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Team of the week: All Blacks, Springboks and a couple of Lions combine

By Michael Cantillon

Last Updated: 26/06/17 5:05pm

Codie Taylor's pick-up for his try at Eden Park was sensational
Codie Taylor's pick-up for his try at Eden Park was sensational

After a packed weekend of rugby action, the All Blacks dominate our team of the week after their clinical victory over the Lions at Eden Park on Saturday.

It was a victory brought about largely by teamwork, mixed with some outstanding individual performances from the likes of Brodie Retallick and Kieran Read.

The Springboks and Lions also have a couple of inclusions apiece, while France and Wales are represented as well.

15. Liam Williams (Lions)

The instigator to Sean O'Brien's special Lions try, Williams more than justified his inclusion. Starting the score with a superb step on Kieran Read deep in his own 22, the Welshman proceeded to burn another couple of All Blacks and offload to Jonathan Davies in a score which will go down as one of the Lions' greatest.

Liam Williams was the architect behind possibly the greatest ever Lions score
Liam Williams was the architect behind possibly the greatest ever Lions score

A serious counter-attacking weapon, Williams was at the heart of another slick move in the second half and a major thorn in the All Blacks side. Will give Steve Hansen something to think about this week.

A very poor drop of the ball let in Rieko Ioane for New Zealand's third score, but all-in-all, Williams was up there with the most creative players on display this weekend.

14. Steff Evans (Wales)

After an excellent season with PRO12 champions Scarlets, Evans was afforded his first Wales call-up for this summer's Pacific Islands tour games. On Friday, he proved his country's saviour in horrible Samoan conditions.

Steff Evans saved Wales against Samoa with two tries
Steff Evans saved Wales against Samoa with two tries

The wing notched a brace of scores, but his late effort in the corner in Apia ensured Wales secured a slender 19-17 victory, and didn't leave with egg on their faces. A lethal finisher, this wont be the last time we see him scoring on the international stage, that's for sure.

13. Jonathan Davies (Lions)

The Welsh centre saved undoubtedly his best game on tour so far for the big one. A slick break inside two minutes should have resulted in the opening try, while he had two key involvements in O'Brien's score, tracking Williams to pick up his offload and shift it on to Daly, before doing brilliantly to keep his hands free and find the Irish openside by the try-line later in the move.

Steve Hansen said Sean O'Brien's try will go down as one of the best ever
Steve Hansen said Sean O'Brien's try will go down as one of the best ever

Took it to the All Blacks all game, his Test place is now not in any shred of doubt.

12. Jan Serfontein (South Africa)

The man of the Springboks' whitewash series against France. Serfontein was in our team of the week last week, and he makes it again this time around after another all-action display in the Boks' history making 35-12 victory over France at Ellis Park.

Highlights of South Africa's third-Test win over France
Highlights of South Africa's third-Test win over France

In a largely subdued performance from Allister Coetzee's men, the inside-centre was a leading light. Beginning the game with a key breakdown turnover after a sustained spell of French pressure, Serfontein was everywhere in defence and attack.

He even got lifted in the lineout for Eben Etzebeth's vital try, playing a key role in subtly offloading the ball to a secondary pod after he was hoisted up in a brilliant set-piece move. Not many backs can claim that this week!

11. Rieko Ioane (New Zealand)

The first of many All Blacks in our XV, Ioane's two clinical scores at Eden Park against the Lions belied his tender years.

Highlights of New Zealand's win over the Lions at Eden Park
Highlights of New Zealand's win over the Lions at Eden Park

In just his second Test cap, the 20-year-old showed off searing pace and power to finish off well in the corner for his first and run in his second to kill the contest, leaving Elliot Daly, who is no slouch himself, well and truly in his wake. Blistering.

10. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)

Forced to play as an auxiliary full-back following Ben Smith's head knock removal, Barrett was still too good to leave out.

Beauden Barrett thoroughly outplayed Lions fly-half Owen Farrell
Beauden Barrett thoroughly outplayed Lions fly-half Owen Farrell

His control of the game was at its customary excellence, while his kicking from the tee, something many have declared as a key weakness in his game, was absolutely flawless from all angles. The best around.

9. Aaron Smith (New Zealand)

Alongside Barrett, Smith had his best game for several months in an All Black jersey. Delivering lightening quick ball all game, his pace and control of service would eventually destroy the Lions.

Aaron Smith was at the heart of everything good for New Zealand
Aaron Smith was at the heart of everything good for New Zealand

It was his quick tap which opened the door for New Zealand's first try, while he was alert to pick up Reid's ridiculously good offload off the deck for the crucial second. Even before all that, his ankle tap tackle on Conor Murray after just two minutes saved a certain try. Looks back to his best if this performance is anything to go by.

1. Jefferson Poirot (France)

The only Frenchman to come away with any credit from their meek and error-strewn defeat to South Africa in Johannesburg, Poirot was strong at the scrum and a menace at the breakdown.

Jefferson Poirot impressed against the Springboks, earning several breakdown turnovers and scrum penalties
Jefferson Poirot impressed against the Springboks, earning several breakdown turnovers and scrum penalties

Earned three turnovers with textbook jackals, the Bordeaux Begles loosehead also did a number on Springbok newbie Ruan Dreyer. Poirot earned numerous scrum penalties and forced two against the head in an eye-catching display.

2. Codie Taylor (New Zealand)

Billed as a potential weakness to the New Zealand pack in the absence of Dane Coles, Taylor proved anything but.

Codie Taylor did brilliantly to take a pass off his bootlaces to score the first try of the game
Codie Taylor did brilliantly to take a pass off his bootlaces to score the first try of the game

The pick-up for his try off his bootlaces was outstanding by any standards, let alone for a hooker to pull it off. Was also part of a solid set-piece and his work rate was off the charts. Emptied the tank.

3. Kalivati Tawake (Fiji)

Without question the least well-known member of our team, but in a week where several high-profile tighthead's failed to stand out, Tawake has quite the story. After Scotland's sensational victory over Australia in Sydney last week, they were brought down to earth with a bump in Suva on Saturday as Fiji secured a superb 27-22 victory.

Fiji prop Kalivati Tawake, pictured here lifting in the lineout, lasted 75 minutes in the win over Scotland and gave everything
Fiji prop Kalivati Tawake, pictured here lifting in the lineout, lasted 75 minutes in the win over Scotland and gave everything

At 28, Tawake was making just his third Test appearance and the army officer, who plays for the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Army Green side, admitted he achieved a dream by being called up the national side this summer. He now has a Test start and victory to his name.

The prop lasted 75 minutes, which is almost unheard of for a tighthead in today's game, and left everything out on the pitch. His inclusion is a reward for the whole Fijian XV.

4. Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)

Part of a brutally intense New Zealand forward pack, Retallick was brilliant against the Lions. The Chiefs lock chipped in with 12 carries for a phenomenal 35 metres as Warren Gatland's side struggled to handle his strength in attack and his oppressive and suffocating defence.

Brodie Retallick admitted he enjoyed the physicality of the Lions Test
Brodie Retallick admitted he enjoyed the physicality of the Lions Test

His presence is absolutely vital for the All Blacks, they just aren't the same without him.

5. Sam Whitelock (New Zealand)

Alongside Retallick, Sam Whitelock was a key part of the All Blacks' victory
Alongside Retallick, Sam Whitelock was a key part of the All Blacks' victory

Hugely physical, Whitelock caused carnage at the breakdown and disruption at the lineout. Got the better of his opposite number George Kruis all game, the second row also chipped in with a vital steal towards the closing stages.

6. Jaco Kriel (South Africa)

South Africa's blindside is starting to forge a partnership to be feared alongside fellow flanker Siya Kolisi for the Springboks. Against France, Kriel was the pick of the forwards on the pitch.

Jaco Kriel was the best forward on the pitch in South Africa's third-Test victory against France
Jaco Kriel was the best forward on the pitch in South Africa's third-Test victory against France

The 27-year-old made several barnstorming runs and must have covered every blade of grass at Ellis Park. Another who has enjoyed a fine summer series.

7. Sam Cane (New Zealand)

Teak tough, Cane tackles everything that moves and is hard as nails at the breakdown. Benefited immensely from the interpretation of referee Jaco Peyper, who leaves a lot go in terms of the physical stakes, Cane was a dominant figure in the All Blacks' victory over the Lions.

Sam Cane's immensely physical display ruled the breakdown against the Lions
Sam Cane's immensely physical display ruled the breakdown against the Lions

He may never be regarded as Richie McCaw, but he is one tough customer.

8. Kieran Read (New Zealand)

Simply the best player on the pitch on Saturday. Staggering to think this was Read's first appearance since April, and just his fifth in seven months. The All Blacks skipper was magnificent. He made 18 carries, 13 of which yielded gainline success, and produced an absolute moment of magic which, in effect, settled the contest.

Also See:

  • Five Lions with a Test chance
  • Murray treatment irks Gatland
  • Rugby on Sky
  • Follow @SkySportsRugby
Sir Ian McGeechan and Sean Fitzpatrick discuss the impact of Kieran Read
Sir Ian McGeechan and Sean Fitzpatrick discuss the impact of Kieran Read

With the match finely balanced on the hour mark, Read dug out a scarcely believable offload off the ground from a moving scrum, popping it around Lions scrum-half Murray to Smith. Just a superlative moment of skill.

Grab a £14.99 Sky Sports Month Pass and enjoy all Lions Test matches, The Open, England v South Africa and much, much more. It's an unmissable summer of sport on NOW TV.

The Lions Tour live only on Sky Sports

Watch every match from the British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand only on Sky Sports. Get Sky Sports today!

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