The Super Rugby season is really heating up, and it finally feels like some teams are starting to separate themselves from the pack. At the same time, players seem to be separating themselves too, as they begin to put their hands up for higher honours. I think this weekend there were plenty of players who did exactly that.
Regardless, we only have five spots we can hand out in this series, and we have nailed down the names for the list.
5. Caleb Tangitau (1 Point)
Tangitau is becoming a regular on this list as he continues to tear up the Super Rugby this season on the right wing for the Highlanders. He was once again this scintillating best on Friday against Moana Pasifika scoring another couple of tires on the season and did so while flashing all the skills that have people clamoring for him to become and All Black.
If he continues on this trajectory that mention from Dave Rennie about form being key to being selected, Tangitau is giving himself every chance to play the next level.
4. Caleb Clarke (2 Points)
The man who I think will be opposite Tangitau for the All Blacks is indeed the Blues outside back, Caleb Clarke. This weekend against the Drua, he showed just how classy he can be across the park, not just in terms of scoring tries, which of course he did, but in the other parts of his game that stood out.
He made tackles, forced turnovers, broke tackles and the defensive line, while also being secure in just about all other areas of his game, which is why he once again lands on the list.
3. Du’Plessis Kirifi (3 Points)
The Hurricanes have been one of the best sides in the competition, and they were finally able to bring back their co-captain and All Black openside, Du’Plessis Kirifi, who was one of the most dominant players on the park against the Reds.
He had his fingerprints all over this demolition of the Reds for the Hurricanes, and in trademark style was everywhere defensively. He made 22 from 22 tackles, while also generating a turnover to give his side more front foot ball.
What really stood out was how good Kirifi was with ball in hand, as he was barrelling over defenders and broke the most tackles in the game with seven. With Kirifi back in the fold, it makes plenty of sense that this Hurricanes side is only getting better.
2. Sid Harvey (4 Points)
Australian rugby must be feeling pretty good about things when their selectors laid their eyes on Sid Harvey’s performance on Friday night against the Brumbies. In what turned into one of the bigger upsets of the round, the 20 year old fullback stepped up on the Super Rugby stage and took over.
During their early onslaught, Harvey had a hand in Andrew Kellaway’s try, picking up a try assist with a draw and pass for their second five pointer. But it was the work he did off the tee in the final 20 minutes that stood out. After nailing his first three conversions, Harvey did the same with his penalties after the 60 minute mark. The first two attempts were difficult, and then there was the game sealing kick from in front that made it a two score game. Looking at the final result, missing any of those kicks would have been detrimental.
1. Fehi Fineanganofo (5 Points)
New Zealand rugby might have a new superstar on their hands in Hurricanes left winger Fehi Fineanganofo. In his second Super Rugby campaign, Fineanganofo has scored nine tries in seven games, with all of those coming in three separate hat-tricks, including one against the Reds this weekend.
He was everywhere this weekend, breaking lines and tackles, making him one of the toughest players on the park for the Reds to slow down. However, it was the other parts of his game that made this performance stand out. He made all the right reads defensively, whether that was under the high ball or coming into the line, which resulted in an intercept try in one instance and plenty of other strong moments on defence.
The biggest downside is that Fineanganofo has signed a two year deal with Newcastle after this Super Rugby season, which, unless something changes, will see him miss this World Cup cycle and likely leave him out of Dave Rennie’s immediate plans.
