FOX SPORTS’ SUPER RUGBY TEAM OF THE WEEK: ROUND 10
1. Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks): The Beast was just that in defence making more tackles than any other prop with 10, he ran the ball six times making a season high 34 metres during the most game time (78 minutes) he has played since Week 1 2014.
2. James Hanson (Reds:): Completed 94% of his 18 lineout throws with the only loss coming via a jump error, was one of two hookers to play the full 80 minutes in which he equally led hookers in runs (9) and tackle busts (4) while making the most run metres by a hooker with 49.
3. Charlie Faumuina (Blues): Came off the bench six minutes into the second half and made a huge impact in attack running the ball eight times for a prop high 55 metres, making the only linebreak by a prop and busting two tackles.
4. Will Skelton (Waratahs): Scored his first Super Rugby try on the weekend and a career high 2 linebreaks in his seven runs for 63 metres and three tackle busts, defensively he made a season high 12 tackles.
5. Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues): Crossed for his first try of the season while making a linebreak, busting six tackles and running ball seven times for 52 metres and not missing a tackle on defence.
6. Jordan Taufua (Crusaders): For the first time in his Super Rugby career Taufua cracked the hundred run metre mark finishing with a game high 126 metres from eight runs which included a linebreak. Didn’t miss a tackle in defence and won his side a pilfer at the breakdown.
7. Ardie Savea (Hurricanes): Was everywhere against the Waratahs in both attack and defence making a linebreak, try assist and linebreak assist plus running the ball ten times for 67 metres, offloading the ball twice and busting three tackles. On the defensive side the younger Savea made eleven tackles and won his side a pilfer and forced a penalty at ruck and maul time.
8. Ben McCalman (Force): Made a competition high 18 runs and six offloads in Week 10, ran the ball for over a hundred metres for the first time in his Super Rugby career (109), made seven tackle busts and a linebreak. Won a team high four lineouts and didn’t miss a tackle in his nine attempts.
9. Nic Stirzaker (Rebels): Was the only halfback in Week 10 to have two linebreaks, Stirzaker had a field day against the inexperienced Brumbies scrumhalves running for 63 metres, busting three tackles and assisting a try in the Rebels win.
10. Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes): His 213 run metres were the most in a Super Rugby game since 2009, these metres came from a game high 16 runs which included a try and seven tackle busts. He also assisted a try and scored nine points in total.
11. James O’Connor (Reds): The Reds winger was the attacking focal point in the win against the Cheetahs, assisting both of the tries and a linebreak as well as making a linebreak himself. JOC ran the ball nine times for a team high 99 run metres busting three tackles and offloading the ball once.
12. Ma’a Nonu (Hurricanes): Had a hand in four linebreaks against the Waratahs; assisting two and making two himself, busted an equal week high nine tackles from nine runs for 92 metres and two offloads.
13. Johan Sadie (Cheetahs): Was the only player in Week 10 to make three linebreaks, which was a career high, busted four tackles and ran for 80 metres in the loss to the Reds.
14. Waisake Naholo (Highlanders): Has now scored a try in his last three Super Rugby games and is looking to become just the second Highlander since 2001 to score in four consecutive games. Had a try assist, two linebreaks and three tackle busts from a team-high nine runs and run metres (99).
15. Nehe Milner-Skudder (Hurricanes): There’s just no stopping this 24-year old rookie, made his ninth and tenth linebreak of the season over the weekend and has made a linebreak in each of his six career games, assisted two other linebreaks and ran for over a hundred metres (119) for the third time this season. Busted a season high seven tackles and made an offload from his seven runs.
Honourable mentions must go to …
Flanker — Marcell Coetzee (Sharks): Had team high runs (13) and run metres (73), scored a try, made a linebreak, broke seven tackles with three offloads, secured two pilfers and forced a penalty at the ruck.
Wing — Peter Betham (Waratahs): 2 tries, 1 linebreak, nine runs for 87 metres with three tackle busts.
Wing — Ryno Benjamin (Cheetahs): 1 try, 2 try assists, four tackle busts and a game high 130 run metres.
Centre — George Moala (Blues): Scored a try, made two linebreaks, busted nine tackles and ran for a game high 135 metres.
Fullback — Israel Folau (Waratahs): Scored a try, made two linebreaks and assisted another, ran the ball for 102 metres busting five tackles and offloading three times.