Super Rugby Pacific team of the week: Six Australians, eight Kiwis and one Samoan

9 Folau Fakatava (Highlanders)

The Highlanders halfback put in a class performance that showed why he will be a serious contender for the All Blacks job. His long pass had zip and the service was fast as the home side utilised the dry conditions to score a couple of early tries. Provided the platform for the Highlanders attack and set-up a try for prop Saula Ma’u with a short ball. Produced a contender for pass of the season with a behind-the-back ball on the team try effort for Sam Gilbert.

8 Charlie Cale (Brumbies)

A toss up between Hoskins Sotutu of the Blues and Charlie Cale of the Brumbies. With just four Super caps to his name ahead of Friday’s opener, Cale gets the nod for his late double in Melbourne. Capitalising on a Rebels turnover, the No 8 raced away down the right-hand touchline before putting boot to ball for a foot race. Amazingly, the ball stayed in the field of play and Cale was able to launch for the touch down with his big right mitt. His second was a regulation walk-over. Around the park Cale added 14 carries and 14 tackles in an industrious performance.

7 Fraser McReight (Reds)

The Reds’ openside was fantastic against the Waratahs with an all-round performance in all facets of the game. He topped the carry count with 18 and the Reds’ tackle count with 11. He scored the final Reds’ try with a hard-working line outside centre Josh Flook to extend the lead to 40-22, but it was his two key turnovers that won the game by snuffing out two Waratahs’ possessions inside the Reds’ 22 in the last 10 minutes. He held up outside back Harry Wilson before forcing a holding on penalty and a two-man effort on Dylan Pietsch forced a collapsed maul.

6 Miracle Faiilagi (Moana)

The blindside flanker is becoming one of the best players on Moana Pasifika. In a losing side he provided explosive ball carrying on the edge, threatening a handful of times and breaking through once on 11 carries. Stepping in at halfback he had a try assist playing his fellow loose forward Jacob Norris into the gap with a nicely weighted cutout pass. He added eight tackles and was Moana Pasifika’s top lineout target with four takes.

5 Scott Barrett (Crusaders)

The All Black lock produced his usual standard of play to nearly pull off a comeback for the ages in Hamilton. Barrett’s influence on the game was sparked by running a hard line to crash over for the first try of the second half and lift the Crusaders into the contest. He was in the thick of it around the ruck and helped forced a couple of steals. Finished with seven carries, 13 tackles, and four lineout takes.

4 Caleb Delaney (Hurricanes)

The Hurricanes lock had a tackle turnover in combination with Peter Lakai early to snuff out a Force attack on the edge of the 22. The towering lock was a reliable lineout jumper feeding Viljoen with plenty of clean ball straight off the top. Showed some nice tip balls when he carried. Scored a sneaky try through the ruck late in the first half.

3 Reuben O’Neill (Chiefs)

It’s not often you see a tighthead prop breaking free from halfway but it was O’Neill who got the Chiefs started against the Crusaders on Friday night with a big break. After not being held, he got up for a second crack and showed some ball playing skill with a show and go on the fullback. The Chiefs scrum held up well against a strong Crusaders front row, they completed 100 per cent of their feeds.

2 Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes)

The powerful hooker had a typical display in Perth with physicality in defence, completing eight tackles, 10 carries, while winning turnovers. Produced a two-man sandwich with Jordie Barrett for a tackle turnover and snatched an overthrown throw for another. Aumua was a force in defence, chopping runners and punishing bodies. The lineout operated at 93 per cent and the scrum was dominant. Aumua added a try from close range with too much power for the Force. Had a lost pill inside the Force 22 in the first half but it didn’t end up costing the side.

1 Xavier Numia (Hurricanes)

The Hurricanes scrum was dominant despite conceding a free kick on the first one. They drew a penalty on nearly every scrummage, with the power too much to handle. Numia offered pressure at the breakdown, competing a few times and carried hard on attack. A solid performance from the loosehead in a dominant display by the Hurricanes’ pack.