The Wallabies dominate the tight five as RugbyHeaven picks the best XV from the weekend internationals featuring the SANZAR nations.
15 Mils Muliaina (New Zealand): Put his recent lack of rugby and parental worries behind him with another outstanding display. Probably the world's best fullback.
14 Joe Rokocoko (New Zealand): The black jersey brings out the best in the Fijian flyer. His role in Ma'a Nonu's try showed the turbos are working just fine, thanks very much.
13 Conrad Smith (New Zealand): Won't be the last to get a view of Irish youngster Luke Fitzgerald's clean pair of heels but otherwise excellent. Does that difficult thing of making the game look simple.
12 Ma'a Nonu (New Zealand): The most improved player in New Zealand is clearly making better decisions these days, but it's reassuring (for everyone except Ronan O'Gara) to know he hasn't forgotten simple pleasures such as running straight over blokes.
11 Sitiveni Sivavatu (New Zealand): Line-breaking ability is second to none but has clearly spent time with Wayne Smith on his kicking, to good effect. No wonder Ospreys want the coach.
10 Matt Giteau (Australia): Perhaps not the attacking fireworks we have come to expect, but did what a No.10 has to do to win a Test at Twickenham - kept the scoreboard ticking over.
9 Mike Blair (Scotland): South Africa had better get used to the Scotland captain's sniping runs, because he will be doing them in a Lions jersey next year.
8 Rodney So'oialo (New Zealand): Wellington hard man is the perfect lieutenant to Richie McCaw - the go-to man at lineouts in NZ territory when the Irish were trying to put on the heat.
7 George Smith (Australia): He wasn't behind all of the 400 turnovers committed by the scratchy Poms, but he was in pretty close proximity.
6 Juan Smith (South Africa): The Boks got lucky, but their good fortune would have run out before the 80 minutes were up without the Cheetahs captain. A massive influence on attack and defence.
5 Ali Williams (New Zealand): Someone has obviously forgotten to tell Williams that he should be tired by now, according to Henry's three-Test maximum rule. Huge game.
4 Nathan Sharpe (Australia): Produced his best performance for his country just when they needed it most, having been deprived of Vickerman and Horwill. All the more admirable considering he was dropped a few months back. It must be the beard.
3 Al Baxter (Australia): Was last seen heading towards Fleet Street on Saturday night with a huge tray of humble pies for his many detractors - before Matt Dunning ate them all.
2 Stephen Moore (Australia): Apart from his excellent set-piece work, what really endears him is his consistent ability to antagonise whomever he is playing against. Always stinking it up with someone. Good lad.
1 Benn Robinson (Australia): Yes, the bloke looks like an angry teddy bear but he completes an all-Australian front row. Of course, Beast Mtawarira and Tony Woodcock staked their claims but can anyone fault the sheer character shown by the much-maligned Wallaby pack? Completely destroyed England's Matt Stevens on one occasion in the second half.
Source: The Sun-Herald





