All Blacks star makes move in POTY voting as Kiwis lead the way

All Blacks fullback Will Jordan has made his mark on the Player of the Year voting table after six rounds, sitting first-equal with Chiefs midfielder Quinn Tupaea.

Jordan picked up six votes in the Crusaders’ rampant 50-21 victory over Moana Pasifika in Auckland on Saturday night, even without scoring a try.

The All Blacks fullback now sits on top of the standings with Tupaea with 23 votes, despite missing one game in the opening six rounds.

Tupaea, who has been a constant among the leaders at the top of the table, received six votes in their narrow defeat in Canberra to the ACT Brumbies, taking him to 23 votes for the season so far.

The midfielder starred around the paddock, in a game where Brumbies halfback Ryan Lonergan earned eight points, helping his side get over the line at home.

Lonergan sits in fifth in the overall POTY standings, behind teammate Charlie Cale, who failed to pick up any votes against the Chiefs despite scoring, but still sits in third in the overall standings with 20 votes.

All Blacks halfback Cameron Roigard scored a quick-fire double during the first half against the Highlanders, taking home eight points from Dunedin.

Roigard now has 17 votes across the course of the season, sitting one place behind Lonergan in the POTY standings.

Impressive Highlanders hooker Jack Taylor received six votes, and hat-trick hero for the Hurricanes, Fehi Fineanganofo, picked up five votes.

But it was Blues midfielder AJ Lam, who impressed with a powerful double in Sydney, that took home the most points from the weekend, with nine against the Waratahs on Saturday evening.

Lam’s two tries helped the Blues overcome Dan McKellar’s side, where Beauden Barrett and Taufa Funaki received three and four points respectively.

Here is how they voted in round six of Super Rugby Pacific:

“The captains and head coaches of both teams nominate their top three players from the opposing team each week, allocating three votes, two votes, and one vote, respectively,” Super Rugby announced at the start of the season.

Highlanders v Hurricanes

8 – Cam Roigard (HUR)

6 – Jack Taylor (HIG)

5 – Fehi Fineanganofo (HUR)

3 – Jona Nareki (HIG)

2 – Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (HIG), Jordie Barrett (HUR), Peter Lakai (HUR)

1 – Lucas Casey (HIG), Warner Dearns (HUR)

ACT Brumbies v Chiefs

8 – Ryan Lonergan (ACT)

6 – Declan Meredith (ACT), Quinn Tupaea (CHI), Damian McKenzie (CHI)

2 – Corey Toole (ACT)

1 – Liam Coombes-Fabling (CHI), Jahrome Brown (CHI)

Fijian Drua v Queensland Reds

6 – Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (QLD), Filipo Daugunu (QLD)

4 – Elia Canakaivata (FJI), Iliasia Droasese (FJI)

3 – Kitione Salawa (FJI)

2 – Jock Campbell (QLD), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (QLD), Harry Wilson (QLD)

1 – Peni Ravai (FJI)

Moana Pasifika v Crusaders

6 – Will Jordan (CRU), Joel Lam (MOA)

4 – Miracle Faiilagi (MOA)

3 – George Bell (CRU), Leicester Fainga’anuku (CRU)

2 – Chay Fihaki (CRU), Noah Hotham (CRU), Tevita Latu (MOA)

1 – Sevu Reece (CRU), Lalamilo Lalamilo (MOA)

NSW Waratahs v Blues

9 – AJ Lam (BLU)

6 – Sid Harvey (NSW)

4 – Taufa Funaki (BLU), Jack Debreczeni (NSW)

3 – Beauden Barrett (BLU)

2 – Ethan Dobbins (NSW)

1 – Codemeru Vai (BLU), Joey Walton (NSW)

Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year Voting after Round Six

23 – Quinn Tupaea (CHI), Will Jordan (CRU)

22 – Ben Donaldson (FOR), Max Jorgensen (NSW), Timoci Tavatavanawai (HIG)

20 – Charlie Cale (ACT)

19 – Miracle Faiilagi (MOA), Caleb Clarke (BLU)

18 – Ryan Lonergan (ACT)

17 – Cam Roigard (HUR)

16 – Vaiolini Ekuasi (FOR), Jordie Barrett (HUR)

15 – Declan Meredith (ACT), Dalton Papali’i (BLU), Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa (MOA)

Rookie of the Year

6 – Joel Lam (MOA), Sid Harvey (NSW)

5 – Codemeru Vai (BLU)

4 – Lucas Casey (HIG)

2 – Torian Barnes (BLU), Kadin Pritchard (ACT), Johnny Lee (CRU), Treyvon Pritchard (QLD)