ABs Players Of The Week (Bledisloe Test Two)

And just like that the ABs have swept the Wallabies in what can be described as a drubbing across the 160 minutes of footy.

With that there were so many names that jump out as the best on the park from the Sydney test and no doubt its time for us to give those players their flowers.

1 Point – Wallace Sititi

Off the top, Wallace Sititi continues to be in fine form in the back end of this international season and, when given opportunities, has been making the most of them. He is showing off his qualities as a powerful athlete who is dangerous with ball in hand. That’s what this side needs from their number 8 when Ardie Savea is out injured.

Safe to say, Sititi has been working his way into the good books of New Zealand rugby fans.

2 Points – Fabian Holland

After being snubbed for the first Bledisloe Cup Test, Fabian Holland was given the chance to start in the engine room. Once again, he did what he has done in a black jersey since getting his opportunity last season.

Holland was immense in the contact area, made a mountain of tackles, carried well and, of course, offered his skills at lineout time. For mine, his shift on the weekend showed why many describe him as a starting-quality lock in this set-up.

3 Points – Damian Mckenzie

Another quality performance from McKenzie, who was given another opportunity to start in the pivot role this weekend and certainly made the most of it. There’s no doubt the pace of the game between these two sides suits the way McKenzie operates, but you still have to go out there and perform. He has done that in the last two games and could cause some major headaches during the end-of-year tour.

4 Points – Beauden Barrett

These last two games from Beauden Barrett have been flat-out special. One of the all-time greats, now certainly in the twilight of his career, has managed to string together 160 minutes of quality play. In the Sydney Test, he was borderline elite.

Barrett made so many good decisions, constantly pressing the right buttons, and, of course, scored that vintage runaway try in the first half with his trademark celebration.

5 Points – Peter Lakai

I’m beginning to run out of adjectives to describe Peter Lakai’s play in the black jersey. For mine, he’s certainly entering the conversation as a world-class player, not just in one position but across all three loose-forward positions.

His combination of game-breaking ability and a red-hot motor is something you don’t see every day, and Lakai showed that all game long against the Wallabies. For mine, he continues to cement himself as one of the first names on the team sheet at selection time, and might even be the best flanker in the country.

Leaderboard After Five Tests:

1st Peter Lakai 18
2nd Will Jordan 17
3rd Jordie Barrett 15
3rd Cam Roigard 15
5th Ardie Savea 13
6th Asafo Aumua 7
7th Damian Mckenzie 6
8th Leroy Carter 5
8th Ruben Love 5
8th Quinn Tupaea 5
8th Fabian Holland 5
8th Wallace Sititi 5
13th Josh Moorby 4
13th Beauden Barrett 4
15th Ethan Blackadder 3
16th Tupou Vaa’i 2
16th George Bower 2
18th Anton Segner 1