Super Rugby TOTW

Super Rugby TOTW

Thrilling weekend of Super Rugby action with all games being split by 7 points or less, in fact, of the four games played all but one had a points difference of 2 or less points. The weekend finished off with a thriller as the Highlanders broke the Chiefs hearts at the death for the second time in Super Rugby Aotearoa with Aaron Smith setting up Patelesio Tomkinson for the match winner after the hooter.

1. Alex Hodgman - Blues

Solid performance throught his time on the park contributing at set piece and during open play.


2. Kurt Eklund - Blues

Great effort second game in a row by Eklund who is performing exceptionally well after taking the hooker role from injured James Parsons. Eklund beats Brad Slater to the number 2 jumper after the Chief scored 2 tries in their loss to the Highlanders.






3. Taniela Tupou - Reds

Beast again this week and was unlucky not to make it into the side last week. He pips Allan Alaalatoa into the 3 jumper.


4. James Blackwell - Hurricanes

Solid performance by the lock in a tight game. HArd work in the engine room and good all round game.


5.  Lukhan Salakaia-Loto - Reds

Brilliant all round the park with plenty of tackles and carries along with the tight phase work. Did well with ball in hand too and effected 3 offloads for the Reds.


6.  Lachlan Boshier - Chiefs

Huge performance by Boshier who scored a good try but won two crucial penalties late on in the game that looked to seal the game for the Chiefs. Shannon Frizell very unlucky to miss out after 18 carries and a brilliant performance.




7.  Du'Plessis Kirifi - Hurricanes

Huge game by Kirifi who beats off his opposite man Dalton Papali'i to the starting XV this week. Kirifi was all over the park against the Blues and involved in almost everything on the day.


8. Pita-Gus Sowakula - Chiefs

Unsung hero for the Chiefs side on a day where they were so close to bagging a much needed win.


9. Aaron Smith - Highlanders

Not hard to see why he is the All Black starting 9 but he and TJ Perenara fight it out each week for the team and Smith prevails this week on the back of a simply sublime game that was a fight from the get go and great Highlanders comeback win.




10.  James O'Conner - Reds

Guided his team to a nervy win against the Force and settled things with a late drop goal. Both Trask and Hunt were knocking on the door this week but the Wallaby takes it home.


11. Filipo Daugunu - Reds

Solid on defence but it is with ball in hand that Daugunu does wonders. Scoring a try and beating 4 defenders he just pips Scott Gregory into the side.




12. Ngani Laumape - Hurricanes

If ever a player cemented his place in a side early on in the weekend it was Laumape who almost single handedly won the game for the Hurricanes. A hard abrasive runner and showed great hands in an almost perfect performance.





13. Michael Collins - Highlanders

Controversial call keeping Peter Umaga-Jensen out the side but the 40 minutes Collins played at 13 after moving in from 15 at half time was incredible to watch. Collins showed some great vision and execution playing in the midfield and was an unsung hero in the win against the Chiefs.


14. Josh McKay - Highlanders

Dangerous with abll in hand McKay always seemed to cause problems for the Chiefs when he got possession. 


15. Jordie Barrett  - Hurricanes

Huge for the Hurricanes as he gets the better of brother Beauden at 15. Jordie has settled well into the 15 jumper at the Hurricanes and made it his own with a great eye for the gap and power and strength to muscle through if need be.





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