Waratahs stars Will Skelton, Michael Hooper, Bernard Foley, Adam Ashley-Cooper make Round 12 Super Rugby team of the week

THE Waratahs won one of the Super Rugby games of the season, but how many of their players made our team of the week? Check it out.

Ma'a Nonu had a massive game for the Blues against the Reds at Eden Park.

THE Waratahs won one of the games of the season — a 39-30 thriller against the Hurricanes — so it’s perhaps no surprise they have the most players in our Round 12 Super Rugby team of the week.

Four Tahs players made it, while impressive wins for New Zealand outfits the Crusaders, Blues and Chiefs sees them all well represented as well.

After another big weekend of Super Rugby Fox Sports Stats have crunched the numbers and delivered the First XV below.

1. Loosehead Prop — Paulasi Manu (Chiefs) scored his first Super Rugby try on the weekend and makes the team for the second consecutive week. Manu made 1 linebreak, 6 runs (22m), 2 tackle busts, 1 offload and 4 tackles against the Lions.

2. Hooker — Dane Coles (Hurricanes) has been in outstanding form for the Hurricanes and put in another good shift against the Waratahs. Coles made the crucial linebreak off a Waratahs kick-off that led to Julian Savea’s try and also chipped in with 8 runs (47m), 3 offloads, 3 tackle busts and 13 tackles (the most by any hooker in the round).

3. Tighthead Prop — Frans Malherbe (Stormers) hadn’t scored a Super Rugby try in his career coming into the round but managed to grab a double against the Highlanders. Malherbe finished the game with 2 linebreaks, 7 runs (36m), 4 tackle busts and 8 tackles against the Highlanders.

Will Skelton offloads in the tackle against the Hurricanes at Allianz Stadium.

4. Second Row — Although he only played 48 minutes the impact that Will Skelton (Waratahs) made against the Hurricanes was massive and he deserves his spot in the team of the week. Skelton set up Stephen Hoiles’ try with a beautiful inside ball and also made 12 runs (80m), 6 tackle busts, 1 offload, and 3 tackles.

5. Second Row — James Horwill (Reds) continues to perform strongly in a losing side and was one of Queensland’s best in their loss to the Blues. Horwill scored his first Super Rugby try since 2012 and made 9 runs (35m), 1 linebreak, 3 tackle busts, 3 lineout wins and 13 tackles.

Richie McCaw made a strong return for the Crusaders against the Brumbies at AMI Stadium.

6. Blindside — Richie McCaw (Crusaders) didn’t show any signs of his six-match layoff from injury, slotting back into a Crusaders side that has rapidly become the form side in the competition. McCaw started in the No. 6 jersey, but switched to openside following Matt Todd’s injury. He ended the match with 6 runs (31m), 1 pilfer and 24 tackles (the second most by any player in the round). Schalk Burger also deserves a mention for his outstanding game against the Highlanders.

7. Openside — Michael Hooper (Waratahs) was everywhere against the Hurricanes, excelling both with the ball and without it. Hooper made 1 linebreak, 9 runs (78m), 2 offloads, 4 tackle busts and 14 tackles.

8. No. 8 — Warren Whitely (Lions) has been the Lions best player in 2014 and as usual was among the highest tacklers of the round. Whitely made 1 linebreak, 6 runs (59m), 2 tackle busts, 4 lineout wins and 21 tackles (with no misses).

Highlanders halfback Aaron Smith kicks ahead for his own try against the Stormers at Newlands.

9. Halfback — Nick Phippshad his best game in a Waratahs jersey but is unlucky to miss out to Aaron Smith (Highlanders) who showed why he is considered one of the best No. 9s in world rugby. Smith scored a brilliant solo try featuring a chip and chase (almost more like a bomb and chase) and finished the game with 1 try assist, 2 linebreaks, 5 runs (40m), 4 tackle busts, 2 offloads and 3 tackles.

10. Flyhalf — Bernard Foley (Waratahs) was brilliant in the halves alongside Phipps and is another NSW player to make the team of the week. Foley scored 19 points including a try and made 1 try assist, 2 linebreak assists, 1 linebreak, 9 runs (75m), 3 tackle busts and 5 tackles.

11. Left Winger — Lolagi Visinia (Blues) has now scored tries in back-to-back weeks and set up another in the Blues’ win over the Reds in Auckland. Visinia finished the game with 10 runs (121m), 2 linebreaks, 4 tackle busts, 4 offloads and five tackles.

Ma'a Nonu had a massive game for the Blues against the Reds at Eden Park.

12. Inside centre — Ma’a Nonu (Blues) is starting to play as well as he does in an All Blacks jersey for the Blues and has been instrumental in their past two wins. Nonu set up two of the Blues’ tries, and made 5 runs (38m), 1 linebreak, 1 linebreak assist, 1 tackle bust, 1 offload, and 8 tackles (with no misses).

13. Outside Centre — Malakai Fekitoa continues to be a revelation for the Highlanders but it’s Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs) who gets the outside centre spot in the team of the week. Ashley-Cooper got the Waratahs off to a flyer with that beautiful right hand fend on Jack Lam to set up Rob Horne’s try and finished the game with 9 runs (82m), 2 linebreaks, 3 tackle busts, 1 pilfer and 8 tackles.

14. Right winger — Johnny McNicholl (Crusaders) gets his first start in the team of the week with his impressive game against the Brumbies. McNicholl scored his third try of the season and made 6 runs (61m), 2 linebreaks, 6 tackle busts and 6 tackles.

15. Fullback — Tim Nanai-Williams (Chiefs) excelled in his first start for the Chiefs this season at fullback. Nanai-Williams was involved in everything scoring a try and making 1 try assist, 2 lineberak assists, 1 linebreak, 11 runs (87m), 5 tackle busts and 6 tackles. Sharks star Lwazi Movo and Blues ace Charles Piutau also deserve a mention for their performances over the weekend.

Originally published as Waratahs stars Will Skelton, Michael Hooper, Bernard Foley, Adam Ashley-Cooper make Round 12 Super Rugby team of the week