Round one of the Rugby Championship delivered drama, physicality, and individual brilliance in equal measure. At Ellis Park, the Wallabies produced a comeback for the ages, overturning a 22–5 halftime deficit against the Springboks to storm home 38–22. Joe Schmidt’s side, written off by many before kickoff, showed resilience and flair in a statement win driven by standout performances across the park.

Meanwhile, in Mendoza, the All Blacks maintained their perfect record on Argentine soil with a 41–24 victory over Los Pumas. Scott Robertson’s men were tested by a passionate home side but found key contributions in the forwards and some sharp finishing behind the scrum. From Wilson’s inspirational display to Ratima’s control and Albornoz’s defiance, round one gave us no shortage of star turns.

Here is FloRugby’s Team of the Week, celebrating the players who set the tone for what promises to be a thrilling Rugby Championship.

1. Ethan de Groot – All Blacks

Locked down his side of the scrum, which was rock solid prior to his departure, around the park, he got through plenty of work with 7 carries, 12 tackles and 2 defenders beaten.

2. Billy Pollard – Wallabies

Picked his way through the Springboks’ tall timber at line-out time and chopped down the same timber with 13 tackles.

3. Fletcher Newell – All Blacks

Matching his starting front row partner, Newell locked down a dominant scrum for 49 minutes. One of his efforts led directly to Ardie Savea’s try, when he departed, things went pear-shaped for the All Blacks.

4. Eben Etzebeth – Springboks

One of the very few Springboks who left Ellis Park with their reputation intact, topping the carry charts with 14, 1 line break, 3 offloads. On the other side of the ball, Etzebeth topped the Bok tackle charts with 17 and won 5 lines-outs. On the whole, his kick chase was immense, albeit he flirted with the offside line a lot at the breakdown.

5. Fabian Holland – All Blacks

Seamlessly taking on the role as the All Blacks’ workhorse lock, the Dutch giant was exceptional against a ferocious onslaught by the Los Pumas pack. Nabbing 6 line-outs, making 15 tackles and having a huge amount of ruck interventions, Holland has quickly become a key figure in Scott Robertson’s squad.

6. Tom Hooper – Wallabies

Pulling off a huge turnover right on his own line as the Boks were going through the gears was a the key highlight moment for the Brumbies backrow. This seminal moment was built on the back of a workhorse outing in which he made 16 tackles, 6 carries and plenty of pressure on the Bok kickers.

7. Fraser McReight – Wallabies

Simply world class, McReight’s 22 tackles, 2 big time turnovers, 7 carries and an offload were a snapshot into his productive evening. Built in the mould of all great Wallabies opensides, McReight is already a world-class operator and key leader for Joe Schmidt’s side. When the Wallabies were under the pump, he knuckled down and repelled the Boks.

8. Harry Wilson – Wallabies

Two tries before a brutal-looking injury removed him from the park only tells a fraction of Wilson’s story. Completing 9 carries, beating 3 defenders and making 13 tackles, the skipper dragged his side back into the fight. Honourable mention: Ardie Savea

9. Cortez Ratima – All Blacks

Delivered clean ball all day, kicked well from the base of the ruck and ran a superb support line for his try. Ratima had one of his best showings to date in the black shirt. His power in the carry and ability to get the ball away offer Robertson’s squad a nice change of pace option for Cam Roigard and Finlay Christie.

10. Tomos Albornoz – Los Pumas

Supremely confident in the face of an All Black onslaught, the Benetton playmaker continues to go from strength to strength for Los Pumas. Beating 7 defenders, making 2 offloads and scoring a try as part of a 14 point haul, Albornoz was immense for his side in a losing cause. Honourable mention: James O’Connor.

11. Kurt Lee Arendse – Springboks

Another Springbok who had a strong outing, Arendse was electric any time he had the ball and saved the Boks on a few occasions. Pulling down Max Jorgensen when he was racing away down the left flank to stop a certain try was a sign of his dedication to the cause. Topping the defenders beaten chart with 3 for the Boks and finishing with a try was a strong outing for the flying Bulls’ winger.

12. Andre Esterhuizen – Springboks  

Dominant in midfield, Esterhuizen was toying with the Wallabies centres for the opening thirty minutes before it all went up in flames. His power game was at times unstoppable as he topped the meters made charts for the Boks with 72 from 10 carries, made 2 offloads, beat 2 defenders and scored a try. His mistakes in the final minutes were down to desperation and ultimately more on those around him.

13. Joseph Sua’ali’I – Wallabies

Took a beating from Esterhuizen early and another one from Damian Willemse late, but his intercept try was the moment that sealed the deal for the Wallabies. His pace is often underrated as he left Edwill van der Merwe for dead as he raced away. His 65 meters from 5 carries, 12 tackles and dominance in the air were huge components to the Wallabies’ success.

14. Max Jorgensen – Wallabies

Quite possibly on the verge of being the game’s best winger, the Wallabies youngster was exceptional in all matches. Even when the Wallabies were under the pump early, he won his individual battles. Completely dominant in the air, pulling off outrageous footwork, scoring a try and getting through 11 tackles offers a snippet of his work rate at Ellis Park.

15. Tom Wright – Wallabies  

Racing away for 107 meters and a try are the highlights for Wright, who has gone from garbage heap under Eddie Jones to the top of the international fullback pile under Joe Schmidt. Displaying undeterred commitment to dive on loose balls, competing in the air and carrying even when he knew he was going tobe  smashed. The Brumbies fullback delivered a performance for the ages, and his slip through Jesse Kriel’s grasp is as sweet as you’ll see in test rugby.

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