As the semi-finals draw near we had a great weekend, which saw a dazzling Blues and Bulls draw, the Rebels downed, the Crusaders beaten, another Jags win and much more.
Here’s the team that did the business:
15. Tom Banks
Got on the scoresheet and put in another calm, cool display at the back for the Brumbies. Safe as houses and a quality support player.
14. Shaun Stevenson
Was one of the Chiefs’ best in that amazing game in Fiji. Was excellent all night and touched down for a brilliant individual try that won the game for his team. Makes the XV ahead of the Jags’ special flyer Santiago Carreras.
13. Jack Goodhue
Terrible mullet but can play. A top talent who runs hard, tackles hard and has a deft pass.
12. Anton Lienert-Brown
Started poorly in Suva but then lifted to inspire his team to a crazy result in Suva. Rose to the occasion in the second half to get the Chiefs home.
11. Marika Koroibete
He might not have a kicking game but boy is Koroibete a handful when he runs the ball. The Fijian was destructive against the Tahs, busted tackle after tackle and had a hand in two Rebels tries. He gets in just ahead of Semi Masirewa who was magic for the Sunwolves.
10. Beauden Barrett
Kicked six goals and had a try assist in the Hurricanes’ victory. A solid but flawless display from the All Black. Hat-tip to Christian Lealiifano and his display too.
9. Brad Weber
Dependable, unflappable, effective, Weber was the perfect foil in Suva and ran the game to a tee.
8. Kwagga Smith
Was inspirational for the Lions against the Stormers. The stand-in skipper crossed the whitewash twice and was outstanding in contact too.
7. Sam Cane
Was heroic leading the Chiefs to an unbelievable win. Was a menace at the breakdown and stole some crucial turnover ball to kill the Crusaders’ own comeback.
6. Ardie Savea
Immense, brilliant, a force of nature. We’re running out of superlatives for this Kiwi colossus.
(Dianne Manson/Getty Images)
5. Scott Barrett
Scored an outrageous long-range try and just seems to get better each week.
4. Marcos Kremer
Made a huge impact off the bench for the Jaguares, scoring a try and stinging in defence.
3. Ofa Tuungafasi
Continues to be the Blues’ best performer and most consistent player each round.
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho
Simply unstoppable. He scored one try, made a 40-metre break to set up another and in general had a whale of game. Irrepressible.
He made it ahead of Brumbies super-sub Connal Mcinerney, who is unlucky to miss out after grabbing an amazing hat-trick.
1. Atu Moli
One of the unsung heroes of the Chiefs. Beautiful hands and as unnmovable as a rock.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
Not that I have heard.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
Nightmare!
Lara
Guest
Maybe when Read retires , but very valid point. Talking about a speed pack , not to mention Cody Taylor.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
What??? No Malcolm Marx? He was massive in destroying the Stormers scrum which coincidentally is almost a full house Bok front row.
Purdo
Roar Rookie
Thanks JWM, a good team. What about Tupou for 3, and Salakaia Loto at 6 ? I liked Koroboite at the weekend, and I thought Speight was pretty good, too. 5/8 still is a problem. I wasn't all that thrilled by either Cooper or Foley, but I still think the 5/8 will be one of them. Foley seems more consistent and dependable, whereas cooper can be brilliant or give up the ball in over ambitious flat passes. I thought Higginbotham was good at 8 for the reds. I haven't been that impressed by any of the 6's, but what about putting SL there?
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
Cane, 2nd game back and played great. He can only improve. All depends on how Hansen see's Read. If they drop K.Read, then Savea and Cane can start, with Barret at 6. Imagine having to deal with Cane, Savea, Barret, Whitlock and Retallick at the same time.
TimO
Roar Rookie
He went pretty well for Northland too. Maybe he's found something in kiwi rugby than gave him what he needed to lift his game. Personally, I'd like to see more players from both countries getting experience on both sides of the ditch.
Toddyq
Roar Rookie
I think you could take “one of” out of that statement re: Savea, I think week in, week out he has been the best and it’s not close.
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
Hansen will have some fun fitting together Savea and Cane, depending on the game and the time. He won't have as much fun on the blind side, unless Scott Barrett is tested there.
John
Guest
I know ALB played superbly in Suva, but no mention of Laumape for the Hurricanes? I'm not sure they win that game without him on the field
John
Guest
You raise a great issue - is he finally playing well enough or getting more effective coaching?
John
Guest
Good point re 2020. Do we know what he is doing next year? Interesting that the Reds signed Speight during last week.
TimO
Roar Rookie
Ironic isn't it. Finally playing well enough, but presumably not available for Wallabies.
Mountie
Roar Rookie
I like the look of Jack Debreczeni at 10
John Davidson
Roar Guru
Fair point, Masirewa was excellent. See him as more as a winger though, even though he played fullback against the Brumbies. He is some player, be interesting if they keep him at 15 in the future. An Aussie Super Rugby team should be snapping him up for 2020.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
Savea has been one of the best players in the whole comp this season.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
Badly, in my opinion. He may do as he is experienced and there is not a lot of depth.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I like Maddocks, but not as a wing.
Lara
Guest
Savea’s name keeps appearing week after week n now Canes name is starting to appear. Hansen got a right royal headache.....lucky bugger.
jameswm
Roar Guru
So just thinking has my Wallaby team changed if picked now? Not considered – Folau, Pocock, Dempsey. Uelese and Valetini back but can’t really be picked yet, but give them a few more games. 1 Slipper/Sio 2 Fainga’a 3 Ala’alatoa 4 Rodda 5 Arnold (really making a difference consistently) 6 Jones 7 Hooper 8 Naisarani 9 Genia 10 Leali’ifano (our consistently best 5/8) 11 Banks 12 Kerevi 13 Kuridrani (playing well, maybe uninjured) 14 Maddocks (good footballer, v. good in the air) 15 Hodge 16 Rangi 17 Slipper/Sio 18 Tupou (Kepu 5th prop) 19 Coleman (LSL slipping down the pecking order a bit, and Philip improving) 20 really not sure here. Starting back 3 are specialists, so some versatility would help (like Dempsey or Samu) 21 McDermott, Powell and Gordon considered but not quite there 22 Toomua (steadiness off the bench, and defence) 23 Not sure here either. All the starting back 3 can play 15, so you could go for a specilist winger, but Koroibete makes too many errors at crucial times and is Naivalu playing well enough? Where have I changed? Pocock now not considered, till he shows us some form and fitness (which I am confident he will). LSL slipping down a bit, Leali’ifano has pushed in front of the other two. Centres both going really well now. I’m not 100% confident with Jones (lack of speed essentially) but he is good set piece, good defender, good lineout, smart, makes few errors, physical, and you get a lot of explosive running from Hooper and Naisarani in that back row anyway.