Lienert-Brown continues to make compelling
You can bet your house that Anton LienertBrown and Jack Goodhue will go to the World Cup.
The All Blacks love LienertBrown.
Even when his Super Rugby form wasn’t outstanding last year, they stuck by him as their preferred midfield option off the bench because of his ability to play at No 12 and No 13.
What he is showing this year
is that he is a genuine option to start at No 12 should Sonny Bill Williams not make it to the tournament.
His duel with Ma’a Nonu on Saturday was a classic and both could be on the plane to Japan later this year. Lienert-Brown is in career-best form and highlights Stuff’s team of the week from round nine.
15. Ben Smith (Highlanders): Deserved better in his 150th game. Fire is still burning brightly and Highlanders fans are rightly wondering what they will do without him in 2020.
14. Sevu Reece (Crusaders): Must be close to playing his way into the Crusaders’ starting XV. Speed and surprising strength complemented with a strong offloading game.
13. TJ Faiane (Blues): Never stops trying and set up Rieko Ioane’s try with a typically determined run. Jack Goodhue marked down for a no-look pass that should have resulted in a Highlanders try to Matt Faddes.
12. Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs): Has been in excellent form for most of the season and mixed up his game brilliantly. A really mature performance.
11. Rieko Ioane (Blues): The Chiefs handled him pretty well for most of the evening but couldn’t stop his well taken second-half try.
10. Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders): Game-changing moments in attack and defence. Always ensures the Crusaders straighten up when necessary and is happy to take contact.
9. Brad Weber (Chiefs): Picked off an important early intercept try when the Blues were in the ascendancy. Incredibly tough competitor who helped the Chiefs win the battle at No 9 and No 10.