Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Week: Chiefs dominate after continuing winning streak

David Skippers
Super Rugby Pacific TOTW image Round 9 2023.jpg

After the ninth round’s Super Rugby Pacific action, Planet Rugby breaks down the star performers from a thrilling weekend of rugby.

The Chiefs are sitting pretty at the top of the table after winning all their games so far this season and they lead the way with five players in our team after their victory over the Drua.

Meanwhile, the Western Force are next best with four representatives after they beat the Highlanders.

Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Week

15 Damian McKenzie (Chiefs): He was shifted to full-back from fly-half for the Chiefs‘ clash against the Drua in Hamilton but it wasn’t a big adjustment as he was still in the thick of the action and played a big part in his side’s win. McKenzie shone on attack, gaining 40 metres from 15 runs which included two clean breaks, six defenders beaten and a try. Finished with a 15-point haul as he also slotted five conversions and beats out Chase Tiatia and Sam Gilbert of the Force and Highlanders respectively.

14 Manasa Mataele (Western Force): Although he played on the left wing, we’ve moved him to the right for our team after he shone in the Force‘s win over the Highlanders in Perth. Mataele gained 105 metres from eight runs with three clean breaks, six defenders beaten, an offload and also scored a try. Elsewhere, Ilaisa Droasese of the Fijian Drua and the Chiefs’ Shaun Stevenson caught the eye in their duel in Hamilton and Mark Telea also shone for the Blues but it’s Mataele who gets the nod.

13 Daniel Rona (Chiefs): There were good showings from All Blacks duo Braydon Ennor and Rieko Ioane for the Crusaders and the Blues respectively but Rona makes our team after catching the eye with a fine attacking display in the Chiefs’ win over the Drua. Although he did not score a try, Rona was a real handful to the Drua defence and made 121 metres from 12 runs with four clean breaks, three defenders beaten and an offload.

12 David Havili (Crusaders): The All Black showed his class with an outstanding display for the defending champions in their victory against the Rebels in Melbourne. The 28-year-old was particularly dangerous on attack as he gained 76 metres from 16 runs with one clean break, eight defenders beaten, two offloads and was rewarded with a brace of tries for his efforts. Also made eight tackles on defence and comes in ahead of Harry Plummer of the Blues.

11 Caleb Clarke (Blues): The Blues were in a rampant mood as they cruised to a 55-21 victory over the Waratahs at Eden Park and Clarke was at the forefront of that effort as he put in an outstanding attacking performance. The 24-year-old was the men from Auckland’s go-to man with ball in hand and he did not disappoint as he proved a real handful to the Waratahs’ defence. Eventually gained a round-high 192 metres from 14 carries which included seven clean breaks, six defenders beaten, four offloads and a well-taken try.

10 Beauden Barrett (Blues): Another solid performance from the All Blacks playmaker as the Blues made light work of their challenge against the Waratahs. The 31-year-old impressed with his playmaking skills and game management in atrocious weather conditions and delivered a faultless goal-kicking display as he slotted six conversions. Shone on attack and finished 83 metres gained. Elsewhere, Bryce Hegarty and Richie Mo’unga also impressed for the Force and Crusaders respectively.

9 Issak Fines-Leleiwasa (Western Force): There were impressive performances from Chiefs youngster Cortez Ratima and the Blues’ Finlay Christie but we’ve opted for Fines-Leleiwasa, who put in a lively showing in his side’s triumph over the Highlanders. The 27-year-old combined brilliantly with Hegarty and kept his opponents on their toes with several sniping breaks around the fringes of the rucks and mauls. Finished with 54 metres gained from nine runs with one clean break, three defenders beaten and four offloads.

8 Hoskins Sotutu (Blues): The All Black made a return to the Blues’ matchday squad and continued with his fine form as he was one of their best players in their one-sided win over the Rebels. Sotutu shone on attack as he made 99 metres which included 14 carries, four defenders beaten and an offload. Also impressed with his work at the breakdowns and is preferred to Vaiolini Ekuasi of the Rebels and the Crusaders’ Christian Lio-Willie.

7 Kaylum Boshier (Chiefs): Came into the Chiefs’ run-on side as a replacement for Sam Cane and gave a good account of himself as his side notched a half century of points against the Drua. Boshier made a nuisance of himself at the breakdowns but also caught the eye with a big shift on attack and defence. Gained 32 metres from 11 runs with defender beaten and scored a try, while he also made a team-high 11 tackles.

6 Tim Anstee (Western Force): The Chiefs’ Samipeni Finau, Anton Segner of the Blues and the Crusaders’ Dominic Gardiner all deserve mentions but it’s Anstee who makes our XV after a fine all-round effort for the Force against the Highlanders. The 25-year-old did well on attack as he made 42 metres from nine carries which included a clean break and three defenders beaten. Was also excellent on defence with a team-high 15 tackles made.

5 Sam Whitelock (Crusaders): Made his return to action after a month on the sidelines with a broken hand but it was business as usual for the veteran All Black who was in fine form against the Rebels. His lineout work was of a high standard and he was busy on defence as he made eight tackles but made his biggest impact with ball in hand and finished with 52 metres gained from a whopping 18 carries which included one offload.

4 Jeremy Williams (Western Force): All Blacks duo Patrick Tuipulotu and Brodie Retallick put in strong performances for the Blues and Chiefs respectively but it wasn’t enough to keep out Williams, who gets into our team after a fine display for the Force in Perth. The 22-year-old did what was expected of him in the lineouts and shone on attack as he gained 34 metres from 10 carries. Also impressed on defence as he made nine tackles.

3 Tamaiti Williams (Crusaders): The young front-row came to the fore with a polished all-round performance as the Crusaders had to dig deep to beat the Rebels in Melbourne. The 22-year-old did what was expected of him in the scrums but made his biggest impact with ball in hand as he took the fight to his opponents. Williams finished with 39 metres gained from six carries and beat three defenders in the process.

2 Samisoni Taukei’aho (Chiefs): The All Black showed why he is so highly rated as he was at the forefront of the Chiefs’ forward onslaught in Hamilton. Taukei’aho proved difficult to stop on attack as he gained 58 metres from 14 carries with one clean break, eight defenders beaten and two offloads. Was also strong on defence with eight tackles made. The Blues’ Ricky Riccitelli and Alex Mafi of the Rebels also impressed.

1 Ollie Norris (Chiefs): The 23-year-old came to the fore with a fine performance at the coalface of the table-toppers’ forward effort against the Drua in Hamilton. Norris made his mark with a solid shift in the scrums but made his biggest impact on defence where he made nine hits. Edges out Ofa Tuʻungafasi of the Blues, the Crusaders’ Joe Moody and Tom Robertson of the Force.

READ MORE: Super Rugby Pacific: Blues suffer ‘relatively significant’ injury blows to All Black duo

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