Super Rugby Players Of Round 13

Josh Moorby – 1 Point

The Hurricanes juggernaut continued on Saturday, thumping Moana Pasifika by 33 points, and Josh Moorby was at the heart of a lot of their highlights on attack. The winger finished with four tries, and it was clear from the outset that he was in for a big night, dotting down inside the opening 15 minutes before recording his second, as he showed good pace to finish off a long-range try for the Canes. A few Hurricanes backs could have picked up points this week, but Moorby continued to provide impact throughout the 80 minutes and he saved his best play for last, inserting himself at first receiver, showing a dummy and then putting on a left-foot step to slice through the hosts’ defence for his fourth try of the night in a clinical showing from the winger.

Wallace Sititi – 2 Points

The Chiefs were made to work hard for their win in Brisbane, with a big effort from their pack getting them home in a 31-21 victory. Wallace Sititi was the star of the forwards, producing a stack of work and recording another tireless performance, as he tallied up team-highs in both carries (14) and tackles (21). It was a helluva performance from the All Black No.8 in his first full 80 minutes since returning from his hamstring injury, with some of his carries making real dents in the hosts’ defence, and he added two tries to boot, first running a good line to barge over from close range before putting the game out of the Reds’ reach in the 79th minute by bolting over the chalk off the back of the scrum.

Timoci Tavatavanawai – 3 Points

Timoci Tavatavanawai produced a massive 80-minute shift for the Highlanders to lift them past the Waratahs and keep their top six dreams alive. Typically known for his bulldozing carries on attack and big hits on defence, the two-test All Black showed all that and more in a stellar performance on Saturday. His 12 carries led the way for the Landers, beating six defenders in the process, and he was rock-solid defensively in the midfield, with 12 tackles, not including a huge hit on Teddy Wilson while the clock was off. However, his most important contributions came in the final 15 minutes, this time at the breakdown. First, the big midfielder got over the ball with the Waratahs hot on attack, just metres out from the hosts’ line, to win a crucial penalty. Then, in the dying moments of the game, New South Wales found themselves on attack again, with the chance to win the game by mounting an attack from their own territory. Tavatavanawai, though, had other ideas, winning another huge breakdown penalty to seal the win.

Ryan Lonergan – 4 Points

Ryan Lonergan has been among the Brumbies’ best players all season but he was on another level on Saturday night to get his team the win over the Force. It was expected to be a tight battle in the Australian capital but Lonergan ensured that his team was firing on all cylinders, providing quick ball, accurate box kicks and a running game that constantly kept the visitors guessing. His goal kicking was just another contributor to the win, slotting a long-range penalty goal and a sideline conversion to keep the pressure on the Force, and he showed off his ability to get involved in tight too, winning a ruck turnover to cap off a stellar night.

Leicester Fainga’anuku – 5 Points

It was just his third game starting at openside flanker but Leicester Finaga’anuku again proved that he is more than capable of excelling in the loosies, guiding the Crusaders to a 36-20 triumph against the Blues. His fingerprints were all over this game, and the #7 on his back seemed to be merely the jersey that he was handed in the changing room, as he appeared in tight, out wide, at first receiver and everywhere else you could imagine to dominate proceedings. He was the provider of a deft inside ball for George Bower for the opening try of the game, then won a breakdown penalty before providing a chip over the defence for Jamie Hannah to collect for the second try of the evening. His kicking game was on display again in the second half, dinking a grubber through for Sevu Reece to pounce on for a try, and with 15 tackles, 11 carries and a slew of ruck turnovers to boot, there was no question who to award the five points to this week.

Leaderboard After Week 13

1st Fehi Fineanganofo 15
2nd Leicester Fainga’anuku 11
3rd Cam Roigard 10
T-4th Callum Harkin 8
T-4th Fraser McReight 8
6th Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens 7
7th Caleb Clarke 6
T-8th Billy Proctor 5
T-8th Miracle Faiʻilagi 5
T-8th Taha Kemara 5
T-8th Will Jordan 5