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The 2021 Rugby Championship Team of The Competition

@ThalaMsutu77

12 matches done. 590 points scored. Matches across three countries, two continents and one Townsville. The 2021 edition of the Rugby Championship was unique but still enthralling.

Congratulations to the Rugby Championship winners – New Zealand. Clearly, the best and most consistent side in the Rugby Championship and the faith in Ian Foster and the extension he obtained at the start of the tournament is bearing dividends. The All Blacks were able to blood in some new players while All Black regulars like Sam Cane, Sam Whitelock, Aaron Smith, Dane Coles, Richie Mo’unga and Jack Goodhue were missing.

 

Some positives for Australia too – who turned around their beatings at the hands of the All Blacks for their first four-match win streak in four years. Their performances against South Africa were an indication that Dave Rennie’s project is starting to bear fruit and show the impact that overseas Wallabies like Samu Kerevi, Quade Cooper and Izack Rodda have on the team.

 

A see-saw tournament for the Springboks. They certainly saved their best for last in the final match against the All Blacks and probably reached a standard of performance that not many other teams can keep up with. But the majority of the other five matches were not convincing and somewhat worrying, showing that while the Springboks are the world’s number one team, any drop in their usual standards will be punished by other Tier One nations.

 

A concerning campaign for Argentina, with an average score of 10-33 in their six matches. They rarely got close to the other three teams and the loss of the Jaguares is starting to reflect in their performances. The one advantage, as Jared Wright pointed out, was that there were new players introduced to the highest level of test rugby by Mario Ledesma, as a new generation of Pumas starts to take over.

My Rugby Championship Team of the Competition reflects the best and most consistent performers in each position throughout the tournament (with some exceptions where I get a little cheeky with trying to fit in some players).

 

I have selected at least one player from each team. This does not necessarily reflect who I think are the best players in their respective positions in the Southern Hemisphere, but who performed the best over the past two months.

 

There are 6 Wallabies, 4 Springboks, 4 All Blacks and 1 Puma in the 2021 Rugby Championship XV and 4 Australians, 4 Argentinians, 4 New Zealanders and 3 South Africans who are ‘Bubbling Under’.

 

It is very interesting that while the All Blacks were the superior team, there were not as many standout individual performances throughout the tournament from their players, which is possibly a consequence of Ian Foster rotating his squad regularly and the loss of some of their key players throughout the tournament.

 

Without further ado, here it is – the Rugby Bits 2021 Rugby Championship Team of the Competition:

 

  1. Steven Kitshoff (South Africa)

Steven Kitshoff of the Springboks and Lukhanyo Am of the Springboks celebrate winning The Rugby Championship match between the South Africa Springboks and New Zealand All Blacks at Cbus Super Stadium on October 02, 2021 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images

Not much competition from New Zealand and Argentinian props, meaning Kitshoff’s competition came largely from the ever-consistent James Slipper and within from Trevor Nyakane.

 

Kitshoff was part of the best scrum in the tournament and whether he starts or comes off the bench, his impact on the game is evident. He made 35 tackles and gained 73 meters in the five games played. Young Angus Bell acquitted himself well and will have that scrum penalty he won against Frans Malherbe playing at home for the rest of his life.

 

Bubbling Under: James Slipper (Australia)

 

  1. Julian Montoya (Argentina)

As I said earlier, I wanted a representative from every team and there is nobody better to be Argentina’s representative in this side than Montoya. Montoya was the top tackler in the tournament, making 72 tackles. It seemed he was the only player stopping the opposition from scoring 50 points against them.

 

Malcolm Marx wins the ‘Bubbling Under’ award, for only missing 3 out of 42 lineouts, making key turnovers and being South Africa’s top try scorer. A shout-out to Samisoni Taukei’aho’s breakout tournament for the All Blacks.

Bubbling Under: Malcolm Marx (South Africa)

 

  1. Frans Malherbe (South Africa)

The best tighthead prop in world rugby (although Mohamed Haouas would like his shot at the title) has continued playing at a high level in the Rugby Championship. Vital scrum penalties won in almost every match and having opponent looseheads in a bind (excuse the pun) while contributing with his tackles and at ruck time, shows his singular value to the Springboks.

 

Taniela Tupou is a different type of tighthead prop, but his amazing assist for Koroibete’s try against the Springboks may be reason alone to have him ‘Bubbling Under’. Added to that, he had 137 meters gained (which is by far the most by any prop in the tournament), beat seven defenders (15th in the tournament) and had one try assist.

 

Vincent Koch deserves a mention for the impact he made off the bench for the Springboks in most games and putting reserve loosehead props under a world of pressure.

 

Bubbling Under: Taniela Tupou (Australia)

  1. Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)

Brodie Retallick

Eben Etzebeth was a titan, but his impact started to fade in later matches.  Guido Petti and Matias Alemanno were strong contributors in a tough Argentinian campaign.

 

Izack Rodda’s impact for the Wallabies was evident in the last four matches. But this was Brodie Retallick’s reintroduction to international rugby as the top lock of the last decade.

 

Retallick was somewhat thrown straight into the fire in this tournament, playing without his longtime partner Sam Whitelock for most games and even captaining against Argentina. But he showed his quality and seemed to grow in his impact as matches and the tournament continued. Retallick was also New Zealand’s top tackler with 49 tackles.

 

Bubbling Under: Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)

 

  1. Lood de Jager (South Africa)

De Jager was the leader of the tournament’s best lineout (89% success rate) and brought many sleepless nights for his opponents with his ability to steal opponent’s attacking lineouts, especially in the Springboks’ 22. Added to that, Lood was the top non-Argentinian (and 5th overall) tackler with 56 tackles.

 

The difference when Lood is on and off the field in the lineout is clear, as the Springbok lineout suddenly looks like the Pirates 3rd team lineout. Bubbling Under is, perhaps surprisingly, Tomas Lavanini – his ability to disrupt the flow of the attacking team (whether legally or illegally) helped Argentina stay in some matches (6th in tackles with 54 tackles). He has, unsurprisingly, the most yellow cards in this year’s tournament and is battling Michael Hooper for the most yellow cards in men’s international rugby.

Credit must also go to Matt Philip who has been making a large all-round impact for the Wallabies with 32 carries and 40 tackles made. Perhaps more should be expected from Scott Barrett than what he produced this tournament.

Bubbling Under: Tomas Lavanini (Argentina)

 

 

  1. Siya Kolisi (South Africa)

I’m probably cheating here, as Kolisi was the openside flanker for the Springboks, but it is tough not to include the Springbok captain and the impact he made throughout the tournament.

 

Kolisi seemed to be everywhere and doing everything on the field – 36 tackles, 22 carries, 133 meters gained and some vital counter rucks too. This was Kolisi’s long-awaited entrance into the world-class level of international rugby and in the conversation as one of the best flanks in the world.

 

Akira Ioane for New Zealand was 4th in defenders beaten (18 – top of the forwards) and 7th in meters gained (334 – again the best of the forwards). Kwagga Smith also deserves a mention for deputising at blindside flank for Pieter-Steph du Toit with 41 tackles, 22 carries and 7 defenders beaten. Two fantastic performances against the All Blacks cements him as a test rugby player.

 

Bubbling Under: Akira Ioane (New Zealand)

 

  1. Michael Hooper (Australia)

Say it quietly, but is this the Men’s World Rugby Player of the Year? It might be difficult to say that a player that was on the losing side of a 57-22 thrashing is the frontrunner for Player of the Year, but anyone that has seen Hooper play this season can attest to how he has reached another level of play this season.

 

Hooper made the most tackles for Australia (8th overall – 50 tackles), he was 11th in the tournament for carries made (37), beating 4 defenders and only missed NINE minutes throughout the whole tournament #RestHooper. Marcos Kremer for Argentina was the 4th highest tackler in the tournament (61) and the 4th highest for carries (44). Bouts of ill-discipline take away from some of the great things he was able to do. He certainly outshone his more well-known teammate, and Byron Bay enthusiast, Pablo Matera.

 

Bubbling Under: Marcos Kremer (Argentina)

 

  1. Ardie Savea (New Zealand)

Duane Vermeulen was the Man of the Match in the last match against the All Blacks, but in previous matches, he was still going through the gears and finding the level of performance he is known for.

 

This position is between Savea and Rob Valetini (a.k.a. the ‘Ardie Savea’ your mom says you have at home). Both are present in many of the tournament’s top statistics lists. Both are tied at the top for try assists in this year’s tournament with three each. Valetini was one of a few breakthrough players in this year’s Rugby Championship. He ends the tournament 3rd for carries made (46), 9th for meters gained (317) and 13th for tackles made (43).

 

Ardie Savea took on the responsibility as captain of the All Blacks admirably. He was basically the lone ranger trying to keep the All Blacks in the game in their loss against the Springboks. He ends the tournament with 2 tries scored, 42 tackles made (14th in the tournament), 12 defenders beaten (8th in the tournament), one Rugby Championship trophy lifted and one swan dive for his try against the Springboks.

 

Bubbling Under: Rob Valetini (Australia)

 

  1. Nic White (Australia)

The selection of White may be somewhat surprising, having started the tournament on the bench for McDermott, but his impact since coming on against the Springboks at the start of the second half at the Gold Coast was evident.

 

White’s box kicking and ability to snipe around the ruck helped the Wallabies – box kicking especially being the one skill that Tate McDermott is still trying to improve on. He ends the tournament with two try assists – which is the same number of try assists for Aaron Smith and TJ Perenara.

 

The All Blacks definitely missed the world’s best scrumhalf in Aaron Smith with Perenara and Brad Weber’s ability to play on the back foot was found somewhat lacking against the Springboks. Faf de Klerk switched between some sublime moments like his grubber try assist for Lukhanyo Am to box kicking anything around him.

 

Show some love to Gonzalo Bertranou. He is top in the passes made category (unsurprisingly) but is also 2nd in tackles made in the tournament with 68 which is almost unheard of for a scrumhalf.

 

Bubbling Under: Gonzalo Bertranou (Argentina)

 

  1. Quade Cooper (Australia)

The question of who the best flyhalf in international rugby right now seems to be one of those unanswerable questions, like what do you need to do for the SANZAAR disciplinary committee to actually ban you from playing rugby.

 

Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett are battling for the All Black 10 jersey like Brandy and Monica did in The Boy is Mine. The Best 10 in the World crown seemed to be Pollard’s to grab at the start of the international season, but his performances in Australia reminded us of a darker time and a classical bit of commentary from the late Kaunda Ntunja in 2018.

Elton Jantjies became the unlikely hero of their win against the All Blacks and has the most try assists amongst the Springboks with two. It has left Quade Cooper as the best option for flyhalf for the tournament XV. Since replacing Noah Lolesio, Australia has become more patient and efficient in attack. Quade’s 8 out of 8 place kicking performance in the Wallabies win on the Gold Coast against the World Champions was his signature game.

 

The games against Argentina saw flashes of the Quade that broke through the game in the early 2010s with his passing and short kicking leading to two try assists.

 

Quade also made the most tackles (15) in Australia’s 2nd victory against South Africa at Suncorp Stadium, showing the growth from earlier in his career when he was hidden on the wing at times. If there was a comeback player of the tournament, it would be Quade Cooper.

Bubbling Under: Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)

 

 

  1. Rieko Ioane (New Zealand)

Marika Koroibete can count himself as very unlucky to not be selected here. It was another top tournament for the Wallabies winger who was 5th in defenders beaten (16), 7th in carries (42), 5th in meters gained (366) and ended the tournament with two tries.

 

Makazole Mapimpi did not receive as many opportunities in attack, but his work chasing the barrage of Bok aerial bombs was exemplary and he scored two tries for his troubles as well.

 

Rieko Ioane also scored two tries of his own and while he switched between 11 and outside centre, he showed he is still one of the most dangerous players in space in the world. His ability to accelerate into space and his growing ability to pass both sides gives the All Blacks a third centre when he plays on the wing. Rieko is also 2nd in meters gained (556), 6th in defenders beaten (15) and 10th in carries made (37). He also had an 88% tackle success rate in this tournament showing his defensive ability out wide.

 

Bubbling Under: Marika Koroibete (Australia)

 

  1. Samu Kerevi (Australia)

Kerevi was the biggest point of difference to the Wallabies performance since they lost 57-22 to the All Blacks. His ability to break tackles and beat defenders (2nd for defenders beaten in the tournament with 21) brought the Wallabies easy meters (no surprise he is 1st for meters gained with 585 and 1st for carries with 65) and a dynamism to the Wallabies attack.

 

The Wallabies constantly crossed the advantage line when he was playing and he had a Springbok defence that rarely concedes tries scrambling in the two tests against them. There are just not many other rugby players that are able to occupy so many defenders like he does.

 

He also snatched back the ‘Best 12 in the World’ title from Damian de Allende, who had a very good tournament as the Springboks’ battering ram. He was top of the Boks for carries (34 which is 15th overall) and meters gained (284 which is 11th overall) and making many defensive stops as well.

 

Young Santiago Chocobares seems to have finally won the 12 jersey from Jeronimo de la Fuente. Chocobares was 7th for tackles made (51) and also beat six defenders.

 

David Havili is a much different type of 12 to the other three mentioned and his ability to act as a secondary playmaker brought the All Blacks attackers into the game. He ends the tournament with 3 tries scored (2nd highest in the tournament), 11 defenders beaten (10th overall), 8th in carries (42) and 6th in meters gained (357). He fell short, though, when he was used to try and get over the advantage line by the All Blacks against the Springboks.

 

Bubbling Under: David Havili (New Zealand)

 

 

  1. Len Ikitau (Australia)

It was SO SO hard to ignore Lukhanyo Am, who I think is the best outside centre in the world.  And yes, while Am is one of those players whose impact does not reflect on statistics and he made THAT special pass for the first try against the All Blacks on the Gold Coast.

 

It is tough to put him above Len Ikitau, especially when Am only had a 61% tackle success rate (11 tackles made and 7 missed tackles). Len Ikitau himself was probably the superior 13 in his matchups against Am. He scored two tries and had one try assist, he is tied 8th for defenders beaten (12) and 13th for meters gained (276).

 

Ikitau also showed how strong of a defender he is especially when big Springbok forwards were running at him – he made 18 out of 25 tackles. His pass to Kellaway on Saturday for his try could rival Am’s. A shoutout to Lucio Cinti, who started only three games and is 13th for defenders beaten (8).

 

Bubbling Under: Lukhanyo Am (South Africa)

 

  1. Andrew Kellaway (Australia)

You need to include the top try scorer in the tournament, right? Seven tries in six games is an incredible strike rate. Kellaway was also first for defenders beaten in the tournament (23), 6th in carries (42) and 3rd in meters gained (430).

 

Kellaway reminds me a lot of Joe Roff in his ability to be at the right place at the right time to finish tries. He is definitely not the fastest or most powerful winger around, but his ability to finish ensured that he scored more than much more heralded players like Will Jordan (3 tries), Sevu Reece (3 tries) and Sbu Nkosi (1 try and 1 try assist).

 

Kellaway is definitely the breakthrough player of the tournament.

 

Bubbling Under: Will Jordan (New Zealand)

 

  1. Jordie Barrett (New Zealand)

Not the best tournament for fullbacks, to be fair, but that should not take away from the tournament Jordie Barrett had.

 

Jordie has finally beaten off the competition of Damian McKenzie and his brother Beauden to become the 15 jersey incumbent for the All Blacks. The confidence with which he is playing with in attack and with his field and place-kicking is so clear and he has grown so much since his ill-advised quick lineout throw-in was one of the reasons the All Blacks lost to the Springboks in Wellington in 2018.

 

Jordie was 2nd for defenders beaten (21), 2nd in carries (53) and 3rd for meters gained (430). His place-kicking was close to faultless after taking over kicking duties midway in the Rugby Championship and he ends the tournament as the 2nd highest points scorer behind Pollard with 53 points.

 

His ability under the high ball was tested by the Springboks. Jordie showed the ability to reply in kind with a massive run through the field (usually as a result of an offload from his brother Scott) or to kick the ball into another planet.

 

He has a skill set that very few fullbacks in world rugby have right now.

 

For Bubbling Under, I will use the opportunity to give credit to Santiago Carreras for his performances at fullback and stepping in for Nicolas Sanchez at flyhalf for the rest of the tournament. He is also 7th for defenders beaten (13), 5th in carries (43) and 10th in meters gained (304).

 

Bubbling Under: Santiago Carreras (Argentina)

 

Do you agree with this XV? Come tweet us @RugbyBits with your selections.

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