Super Rugby Round 13: Team of the Week & More

Man of the Match

Crusaders vs Reds                              Colin Slade
Rebels vs Blues                                   Jordy Reid
Hurricanes vs Sharks                           Conrad Smith
Force vs Waratahs                               Matt Hodgson
Lions vs Highlanders                          Jaco Kriel
Stormers vs Brumbies                         Demetri Catrakilis


Team of the Week

15 Ben Smith, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Dan Carter, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Matt Hodgson, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

Best of the Week

Best Game:
The Lions comeback to beat the Highlanders was exciting, the Force showed admirable grit and determination to defeat the Waratahs (albeit in a game of lower skill all round), and the Rebels again showed wonderful nous and some skill to beat the Blues, but the best game of Round 13 was the opening game of the weekend, where the Crusaders skilful demolition of the hapless Reds provided superb rugby and brilliant tries.

Team Performance:
Crusaders

Player:
Colin Slade

Back:
Conrad Smith

Forward: 
Matt Hodgson

Tries:

Team tries:
Three Crusaders tries against the Reds were magnificent team efforts – scored by Andy Ellis (2^nd minute), Colin Slade (17^th minute), and Matt Todd (58^th minute). Slade’s try was perhaps the best of them, featuring perfectly timed passing between Slade and Dan Carter, and each running perfect angles.

Individual tries:
Taqele Naiyaravoro’s impersonation of the legendary Jonah Lomu for his try (52^nd minute) for the Waratahs vs Force was spectacular and deserves viewing for those who haven’t seen it, even though it came from woeful defence. Sam Whitelock’s long run for his Crusaders try (55^th minute) against the Reds was a gem too.