NPC Team of the Week: Round Four
OPINION: In an incredible round of upsets, new leaders took the top spot on both tables and the old Log ‘O Wood changed hands.
A stunning start to the round as Waikato upset the capital’s applecart when they finally clicked and thrashed Wellington.
Waikato have threatened for short periods this year and they finally put together a 60-minute performance, coming off the boil in the final quarter to let in three tries.
But it was far too late as Waikato eased to a 43-31 victory.
Oh yeah, and Wellington prop Tolu Fahamokioa tried to punch a player in the balls.
Again, Canterbury looked shaky in the first half and were stunned by a Championship opponent.
However, their strong bench rescued them for the second week in a row, beating Manawatu 34-23.
Otago continued their resurgence on Friday afternoon, fighting off a spirited Northland.
The Taniwha took a trip to the deep South and after picking up a try either side of half time, held a solid lead.
But it was not to be and again Otago awoke in the final thirty, scoring 20 points to 6 and taking the match 27-23.
A very subdued Tasman looked stunned throughout their match in Auckland and couldn’t pick up any points after the very first try of the match.
Auckland were all power and enthusiasm as they commanded the breakdown and shocked Tasman into mistakes with their hard defensive line.
A Patrick Tuipulotu hat-trick in the first half and then said defence wiped the Makos off the park and left a celebrating Auckland the only unbeaten team in the competition, 36-10.
Southland started well but they lost again. I won’t bore you with the details, but they were thrashed by Counties Manukau 26-43.
The Battle of the Bays was an edge-of-the-seat affair 7 lead changes before Hawkes’ Bay finally snuck it on full time, 29-28, to take the top spot in the Championship race.
Sunday was a perfect afternoon for rugby, with Wellington running out their first string team after being shocked by Waikato earlier in the week.
Amazingly, Fahamokioa was on the bench, having escaped suspension for his impersonation of a boxer with a speed bag.
The hosts looked far more dangerous, but, through some extraordinary individual skill, North Harbour had them all tied up at 23-all with 15 minutes remaining.
However, the Lions asserted their dominance towards the end with Wes Goosen sliding through and bumping off defenders for a try before Jackson Garden-Bachop intercepted to put the finishing touches on, 35-23.
In the final match of the round, the Ranfurly Shield found new ownership after Waikato put on their second brilliant performance in a row.
The Mooloos also leapt up to second on the Championship ladder with a bonus point first half in which they blew their hosts off the park.
Taranaki found composure in the second stanza scoring twice in the first 10 minutes, but that was it, 19-33.
Next Week: Look out for North Harbour and Canterbury’s short turnaround week matches against each other on Wednesday and then Bay of Plenty and Auckland respectively on Sunday. Also, Waikato’s first Ranfurly Shield defence on Thursday against Hawkes’ Bay.
Team of the Week – Round Four:
15 – Wes Goosen (Wellington):
Showing exactly why Wellington looked toothless for much of their match against Waikato, Goosen returned versus North Harbour and tore them a new one.
Bubbling Under: Shaun Stevenson (North Harbour)
14 – Nigel Ah Wong (Counties Manukau):
Having played in two cities in Japan and Australia and still playing for the Brumbies, Ah Wong looks very comfortable with a variety of roles: Tackle breaker (5), distributor (11 passes, 3 offloads), try scorer (1), try assister (1) and breakdown thief (1).
Special mention to Ben Lam (Wellington), Regan Ware (Taranaki) and Jonah Lowe (Hawkes’ Bay).
Bubbling Under: Mitchell Scott (Otago)
13 – Rob Thompson (Manawatu):
Thompson is going from strength to strength and even when closely marked he makes metres and shrugs off defenders to put his wings into space.
Bubbling Under: Quinn Tupaea (Waikato)
12 – Dwayne Sweeney (Waikato):
It feels like Sweeney has been playing forever, but he is only 34. The old man of Waikato rugby belied his age as he tore through Taranaki’s defences to score in the second minute of the match.
Bubbling Under: Cardiff Vaega (Counties Manukau)
11 – Sevu Reece (Waikato):
There’s a reason why Reece is top spot in the race for the Duane Monkley medal.
Special mention to Jona Nareki (Otago) and Malo Tuitama (Wellington).
Bubbling Under: Tevita Nabura (Counties Manukau)
10 – Fletcher Smith (Waikato):
Brilliantly led his team around the paddock for two stunning upsets within 5 days.
Special mention to Brett Cameron (Canterbury)
Bubbling Under: Jackson Garden-Bachop (Wellington)
9 – Brad Weber (Hawkes’ Bay):
Putting his hand up high for the All Blacks’ selectors to notice.
Special mention to Te Aihe Toma (Counties Manukau)
Bubbling Under: Richard Judd (Bay of Plenty)
8 – Dylan Nel (Otago):
Showing consistency on both attack and defence, this big ball carrier is one to watch.
Special mention to Toa Halafihi (Taranaki) and Brice Henderson (Manawatu).
Bubbling Under: Akira Ioane (Auckland)
7 – Mitchell Jacobson (Waikato):
Two gigantic defensive efforts within a week. His brother might be getting more recognition right now, but don’t be surprised if they both turn up on centre stage in the near future.
Bubbling Under: Naulia Dawai (Otago)
6 – Mitchell Crosswell (Taranaki):
Led his side’s defensive stats with 13 tackles, none missed and 2 great line-out steals. But it was his offence that really stood out, with 15 carries, 79 metres, 5 defenders beaten and some fantastic link play.
Bubbling Under: Matt Va’a (Counties Manukau)
5 – Mitchell Dunshea (Canterbury):
A steal in the air and one on the ground. Dunshea has picked up from last season and is well into his work with some tight carries and big defence.
Special mention to Isaia Walker-Leawere (Wellington) and James Tucker (Waikato).
Bubbling Under: Baden Wardlaw (Bay of Plenty)
4 – Patrick Tuipulotu (Auckland):
Part of an enormously busy tight 5, Tuipulotu celebrated his return to rugby with a hat-trick. Let the national selectors take note.
Bubbling Under: Jarrad Hoeata (Taranaki)
3 – Kalolo Tuiloma (Counties Manukau):
Destroyed both the Stags’ scrum and defensive line with his giant frame and just as giant determination.
Bubbling Under: Ropate Rinakama (Northland)
2 – Robbie Abel (Auckland):
Along with a perfect line-out, Abel was also a tyro at the breakdown with 3 turnovers and part of a monster scrum.
If it wasn’t for his line-out throwing, Asafo Aumua (Wellington) may have taken this spot.
Bubbling Under: Samisoni Taukei’aho (Waikato)
1 – Sam Prattley (Auckland):
Giant scrummaging performance against the best scrum in the competition and a very handy work rate shifting bodies and carrying in the tight.
Bubbling Under: Solomona Sakalia (Bay of Plenty)
Team of the Week – Round Three: 15 Wes Goosen (Wellington), 14 Ben Lam (Wellington), 13 Rob Thompson (Manawatu), 12 Teihorangi Walden (Taranaki), 11 Jona Nareki (Otago), 10 Mitch Hunt (Tasman), 9 Te Toirua Tahuriorangi (Taranaki), 8 Akira Ioane (Auckland), 7 Mitch Karpik (Bay of Plenty), 6 Dalton Papali’i (Auckland), 5 Jack Whetton (Auckland), 4 Luke Romano (Canterbury), 3 Angus Ta’avao (Taranaki), 2 Asafo Aumua (Wellington), 1 Reuben O’Neill (Taranaki).
Team of the Week – Round Two: 15 Will Jordan (Tasman), 14 Melani Nanai (Auckland), 13 Rob Thompson (Manawatu), 12 Thomas Umaga-Jensen (Wellington), 11 Manasa Mataele (Taranaki), 10 Matthew Lansdown (Waikato), 9 Brad Weber (Hawkes’ Bay), 8 Sam Henwood (Counties Manukau), 7 Mitch Karpik (Bay of Plenty), 6 Liam Mitchell (Manawatu), 5 Ben Nee Nee (North Harbour), 4 Luke Romano (Canterbury), 3 Angus Ta’avao (Taranaki), 2 Ash Dixon (Hawkes’ Bay), 1 Ross Wright (Northland).
Team of the Week – Round One: 15 Shaun Stephenson (North Harbour), 14 Seta Tamanivalu (Taranaki), 13 Levi Aumua (Tasman), 12 Matthew Johnson (Southland), 11 Rene Ranger (Northland), 10 Jackson Garden-Bachop (Wellington), 9 Richard Judd (Bay of Plenty), 8 Akira Ioane (Auckland), 7 Lachlan Boshier (Taranaki), 6 Ethan Blackadder (Tasman), 5 Aaron Carroll (Bay of Plenty), 4 Quinton Strange (Tasman), 3 Marco Fepulea’i (Auckland), 2 Andrew Makalio (Tasman), 1 Wyatt Crockett (Tasman).
Team of the Tournament – 2017: 15 George Bridge (Canterbury), 14 Monty Ioane (Bay of Plenty), 13 Seta Tamanivalu (Taranaki), 12 Jack Goodhue (Northland), 11 Tevita Li (North Harbour), 10 Richie Mo’unga (Canterbury), 9 Mitchell Drummond (Canterbury), 8 Toa Halafihi (Taranaki), 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi (Wellington), 6 Tom Sanders (Canterbury), 5 Jimmy Tupou (Counties Manukau), 4 Mitchell Dunshea (Canterbury), 3 Alex Fidow (Wellington), 2 Asafo Aumua(Wellington), 1 Ross Wright (Northland).
By Richard Neal
