Blues’ Ioane brothers show worth

a vital try that highlighted his deceptive strength.

9. Aaron Smith (Highlanders): Went the full 80 minutes and is trying hard to kickstart the Highlanders’ attack. Threw a smart inside ball that Waisake Naholo dropped from a lineout move that had opened up the Blues’ defence and could have changed the game.

8. Akira Ioane (Blues): Showed barely believable strength to hold up a hard-running Shannon Frizell and win a maul turnover, and then carried strongly in the leadup to Patrick Tuipulotu’s game-sealing try.

7. Ardie Savea (Hurricanes): Consistently the most powerful player on the paddock with his piston-like leg action and refusal to be tackled. Has been inspirational for the Hurricanes.

6. Tom Robinson (Blues): Another great performance from the Northlander. Full of heart and skill and backed it up with a classic Kiwi postmatch interview that showed none of the praise coming his way is ever likely to inflate his head.

5. Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues): This is Tuipulotu’s best Super Rugby season, as shown by an extraordinary tackle and strip on Jackson Hemopo. Making life hard for the All Blacks selectors.

4. Brodie Retallick (Chiefs): It has taken six games for him to find his best form and as a reward he now gets an enforced rest. New Zealand hopes the conditioning boffins have got this plan right.

3. Karl Tu’inukuafe (Blues): Every time he gets on the field he makes a massive impact. Heavy scrummager and underrated ball carrier who rarely coughs it up in contact.

2. Nathan Harris (Chiefs): Standout hooker in the country last weekend with Dane Coles out of the Hurricanes’ 23 and Codie Taylor suffering an uncharacteristically poor night in soggy Sydney.

1. Ayden Johnstone (Highlanders): Not far behind the likes of Tom Robinson in the ‘rookie of the season’ race. Astute recruitment by the Highlanders, but also shows the Mitre 10 Cup is still producing good footy players.