Super Rugby Aotearoa: Top Five Players Of The Day

Super Rugby Aotearoa: Top Five Players Of The Day

The Blues' defence proved to be the difference with the Auckland-based side managing to keep the door well and truly shut in the dire moments of the game to record their fourth victory in Super Rugby Aotearoa.

The 21-17 victory for the Blues plies the pressure on Warren Gatland who has now lost seven straight games as the Chiefs head coach while the Blues snapped a two game losing streak. 

We have a look at the top five players from the incredibly close encounter.

Beauden Barrett - Blues


Starting at first five for the first time in almost a year, Beauden Barrett proved why he won the World Player of the Year award twice while playing in the 10 jersey for the All Blacks.

He was cool calm and collected throughout the game, maintained a 100% kicking success throughout the game with a few testing shots at goal while running an excellent attacking game plan for the Blues.


The Blues' first try was started by an excellent pass from the scrum to Rieko Ioane who sent Matt Duffie on his way with Barrett also marshalling the troops while for the second try for captain Patrick Tuipulotu.

The third and final try for the Blues also had Barrett's mark on it with the Blues' ace going metres short before Finlay Christie forced his way over. His open play kicking was also of high quality as was his attacking game making over 40 metres and beating three defenders.

Anton Liernert-Brown - Chiefs

The Chiefs' centre was unlucky to be on the losing end of the fixture after a standout performance. He was everywhere starring on attack and defence.

He made a crucial tackle on Mark Telea in the late stages of the game which should have inspired his side to victory.

He also ran a great line off the shoulder of Aaron Cruden to set up Solomon Alaimalo and made an impact on defence forcing three turnovers.

Joshua Goodhue - Blues

While his twin brother Jack had a game to forget against the Hurricanes on Saturday, Josh had an unforgettable impact off the bench for the Blues.

Just 18 minutes was enough for Goodhue to get a mention as he made three quick-fire tackles, two carries and won a crucial penalty with the Chiefs going search of a winning try in the final minute of the game.



Aaron Cruden - Chiefs

A telling impact from the bench from the All Black flyhalf. 

Cruden made his mark from the opening minutes of the second half setting up a try for Solomon Alaimalo.


The Chiefs were notably better in the second half with Cruden combining well with Damian McKenzie. He kept the Chiefs attacking in the right areas of the pitch, kicked well from hand and controlled the game well enough to give the Chiefs a sniff at their first win in Super Rugby Aotearoa.

Akira Ioane - Blues

The final top player from the game had to go to a Blues forward with the pack setting up the victory for the Auckland-based side.

While Akira Ioane gets the nod, he was far from the only standout in the Blues pack with Dalton Papali'i continuing his fine form that should get him back into a black jersey, Patrick Tuipulotu continuing to inspire as the Blues' captain and Ofa Tu'ungafasi smashing everything in his path.

Ioane gets the final mention for the top players of the day after he performed well at the back of the scrum, smashed bodies backwards with and without the ball while getting stuck into the rucks. 

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