Fijian 3 in Tea
After the 14th round’s Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific action, Planet Rugby breaks down the star performers from a thrilling weekend of rugby.
Leading the way this week are the defending champions, the Crusaders, the Chiefs and Melbourne Rebels, who all have three representatives in our team while the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua and Highlanders are next best with two players apiece.
For the Drua, is centre Iosefo Masi who scored three tries against Moana Pasifika along with blindside flanker Joseva Tamani while on the wing in Jona Nareki of the Highlanders.
TOP 15 15 Mitch Hunt (Highlanders):
Returned to the Highlanders’ run-on side at full-back and gave a good account of himself in their come-frombehind victory over the Reds in Dunedin. Hunt looked lively with ball in hand and provided some headaches to the visitors’ defence as he finished with 80 metres gained from eight runs with one clean break, a defender beaten as well as two offloads. Elsewhere, Damian McKenzie and Andrew Kellaway also shone for the Chiefs and Rebels respectively.
14 Mark Telea (Blues):
The All Blacks flyer was on fire for the Blues in their victory over the Hurricanes at Eden Park as nearly everything he attempted on attack seemed to come off. Telea delivered one of the best attacking performances we’ve seen in a long time as he proved a real handful to the Hurricanes defence. Whenever he touched the ball, something seemed to happen and despite gaining just 52 metres, he beat 10 defenders from four clean breaks and crossed the whitewash four times.
13 Iosefo Masi (Fijian Drua):
Crusaders star Leicester Fainga’anuku caught the eye with a fine showing in his side’s win over the Waratahs but we couldn’t ignore Masi, who was in superb form for the Drua in their victory over Moana Pasifika in Lautoka. The young centre was a constant threat on attack as he gained 96 metres from nine runs with three clean breaks, six defenders beaten and he was rewarded with a hattrick of tries for his efforts.
12 Reece Hodge (Rebels):
There were good performances from the Crusaders’ David Havili and Bryce Heem of the Blues but Hodge could not be ignored as he shone in the Rebels’ triumph over the Western Force, which was his final home appearance for the Melbourne-based club before he joins Top 14 club Bayonne. Hodge was prominent on attack as he made 65 metres which included a clean break and four defenders beaten while he also did well off the kicking tee as he slotted six conversions.
11 Jona Nareki (Highlanders):
This was a difficult decision as there were fine performances from Caleb Clarke of the Blues and Monty Ioane of the Rebels, but Nareki gets the nod as he showed his class on attack against the Reds in Dunedin. Nareki proved a handful to the defence as he made 77 metres on attack from 11 carries with three clean breaks, five defenders beaten as well as three offloads. He also shone on defence as he made 11 tackles.
10 Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders):
Showed why he is rated as one of the leading number 10s in the world as he delivered a commanding display in his side’s triumph over the Waratahs. Mo’unga caught the eye with excellent playmaking and game management which helped the defending champions to run in six tries in a 42-18 win. He gained 111 metres on attack from 12 carries with two clean breaks, five defenders beaten and an offload. Was also accurate off the kicking tee as he kicked six conversions and impressed on defence with seven hits.
9 Ryan Louwrens (Rebels):
The 32-year-old was one of the Rebels’ best performers in their home victory against Force as he delivered a crisp service to his outside backs and also caught the eye with several fine attacking runs. Louwrens eventually made 10 car
ries which amounted to 106 metres gained with two clean breaks, a couple of defenders beaten and four offloads. In other action, Cameron Roigard also played well for the Hurricanes.
8 Luke Jacobson (Chiefs):
There were outstanding performances from Harry Wilson and Ardie Savea in losing causes for the Reds and Hurricanes respectively but Jacobson was the standout performer in the Chiefs’ triumph over the Brumbies in Canberra. Jacobson gave the All Black selectors a timely reminder of his ability as he came to the fore with a superb allround display. The 26-year-old made 131 attacking metres which included a clean break, seven defenders beaten and an offload, while he also shone on defence with 17 tackles.
7 Fraser McReight (Reds):
Although he finished on the losing side against the Highlanders, the Wallabies tearaway can hold his head high as he was one of the best players on the field in Dunedin. The 24-year-old was his usual busy self at the breakdowns but also made an impact on attack as he finished with 41 metres gained from 10 carries and beat one defender. McReight also did his bit on defence as he completed eight tackles and comes in ahead of his direct opponent, Highlanders captain Billy Harmon.
6 Josefa Tamani (Fijian Drua):
Delivered another excellent performance as his side kept their play-off hopes alive courtesy of their narrow victory over Moana Pasifika. The 26-year-old’s attacking play was of a high standard as he gained 86 metres from eight carries with two clean breaks, three defenders beaten and one offload. He also led the way when defending and finished with a match-high 14 tackles made and edges out Christian Lio-Willie of the Crusaders.
5 Sam Whitelock (Crusaders):
Returned to action for the defending champions and impressed with an all-round display against the
Waratahs. The experienced second-row was his usual busy self in the lineouts and took the fight to the opposition as a ball carrier. He finished with 26 metres gained from 10 carries which included two defenders beaten and an offload. He also did a shift on defence with eight tackles made and beats out Matt Philip of the Rebels.
4 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs):
Joins his All Blacks second-row partner in our side after a solid contribution at the coalface of his side’s forward effort in their away triumph against the Brumbies. The 31-year-old did what was expected of him in the lineouts, was a willing ball carrier and also made a big defensive impact as he finished with 15 tackles made. He pips another New Zealand international, Patrick Tuipulotu, who had a good game for the Blues.
3 Sam Talakai (Rebels):
Our third Rebel in our team, Talakai made his mark with a fine all-round performance in his side’s derby win over the Force. The Wallaby tighthead prop stood up well in the scrums and also shone in the execution of his defensive duties as he made six tackles during a 64-minute stint on the field. However, he also did his bit with ball in hand as he scored for a well-taken try which will live on long in the memory.
2 Codie Taylor (Crusaders): The
Crusaders’ forwards laid an excellent platform for their backs in Christchurch and leading the way was stand-in skipper Taylor, who is preferred to the Drua’s Tevita Ikanivere. Taylor led his troops well and made his mark with some powerful carries, finishing with 35 metres gained from 10 carries but also had a good defensive shift as he finished with 12 tackles made.
1 Aidan Ross (Chiefs):
The All Blacks front-row was part of an outstanding forward effort in the Chiefs’ away win against the Brumbies. The 27-year-old scrummed solidly, but also did his bit with some strong carries on attack – especially at close quarters – and also had a good defensive game as he made 17 tackles during his 61 minutes on the field.
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