Resurgent Hurricanes scrum
showed how vital he has become to the Crusaders. It’s fair to say they can’t win another title without him.
9. Aaron Smith (Highlanders): Two dodgy box kicks blotted his copybook but brought huge energy and organisation to the side in tough conditions.
8. Dylan Nel (Chiefs): Tough South African is a canny pickup for the Chiefs. He brings a high workrate and underestimated skillset to their overflowing backrow options.
7. Lachlan Boshier (Chiefs): ‘Mr Turnover’ raided the breakdown at will and also showed a nice turn of pace for his try. The form openside in the comp.
6. Cullen Grace (Crusaders):
A potential star was born at Eden Park. Defended like a battlehardened 10-year veteran and soared at the lineout.
5. Josh Dickson (Highlanders): Hands off, Aussies. The Perth-born product was the Highlanders’ best in Canberra and has really stepped up to fill the gap left by Tom Franklin.
4. Scott Barrett (Crusaders):
The big unit certainly doesn’t mind a charge into a defensive line when he realises it’s time to generate some much-needed forward momentum. Tough.
3. Tyrel Lomax (Hurricanes): The Sharks don’t have the best scrum in South Africa but Lomax was deeply impressive nonetheless. Unlucky not be awarded a penalty try.
2. Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes): Found some room to go on one terrifying charge down the right and was part of that dominant Hurricanes scrum. A step forward for the ‘New Mealamu’.
1. Joe Moody (Crusaders): Got through 64 minutes of quality set-piece work. By the time he departed the life was slowly draining out of the Blues pack.