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Five-stars: The five top performers from round five of Super Rugby Aotearoa
By Alex McLeod
Another round of Super Rugby Aotearoa has blitzed by us, but the weekend's results has provided a clear indication of which side is in the driver's seat to take out the inaugural Kiwi title.
The Crusaders' 26-15 victory over the Blues in Christchurch on Saturday proved the 10-time Super Rugby champions are still the team to beat as they won the battle of the competition's two undefeated sides.
The results puts them six points clear of the Blues heading into their bye week, while the Aucklanders will need to regather themselves ahead of what's set to be an intriguing clash against the Hurricanes in Wellington.
Leon MacDonald's men can expect a much sterner contest than what they faced at the beginning of last month, as the Hurricanes continued to bounce back from a winless start to their campaign with a 17-11 win against the Highlanders on Sunday.
A number of Jason Holland's key men stood up in that fixture, which helped propel them to third spot on the table as we head into the second half of the league.
So, with all that in mind, here are the top five players from round five of Super Rugby Aotearoa.
Richie Mo'unga (Crusaders)
It's difficult to imagine the Crusaders winning their highly-anticipated bout with the Blues on the weekend without the services of Richie Mo'unga at their disposal in the No. 10 jersey.
So good was the 26-year-old that many are pleading his case to remain the All Blacks first-five ahead of Beauden Barrett, who he certainly outshone at Orangetheory Stadium.
Mo'unga brought plenty of heat to a match that was played in cold conditions, with his affluence with ball in hand reaping statistics that read a match-high 62 running metres, eight defenders beaten, one clean break, one offload and a try assist.
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Latest Comments
Ben Smith. My Man! So glad this is only "opinion piece". I was Reading the headline and straight away assumed you meant a 2 horse race between Pieter and Cheslin. There was no way you you meant Caelan.
Cheslin is not only the most exciting winger of this generation, but also a multi disciplined performer, Defence, Lineouts, Conversions and scrumming. LOL. He can do it all. He can put players twice his size on there rear ends and side step at full pace around on coming traffic on a penny.
I will also note that there has been since 2009 till 2017 only NZ winners bar the great one Thierry Dusautoir for France in 2011. And this was because they were the best team in the world winning back to back world cups, also having the best players at that time nominated. Never before has there been more than 2 players from the same country nominated for the award, but this year there was 3 from SA. All Dbl World Cup winning Players.
No one has been so put out about who was nominated in earlier awards, but for some reason you are.
I am thankful that its not up to you to decide on the "token" choices. (Rather lets not use that language again). The world chose the players and lets leave it there.
I don't Blame Rugby Pass for allowing this to print, but there should have been some profound editing on this.
Thanks for your opinion, But maybe lets keep it that just yours not anyone else's.
Go to commentsIf OZ are to regain their lost credibility they now need to tip up the Irish or at least run them close. Can't see that happening even though miracles occasionally occur
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