This weekend saw the Rebels stay top of the Aussie conference, the Crusaders send out another big statement, the Bulls bite back and Rieko Ioane on fire.
Here’s the team of the round.
15. Will Jordan
The Crusaders fullback was simply electric as his side completely crushed the Chiefs. Running out of superlatives for this young gun.
14. Marika Koroibete
Massive competition for this spot, but Koroibete gets the place ahead of his two-try team-mate Jack Maddocks. Koroibete was a one-man wrecking ball for the Rebels. Crusaders rookie wing-man Sevu Reece was also brilliant for his team.
13. Jack Goodhue
He was in the team of the week last round, and is in it again because he is thriving in Christchurch. Offloads for fun and is such a handful to stop. A brilliant outside centre.
12. Ngani Laumape
Another big performance from the Hurricanes centre with two tries. He has been on fire this season. Blues man Sonny Bill Williams was also back to his best.
(AAP Image/SNPA, Ross Setford)
11. Rieko Ioane
The flyer make history as only the fourth player to ever score four tries for the Blues in a match. Rosko Specman also bagged a brace and was damaging for the Bulls.
10. Handre Pollard
Just a 22-point haul for Pollard as the Bulls saw off the Sharks. The fly-half controlled the game perfectly and his kicking was exquisite.
9. Will Genia
Another terrific display from the Wallaby. Genia is really thriving playing alongside his old mate Quade Cooper at AAMI Park. Honourable mentions to both TJ Perenara and Jamie Booth, who also caught the eye.
(Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
8. Akira Ioane
Like his brother, Ioane was electric for the Blues in both attack and defence. He gets in just ahead of Ardie Savea, who was a turnover beast against the Highlanders.
7. Billy Harmon
Defensively sound and carried the ball well. Another talented Crusaders flanker in the tradition of Ritchie McCaw and Matt Todd.
6. Ned Hanigan
Had a barnstorming game against the Reds. Picked up one try and was a menace with the ball in hand and around the ruck. Top display in the Australian derby.
5. Rob Simmons
Another Waratah who excelled at the SCG against his home state. Simmons completely destroyed the Reds line-out one-handed.
4. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti
The Blues lock was instrumental in his side’s victory over the Sunwolves. A phemonemal 80 minutes at QBE Stadium from him.
3. Sione Mafileo
Like Cowley-Tuioti, Mafileo was inspired against the Japanese outfit. His scrimmaging was excellent and his workrate around the field was huge.
2. Codie Taylor
Only played 40 minutes off the bench but still managed to score two tries and helped the Crusaders put the Chiefs to the sword. His first game of 2019 was one to savour. A massive asset for Canterbury.
1. Ayden Johnstone
Only 22 but the Highlanders prop is making his mark. At 114 kilograms he is difficult to stop and showing a lot of promise.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
I think your being a little harsh on Hanigan for the Kerevi try. Both Holloway and Simmons ran straight past the breakdown. At least Hanigan stopped and took up position to defend it. Kerevi at pace is alot for anyone to stop, and it was the others running past that would have shown him the door to hit the gas for the ball.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
So John, is it you that select these Super rugby sides of the week? If so it's obvious that you don't watch to many games that are played outside Australia. The best of the Australian one's selected was definitely Will Genia, but I wouldn't say he was the best on display overall. TJ & Aaron Smith, still have the jump on him. As far as Koriobete goes, did you watch Rosco Specman play? Even Naholo, coming off the bench, was a better player than him, plus many others in the Republic. As for the other two, there were quite a few in the Republic that stood out, along with across the ditch. Actually Barrett for the Saders, & Hemapo, for the Landers, were standouts, amongst others.
ethan
Guest
To be fair, thats the best Ned performance I've ever seen. It's team of the week, not team of the year. Good on the lad. Cops a lot, so its nice to see him get recognised when he deserves it.
KingoftheNorth
Roar Rookie
Have to agree. Valentini has been immense
Crash Ball2
Roar Rookie
Yep BB - Kerevi's playing like a giant at the moment. Can't be sustainable over a season, particularly with the biggest tournament in the world looming. Thorn will need to adjust the game plan - is malleability of thought / approach one of Brad's strong suits I wonder?
Lara
Guest
Thanks for the correction , Chris should have been Mark. Turnbull would have made the starting 15 , but Hansen offers a bit more aggression n physicality at no 8.
bigbaz
Roar Guru
Surely you would have to fit in Mark Latham and with a name like Turnbull .Malcom would have to make any rugby side .
bigbaz
Roar Guru
at the moment Kerevi is playing 10,12,13, and at times 15. Thorn is probably stretching him a bit far.
Crash Ball2
Roar Rookie
I can definitely appreciate how you come to these conclusions. I was certainly disappointed by the lack of touches Sef got on the weekend – but the offensive touches (and defensive reads) he made were very good. But I also think this is a function of both the Reds game plan and the paucity of passing ability across the Reds inside backs. After umpteen one-off-the-ruck forward hit outs, Kerevi running crash balls and jinking backrowers (very well) off shovelled flyhalf passes, or Paia’aua looking to slip tackles in the 13 channel, there isn’t much ball afforded the tramline flyers. And I’m not certain Naivalu has a roaming commission under Thorn as some Super wingers are mandated. Reds forwards + Kerevi are their strengths and that’s where Thorn’s strategic focus appears to reside. Rebels backs + backrowers are their strengths and that is reflective of the enhanced creativity, width of the field vision and superior distribution they employ. Swap K and N around between the 2 teams and I think the comparison might be more stark. But as a hypothetical exercise, Reds forwards and Kerevi + Rebels inside backs might have been a formidable combination. If only it could have, some how – however far fetched and unlikely – been manufactured by someone astute north of the Tweed. Then again, same Reds coach, same blinkered approach, same likely outcome.
Lara
Guest
Forgot my Three Amigos reserves Tony Abbott, Malcolm Turnbell n Jonny Howard
Lara
Guest
My 15 of the week.....from 15 to 1 with a slight political bent. FB Chris Bowen the banker, Wings Gladys Berejiklian n Julie Bishop because she can run, Centre Bill Short lovely side step, IC Peter Dutton crashball expert,FH Alan Jones Mr Know All, HB Chris Pines the buck passers or the fixer,No 8 Pauline Hansen, flankers Scott Morrison n Barnaby Joyce you need a bit of mongrel, locks Rupert Murdock n Chris Latham giants in their fields, hooker G P you work it out, props Kim Jong un n a fantastic,great,wonderful ,brilliant mind, smartest player on the field...Donald Trump
Scott
Guest
Will Jordan makes Folau look very very average.The kid is a superstar already.
Reedy
Guest
I reckon Koro wouldn't have score Sefs try and Sef wouldn't have scored Koros try. Different types.Depends what you want in a winger. Sef is a bit lazy for mine.Doesn`t go looking for work, Koro never stops trying and working on both D and O .Sef could be so much better overall than Koro if he worked as hard as Koro.
Wadsy
Guest
Ned Hanigan. Nope.
Crash Ball2
Roar Rookie
I thought Wessels made a mistake in keeping Koriebete over Naivalu. Possibly the injury factor pushed it K's way but, fit, I rate Naivalu's skillset higher. The ball distribution from the Reds' halves and centres is far inferior to that of the Rebels so Naivalu needs to go looking for the pill more, but I think he makes better decisions on the fly and his defence is robust.
Ralph
Roar Guru
Taufua was very good for us (Crusaders), carried well.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I thought both lineouts were off, Reds managed a few steals of the Tahs ball as well. Unless that completely changed in the final quarter
jeznez
Roar Guru
I turned off as well - nearly put me to sleep.
Wal
Roar Guru
Have you just listed the spine of the AB’s RWC back line with the Smiths, and BBBB?? Laumape and Jordan could well be on the plane before the end of July
Carlin
Roar Rookie
Will Jordan has got immense talent. I was a fan of his during the Mitre 10 Cup last year and was hoping he was going to be a bolter when the All Blacks took an extended squad to Japan. If he continues playing how he has in his first two Super Rugby appearances, he could well and truly be the bolter come World Cup time (similar to Nehe Milner-Skudder). He looks really well balanced with his running style and has a good turn of pace. This week I didn't see a whole match this weekend but did watch some of the highlights on the Super Rugby website. I have been impressed with Lions loose forward Marnus Schoeman. Has featured quite prominently in the Lions attack this year. Maybe a late bloomer at 30.