Super Rugby Pacific team of the week: Six Australians, eight Kiwis and one Samoan
Super Rugby Pacific kicked off for 2024 with the Chiefs defeating the Crusaders 33-29 on Friday night, followed by wins for the Brumbies and Hurricanes.
The Blues, Highlanders and Reds registered wins on Saturday as fans got the first look at new talent in the competition.
Six Australians, eight Kiwis and one Samoan made the cut for team of the week for their performances in round one.
Super Rugby Pacific team of the week for round one:
15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Highlanders)
In a round where all the New Zealand fullbacks starred, the Highlanders No 15 topped them all with a special performance to inspire his side to a win with two tries in his club debut. The former Blues outside back was a handful for Moana Pasifika every time he touched the ball with a knack of breaking first-up tackles and gaining extra metres. Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens was electric in round one but a real test awaits in week two with a grudge match with his old club the Blues in Super round, but for now, he can enjoy the hype after a brilliant showing.
14 Corey Toole (Brumbies)
Although he started on the left wing against the Rebels, it was hard to leave out the former Aussie 7s rep after his two try performance in Melbourne. Toole blazed the turf with untouchable speed twice in the opening twenty minutes, his first try was a piece of impressive skill with a chip and chase down a tight corridor. Whether Toole has the frame for higher honours with the Wallabies is unknown, but what is not debate is that his raw pace would be a real asset in space. He isn’t the type of winger that the Wallabies tend to look at, but neither was Mack Hansen and look how that turned out.
13 Josh Flook (Reds)
It was a quiet opening week for centres across Super Rugby Pacific in terms of attacking production as wingers and fullbacks stole the headlines. Queensland’s centre Flook put in a big defensive shift against the Waratahs making 10 tackles and shutting down the Tahs midfield pair. Izaia Perese was limited to just four running metres on five carries while inside centre Joey Walton made 24 metres on six carries, while neither had any line breaks. Despite only having four carries himself, the Reds centre had a key line break and try assist for flanker McReight which sealed the game.
12 Hunter Paisami (Reds)
The Reds’ bruising midfielder stepped up with a solid outing in Brisbane in the 40-22 win over the Waratahs. He scored the opening try with a powerful carry close to the line, carrying a few defenders over with him. He managed to stop Wallaby centre Izaia Perese dead in his tracks twice with two big hits that set the tone early for the Reds. He was a workhorse in the Reds’ attack, taking 17 carries and was integral to the set-piece launch used in tandem with No 8 Harry Wilson to bring some punch through the middle.
11 Caleb Clarke (Blues)
The All Black wing carried his pre-season form into round one as the Blues cruised to a 34-10 win over the Fijian Drua. He was typically strong with ball-in-hand with two line breaks, a try, eight defenders beaten and 92 running metres. All three of the Blues outside backs starred, with Mark Telea and Zarn Sullivan putting in solid performances along side Clarke.
10 Noah Lolesio (Brumbies)
The returning Wallaby flyhalf came with a point to prove against the Rebels and Carter Gordon. After a stint in France with Toulon, Lolesio played with confidence in a superior Brumbies side. His best play of the night was a switch play down the short side from a lineout maul. Rebels prop Sam Talakai was left isolated guarding the channel and Lolesio beat him around the outside before drawing the last man and finding winger Toole with a touch pass for a try. He kicked well early, landing his first four attempts at goal as the Brumbies racked up a 20-3 lead after 46 mins.
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.
Comments on RugbyPass
Good summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
1 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
8 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
8 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
5 Go to comments