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Team of the week: England's Owen Farrell, Mako Vunipola and Dylan Hartley all star

Israel Dagg gleefully crosses the line in Dunedin

A 'solar-system class' goal kicker and a stand-in scrum-half feature in our team of the week, but who will join them?

15. Israel Dagg (New Zealand)

Dagg looked back to his best as New Zealand dismantled Wales 46-6 in Dunedin on Saturday.

The full-back made 252 metres in the match, 161 more than any other player on the field from 15 carries.

An 80th minute try topped off a superb performance where he looked class throughout . 

14. Ben Smith (New Zealand)

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New Zealand hammered Wales 46-6 in Dunedin to complete a 3-0 series sweep

Smith backed up his second Test team of the week inclusion with another strong performance. 

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The winger made 91 metres in attack and caused havoc all over the field especially in the first half. He put in a good finish in the corner to score and showed his versatility when he slipped into the centre with ease in the final quarter.

13. Johan Goosen (Racing 92)

Goosen was one of Racing 92's heroes as they overcame the sending off of Maxime Machenaud to beat Toulon 29-21 and were crowned Top 14 champions.

The centre, alongside fly-half Dan Carter, helped claw the Parisian side back into the game with a nine-point haul, showcasing his monster boot by striking three long range penalties.

12. Owen Farrell (England)

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Owen Farrell kicked 24 points to help England secure the whitewash over Australia and nearly missed a team celebration talking about it…

Farrell topped of a fairytale season with another standout perfomance against Australia, completing a hat-trick of team of the week appearances over the summer internationals.

The 22-year-old continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over in the final Test, contributing 24 points to the English cause slotting nine out of 10 attempts at goal, while also contributing in defence. 

Farrell has missed just three kicks at goal all series and has been hailed as 'solar-system class' by Eddie Jones and received plaudits from Sir Clive Woodward all while operating outside of his club position of fly-half.

11. Juan Imhoff (Racing 92)

Racing 92's Top 14 final hopes looked to be fading rapidly when scrum-half Machenaud was shown red for a dangerous tackle in the 18th minute but up stepped Imhoff.

The winger stepped into the scrum-half's role and helped steer Racing 92 to their first title since 1990, while still offering glimpses of his usual livewire nature around the field.

Imhoff kept his nerve and put his hand up when his side needed him most and thoroughly deserves his place in our team of the week.

Praise must also go to Imhoff's teammate Joe Rokocoko for his spectacular individual try that helped Racing seal the silverware. 

10. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)

Beauden Barrett of the All Blacks fends off Luke Charteris of Wales
Image: Beauden Barrett fends off Luke Charteris

In the absence of Aaron Cruden, Barrett once again stood up to the mark for the All Blacks.

He started at 10, finished at full-back, scored two impressive tries and caused havoc in attack while also putting in a strong shift with the boot.

An honourable mention however must go to Harry Mallinder who guided the England U20's side to Junior World Championship glory with a commanding performance at fly-half.

The son of Northampton boss Jim Mallinder, Harry made 80 metres, scored two tries and was awarded man-of-the-match as his side swept past Ireland in the final.

9. Faf de Klerk (South Africa)

The Lions scrum half made two match-winning interventions as South Africa edged past Ireland and snatched a 2-1 series victory.

His crucial tackle on Earls at the death won the game and the series for his side and has surely cemented his place at scrum-half for the upcoming Rugby Championship.

1. Mako Vunipola (England)

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A look back at how England made history by claiming a series sweep against the Wallabies

Vunipola has retained his place in our team of the week with another solid performance against Australia.

The Saracens prop has improved game on game and ended the series with another top showing.

Not usually known for his scrumaging prowess, the elder of the two Vunipola brothers was solid in the set piece and was the top tackler in the match with a contribution of 18.

Around the field, his barnstorming carry sent fellow prop Dan Cole over for a try and helped send England on their way to a historic series whitewash. 

2. Dylan Hartley (England)

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England concluded a glorious season by completing a 3-0 series whitewash of Australia

Hartley once again led from the front as England secured a third-test win over Australia and a somewhat surprise series whitewash.

The hooker has responded well to the pressure being piled on him from Jamie George and has set the tone for the entire team with his unrelenting workrate, endorsing Jones' decision to appoint him captain with every game.

Hartley contributed to a solid set piece effort from England including six throws into the lineout with a 100% success rate.

3. Charlie Faumuina (New Zealand)

Charlie Faumuina of New Zealand is tackled by Rhys Priestland of Wales during the International Test match between the
Image: Charlie Faumuina on the charge against Wales

Faumuina enjoyed his first start of the series and was the cornerstone of a New Zealand pack that gave Wales a hard-time.

The Blues prop displayed his huge work-rate, strong carrying game and uncompromising defence.

He continued his Super Rugby form in the international arena and as well as his work in the tight showcased the handling and attacking game that his 125kg frame has become famed for. 

4. Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)

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New Zealand hammered Wales 46-6 in Dunedin to complete a 3-0 series sweep

Retallick was the best forward on the field as New Zealand blew Wales away.

The towering lock put in 11 tackles, missing his man on just one occasion while also working hard on the floor and being an aggressive and physical presence throughout.

Devin Toner also deserves a mention for an excellent series for Ireland in South Africa.

5. George Kruis (England)

George Kruis of England is tackled by Michael Hooper during the International Test match between the Australian Wallabies a
Image: George Kruis has thrived in his role as England's lineout master throughout the series

Another strong contribution Kruis in the England engine room.

His talents often go under the radar due to the performances of his lock partner Maro Itoje but his lineout expertise and effort in the tight are first-rate.

Called the lineout throughout as England continued their dominance in that area with a 100 per cent success rate from nine attempts.

6. Chris Robshaw (England)

Many called for Chris Robshaw's England career to be over after England's disastrous World Cup campaign on home soil but the Harlequins flanker has come out firing. 

His knowledge and experience was key as Eddie Jones shook up the England back-row before the break and moved across the scrum to openside seamlessly to accommodate the changes.

Robshaw made 11 tackles, had a tally of 28 metres made during the game and even had a lineout steal to his name.

7. Will Evans (England U20)

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Highlights of the 2016 U20s World Championship final between Ireland and England

Evans was a standout player on the England U20 side as they secured Junior World Championship glory with an impressive 45-21 victory over Ireland U20 on Saturday evening.

His Premiership experience shone as he terrorised Ireland at the breakdown, showing off his strong instinct of when to go in for the kill and get the turnover.

He is highly rated at Leicester and it wasn't hard to see why as he helped his country on their way to silverware with a monstrous performance both in the tight and around the park.

8. Louis Picamoles (France)

Northampton-bound Picamoles signed off his season in style as he helped France outclass Argentina 27-0.

He was the top performer around the field making 17 carries while also featuring in the top five tacklers throughout the match.

The return of Picamoles among other star names for France helped sure up their side and gain revenge for their 30-19 defeat in the  first Test.

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