Richie McCaw, Henry Slade and Jonny May make team of the week
Wednesday 19 August 2015 11:56, UK
A collection of nationalities make our team of the week after wins from New Zealand, England, Ireland and South Africa.
Richie McCaw is in, as is Nehe Milner-Skudder, while Jonny May dazzled enough for a place in the No 11 jersey.
Do you agree with our choice? Read on for the pick of the players from the weekend's international fixtures.
15 Simon Zebo
Israel Folau was unlucky to miss out after a masterclass under the high ball, and the Waratahs' league convert even scored Australia's only try against New Zealand. However, for his attacking flair on Saturday this jersey had to be handed to Zebo. The Munster back was all over the park in Dublin, making a nuisance of himself and seemingly being involved in most of Ireland's most dangerous periods of possession in the win over Scotland. Form is important leading up to a World Cup and in that light Zebo has done his chances wonders.
14 Nehe Milner-Skudder
Waisake Naholo needed a miracle to get his injury fixed in time for World Cup contention, but now it looks like he'll need another one in order to make it back into the All Blacks side. Milner-Skudder has made some serious waves on the international scene in just two games. He scored twice against the Australians on debut in Sydney and last week had a hand in two tries for the Kiwis.
13 Henry Slade
It was a settled start for Henry Slade on his international debut. Slotting into the No 13 jersey alongside Sam Burgess, the 22-year-old appeared happy to make the big calls and direct play in the England midfield. Burgess may have been the big name at Twickenham, but his younger colleague led play with confidence against France and has surely boosted his chance of a World Cup spot when the team is announced.
12 Peter Horne
It was not a dazzling shift from Horne but it certainly was an effective one. Starting inside Richie Vernon, who was playing his first international at 13, Horne was a cool head in attack and strong shoulders in defence for Scotland. The centre came close to a full house; adding a try, conversion and penalty to the scoresheet in a profitable afternoon in Dublin.
11 Jonny May
All the plaudits were sent Anthony Watson's way on Saturday but in terms of overall performance - at least statistically - it was May who performed better for England. He was inches away from a second try in the game, but more importantly his all-round game was exemplary. He had the most carries of any England player, made the most metres, the most clean breaks and beat the most defenders.
10 Dan Carter
Not many coaches in World Rugby would have accused Dan Carter of 'just shovelling' the ball, but Steve Hansen can afford to be picky thanks to the fly-halves at his disposal. On Saturday Carter brushed aside the criticism with one of the complete No 10 displays, with a near-perfect game from the tee while also directing play superbly for New Zealand. It was Carter's work that set up the Dane Coles try - Carter feigned an inside run before stepping out then accelerating though the gap and finally drawing and passing to Coles for the score.
9 Henry Pyrgos
Scotland are known for their big tight five and even bigger collisions in the loose, but it was the deft touch of Pyrgos that took them to within a Luke Fitzgerald score of a rare win in Dublin. Pyrgos was handed the captaincy for the game and the Glasgow player seemed completely unfazed by the responsibility. His delivery was sharp and his decision-making influential.
8 Kieran Read
It was a weekend of high-performing No 8s. France's Louis Picamoles was the expansive benefactor of a dominant French pack, while the dual between Sean O'Brien and David Denton in Dublin was one of the best of the year. Schalk Burger was once again a great linkman for the Springboks, but the man of the week was Kieran Read. In a 41-13 demolition of the Wallabies, Read topped the All Black tables in carries, lineout wins, and turnovers, while almost putting in the second-most tackles behind Sam Whitelock.
7 Richie McCaw
A certain All Black captain became the most capped player in international history on Saturday, and sentiment alone would have allowed for his selection in this jersey. Fortunately there was no need for sentiment after another gold star review for one of the greats, who now seems to have played his final international on New Zealand soil. Elsewhere in the southern hemisphere there was a good shift put in by Argentina's Juan Fernandez Lobbe.
6 Scott Fardy
Fardy is the unsung hero of the Wallabies back row and he put in another strong display in a losing cause against the All Blacks over the weekend. He made the most carries of any forward, put in the second most tackles of the team and won three lineouts for his side. It wasn't spectacular from Fardy but when it came to the basics he barely put a foot wrong.
5 Brodie Retallick
Sam Whitelock packed down alongside last year's World Player of the Year Brodie Retallick on Saturday and both were impressive, but Retallick shades Whitelock in our team. Retallick carried the ball eight times, made 10 tackles and enforced a turnover against Australia. Tight forwards from New Zealand seem to be evolving - a scary thought for the rest of world rugby.
4 Eben Etzebeth
Argentina started the game well two weeks ago in Durban, scoring a try in the opening two minutes, which set them up for an historic win over the Springboks. The Pumas started equally as well in Buenos Aires on Saturday, and came close to scoring but for the superb cover defence of Eben Etzebeth. A bit hot-headed at times, the young lock is maturing in his role alongside Victor Matfield.
3 Owen Franks
The 27-year-old tighthead has already amassed 72 caps for New Zealand and if he continues to play as he did against the Wallabies, he could well reach 150 before he retires. His is a thankless task but one that he seems to relish and on Saturday he was integral in building the platform for the All Blacks' comprehensive win.
2 Dane Coles
If Owen Franks is the picture of solidity and a throwback to how tighthead props should be, New Zealand team-mate Coles is the opposite of what hookers traditionally do on the field. Though he puts his hands up for the grubby work, it's his pace and skill set in the loose that has made him stand out. Against South Africa he stepped and ran past Willie le Roux, and last weekend he did the same against Australia. Back-to-back breakaway tries for a hooker and not a hint of remorse for the backs doing the defending.
1 Mako Vunipola
It may not have been the best of nights for Vunipola in the set piece but he did his utmost to make amends around the field. The Saracens prop made five carries and was in the top five for England in terms of metres gained against France.
