Shaun Goosen selects a starting XV of players that stood out from the rest during the 11th round of the United Rugby Championship on the weekend.
Front rankers: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Johan Grobbelaar, Wilco Louw (all Bulls)
The entire Bulls front row gets the nod this week after utterly demolishing the Hollywoodbets Sharks’ pack at Loftus. Wessels, Grobbelaar and Louw must have wondered what more they had to do to get their backline going given their set-piece dominance, with Wessels and Grobbelaar (twice) also crossing the chalk for the hosts.
Second row: Matteo Canali (Zebre) and Alex Samuel (Glasgow Warriors)
Canali was warrior-like in Zebre’s win at Edinburgh, putting in a fantastic 24 tackles and remaining solid in the lineout. Samuel made 16 tackles for Warriors at Rodney Parade.
Back row: Tino Mavesere (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Alessandro Izekor (Benetton) and Giovanni Licata (Zebre)
Mavesere was a titan for the Sharks and deservedly picked up Man of the Match thanks to his superb breakaway try, 78-carry metres and 20 tackles. Benetton’s Izekor also dotted down in a display that included 12 tackles, two turnovers and 19 carry metres. Licata made 22 tackles and carried for 32 metres in a tireless performance from the back of the Zebre pack.
Halfbacks: Ben Murphy (Connacht) and Siya Masuku (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
Murphy was sublime for Connacht, scoring a try early on, carrying for 28 metres making two clean breaks and putting in six tackles. While not all of Masuku’s execution was on the money, the way he switched up play was integral to the Sharks’ victory and he ultimately finished with two try assists, 16 kicks from hand and two from two off the tee.
Midfield: Lukhanyo Am (Hollywoodbets Sharks) and Henco van Wyk (Lions)
After so much injury trouble of late, Am looked to be getting back to his best in Pretoria after putting in an 80-minute shift that included nine tackles, one turnover and 38 metres in the carry, as well as some classic pieces of skill on attack. Van Wyk scored a try, hit 12 tackles and carried a massive 78 metres in the Lions midfield.
Back three: Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks); Sebastian Cancelliere (Glasgow Warriors) and Quan Horn (Lions)
Hardy Hooker was beastly again for the Durbanites, bagging a try to go with 39 metres in the carry and as many as three turnovers. Cancelliere scored a try, made four clean breaks and carried for a ridiculous 149 metres against Dragons. Horn made 97 metres with the ball, assisted one try, made three clean breaks and even won a turnover.
