Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Week: Damian McKenzie ‘lays down early marker’ for All Blacks fly-half jersey in Chiefs victory
Damian McKenzie (Chiefs) and Siosifa Amone (Waratahs) both make our team.
After the opening round of Super Rugby Pacific action, Planet Rugby breaks down the star performers from a thrilling weekend of rugby.
The Chiefs lead the way in our team with four players after a fine victory over the Blues in a repeat of last year’s final, while the Brumbies and Waratahs are next best with three representatives apiece.
Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Week, Round One
15 Joseph Suaalii (Waratahs): This was a difficult choice as All Blacks star Will Jordan shone in the Crusaders’ win over the Hurricanes, but code hopper Suaalii gets the nod after a fine debut in the Waratahs’ narrow victory over the Highlanders. Suaalii proved a threat from the back as he showed with a superb line break in the build up to Max Jorgensen’s try and also looked solid under the high ball.
14 Ollie Sapsford (Brumbies): The 29-year-old shone out wide for the Brumbies as they started the tournament with a morale-boosting triumph against the Drua in Suva. Sapsford was solid on attack, gaining 56 metres from seven runs which included two clean breaks, a defender beaten and a well-taken try. Elsewhere, Leroy Carter made a memorable debut for the Chiefs against the Blues.
13 Daniel Rona (Chiefs): In Auckland, Rona was one of the Hamilton-based outfit’s heroes as he delivered an outstanding all-round performance in their win over the Blues. The 24-year-old put in a solid shift on defence, especially in the second half, where his direct opponent All Black Rieko Ioane was kept in check while he was also influential on attack with one of his highlights being his assist for one of Damian McKenzie’s tries.
12 Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs): Rona’s midfield partner Tupaea was another one of the Chiefs’ star performers in that win over the Blues at Eden Park. The All Blacks centre caught the eye with superb physicality on either side of the ball with his defensive efforts stopping several Blues attacks while he also made his presence felt with some strong attacking runs. Meanwhile, the Crusaders’ David Havili and the Highlanders’ Timoci Tavatavanawai also shone for their teams.
11 Sevu Reece (Crusaders): The All Blacks speedster hit the ground running in his team’s impressive triumph over the Hurricanes in Christchurch. Reece proved a real handful with ball in hand and finished that encounter with a match-high 127 metres gained from 19 runs which included three clean breaks, 10 defenders beaten and he was rewarded with a try for his efforts. The Highlanders’ Caleb Tangitau and Moana Pasifika’s Kyren Taumoefolau also impressed.
10 Damian McKenzie (Chiefs): The All Blacks playmaker started at full-back against the Blues and had little influence in that position but shifted to fly-half in the second half and that switch had the desired effect for the Chiefs. McKenzie laid down an early marker for the All Blacks’ number 10 position as he led the way with a fine effort on attack and finished the match with a 20-point contribution after adding two tries, a couple of penalties and as many penalties. The Force’s Ben Donaldson was next best.
9 Kyle Preston (Crusaders): What a memorable debut from the Crusaders scrum-half! Preston came on as a replacement after just eight minutes for All Blacks scrum-half Noah Hotham in his side’s victory over the Hurricanes and was the men from Christchurch’s star performer. He crossed for a hat-trick of tries while Crusaders head coach Rob Penney praised his box kicking and distribution skills after the match. Meanwhile, Jake Gordon also caught the eye for the Waratahs.
Fine performances rewarded in the pack
8 Luke Jacobson (Chiefs): There were impressive performances from Christian Lio-Willie (Crusaders), Langi Gleeson (Waratahs) and Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika) but we’ve opted for the Chiefs skipper after he came to the fore with a superb shift against the Blues. The All Blacks back-rower shone on attack, gaining 46 metres from 15 carries, including three defenders beaten, and also led his troops well.
7 Carlo Tizzano (Western Force): The Wallabies tearaway was one of the Force’s stars in their thrilling home triumph over Moana Pasifika as he caught the eye with a high work-rate on defence and attack. As usual, Tizzano was superb in the breakdown battle and put in a busy defensive shift but he also impressed on attack and scored a brace of tries. In other action, the Brumbies’ Luke Reimer and Crusaders’ Ethan Blackadder also had strong games.
6 Miracle Faiilagi (Moana Pasifika): The Samoa international was unlucky to finish on the losing side in Perth as he was one of Moana’s best performers in that narrow defeat against the Force. The 25-year-old was solid on defence but made his biggest impact on attack as he finished with 93 metres gained after a couple of clean breaks and seven defenders beaten. There were also excellent efforts from Rob Leota of the Waratahs and Callum Grace of the Crusaders elsewhere.
5 Tom Hooper (Brumbies): The Exeter Chiefs-bound utility forward put in a big shift for the Brumbies in a hard-fought away triumph against the Drua. The 24-year-old grafted hard with his ball carrying one of the standout features of his game as he finished with 60 metres gained from 14 runs while he also did what was expected of him in the lineouts. Hooper comes in ahead of Tupou Vaa’i, who shone off the bench for the Chiefs.
4 Jeremy Williams (Western Force): Another Wallaby in our second-row, Williams edges out All Blacks enforcer Scott Barrett of the Crusaders after a fine all-round effort in Perth. The Force skipper led from the front as he was a valuable source of lineout possession, did his bit on defence, and shone on attack as he made 30 metres from seven carries while he also impressed with calm leadership in a game that went down to the wire.
3 Siosifa Amone (Waratahs): In Christchurch, experienced All Blacks tighthead prop Fletcher Newell had a solid outing for the Crusaders but it wasn’t enough to come in ahead of Amone, who was the Waratahs’ hero in their win against the Highlanders. The 22-year-old came on midway through the second half and proved difficult to stop as he crossed for two tries of which one came after the full-time hooter and set up his side’s narrow victory.
2 Billy Pollard (Brumbies): There were fine performances from returning Wallaby Dave Porecki for the Waratahs and Crusaders Ioane Moananu but Pollard is our preferred choice as he shone for the Brumbies against the Drua. The young Wallabies hooker was lively in the loose as he gave his side good attacking momentum and finished with 31 metres gained from five carries and he also scored a deserved try.
1 Angus Bell (Waratahs): Another one of the Waratahs’ heroes in their nail-biting triumph over the Highlanders, the Wallabies prop emptied the tank at the coalface of his team’s forward effort. Bell was superb in the execution of his core duties during a 68-minute shift while also carrying with great intent and putting his body on the line on defence. Meanwhile, the Crusaders’ Tamaiti Williams also impressed.
