6:24 The Crusaders opened their Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign with a victory over the Hurricanes after making a fast start
14. Mark Telea (Blues)
One of the form players in New Zealand rugby at the moment, Blues wing Telea was on the scoresheet again in Round Two.
His try saw him finish a stunning move – the best passage of the match in fact – while he also made eight carries for 42 metres, beat four defenders and made two clean breaks.
13. Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs)
The Chiefs may have lost to the Blues on Saturday, but 21-year-old centre Tupaea put in a brilliantly eye-catching display.
The midfielder made 10 carries, earned 50 metres in attack, forced two breakdown turnovers, made two clean breaks and beat a phenomenal seven defenders. A fantastic all-round performance.
12. Ngani Laumape (Hurricanes)
Our second centre who actually finished on the losing side over the weekend, but like Tupaea for the Chiefs, the Hurricanes’ Laumape showed his qualities.
The robust inside-centre made 12 carries against the Crusaders – the most of any Canes player – beat four defenders with ball in hand and produced a sumptuous bit of play for Asafo Aumua’s try, shrugging and stepping past one defender, before wrapping up two more and offloading round the back.
11. Sevu Reece (Crusaders)
Reece kicked off the Crusaders’ return to rugby in perfect fashion as he sprinted over inside the first minute of their clash against the Hurricanes to score a stunning try.
The wing once again showed off his pace and athleticism, while he also worked hard in making 10 carries, 73 metres in attack and producing two effective offloads.
10. Beauden Barrett (Blues)
Barrett’s debut for the Blues in victory over old side the Hurricanes in Round One may not have made too many headlines, but in Round Two he was crucial to victory.
Moving into the No 10 slot from full-back in the second half, Barrett dropped a goal, slotted a penalty and dictated play as the Blues made it two wins from two.
He made seven carries, earned 40 metres, beat five defenders and produced a controlled kicking game which was critical to victory in wet conditions.
4:57 Highlights from the Blues’ first victory at the Chiefs since 2011, in New Zealand’s Super Rugby Aotearoa on Saturday
9. TJ Perenara (Hurricanes)
The Hurricanes’ standout in defeat, scrum-half Perenara seemed to be everywhere in Wellington.
He made six tackles, earned a breakdown turnover, made five snipes for a sensational 63 metres, sliced through for one clean break, beat two defenders and produced some stunning passing.
1. Joe Moody (Crusaders)
All Blacks loosehead Moody was superb in victory over the Hurricanes – indeed he played a role in three Crusaders tries from prop.
He broke and offloaded within the move for Reece’s try, carried hard for the Crusaders’ second score via Braydon Ennor and broke through to offload again ahead of the third try via Jack Goodhue.
He made 22 metres with ball in hand, one clean break and was part of a scrum which operated at 100 per cent – forcing two penalties.
2. James Parsons (Blues)
In terrible conditions and driving rain in Hamilton, Blues hooker Parsons managed to land all 10 lineout throws for a 100 per cent record – a feat well worthy of praise.
In a 74-minute display, Parsons also contributed seven tackles, one turnover, six carries and a 100 per cent scrum effort.
3. Ofa Tuungafasi (Blues)
Blues prop Tuungafasi was the pick of the tightheads this weekend as he did all expected of a No 3, and more!
Tuungafasi was part of a scrum which operated at 100 per cent on their own put-in, and forced two scrum wins against the head as well.
He made six tackles, missing none on the day, beat one defender with ball in hand, latched onto Hoskins Sotutu to provide a crucial try assist, and, most unusually, even claimed a lineout steal!
4. Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues)
One of the players of the weekend, Blues skipper Tuipulotu was outstandingly good in the second row again.
In an 80 minute display, the lock made 11 carries – more than any other Blue – 14 tackles, 34 metres with ball in hand, beat four defenders and claimed four lineout balls.
He is fast turning into an inspiration for the rapidly-improving Blues.
5. James Blackwell (Hurricanes)
Alongside Tuipulotu, we’ve gone for Blackwell, who was fantastic for the Canes in defeat.
The 25-year-old made 11 carries, nine tackles, earned three linout takes and forced a steal at the set-piece too.
6. Akira Ioane (Blues)
Back in the Blues starting XV, Ioane played like a man with a point to prove as he shifted from No 8 to the blindside.
His work-rate was relentless as he made 10 carries, 12 tackles, beat two defenders in attack and earned a priceless three turnovers. He’s back.
7. Cullen Grace (Crusaders)
At openside, Grace earns the nod for a superbly-rounded performance at flanker.
He made 13 tackles – the most of anyone on the pitch in Wellington – eight carries – the most of any Crusaders forward – one clean break, two lineout takes and was involved in the flowing move for Reece’s early try.
8. Hoskins Sotutu (Blues)
Arguably the most impressive performer of Super Rugby Aotearoa so far, Sotutu was magnificent for the Blues again on Saturday.
He made some 15 tackles – the of most anyone in the competition over the weekend – scored the vital first try from close range, made 24 metres off seven carries, claimed four lineout takes, made one lineout steal and was on hand to react and claim a crucial late turnover on his own try-line.
What a player this guy looks.
Sourse: skysports.com
