With the sixth round of Super Rugby’s matches now a thing of the past, it’s time for us to work out which players excelled over the weekend.
This week, the Jaguares and Chiefs lead the way with three representatives apiece in our team, after their impressive win over the Lions and Sunwolves, while the Hurricanes, Crusaders and Rebels are next best with two players each.
15 Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes): Did brilliantly to create Vince Aso’s try in the win over the Highlanders. The younger Barrett made two tackle busts, two clean breaks and three offloads. 10 passes and eight carries shows he was heavily involved. Elsewhere, Joaquin Tuculet was a constant threat with ball in hand, also creating a try as the Jaguares tamed the Lions.
14 Ben Lam (Hurricanes): Was on the left wing but gets the number 14 jersey in our side after scoring twice in his side’s win over the Highlanders. His first try, in which he switched the ball between hands while being tackled, was a masterclass in finishing. And the second was a display of his power as he muscled his way past Waisake Naholo and Lima Sopoaga from the five-metre line. Reds flyer Filipo Daugunu scored a sensational try after the hooter to cap an impressive display which saw the Reds winger beat six defenders for 134 metres and he is unlucky not to make our team.
13 Jack Goodhue (Crusaders): Showed incredible leg drive to power his way past Bulls forwards Tim Agaba and Pierre Schoeman for his first try. And for his second, ran a wonderful line between Schoeman and Hanro Liebenberg. That brace, four defenders beaten and 10 hits ain’t a bad effort for the Whangarei-born centre, who must now surely be knocking on the door of the All Blacks selectors for a Test call-up.
12 Bill Meakes (Rebels): Great performance from the Wallabies utility back as he completed a weekend-high eight defenders beaten with five clean breaks from 12 carries. Came away with a try for his efforts. Meanwhile, Jaguares’ inside centre Bautista Ezcurra scored a try and created another in his side’s win over the Bulls and Damian de Allende carried superbly as the Stormers overcame the Reds.
11 Raymond Rhule (Stormers): He couldn’t put a foot wrong on Saturday as he was heavily involved, scooping the man-of-the-match award for his efforts. Excellent off-the-ball run to latch on to Damian Willemse’s grubber and great finish. Offload led to Dewaldt Duvenage’s try. 12 carries for 60 metres. Emiliano Boffelli impressed for the Jaguares scoring a brace from his 96 metres with five defenders beaten and three clean breaks.
10 Damian McKenzie (Chiefs): Made a case for fly-half to be his long-term position by producing an excellent display against the Sunwolves. There will be more difficult tests for McKenzie but the pivot scored two tries, was a threat throughout and made good decisions. It was a competitive position with All Blacks’ team-mate Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes) and South African youngster Damian Willemse (Stormers) also impressing, but McKenzie was too good to leave out.
9 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Chiefs): The Chiefs’ duo were comfortably the best half-back pairing of the weekend and, while many will point to the fact that it was ‘only’ the Sunwolves, it is worth remembering that the Japanese outfit gave the Lions a fright in Round Five. They also caused the New Zealanders a certain amount of consternation in the reverse fixture last year, but Tahuriorangi and co made sure that did not happen this time around. The scrum-half provided sharp service to his pivot and was a threat around the fringes, setting up three of the nine tries, as he edged out the Rebels’ Will Genia.
8 Javier Ortega Desio (Jaguares): Another Jaguares back-row made the list after the Lions struggled to contain their athleticism in the loose. Desio may not have the raw power to be a top class number eight at Test level, but his pace and awareness saw him thrive against last season’s defeated Super Rugby finalists. He touched down twice at the weekend, with the second a particularly impressive score after he sprinted away from a couple of the visitors’ outside backs.
7 Adam Korczyk (Reds): His side may not have been quite good enough to overturn the Stormers but this was an excellent individual display from the openside. Korczyk was one of the few bright sparks for the Reds last season and the flanker has built on those displays this season. The 23-year-old was a constant threat at the breakdown against the Stormers and, although Siya Kolisi also played well for the Cape Town-based team, Korczyk won the individual duel.
6 Pablo Matera (Jaguares): Despite the Argentinians’ inconsistent start, superb performances from their skipper has been the one constant and the flanker again led the charge on Saturday. Matera set up the first try for Bautista Delguy with an outstanding run and in all made an impressive 77 metres from 14 carries as he edged Hurricanes skipper Brad Shields for the position. Captaincy can be a burden for some but Matera has relished the responsibility this season.
5 Tyler Ardron (Chiefs): The Canada international made his first start for the two-time champions and delivered an excellent all-round performance in a one-sided win over the Sunwolves in Tokyo. Ardron was brilliant on attack gaining 124 metres from six carries with three clean breaks, two defenders beaten as well as an offload. Also scored a try for his efforts and comes in ahead of Rebels captain Adam Coleman, who impressed against the Sharks.
4 Scott Barrett (Crusaders): The All Black was in fine form in his side’s victory against the Bulls and was at the forefront of an impressive forward effort in Christchurch. Scored the opening try in that clash and also put his body on the line on defence and eventually finished with eight tackles. Reds enforcer Izack Rodda also caught the eye.
3 Jermaine Ainsley (Rebels): The young front-row has settled in nicely at the Rebels, since joining them from the Western Force, and was one of the standout performers in his new side’s impressive win over the Sharks. Ainsley delivered a busy shift and apart from a solid effort in the scrums, also did well as a ball carrier. Stormers hardman Wilco Louw also played well.
2 Malcolm Marx (Lions): Enhanced his growing reputation with another superb effort in his side’s defeat to the Jaguares in Buenos Aires. Despite coming off the replacements bench, early in the second half, the Springbok stamped his authority on that match and eventually scored two tries. Also did his bit on defence with eight tackles and beats out Alex Mafi of the Reds.
1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro (Jaguares): Comes in on the loosehead side, despite playing at tighthead against the Lions, but we simply had to find a place for him in our team after a brilliant defensive effort. The 28-year-old completed a team-high 16 hits and also cleaned out the rucksand mauls with great intensity. Aidan Ross of the Chiefs was next best.
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