Rugby.com.au Australian Team of the Week: Week 1

The opening round of Super Rugby Pacific saw plenty of players start the competition with a bang as they look to leave their mark on the competition.

The Waratahs and Reds both pulled off convincing wins over the Fijian Drua and Rebels respectively, whilst the Brumbies snatched victory in the final minute against the Force.

1.Angus Bell (NSW Waratahs)

Bell was electric for the Waratahs, paving the way for their forward pack to dominant the Fijian Drua.

The 21-year-old did a bit of everything, leading his side in carries (9) as well as setting up a try for Lalakai Foketi with a great offload. Bell would cross for one of his own in the second half after running a perfect crash ball line.

He also helped punish the Drua's scrum, with his substitution evident in the final 20 minutes as the Tahs struggled without his presence.

2. Feleti Katiu'u (Western Force)

Kaitu'u has seemed to embrace the leadership role, stepping up for the valiant Force side.

His lineout throwing was near flawless and he seemed to be in everything the visitors threw at the Brumbies in the first half.

With the hooker position still up for grabs for the Wallabies, Kaitu'u went a long way towards staking his claims.

3. Allan Alaalatoa (Brumbies)

This was a tight one but Allan Alaalatoa's insane work ethic just edged out Taniela Tupou for this spot.

Alaalatoa along with Rory Scott were titans in defence, making a tied game-high 18 tackles during his 75-minute stint.

The captain led from the front and played a key role in keeping them in the game and ultimately securing the win.

4. Fergus Lee-Warner (Western Force)

Lee-Warner would have been a more than deserving man of the match had the Force held on for victory against the Brumbies.

He once again led the team in carries (14 for 28 metres) as well as providing two crucial offloads, one of which put Jake McIntyre in for what looked like the game-winning try.

This complemented by his physicality in defence and presence at line-out time saw him outplay his much-fancied opposition and nearly inspire the WA-side to the win

5. Izack Rodda (Western Force)

Rodda completes the all-Force second-row after shutting down the main weapon that is the Brumbies lineout.

As well as this, he laid the platform in attack as the Force looked to impose themselves on the Brumbies defence.

For these reasons, he narrowly beats out Darcy Swain and Jed Holloway, with both players proving integral to their team's success.

6. Sam Wallis (Melbourne Rebels)

In his first start, Sam Wallis proved he belonged in Super Rugby.

With several Wallabies out of action, Wallis stepped up when needed, tackling everything that moved as he tried to will his side home.

Whilst all the talk surrounded Carter Gordon's return home, the former UQ backrower left with plenty of admirers despite the disappointing loss.

7. Rory Scott (Brumbies)

In a defensive-focused performance, Scott was the standout for the Brumbies.

Scott's 18 tackles was a combined game-high and his influence at ruck time was clear to see, earning a key turnover.

His performance went a long way towards securing the blindside position in the nation's capital, looking to ward off the likes of Jahrome Brown and Luke Reimer.


8. Harry Wilson (Queensland Reds)

Harry Wilson sent a clear message to selectors, producing a man of the match performance against the Rebels.

Wilson's improved speed and athleticism were on full display in this match, somehow using his freakish wingspan to reach over the line and score a crucial try.

He also produced a try-saving tackle on his line to go with a key pass to Taniela Tupou for the opening try of the match, capping a near-flawless performance.

9. Jake Gordon (NSW Waratahs)

Gordon picked up where he left off for the Waratahs, proving a nightmare to tackle as he lit the defence up.

The skipper recorded three clean breaks and four tackle busts to go with a game-high 103 metres and 15 tackles.

This was capped off with a perfectly read intercept, which is becoming a staple of his game, replicating his efforts against the Blues last season to seal the win.

10. Ben Donaldson (NSW Waratahs)

Donaldson joins his halves partner in the team after another settled starting performance at flyhalf.

His kicking game remains a major asset for the Tahs, allowing them to win the territory battle before seemingly slotting penalties at will from inside opposition half.

He also showed his playmaking abilities, throwing a lofty ball to Bell to set up Foketi's try, emerging slightly ahead of Reesjan Pasitoa as the best performing playmaker for round one.


11. Tom Wright (Brumbies)

Wright has continued his Wallaby form into Super Rugby Pacific as he almost single-handedly inspired the Brumbies to victory.

He scored the first try of the match, stepping past the Force defenders with ease, whilst his burst down the wing set up Lachlan Lonergan for the match-winner.

The 24-year-old's stat line at the end of the game read three clean breaks, three tackle busts, a try and try assist along with a team-high 68 metres.

12. Irae Simone (Brumbies)

Simone remains an under-rated member of the Brumbies backline, providing some much-needed carries over the advantage line.

His presence in defence was crucial as well, recording nine tackles to help shut down the Force's attack for the majority of the game.

13. Izaia Perese (NSW Waratahs)

Perese remains a menace with ball in hand, bumping off Drua defenders at will.

He recorded a comp-high six tackle-breaks (tied with Jock Campbell) from his nine carries, looking damaging every time he touched the ball.

The 24-year-old is the key link in the Waratahs attack and needs more performances like this to inspire them to further success.

14. Filipo Daugunu (Queensland Reds)

Daugunu's influence remains clear to see, electric in the wet and wild conditions.

He ended the game with ten carries, two offloads and one clean break along with a grubber kick that nearly found Taniela Tupou in space.

With Andrew Kellaway on the sidelines, Daugunu will be eager to stake his claim with the likes of Wright and Toni Pulu producing positive performances to start the year.

15. Jock Campbell (Queensland Reds)

The Reds fullback won't be underrated for long if he continues to produce performances like this.

Campbell's sharp footwork was too much for the Rebels to handle, breaking six tackles as well as crossing for a try to seal the game.

He has silenced any talks of a Jordan Petaia shift as he pushes his own Wallaby ambitions.