The first round of the 2019 season saw the Highlands pip the Chiefs, the Rebels overpower the Brumbies, the Crusaders edge the Blues, the Hurricanes prevail over the Waratahs, the Sharks smash the Sunwolves, the Bulls bash the Stormers and the Lions defeat the Jaguares.
It was a thrilling and entertaining week of the competition.
Here are the players that shone.
15. David Havili
The Crusaders fullback had an excellent Round 1, helping his team to important win over the Aucklanders. He was a safe and effective pair of hands, and feet, at the back.
14. Rosco Specman
He tormented the Stormers on the weekend as the Bulls bashed their South African counterparts. Specman finished with two tries, three line breaks and eight tackle busts in a sensational solo performance. He just pips Manasa Matala, who also scored twice for the Crusaders with some fine finishing.
13. Braydon Ennor
The young, hard-running outside centre certainly caught the eye in the Crusader’s opening victory.
At 21 years of age, and on debut in Super Rugby, Ennor did not look out of place against the likes of classy veterans Ma’a Nonu and Sonny Bill Williams.
12. Karmichael Hunt
The Aussie ‘bad boy’ was back on the park and made an impressive display at Brookvale Oval. Hunt fitted in well in the Tahs backline, made metres with the ball in hand and was a calming presence.
11. Jack Maddock
He’s had a barnstormer for the Rebels, notching a brace of tries to help them down the Brumbies. The winger was always a danger with the ball in his hands in Canberra.
Jack Maddocks #14 of Rebels (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images)
10. Quade Cooper
Frozen out by Reds coach Brad Thorn last year, Cooper made a stunning debut for his new club the Rebels. The flyhalf kicked four goals and had some wonderful touches as he steered Melbourne to a seven-point win over the Brumbies.
9. Aaron Smith
The super-sub grabbed the winner off the bench as the Highlanders fought back to beat the Chiefs 30-27. The All Black scrum half crossed with four minutes left to give the 14-men Otago side a great Round 1 result. That’s what you call impact.
8. Lachlan MccCaffrey
He worked his heart out for the Brumbies on Friday. The forward made 15 tackles and seemed to be everywhere on the field, but couldn’t stop the Rebels getting the cash over the ACT franchise. He just makes it the XV in front of tireless Blues forward Akira Ioane.
7. Matt Todd
Back from injury, Todd cooly captained the defending champions to victory and was his usual scavenging presence at the breakdown. He makes the team just head of Angus Cottrell, who also had an eye-catching weekend.
6 Marnus Schoeman
The South African claimed a hat-trick of tries for the Lions as they downed the Jaguares. The flanker also made two line breaks and two tackle busts in Round 1.
5 Pari Pari Parkinson
The deftly-named second-rower got through a mountain of work to help the Highlanders get off to a winning start in 2019.
4 Rory Arnold
Arnold was a handful for the Rebels to contain on Friday evening. The tall lock scored a try, set up another and made a nuisance of himself in the middle of the field.
3 Ofa Tu’ungafasi
The 26-year-old had a real impact off the bench and helped ignite a comeback from the Blues. Tu’ungafasi collected a try in the second half, scrummaged well and certainly made his bulk felt.
2. Akker van der Merwe
He was part of the dynamic Sharks pack that absolutely tore apart the Sunwolves. The hooker scored twice as they registered a massive 45-10 win.
1. Tendai Mtawarira
He almost single-handedly bulldozed the Stormwolves up front on Saturday. The giant prop, better known as ‘the Beast’ won four penalties and drove his opponent’s scrum into the ground.
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