Super Rugby Pacific team of the week for round five
The fifth round of this year’s Super Rugby Pacific campaign is in the books. All five New Zealand teams made their mark with big wins, while the Melbourne Rebels also stood out with a hard-fought victory over rivals the Reds.
Defending champions the Crusaders continued to silence the critics with a convincing display against the previously undefeated Brumbies in Christchurch. Winger Leicester Fainga’anuku crossed for another double as the hosts ran away with a 35-17 win at Orangetheory Stadium.
Unsurprisingly, a couple of Crusaders players have been included in the team of the week.
But the Hurricanes and Rebels were even more impressive.
The Canes recorded a dominant 59-nil win over Moana Pasifika, while the Rebels beat the Reds 40-34 in a controversial thriller.
Following every round of Super Rugby Pacific this season, RugbyPass will name its team of the week. Here’s the TOTW for Round Five.
- Sam Gilbert (Highlanders)
Fullback Sam Gilbert starred for the Highlanders as they continued their resurgence with an emphatic win over the Drua. Gilbert had one of his best games for the Landers, having scored 15 of his sides’ points at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Gilbert was sensational off the kicking tee – and that has to count for something – but it was his work around the field that earns him his first team of the week selection this season. The 24-year-old crossed for his second try in as many weeks during the first half, as he charged down a chip kick attempt from Drua flyhalf Kemu Valetini. Valetini and the Drua paused for a second and Gilbert them pay, as he ran close to 50 meters for a crucial try at that stage of the game.
The fullback, who kicked five conversions on Saturday, ran for 88 running metres from 11 carries and also beat three defenders. Gilbert also impressed on the defensive side of the ball, having made eight tackles – the second-most out of any Highlanders back.
- Emoni Narawa (Chiefs)
Emoni Narawa is a match winner. The winger starred against the Rebels in Round Four, and backed that up with another brilliant performance on Friday. Narawa ran for almost 100 metres from 13 carries, and beat six Waratahs defenders on the night.
Wingers need to score tries in order to be successful, and Narawa has been doing that for fun over the last two weeks. Against the Tahs, the 23-year-old added a brace to his season tally – including a crucial score inside the final 10 minutes.
The Chiefs were only up by three points with five minutes to go – an upset seemed like a very real possibility. They needed a hero and Narawa answered the call, as he crossed for his second of the night after running onto a clever grubber kick from Shaun Stevenson.
- Josh Flook (Reds)
It’s not very often that players make the team of the week when their team lost. Every other selection in the TOTW played in a winning team, but Josh Flook was just that good.
The Reds were locked in a fierce battle with the Rebels in Melbourne, as the visitors scored an impressive 34 points on the night. Flook, who crossed for a double in Round Four, added another brace to his highlight reel.
But his opposite at AAMI Park, the Rebels’ Stacey Ili, deserves an honourable mention for his performance.
- Billy Proctor (Hurricanes)
In a team full of superstars, midfielder Billy Proctor tends to fly under the radar for the Hurricanes. Proctor is regularly an unsung hero for the Wellington outfit, and I won’t stand for that anymore. Proctor replaced Jordie Barrett in the No. 12 jersey this week, and more than made up for the All Blacks stars’ absence.
Proctor was in the thick of the action for the entire 80 minutes, and finished with one try assist to his name to boast. The 23-year-old carried the ball 11 times for 64 metres, and also impressed in defence with 10 tackles. The Canes were dominant against Moana Pasifika, but it’s guys like Billy Proctor who make those performances possible.
- Monty Ioane (Rebels)
Selecting a left winger this week was harder than rocket science. Crusaders flyer Leicester Fainga’anuku continued his purple patch with a double against the Brumbies, and Salesi Rayasi also starred for the Canes this week.
But Monty Ioane, take a bow. The Italy international was simply sensational against the Reds. Ioane was on a mission, having finished with three try assists to his name – but wait, it gets better. The Rebels speedster ran the ball 15 times for 144 metres,
- Stephen Perofeta (Blues)
Flyhalf was another tough position to call this week. Brett Cameron impressed for the Canes, and Carter Gordon continued to push his case as a potential Wallabies bolter against the Reds. But Blues flyhalf Stephen Perofeta gets the nod this week.
Throughout the Blues’ hard-fought win over the Force, Perofeta seemed to be everywhere. Playing his first match in the No. 10 jersey this season, the playmaker did the Blues jersey justice with a sensational display.
Perofeta kicked 10 of the Blues’ points off the tee, and also had a try assist at Eden Park on Sunday. But what really stand out was his fearlessness – for a flyhalf, Perofeta was running the ball with purpose whenever he got the chance. The first five ran the ball 13 times for more than 30 metres, and also beat four defenders.
- Aaron Smith (Highlanders)
The Highlanders have been a completely different side with Aaron Smith back in the mix. The Super Rugby veteran was probably the best player for the Landers in Round Five, as he led the home side around the park with both skill and poise.
Smith crossed for a five-pointer early in the second half, and also finished with four try assists to his name – truly incredible numbers from the world-class halfback. Hurricanes scrum-half Cam Roigard also impressed last weekend.
- Joe Moody (Crusaders)
All Black Joe Moody had one of his best games in Crusaders’ colours on Friday night. Coming up against the previously undefeated Brumbies, Moody led by example as the defending champions continued their resurgence with a convincing win. Moody was a menace at the set-piece, as he helped his side win scrum battles against the feed. The 34-year-old also starred on the defensive side of the ball with 12 tackles.
- Codie Taylor (Crusaders)
All Blacks and Crusaders hooker Codie Taylor had his best game of the season so far. The world-class No. 2 played a part in Leicester Fainga’anuku’s first try with a clever set-piece play, and Taylor also crossed for a score himself early in the second term. Hurricanes hooker Asafo Aumua also impressed in his 50th appearance for the Wellington outfit.
- Owen Franks (Hurricanes)
Former All Blacks prop Owen Franks returned to the Hurricanes’ starting last weekend and didn’t look out of place – in fact, he was brilliant. Franks was back to his best during a destructive 50-minute shift, which included some impressive work at the set-piece. Franks won two scrum penalties for his side during a stunning first half, and won a penalty advantage with another effort just before the break. Franks also made the second-most tackles out of any Canes player with 10.
- Brodie Retallick (Chiefs)
Brodie Retallick was one of the first names included in the Round Five team of the week. Retallick was a clear standout during the opening 40 minutes against the Waratahs – every time the Chiefs had the ball inside the Tahs’ 22, Retallick’s number was called. The All Black worked tirelessly for his side, and had the most carried out of any player at half-time. Retallick continued to impress during the second 40, as his side held on for a tough win at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium.
- Cameron Suafoa (Blues)
Blues lock Cameron Suafoa put in a solid shift on Sunday afternoon. Suafoa had the most carries out of any Blues forward, and also made the most tackles out of any Blues forward. The 24-year-old also got a nice offload off to set up Ofa Tu’ungafasi for a score late in the first half.
- Josh Kemeny (Rebels)
Blindside flanker was another hard position to pick this week. Flanker Anton Segner was sensational in his first start of the 2023 campaign, which saw the Blues name him as their player of the match. But Josh Kemeny was just too good for the Rebels – a performance like that can’t be ignored. Kemeny crossed for a crucial score midway through the first half, and made his mark in defence. The flanker finished with a 100 per cent tackle completion rate from 18 attempts – 18?! That’s brilliant.
- Brad Wilkin (Rebels)
Rebels star Brad Wilkin stole the show against the Reds with a sensational defensive display. Wilkin made an incredible 24 tackles on the night – the most out of player in Round Five. The flanker also made his mark in attack with some strong carries, and some clever work around the breakdown.
- Ardie Savea (Hurricanes)
Right from the get-go against Moana Pasifika, it was clear that No. 8 Ardie Savea was eager to impress. If you go back and rewatch the first 10 minutes, you’ll see that Savea was well and truly in the middle of all the action.
Note to self. Give the ball to @ardiesavea pic.twitter.com/27yQnd7hgo
— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) March 25, 2023
Every time Savea ran the ball, he caused problems for the Moana Pasifika defence. The world-class backrower ran the ball 14 times, scored a try, and also got stuck in on the defensive side of the ball with a 100 per cent tackle completion rate.
Comments on RugbyPass
The rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
76 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
1 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
9 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
9 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
9 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
9 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
9 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
2 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
3 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to comments