Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Week: ‘Legendary’ All Black rewarded for record-breaking feat as Wallabies hopefuls impress Joe Schmidt

Dylan Coetzee
Split with Brayden Iose (Hurricanes), Frank Lomani (Fijian Drua) and Andrew Kellaway (Rebels)

Split with Brayden Iose (Hurricanes), Frank Lomani (Fijian Drua) and Andrew Kellaway (Rebels)

Following another intriguing weekend in Super Rugby Pacific, Planet Rugby picks our team of the week as the Fijian Drua and Australian outfits are rewarded.

Team of the Week

15 Max Jorgensen (Waratahs): The young sensation showed why there is so much hype about him with a stunning effort in a losing cause. The full-back nearly made 100 metres with ball in hand whilst scoring one try and beating four defenders in a good outing.

14 Selestino Ravutaumada (Fijian Drua): A proper handful, the wing gave the Crusaders’ defence headaches all game long as he made over 100 metres with ball in hand, beat a whopping seven defenders and scored a try in an electric outing at home. He is some player with ball in hand. Hurricanes star Josh Moorby was also on song for his team.

13 Iosefo Masi (Fijian Drua): Much like his right wing, Masi played a big role in troubling the Crusaders as he also beat seven defenders and made just under 100 metres. The centre was a key player in the memorable win at home.

12 Julian Savea (Moana Pasifika): The legendary All Black scored his first try for his new club and his 61st in total, making him the all-time leading try scorer for Super Rugby Pacific. It was a massive occasion for Savea who looks at home in the centres, beating four defenders and making two clean breaks in a brilliant outing.

‘King’ Julian Savea is officially Super Rugby Pacific’s all-time top try scorer

11 Andrew Kellaway (Melbourne Rebels): It does not seem to matter what number is on his back at the moment as the Wallaby slotted in perfectly at left wing, scoring a try and setting another up, and beating five defenders in the process. Australia boss Joe Schmidt will certainly be watching him closely. Hurricane Kini Naholo was also on fire on the weekend.

10 Rhys Patchell (Highlanders): The former Wales man has taken to the Highlanders like a duck to water and scored his second try for the club at the weekend after another busy performance. Without the burden of goalkicking, Patchell looks to be playing freely and confidently.

9 Frank Lomani (Fijian Drua): One of the heroes for his side in Lautoka, showing his class and experience in front of his home fans. The scrum-half managed to score and assist whilst playing a vital role throughout his time on the field. A key element to the make-up of Fijian Drua.

Hard working pack

8 Brayden Iose (Hurricanes): Quite easily the busiest of all the number eights this weekend, notching up a massive 21 tackles against the Blues in a mammoth effort. Somehow he also managed to make 60 metres from 11 carries. Work-rate personified by the ‘Canes man.

7 Fraser McReight (Reds): When he was not busy making his 20 tackles and two turnovers, the flank managed to sneak in a try for good measure. A quality outing from a player who will be hoping to impress the new Wallabies boss.

6 Samipeni Finau (Chiefs): The All Black showed his quality at the weekend in a losing effort. Finau was effective on both sides of the ball with 11 tackles and some solid carry numbers. His efforts were enough to earn him selection over the Blues superstar Anton Segner.

5 Isaia Walker-Leawere (Hurricanes): Another one of the hard workers for the Wellington-based side and one who managed a ridiculous 20 tackles on the day. He also managed to get some solid go-forward for the Hurricanes in a tireless shift.

4 Mesake Vocevoce (Fijian Drua): The go-to wrecking ball from the forward pack for the Drua and one who ran it up an impressive 10 times on the day. He was solid otherwise and his efforts were key to a big win against the Crusaders.

3 Jerome Ainsley (Highlanders): One of the most consistently high performing tightheads and it showed again. He was solid in the set-piece and put in some carries but made his money on defence with seven tackles on the day.

2 Matthew Faessler (Reds): Managed to cross the whitewash whilst also managing the set-piece rather well. He defended like a man possessed with 11 tackles made and one turnover won in a brilliant shift. Chiefs hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho was also at his standard best again.

1 Aidan Ross (Chiefs): The best defender of all the looseheads last weekend as his tackle count landed in double-digits whilst he also managed himself well around the park otherwise.

READ MORE: Crusaders match 28-year Super Rugby low as Fijian Drua claim victory ‘for the fans’

Australia Julian Savea

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