Super Rugby Team of the Week - Round 13

1. Steven Kitshoff

A tight call-up front with Highlanders loosehead Daniel Lienert-Brown coming close after he put in a massive shift in his side's win over the Lions but it's Steven Kitshoff who gets the nod in the end.

Kitshoff fronted up against a strong Chiefs pack and kept a clean sheet with 100 % scrum success, tackle success (9) and made a turnover.

2. Ricky Riccitelli

A busy 76 minutes for the Canes hooker as he made 10 carries and 9 tackles in his side's victory over the Blues.

Added to that he was a constant threat at ruck time and his side claimed all 20 of their lineouts. 

His performance sees him beat off Akker van der Merwe for the #2 jersey.

3. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen 

Toomaga-Allen furthered his claim for a call-up in June making 14 tackles without missing a single one.

The 27-year-old amazingly beat 5 defenders from 4 carries and one clean break. 

His stellar performance sees him beat South Africans' Thomas du Toit & Trevor Nyakane who both had massive games in their SA derby.

4. Brodie Retallick

The former World Rugby Player of the Year was superb against the Stormers as his side claimed a nail-biting 9-15 victory.

Retallick was rightfully named man of the match making 11 tackles, 7 carries and won 3 turnovers. 

The only player to come close to Brodie's performance was the Bulls RG Snyman. 

5. Tom Franklin

Franklin put in yet another stellar performance for the Highlanders against the Lions.

Franklin has been one of the Highlanders most consistent performers and this weekend was no different as he made 10 carries and 19 tackles - missing just one.

He also managed a single turnover which sees him beat off Pieter-Steph du Toit who made a big impact for the Stormers in a tight match against the Chiefs.

6. Michael Leitch

The Japan captain led his side to their first victory over Australian opposition as they thrashed the Reds 63-24.

Leitch made a handy 20 tackles and carried the ball 8 carries. He gained 22 running metres and beat 1 defender. 

Leitch beats Tom Cusack & Jacques Vermeulen to a spot in our Team of the Week. 

7. Ardie Savea

With Sam Cane rested this weekend Savea put his hand up to start in the black jersey this weekend with a sublime performance against the Blues.

Two try assists, 8 tackles, 7 carries and 2 defenders is prove that flanker is back to playing some of his best rugby which could see him start one of three tests against the French in June.

Savea had hot competition for the #7 jersey with Franco Mostert putting in a great all-around performance against the Highlanders, while Jean-Luc du Preez continued his sublime run of form against the Bulls.

Finally Savea opposite number who put in a massive 80 minute performance.

8. Gareth Evans

 

All eyes were fixed on Brad Shields on Friday but it was Evans who made the biggest impact.

His performance surely put him in contention to fill the vacant place the injured Kieran Read has left.

Evans 12 carries, 7 tackles and 1 turnover doesn't do his performance justice. 

He also brilliantly stole a lineout that led to try in the 60th minute.

Amanaki Mafi and Luke Whitelock have been mainstays in the Team of the Week and they both had great games once again.

9. TJ Perenara

A gaming changing appearance from the bench as the Hurricanes were trailing to the Blues.

The Hurricanes went from one point down to win the match 15-36 largely due to the All Black halfback's change in pace and attacking threat.

Kayne Hammington was close to claiming the #9 jersey taking full advantage of a rare start for the Highlanders.

10. Hayden Parker

The Sunwolves made history this weekend beating an Australian side for the first time and it was largely down to flyhalf's sublime game.

Parker scored an impressive 36 points converting all 12 of his attempted kicks at goal and dotted down for a try himself.

Sopoaga and McKenzie were close to taking the jersey off Parker but Parker was the winner in the end.

11. Taqele Naiyaravoro

Naiyaravoro was crucial to the Waratahs surge to a 29 point lead over the Crusaders.

He dotted down for yet another try, gained 91 running metres, beat 1 defenders and made 2 clean breaks.

Marika Koroibete's game against the Brumbies falls just short of Naiyavoro's performance.

12. Michael Little

Little is yet another Sunwolve to make the Team of the Week. The busy centre made 78 running metres beat 6 defenders and made 2 clean breaks.

He was also made 4 offloads, one of which saw him credited with a try assist. 

Damian de Allende & Teihorangi Walden both had strong games continuing their fine run of form.

13. Jesse Kriel

117 running metres, 6 defenders beaten, 5 clean breaks and 1 try assist sees Jesse Kriel beat Rob Thompson and Anton Lienert-Brown to the #13 jersey in arguably his best performances for the Bulls of the season.

In what could be have viewed as a battle for the Springbok jersey Kriel came out on top over Lukhanyo Am as the Bulls edged the Sharks 39-33.

14. Filipo Daugunu

The Reds may have shocked the Reds in one of the biggest results of the season. Daugunu was the Reds biggest weapons on attack making 168 running metres, beat 9 defenders, made 2 clean breaks and scored 1 try.

Highlanders all-time leading try scorer Waisake Naholo comes a close second to Daugunu.

15. George Bridge

Bridge's 164 metres gained was only bested by Daugunu this weekend. The flyer was key to the Crusaders superb comeback as he caused he tore the Waratahs defence apart.

He made 2 clean breaks and beat 4 defenders. South Africans' SP Marais & Warrick Gelant were close to making the team but Bridge gets the nod.