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![\"Dalton](\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/20\/06\/768x432\/skysports-rugby-dalton-papalii_5025139.jpg?20200628190256\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\nThere were a host of standout performances as Super Rugby Aotearoa produced another round of gripping matches.<\/p>\n
The Blues made it three wins from three with a nail-biting victory over the Highlanders at Eden Park while the Crusaders maintained their 100 per cent start by beating the winless Chiefs in Christchurch.<\/p>\n
15. Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)<\/strong><\/p>\n McKenzie was the outstanding Chief on show in Christchurch, displaying excellent handling and footwork in slick conditions.<\/p>\n The miscalculation in the air which led to the Crusaders’ first try was the one negative from a dazzling display where he asked serious questions of the home defence.<\/p>\n McKenzie was superb under the high ball and a constant threat with ball in hand, beating four defenders and making 61 metres, while he was successful with three of his four shots at goal.<\/p>\n 14. Sevu Reece (Crusaders)<\/strong><\/p>\n Two moments of opportunism from the All Black resulted in two tries for his full-back. Reece beat McKenzie in the air in the lead-up to the opening try, tearing downfield and drawing the last two defenders before putting Will Jordan over.<\/p>\n The Fiji-born wing was busy throughout and looked to capitalise on Chiefs’ handling errors, while his quickly-taken lineout sent Jordan over for the Crusaders’ crucial second try.<\/p>\n 13. Jack Goodhue (Crusaders)<\/strong><\/p>\n Goodhue was given little opportunity to show his quality in attack but made up for that with a supreme defensive performance.<\/p>\n The centre made 13 tackles, the most of any Crusaders back, and his line speed forced the Chiefs down cul-de-sacs.<\/p>\n 12. Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs)<\/strong><\/p>\n Lienert-Brown shipped a huge tackle from Cullen Grace during the first half but never shirked his defensive duties, which allowed Aaron Cruden and McKenzie to prosper.<\/p>\n He made seven tackles, missing none, while also showing some deft touches in attack.<\/p>\n 11. Caleb Clarke (Blues)<\/strong><\/p>\n Clarke lost his Grandfather an hour before kick-off and put in a wonderful performance to honour him.<\/p>\n The 21-year-old played with plenty of emotion, scoring a try and creating another for Rieko Ioane.<\/p>\n Fully deserved his man-of-the-match award on a sad day for the Clarke family.<\/p>\n 10. Otere Black (Blues)<\/strong><\/p>\n Aaron Cruden was excellent for the Chiefs on Sunday but the No 10 shirt goes to Blues fly-half Black, whose influence continues to grow.<\/p>\n Black’s name didn’t crop up too often after the signings of legendary fly-halves Beauden Barrett and Dan Carter but he has risen to the challenge.<\/p>\n 9. Aaron Smith (Highlanders)<\/strong><\/p>\n Two try assists for the All Blacks scrum-half, whose crisp and precise passing was up to his usual high standards.<\/p>\n Smith kept the tempo high and was outstanding during the second half as the Highlanders came from 12 points down to threaten an unlikely victory.<\/p>\n 1. Joe Moody (Crusaders)<\/strong><\/p>\n Moody had the edge on All Blacks team-mate Nepo Laulala at scrum time and forced an early penalty that led to the opening points of the game.<\/p>\n The Crusaders scrum was on top throughout and Moody was central to their dominance, with Laulala’s head popping up during the second half after coming under pressure from the loosehead.<\/p>\n 2. Codie Taylor (Crusaders)<\/strong><\/p>\n The set piece was always going to be crucial once the heavens opened in Christchurch and Crusaders captain Taylor was faultless in this area.<\/p>\n He formed part of a strong scrummaging unit but it was at the lineout where he really excelled, finding a team-mate with all but one of his 13 throws.<\/p>\n Taylor was also effective in the loose, making 13 tackles and racking up 27 metres from five carries as he deservedly picked up the man-of-the-match award.<\/p>\n 3. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Blues)<\/strong><\/p>\n The Blues were 100 per cent on their own scrum on Friday night, with Tu’ungafasi rock-solid at tighthead.<\/p>\n The 28-year-old also produced an eye-watering tackle on Sam Gilbert, which served a warning to any other Highlanders who had notions of running down his channel.<\/p>\n 4. Sam Whitelock (Crusaders)<\/strong><\/p>\n A man for all conditions, Whitelock thrived in the Christchurch rain and produced a masterclass at the lineout.<\/p>\n The two-time World Cup winner often called to himself, claiming five of Codie Taylor’s throws, while he also made an excellent steal on the hour mark as the Chiefs threatened a comeback.<\/p>\n His work in the tight was also notable, making nine tackles and winning a defensive turnover, and negated the Chiefs’ maul.<\/p>\n 5. Josh Dickson (Highlanders)<\/strong><\/p>\n Another outstanding lineout performer, Dickson won five throws and stole two more as the Highlanders fell agonisingly short at Eden Park.<\/p>\n The 25-year-old also worked his socks off in defence in an eye-catching display.<\/p>\n 6. Cullen Grace (Crusaders)<\/strong><\/p>\n New Zealand has unearthed another world-class back rower in the 20-year-old Crusader.<\/p>\n Grace was simply brilliant against the Chiefs, getting through 19 tackles which included bone-crunching hits on Anton Lienert-Brown and Sean Wainui.<\/p>\n He appears to thrive on the battle up front and could soon become a permanent fixture in the Crusaders pack.<\/p>\n 7. Dalton Papali’i (Blues)<\/strong><\/p>\n Papali’I bagged a try in each half against the Highlanders as they made it three wins on the trot.<\/p>\n He was in the right place to profit from Hoskins Sotutu’s charge down during the first half and grabbed a second try on 57 minutes from a driving lineout.<\/p>\n Nine tackles, nine carries, two line breaks and two meat pies. A good day at the office for the New Zealand international.<\/p>\n 8. Hoskins Sotutu (Blues)<\/strong><\/p>\n There was a great battle between Sotutu and opposite number Marino Mikaele Tu’u and it was hard to separate them.<\/p>\n In the end we’ve gone with the Blue on the back of his defensive performance, while he also contributed with some deft touches in attack.<\/p>\n Sotutu made 11 tackles, won three lineouts and blocked Scott Gregory’s attempted clearance, which resulted in a try for his back row partner Papali’i.<\/p>\n Tags:<\/b> Sky Sports<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\n\n![\"Damian](\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/20\/06\/768x432\/skysports-rugby-damian-mckenzie_5024655.jpg?20200628091046\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\nDamian McKenzie is closed down by All Blacks team-mate Jack Goodhue<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"Otere](\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/20\/06\/768x432\/skysports-rugby-otere-black_5024824.jpg?20200628132935\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\nOtere Black impressed again for the Blues<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"Codie](\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/20\/06\/768x432\/skysports-rugby-codie-taylor_5025134.jpg?20200628185449\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\nCodie Taylor delivered a captain’s performance<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"Sam](\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/20\/06\/768x432\/skysports-rugby-sam-whitelock_5025135.jpg?20200628185714\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\nSam Whitelock dominated the Christchurch skies<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nSummary: <\/strong>
Watch Round 4 of Super Rugby Aotearoa live on Sky Sports Action, with Highlanders vs Crusaders on Saturday from 7.30am and Chiefs vs Hurricanes on Sunday from 4am
See Campaign: <\/strong>https:\/\/www.skysports.com\/rugby-union\/news\/12321\/12015778\/blues-27-24-highlanders-blues-continue-winning-streak<\/a>
Contact Information:<\/b>
Sky Sports<\/p>\n
<\/a>, Wire<\/a>, United States<\/a>, English<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Dalton Papali’i produced a two-try display against the Highlanders There were a host of standout performances as Super Rugby Aotearoa produced another round of gripping matches. The Blues made it three wins from three with a nail-biting victory over the Highlanders at Eden Park while the Crusaders maintained their 100 per cent start by beating … Continue reading Super Rugby Aotearoa team of the week: Ten All Blacks selected from round three<\/span><\/a> Continue Reading