Nations Championship Team of the Month features Springboks, All Blacks, and Japanese bolter
The Nations Championship has concluded its southern leg, leading to the selection of the Team of the Tournament. Following three rounds of July matches, New Zealand and South Africa remained unbeaten, while France secured two wins from three games. England recovered from an early defeat to win subsequent matches, and newcomers Japan achieved their first-ever victory in a tier-one competition. Fiji also delivered a strong performance in their final match.
The selection criteria for the Team of the Tournament prioritised consistent performance across all three games, rather than single standout displays. This approach meant that some well-known players were not included despite individual highlights.
Backline Selections
At fullback, Damian Willemse of South Africa earned his spot due to a significant individual performance in his 50th cap match at Ellis Park, which included a 70-metre 50-22 kick and aerial dominance. He also contributed effectively in subsequent games against Scotland and in Durban. Matthieu Jalibert of France was noted for his consistent playmaking across three games, while Damian McKenzie of New Zealand had a notable performance at Eden Park.
Will Jordan of New Zealand was a clear choice on the wing, scoring six tries in three games, including a hat-trick in Wellington that made him New Zealand‘s all-time leading Test try scorer. He also secured a jackal penalty in his own 22. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso of England was recognised as a strong performer in the northern hemisphere. On the other wing, Théo Attissogbé of France accumulated a strong three-round portfolio, scoring a try and providing an offload in Christchurch, and another score in Brisbane, starting all three matches.
In the midfield, Jesse Kriel of South Africa scored in every round, contributing against England, Scotland, and Wales, and was crucial in organising a defence that improved throughout the month. Sione Tuipulotu of Scotland was selected at inside centre for his performance in the seven-try shootout win over Argentina, where he also scored. He demonstrated strong carrying and resilience in the defeat in Pretoria and made an impact off the bench against Fiji. Jordie Barrett of New Zealand was also noted for his control and defensive authority across three games.
Fin Smith of England was chosen as the fly-half for his consistent performance and leadership in England‘s recovery. He guided the team’s victory over Fiji and contributed to the win in Santiago del Estero. Finn Russell‘s return against South Africa was a strong individual display, but Smith‘s three games of steady authority were prioritised. At scrum-half, Cam Roigard of New Zealand was named Player of the Match in Christchurch, scoring a try and demonstrating a high workload with 92 passes in round one. Maxime Lucu of France captained his team through two wins and a close loss.
Forward Pack Recognised
The loose forward trio includes Ardie Savea of New Zealand at number eight, who captained his team to three wins. He made significant contributions in each match, including 13 carries, 16 tackles, and a turnover against France, extensive work against Italy, and a try with three turnovers against Ireland. Ben Earl of England also had a strong series, scoring two tries in Santiago.
Paul de Villiers of South Africa was a breakout player at openside flanker, making his debut in round one and starting all three Tests. He functioned as a first receiver from the lineout and was the top-rated Springbok in the Durban shutout, scoring a maul try and making a breakdown steal. Pieter-Steph du Toit of South Africa was selected at blindside flanker, performing various roles across three rounds, including emergency lock and captain against England, and setting the defensive tone in the 43-0 victory. He was named Player of the Series for his comprehensive performance.
In the second row, Warner Dearns of Japan was a notable inclusion. He scored in Japan‘s first-ever tier-one tournament win and was a leading forward in subsequent matches against Ireland and France. His statistics for linebreaks, tries, metres, post-contact metres, and gainline success were leading among all Nations Championship locks with substantial minutes since the last World Cup. Scott Cummings of Scotland was also selected, contributing a try in the win over Argentina and making a match-turning score from the bench against Fiji. Josh Canham of Australia secured a hat-trick in Perth.
The front row features Joe Heyes of England at tighthead prop, who demonstrated solid scrummaging, secured a lineout, and carried effectively throughout the match in Santiago del Estero. Maxime Lamothe of France was chosen at hooker for his lineout and maul work, which contributed to France‘s clean set-piece performance against Japan. Gerhard Steenekamp of South Africa, at loosehead prop, made a significant impact in his first start, contributing to a dominant five-metre scrum against Wales and maintaining a high standard of play.
Team of the Tournament
- 15 Damian Willemse (South Africa)
- 14 Will Jordan (New Zealand)
- 13 Jesse Kriel (South Africa)
- 12 Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland)
- 11 Théo Attissogbé (France)
- 10 Fin Smith (England)
- 9 Cam Roigard (New Zealand)
- 8 Ardie Savea (New Zealand)
- 7 Paul de Villiers (South Africa)
- 6 Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)
- 5 Warner Dearns (Japan)
- 4 Scott Cummings (Scotland)
- 3 Joe Heyes (England)
- 2 Maxime Lamothe (France)
- 1 Gerhard Steenekamp (South Africa)
The final round of the Nations Championship saw South Africa defeat Wales 43-0 in Durban, and New Zealand score 40 points against Ireland at Eden Park.
Australia secured a 57-10 victory over Italy in Perth, while France overcame Japan 42-15 in Tokyo. Scotland came back from a 17-7 deficit to beat Fiji 33-17 at Murrayfield, and England won 31-24 against Argentina in Santiago del Estero.
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Source: planetrugby.com
