Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Week: Melbourne Rebels dominate after impressive victory over Reds

David Skippers
Super Rugby Paific TOTW image Round Five 2023.jpg

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

The Melbourne Rebels lead the way with five players in our team after their impressive victory over the Reds, while the Hurricanes and Blues are next best with three representatives apiece.

Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Week

15 Sam Gilbert (Highlanders): The 24-year-old makes our team for the second week in a row after playing a leading role in an impressive victory over Fijian Drua in Dunedin. Gilbert shone on attack as he gained 88 metres from 11 runs with one clean break, three defenders beaten, an offload and he was rewarded with a try for his efforts. He also slotted five conversions and comes in ahead of Joe Pincus of the Rebels and the Blues’ Zarn Sullivan.

14 Monty Ioane (Rebels): The Italian international was at the forefront of the Rebels‘ win over the Reds in Melbourne with a superb attacking display. Although Ioane played on the left wing, we’ve moved him across to the right flank after he gained 144 metres with ball in hand, which is more than any other play during the round. That came from 15 runs and included three clean breaks, as many defenders beaten as well as three offloads. He beats out Emoni Narawa of the Chiefs.

13 Stacey Ili (Rebels): The 31-year-old caught the eye with an excellent all-round performance during the Rebels’ hard-fought win and edges out the Hurricanes‘ Bailyn Sullivan, who also impressed. Ili’s playmaking skills set up numerous Rebels’ attacks and some of those efforts were rewarded with tries. He finished with 37 metres gained including three defenders beaten but also shone on defence as he made 14 tackles.

12 Harry Plummer (Blues): The Hurricanes’ Billy Proctor and Dallas McLeod of the Crusaders also performed well but Plummer gets the nod after a superb showing as captain in his team’s triumph against the Western Force in Auckland. Despite it being his first start of the Super Rugby Pacific season, Plummer led his side well and his general play was also of a high quality as he finished with 58 metres made from a clean break with two defenders beaten and one offload, while he completed 12 hits on defence.

11 Salesi Rayasi (Hurricanes): Another tough decision as Mark Telea of the Blues and the Crusaders’ Leicester Fainga’anuku delivered the goods for their respective teams, but Rayasi’s efforts could not be ignored in his side’s one-sided win over Moana Pasifika in Auckland. The former New Zealand Sevens representative proved difficult to stop as he made 124 metres on attack from 10 carries which included three clean breaks, a round-high 10 defenders beaten, two offloads and a brace of tries.

10 Carter Gordon (Rebels): The young playmaker has been in fine form in recent weeks as the Rebels showed great overall improvement and he was at the forefront of their onslaught against the Reds. The 22-year-old’s attacking play was outstanding as he gained 59 metres from eight runs which included two clean breaks, three defenders beaten and an offload. His goal-kicking was also excellent as he converted five tries and he did well on defence with eight tackles made.

9 Aaron Smith (Highlanders): The veteran All Blacks scrum-half continues to set high standards and was in fine form during his side’s victory over Fijian Drua. The 34-year-old delivered a crisp service to his outside backs but also proved a handful to the defence. He eventually finished with 43 metres gained from four runs which included one clean break, a defender beaten, an offload and a try. His direct opponent, Frank Lomani and the Hurricanes’ Cam Roigard were next best.

8 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes): The Hurricanes skipper led from the front as his team cruised to victory against Moana Pasifika. The 29-year-old took the fight to his opponents who struggled to keep him in check and he eventually finished with 76 metres gained. This, after he completed 18 carries which included one clean break, 10 defenders beaten and three offloads. Meanwhile, the Rebels’ Vaiolini Ekuasi and Harry Wilson of the Reds also shone in their direct duel in Melbourne.

7 Brad Wilkin (Rebels): One of the highlights of the Rebels’ showdown with the Reds was Wilkin’s battle with Fraser McReight, especially at the breakdowns where both players put in huge efforts. However, Wilkin gets the nod as he made his mark with an outstanding defensive effort in which he completed a whopping 24 tackles and also did well on attack as he gained 21 metres with two defenders beaten and an offload. Elsewhere, Peter Lakai also shone for the Hurricanes.

6 Anton Segner (Blues): The German-born tearaway came into the Blues’ run-on side and made an immediate impact with a fine all-round display in their home victory over the Force. The 21-year-old was lively with ball in hand as he gained 43 metres from 10 runs which included two clean breaks and three defenders beaten. He also showed his class on defence with 12 tackle completions and comes in ahead of Samipeni Finau of the Chiefs.

5 Ryan Smith (Reds): The Reds finished on the losing side to the Rebels but it was not through a lack of effort from Smith, who came to the fore with a strong all-round showing. The 26-year-old was a valuable source of possession due to his efforts in the lineouts and emptied the tank on defence where he made 14 tackles. He was also prominent as a ball carrier, gaining 35 metres from 11 runs and made three offloads.

4 Scott Barrett (Crusaders): The Christchurch-based outfit’s skipper makes our XV for the second successive week after delivering a fine all-round display in his side’s home win over the Brumbies. Barrett did what was expected of him in the lineouts, and shone with ball in hand as he gained 33 metres from nine carries with two defenders beaten and an offload. He also produced a strong defensive display as he made 11 hits.

3 Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Blues): The All Blacks front-row returned to the Blues’ matchday squad and caught the eye with a fine scrummaging display against the Force. He was also prominent with ball in hand where he was rewarded with a try after good support play and also put his body on the line with some big hits on defence. In other action, Jermaine Ainsley also caught the eye for the Highlanders.

2 Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes): The All Blacks hooker made his 50th appearance for the Hurricanes and capped that achievement with a fine performance against Moana Pasifika. Aumua was his usual busy self with ball in hand and finished with 26 metres gained from nine carries after making a break which included one defender beaten and an offload. The 25-year-old also got stuck in on defence and finished with a team-high 13 tackles made.

1 Matt Gibbon (Rebels): The 27-year-old was in the thick of the action against the Reds and was rewarded with a try for his efforts. The Wallaby impressed in the execution of his core duties, especially his scrummaging which was solid throughout and he also made his mark on defence with 11 tackles. Meanwhile, the Waratahs’ Harry Johnson-Holmes and Owen Franks of the Hurricanes also impressed.

READ MORE: Super Rugby Pacific: England international Brad Shields to rejoin Hurricanes in 2024

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