an offload and 11 tackle busts. He looks certain for Wallaby gold later in the season.

Fullback – Israel Dagg (Crusaders) ended the Highlanders’ hopes of winning the New Zealand conference as he cut the Dunedin side to pieces. Dagg finished the game with three linebreaks, two linebreak assists, one try assists, 10 runs (94m), four offloads and four tackle busts.

Israel Dagg looks to have shaken off the knee injury that ended his June Test campaign.

Originally published as Super Rugby R19 team of the week: Brumbies stars in form ahead of Chiefs rematch