Case for World Cup selection
8. Elliot Dixon (Highlanders):
Best performance in years from the loose forward. Effective from the base of the scrum and strong in contact, although he was stripped by Mo’unga on one occasion.
7. Lachlan Boshier (Chiefs):
Hugely under-rated openside helped the Chiefs to dominate the breakdown battle. Beat the Blues to the punch at ruck time and ran some great support lines.
6. Luke Jacobson (Chiefs):
No coincidence that the Chiefs’ season began to turn when the hard-working former New Zealand under-20s captain returned from injury. Did Liam Messam proud in his old jersey.
5. Sam (Crusaders):
3.
Michael
Whitelock
Growing into the season and the Highlanders’ lineout seemed to be spooked by his very presence. Clever captaincy as well as the Crusaders evaded a yellow card despite 1000 penalties.
4. Brodie Retallick (Chiefs):
Came off second best in a massive collision in the final stages and looked to be dazed or badly hurt. Minutes later he was doing postmatch interviews. What’s he made of?
Alaalatoa
Was part of a scrum that had gained the upper hand in a tough battle before the replacements were rolled on.
(Crusaders):
2. Nathan Harris (Chiefs):
The All Blacks hooker has upskilled himself and rarely a game goes by now without a sneaky wee kick or offload. That probably puts him ahead of Liam Coltman for the third hooking spot.
1. Karl Tu’inukuafe (Blues):
The big man was part of a dominant Blues scrum, particularly in the opening quarter, and showed some great touches around the paddock too.