Team of the Week
- Joe Moody (Crusaders)- the experienced moody showed his quality with 10m from six carries and nine tackles. Very strong in the tight areas and caused the ‘Canes problems.
- Codie Taylor (Crusaders)- the classy Taylor made a huge 17 tackles and gained 22m as well as making a clean break. One of the most dynamic and energetic hookers in the tournament.
- Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Blues)- made 21m and eight tackles, including some huge shots on Mitch Hunt. A very solid performance from the All-Black tight-head.
- Gerard Cowley-Tuioti (Blues)- his first start for the Blues in the competition, and Cowley-Tuioti was great- making 13m from ten carries, winning a turnover and not missing a tackle.
- Scott Scrafton (Hurricanes)- Scrafton made 16 tackles and was very strong in the tight areas as well as the lineouts.
- Blake Gibson (Blues)- Gibson made a huge 21 tackles and was disruptive at the breakdown, slowing the Chiefs’ ball down.
- Sam Cane (Chiefs)- Cane showed why he’s the next All-Blacks captain, making 20 tackles and 15m from nine carries.
- Dalton Papali’i (Blues)- although he played at flanker, I’m putting Papali’i in at eight after yet another brilliant performance. He made 29m from just three carries and made nine tackles. One to watch for the future.
- Finlay Christie (Blues)– I’ve put Christie in for his energy and speed around the pitch- he ignited his backline superbly this week, making 52 passes, four carries and five tackles.
- Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders)- despite losing, Mo’unga was still excellent, making 77m from 12 carries and beating five defenders. He made 31 passes and scored 17 points for his team- which means he is still the top points-scorer in the competition so far.
- Sevu Reece (Crusaders)- lit up Orangetheory Stadium with his running and finishing- Reece made 64m from 15 carries, beat three defenders and made four clean breaks, as well as getting a try and a try assist.
- Fetuli Paea (Crusaders)- Paea played 13, but I’ve slotted him at inside centre for his quality running and solid play- he made 23m from four carries and seven tackles.
- Peter Umaga-Jensen (Hurricanes)- was incredible for the Canes, making 32m from seven carries, scoring a try and making six tackles. He is turning into one of their star players now.
- Wes Goosen (Hurricanes)- scored two great tries, made 40m from eight carries and 12 tackles. A constant threat all evening for the Crusaders.
- Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes)- the Canes’ star player at the moment, Barrett scored 19 points and made 23m from eight carries. Also gained the winning turnover at the end of the game. His introduction seems to have had a massive impact on the quality of the Hurricanes’ performances so far.
*all statistics from rugbypass.com
