What another exciting round of Super Rugby we have just witnessed, as it had just about a little bit of everything. Within that action, there were plenty of standout performers, and we once again have our list of the top five players from across the weekend.
5. Xavi Taele (1 Point)
The Blues had a quite tough first half at home against Moana Pasifika, which certainly wasn’t on the menu for Vern Cotter’s side coming off a dominant win against the Crusaders only a week prior. One of the few players who performed solidly for 70 minutes was their young, high profile midfielder, Xavi Taele.
Still very young in his professional career, there has been plenty of excitement surrounding Taele as he is finally being given the chance at Super Rugby level to show his quality. He was everywhere for the Blues, which is a statement that exemplifies his skillset, being able to kick, run, pass, and defend to the highest order. He made plenty of tackles, had multiple carries on the day, and beat defenders for fun.
4. Devan Flanders (2 Points)
Devan Flanders has quickly become one of the best blindside flankers in the country, and I would not be surprised if I start hearing calls for him to be in a Dave Rennie All Blacks side very soon.
He is a powerful and athletic ball runner who constantly causes issues for opposing defenses, while also being a strong lineout option and a very physical defender.
This weekend against the Force, he was the star of the show for the Canes, turning up in front of the crowd he calls home at McLean Park in Hawke’s Bay. Flanders topped the game with 15 carries while also leading the match in metres gained, showing he gets on the ball plenty, and when he does, it generally results in a major positive for his team. Beyond just volume, Flanders also managed to score a try on his home turf, which was certainly the icing on the cake for his massive performance on Friday night.
3. Ilaisa Droasese (3 Points)
Okay, the Fijian Drua are just unstoppable at home, and the fact Moana Pasifika were able to get that opening-round win is a major feather in their cap, regardless of the rest of the season.
For the Brumbies, they were outworked, outshone, and outclassed by a Drua side who, as soon as they are in front of the home crowd, are seemingly one of the best outfits in the competition. Once again, I would love to give the points to the whole team, but for me, the individual who stuck out the most was their dynamic fullback, Ilaisa Droasese. From the backfield, he is their talisman and the man who sparks his team. With the ball in hand, few are better than Droasese, who almost brought up 100 metres on the day and also crossed the line on two separate occasions in yet another massive win for the Drua.
2. Codemeru Vai (4 Points)
Staying with the theme of outside backs, the Blues have seemingly found another one to add to their depth chart in Codemeru Vai. Across plenty of channels here at betcha, we have spoken about Vai as one to watch, and once again this weekend, when given the chance for another start, he was nothing short of phenomenal.
Vai is an uber-athletic player with the ability to beat defenders in a heartbeat, while also ensuring he does his core roles well. So far in a Blues jersey, Vai is yet to put a foot wrong, and this weekend proved why he could be a long-term answer opposite Caleb Clarke. In scintillating fashion, Vai led the game in both line breaks and carry metres, while also producing some great moments of class when setting up others. While he was certainly busy doing plenty of work for his side, Vai once again found himself on the score sheet in what proved to be a blowout win against Moana Pasifika.
1. Will Jordan (5 Points)
Class is permanent, and no doubt the Crusaders superstar fullback, Will Jordan, has plenty of it when it comes to attacking footy. Jordan, as we all know, has been one of the best, if not the best, outside backs of the last five years in world rugby, though last year he had somewhat of a down period in the black jersey.
For me, I questioned whether Jordan was a 15 at international level and thought his skillset might be better on the wing. That is still something I believe he will need to show this season, but in Super Rugby, there is no doubt he can dominate from fullback.
As stand-in captain, everything he touched turned to gold, creating plenty of go forward with a game high 17 carries, slipping through eight tackles, and also leading the game in line breaks, ensuring his team had every opportunity to generate points.
To round it all off, after leading his team around the park, Jordan did what Will Jordan does and, of course, dotted down for yet another try in Crusaders red.
