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Five of the best: The top five performers in round eight of Super Rugby Aotearoa
By Alex McLeod
There is just a fortnight remaining in Super Rugby Aotearoa, and, with one win separating them from the title, it's fair to say the competition is the Crusaders' for the taking.
The back-to-back-to-back reigning Super Rugby titleholders have set themselves up in a handy position leading into next week's South Island derby with the Highlanders in Christchurch following their 32-19 win over the Chiefs on Saturday.
All Scott Robertson's men need is a win against their southern rivals to seal the Kiwi domestic league, which would come as a devastating blow for the Blues.
After almost a decade of underachievement, the Aucklanders have impressed all season long under the guidance of Leon MacDonald, with Sunday's 32-21 victory over the Highlanders in Dunedin highlighting their immense physicality up front.
That win keeps them just two point adrift from the Crusaders at the summit of the table, but with a bye week looming, the Blues will be relying on the Highlanders to produce a monumental upset and win at Orangetheory Stadium in six days' time.
With all that in mind, here are the five best performers from round eight of Super Rugby Aotearoa.
Akira Ioane (Blues)
The key to the Blues' win over the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium was their bruising defence, of which only allowed two tries despite an attacking onslaught by the hosts towards the end of the match.
It wasn't only on the opposite side of the ball where the Blues shone, though - the silky, efficient play in the backline was complemented by the physicality shown in the forwards.
Patrick Tuipulotu and Ofa Tu'ungafasi were among the stars who led from the front for the visitors, but none shone brighter than man-of-the-match Akira Ioane, whose profile as a potential All Blacks candidate continues to rise.
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Go to commentsYes that’s what WR needs to look at. Football had the same problem with european powerhouses getting all the latin talent then you’re gaurenteed to get the odd late bloomer (21/22 etc, all the best footballers can play for the country much younger to get locked) star changing his allegiance.
They used youth rep selection for locking national elifibilty at one point etc. Then later only counted residency after the age of 18 (make clubs/nations like in this case wait even longer).
That’s what I’m talking about, not changing allegiance in rugby (were it can only be captured by the senior side), where it is still the senior side. Oh yeah, good point about CJ, so in most cases we probably want kids to be able to switch allegiance, were say someone like Lemoto could rep Tonga (if he wasn’t so good) but still play for Australia’s seniors, while in someone like Kite’s (the last aussie kid to go to France) case he’ll be French qualified via 5 years residency at the age of 21, so France to lock him up before Aussie even get a chance to select him. But if we use footballs regulations, who I’m suggesting WR need to get their a into g replicating, he would only start his 5 years once he turns 18 or whatever, meaning 23 yo is as soon as anyone can switch, and when if they’re good enough teams like NZ and Aus can select them (France don’t give a f, they select anybody just to lock them).
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