7:14 Highlights of the first Bledisloe Cup Test of 2020 between New Zealand and Australia
4. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Australia)
Playing in the second row against the All Blacks in Wellington on Sunday, Salakaia-Loto had perhaps his best Wallabies game to date.
The lock led a forward pack which bettered New Zealand, and really did enough to deserve victory and a bit of history despite the final 16-16 scoreline.
Salakaia-Loto made 12 carries, beat one defender, earned 27 metres, made six tackles and claimed three lineout balls.
5. Will Rowlands (Wasps)
Our second lock slot goes to Wasps’ Rowlands, and though he may not be as heralded as the other victorious Premiership second rows on Saturday – Joe Launchbury, Jonny Hill, Jonny Gray – he outperformed all of them.
The 29-year-old, who earned his first cap for Wales in February, was tremendously hard-working at the Ricoh Arena against Bristol, as he made 10 tackles, earned a turnover, made five carries and was the leading man for Wasps at lineout, taking four balls – the most of anyone on his side.
6. Jack Willis (Wasps)
Is there a player in better form in world rugby at the moment than Wasps back-row Willis? If you’ve been watching him, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone else.
Man of the match again for Wasps on Saturday, the 23-year-old seems to excel at each and every facet of rugby, and has a habit of popping up in attack or defence at the most pivotal of moments.
In Wasps’ semi-final win, Willis made six tackles, earned a crucial breakdown turnover, put in an amazing try-saving intervention, made some 41 metres off six carries, beat two defenders, made a clean break and scored yet another try. We will likely see him thriving for England before long.
7. Sam Cane (New Zealand)
But for Cane, New Zealand would almost certainly have lost to the Wallabies over the weekend.
Under pressure in his first game as All Blacks skipper, Cane delivered with an tireless display within a beaten forward pack.
Indeed, the flanker made a monumental 25 tackles in the draw, while also missing none. He also earned two turnovers, made 22 metres, beat two defenders and made a clean break.
8. Marcell Coetzee (Ulster)
Man of the match for Ulster as they won at Ospreys on Saturday, the Irish province just aren’t the same when the Springbok isn’t in the team.
Coetzee makes a monumental difference to Ulster, and at the Liberty Stadium, he made 17 carries – the most of anyone – earned 34 metres, put in 12 tackles, displayed some wonderful passing, earned two turnovers, beat three defenders and scored a try. What a player.
Sourse: skysports.com
