Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Week: Chiefs lead the way after superb win over Western Force

SRP-Team-of-the-Week-image-6-May-2024

After the 11th round of Super Rugby Pacific action, Planet Rugby breaks down the star performers from a thrilling weekend of rugby.

Following an impressive victory over the Western Force, the Chiefs lead way with five players in our team while the Blues and Reds are next best with three representatives apiece.

Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Week, Round 11

15 Ruben Love (Hurricanes): Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens and Kurtley Beale had good games for the Highlanders and Western Force respectively but Love was one of the Hurricanes’ best players in their win over the Waratahs. The 23-year-old was excellent with ball in hand as he finished with 89 metres gained after making a clean break which included five defenders beaten and three offloads.

14 Daniel Rona (Chiefs): The Chiefs were in a rampant mood against the Force in Hamilton and Rona delivered the goods with an outstanding attacking performance. Rona proved a handful to the visitors’ defence and eventually gained 44 metres after making nine runs which included three clean breaks, a couple of defenders beaten and he was rewarded with a hat-trick of tries. Josh Moorby (Hurricanes), Mark Tele’a (Blues) and Tim Ryan (Reds) also impressed.

13 Billy Proctor (Hurricanes): The Hurricanes’ stand-in skipper got the ball rolling against the Waratahs in Wellington when he scored the opening try after just three minutes and continued to shine as that game progressed. Proctor racked up 74 running metres from 12 carries with one clean break, our defender beaten and an offload. Meanwhile, the Brumbies’ Len Ikitau and Fijian Drua’s Iosefo Masi both impressed in their direct duel in Canberra.

12 Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs): After spending more than a year on the sidelines, the 24-year-old returned to action earlier this season and against the Force he displayed the form which made him an All Black. Tupaea shone on attack, gaining 38 metres from 15 runs which included a clean break, two defenders beaten and an offload while he was solid on defence, making six hits.

11 Caleb Clarke (Blues): Although he did not cross the whitewash in the Blues’ victory over the Rebels in Melbourne, Clarke was one of his team’s best players. He caught the eye with several barnstorming runs which left his opponents at sixes and sevens. Clarke’s attacking prowess saw him making 10 runs and he gained 73 metres which included one clean break and five defenders beaten. He comes in ahead of the Crusaders’ Sevu Reece.

10 Damian McKenzie (Chiefs): The All Blacks playmaker’s fine form continues as he was at the forefront of the Chiefs’ onslaught in a one-sided triumph against the Force. McKenzie’s attacking skills were superb as he ran for 54 metres after completing nine carries, three clean breaks and two defenders beaten. He also added 19 points courtesy of a try, four conversions and a couple of penalties. The Reds’ Lawson Creighton was next best.

9 Cortez Ratima (Chiefs): The 23-year-old has firmly established himself as the Chiefs’ first choice number nine and makes our team for the second successive week after a superb display against the Force. Ratima impressed with a slick service to his outside backs, astute decision making and he finished with three try assists. There were also fine showings from the Hurricanes’ TJ Perenara and the Highlanders’ Folau Fakatava.

The forwards

8 Harry Wilson (Reds): It was a momentous occasion for the Reds as they clinched their first victory over the Crusaders in Christchurch since 1999 and Wilson was one of the Brisbane-based outfit’s heroes as he delivered a fine all-round display. He was relentless on attack, gaining 48 metres from 15 carries, including one clean break and two defenders beaten, while he also shone defensively as he made 16 tackles. He beats out Meli Derenalagi of the Fijian Drua.

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7 Fraser McReight (Reds): Wilson’s fellow Wallaby, McReight, returned to action for the Reds after serving a two-match suspension and hit the ground running with an all-action performance. As usual, he was excellent at the breakdowns but also put in a huge defensive shift as he completed a match-high 22 tackles and scored a crucial try. There were also strong performances from Peter Lakai of the Hurricanes and Josh Kemeny of the Rebels.

6 Cullen Grace (Crusaders): Although he finished on the losing side to the Reds, Grace can be proud of his performance as he caught the eye with a strong showing either side of the ball. The All Blacks tearaway emptied the tank as a ball carrier as he gained 59 metres on attack from 12 runs which included one clean break, a defender beaten and an offload. He also made eight tackles on defence.

5 Josh Canham (Rebels): Although the Rebels were on the losing side against the Blues in Melbourne it was not through a lack of effort from Canham, who was one of his team’s better players. The 23-year-old was a valuable source of lineout possession and gained 33 attacking metres from 10 carries, including a clean break one defender beaten and an offload. However, his biggest impact was made on defence as he finished with 20 tackles made.

4 Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues): The Blues skipper has put his injury woes behind him as he produced a fine showing against the Rebels. Tuipulotu led by example as he was solid in the lineouts while he was a force with ball in hand as he finished with 49 metres gained after completing 14 carries and beat two defenders. He also shone on defence with nine hits made. In other action, Nick Frost played well for the Brumbies.

3 PJ Sheck (Blues): The young tighthead prop made his debut for the Blues in Melbourne and announced himself with a superb all-round performance. Sheck was strong on attack and made his mark by crossing for a try in the first half. He also held up his end in the scrums and put in a solid defensive effort as he made 10 hits and beats out the Brumbies’ Allan Alaalatoa.

2 Bradley Slater (Chiefs): This was a tough decision as Matt Faessler of the Reds and Ricky Riccitelli of the Blues also caught the eye with fine showings but Slater gets in as he edges both of them. The Chiefs hooker was solid on attack and was rewarded with a deserved try for his efforts while he also put in a huge defensive shift as he finished with a team-high 14 tackles made.

1 Peni Ravai (Reds): The experienced Fijian international gave a good account of himself during a 52-minute shift against the Crusaders in Christchurch. The 33-year-old stood up well in the scrums and was a willing ball carrier but made his biggest impact on defence and eventually made nine tackles. Meanwhile, Aidan Ross of the Chiefs also played well.