Super Rugby Pacific team of the week: Six Australians, eight Kiwis and one Samoan

Super Rugby Pacific kicked off for 2024 with the Chiefs defeating the Crusaders 33-29 on Friday night, followed by wins for the Brumbies and Hurricanes.

The Blues, Highlanders and Reds registered wins on Saturday as fans got the first look at new talent in the competition.

Six Australians, eight Kiwis and one Samoan made the cut for team of the week for their performances in round one.

Super Rugby Pacific team of the week for round one:

15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Highlanders)

In a round where all the New Zealand fullbacks starred, the Highlanders No 15 topped them all with a special performance to inspire his side to a win with two tries in his club debut. The former Blues outside back was a handful for Moana Pasifika every time he touched the ball with a knack of breaking first-up tackles and gaining extra metres. Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens was electric in round one but a real test awaits in week two with a grudge match with his old club the Blues in Super round, but for now, he can enjoy the hype after a brilliant showing.

14 Corey Toole (Brumbies)

Although he started on the left wing against the Rebels, it was hard to leave out the former Aussie 7s rep after his two try performance in Melbourne. Toole blazed the turf with untouchable speed twice in the opening twenty minutes, his first try was a piece of impressive skill with a chip and chase down a tight corridor. Whether Toole has the frame for higher honours with the Wallabies is unknown, but what is not debate is that his raw pace would be a real asset in space. He isn't the type of winger that the Wallabies tend to look at, but neither was Mack Hansen and look how that turned out.

13 Josh Flook (Reds)

It was a quiet opening week for centres across Super Rugby Pacific in terms of attacking production as wingers and fullbacks stole the headlines. Queensland's centre Flook put in a big defensive shift against the Waratahs making 10 tackles and shutting down the Tahs midfield pair. Izaia Perese was limited to just four running metres on five carries while inside centre Joey Walton made 24 metres on six carries, while neither had any line breaks. Despite only having four carries himself, the Reds centre had a key line break and try assist for flanker McReight which sealed the game.

12 Hunter Paisami (Reds)

The Reds' bruising midfielder stepped up with a solid outing in Brisbane in the 40-22 win over the Waratahs. He scored the opening try with a powerful carry close to the line, carrying a few defenders over with him. He managed to stop Wallaby centre Izaia Perese dead in his tracks twice with two big hits that set the tone early for the Reds. He was a workhorse in the Reds' attack, taking 17 carries and was integral to the set-piece launch used in tandem with No 8 Harry Wilson to bring some punch through the middle.

11 Caleb Clarke (Blues)

The All Black wing carried his pre-season form into round one as the Blues cruised to a 34-10 win over the Fijian Drua. He was typically strong with ball-in-hand with two line breaks, a try, eight defenders beaten and 92 running metres. All three of the Blues outside backs starred, with Mark Telea and Zarn Sullivan putting in solid performances along side Clarke.

10 Noah Lolesio (Brumbies)

The returning Wallaby flyhalf came with a point to prove against the Rebels and Carter Gordon. After a stint in France with Toulon, Lolesio played with confidence in a superior Brumbies side. His best play of the night was a switch play down the short side from a lineout maul. Rebels prop Sam Talakai was left isolated guarding the channel and Lolesio beat him around the outside before drawing the last man and finding winger Toole with a touch pass for a try. He kicked well early, landing his first four attempts at goal as the Brumbies racked up a 20-3 lead after 46 mins.