Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Week: All Blacks hopefuls lead the way
All Blacks hopefuls Billy Proctor of the Hurricanes, Wallace Sititi of the Chiefs and AJ Lam of the Blues.
After the Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals, Planet Rugby breaks down the star performers from a thrilling weekend of action.
All four semi-finalists have players in our XV but, as expected, the Blues and Chiefs lead the way with six apiece in the selection after their victories in Auckland and Wellington.
Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Week, Semi-finals
15 Etene Nanai-Seturo (Chiefs): There were fine displays from Stephen Perofeta of the Blues and Ruben Love of the Hurricanes but a solid all-round effort from the Chiefs‘ Nanai-Seturo sees him make our XV. He was safe under the high ball, a calming influence at the back while he also provided a threat with ball in hand as he gained 91 metres from 12 runs which included two defenders beaten.
14 Emoni Narawa (Chiefs): The All Black proved a genuine threat with ball in hand in his side’s win over the Hurricanes in Wellington. He constantly tested his opponents’ defence and showed his class with a brilliant assist for the opening try in that game, scored by Samipeni Finau. Narawa finished with 50 metres gained from eight runs including a clean break, four defenders beaten and an offload. The Blues’ Mark Tele’a and Hurricanes’ Josh Moorby also impressed.
13 Billy Proctor (Hurricanes): All Black Rieko Ioane and Wallaby Len Ikitau had good games for the Blues and Brumbies respectively but Proctor outshone them despite finishing on the losing side in Wellington. The 25-year-old was dangerous with ball in hand and gained 46 metres after making 12 runs which included one clean break, two defenders beaten and a try for his efforts.
12 AJ Lam (Blues): The Blues outmuscled the Brumbies at Eden Park with superior physicality and Lam led the way in that department amongst their backline players. The 25-year-old straightened the line brilliantly with some strong carries and finished with 48 metres gained from 10 runs, including a clean break, two defenders beaten and a try while he also made 13 hits on defence. Jordie Barrett of the Hurricanes was next best.
11 Caleb Clarke (Blues): The Blues caught the Brumbies by surprise with a fast start in Auckland and Clarke was one of his team’s go-to men with ball in hand. The All Blacks flyer gave his side good momentum with some strong carries but also put in some big hits on defence. In the end, the All Blacks speedster finished with 46 metres gained from 10 runs with one defender beaten and scored one of his team’s five tries.
10 Damian McKenzie (Chiefs): Showed once again how important he is to the Chiefs’ cause as he came to the fore with an outstanding all-round performance in their triumph over the Hurricanes. The All Black ran the show on attack as he unlocked his opponents’ defence several times with his brilliant skill-set. He gained 58 attacking metres from 10 runs, made 13 tackles and kicked 15 points courtesy of three penalties and as many conversions. The Blues’ Harry Plummer also impressed.
9 Cortez Ratima (Chiefs): The 23-year-old continued with his superb form as he kept the Hurricanes’ defence on their toes with his sniping breaks around the fringes of the rucks. Ratima combined brilliantly with McKenzie on attack as he provided a slick service to the All Blacks playmaker but also took his chances when presented to him and was rewarded with a try for his efforts. He beats out Finlay Christie of the Blues.
Blues aplenty in the pack
8 Wallace Sititi (Chiefs): Although Hoskins Sotutu crossed the whitewash again to draw level with Malcolm Marx, Codie Taylor and Folau Fainga’a for tries scored by a forward during a Super Rugby season, it wasn’t enough to get in ahead of Sititi in our team. The 21-year-old was a beast on attack as he gained a round high 150 metres from 15 carries but also shone on defence making 13 hits.
😤 Wallace Sititi was on a whole different level for the Chiefs in their semi-final win over the Hurricanes!#HURvCHI #SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/LSNZICcQIn
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) June 15, 2024
7 Dalton Papali’i (Blues): Hurricanes tearaway Peter Lakai caught the eye with a fine showing in a losing cause against the Chiefs but the Blues pack laid a perfect platform for their backs in Auckland and Papali’i was at the forefront of that forward effort. The All Black tested the Hurricanes’ defence with some solid carries, won a crucial turnover but made his biggest impact in the execution of his defensive duties as he completed 17 hits.
6 Rob Valetini (Brumbies): The Chiefs were blown away in most facets of play in their semi-final defeat to the Blues at Eden Park but Wallabies hard man Valetini can hold his head high as he put in a huge 80-minute effort. The 25-year-old ran hard, gaining 41 metres from 18 carries, but also put his body on the line while executing his defensive duties and made nine tackles. Edges out the Chiefs’ Samipeni Finau.
5 Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs): The 24-year-old All Black continues to go from strength to strength and is now firmly established as the men from Hamilton’s first-choice lock. Against the Hurricanes he did his bit as a ball carrier and in the lineouts but made his biggest contribution on defence where he made nine tackles. He comes in ahead of Sam Darry of the Blues and Isaia Walker-Leawere of the Hurricanes.
4 Josh Beehre (Blues): The 22-year-old is in his maiden season at Super Rugby Pacific level but despite his inexperience and tender age, he played with a maturity beyond his years in the Blues’ win over the Brumbies. Beehre had a fine all-round game with his lineout and defensive work of a high standard throughout as he eventually won five balls at the set-piece and made a match-high 20 tackles.
3 Tyrel Lomax (Hurricanes): The All Blacks front-row returned to action at the weekend after a five-week stint on the sidelines due to bone bruising but hit the ground running as he came to the fore with a solid 50-minute shift. Lomax stood up well in the scrums and did his bit on defence as he made seven hits. The Blues’ Marcel Renata also played well.
2 Ricky Riccitelli (Blues): In Wellington, Asafo Aumua showed his class with a strong attacking performance but it wasn’t enough to get into our team as we’ve gone with Riccitelli, who delivered a fine all-round performance. The 29-year-old was solid with ball in hand and crossed the whitewash early on. He also stood up well on defence as he completed 14 tackles.
1 Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Blues): The experienced All Blacks front-row is in the form of his life as he combines his excellence in the execution of his core duties with his impressive ball carrying ability. The 32-year-old was a willing carrier against the Brumbies but also caught the eye with a solid scrummaging display and did well on defence with seven tackles made.