10. Ardie Savea (down 1)
9. TJ Perenara (down 1)
8. Jordie Barrett (up 2)
7. George Bridge (no change)
6. Rieko Ioane (no change)
5. Shannon Frizell (no change)
4. Dalton Papalii (no change)
3. Patrick Tuipulotu (no change)
2. Richie Mo'unga (no change)
1. Aaron Smith (no change)
Aaron Smith brought up his 150th Super Rugby match at the weekend, and further adds to his legacy today by finishing atop the All Blacks power rankings for the season.
For the past seven years or so, Smith has been the benchmark for halfbacks in the country. Yet this season he was able to take his own play to a whole new level. In a short career retrospective with Sky Sport, played before the Highlanders match against the Hurricanes at the weekend, Smith spoke about having balance in life now that he's a father and enjoying all the processes that go into preparing for a game more. His enjoyment for the game was clear when he was on the park, not just in his own play but in his actions. Often times you would see Smith clapping and cheering excitedly when his team held an opposition player up over the try line, or forced a penalty to turn the ball over. More on his play later.
Crusaders first five-eighth Richie Mo'unga and Blues lock Patrick Tuipulotu finish the year in second and third respectively; each having a massive influence on how their teams performed during the campaign.
Props
1. Ofa Tuungafasi
The Blues workhorse finishes the year as the competition's top prop on the back of his massive defensive work rate. Averaging about nine tackles per game, with four double digit tackling efforts in seven games, Tuungafasi was impressive all season, and worked hard to back up his defensive play by getting to the breakdown constantly. While he did have some issues with conceding penalties – giving away eight during the season including three in one game – he was strong when it came to the scum and showed he's willing to carry the ball. All up, it was a strong campaign for the Blues and All Blacks tighthead.
2. Michael Alaalatoa
3. Joe Moody
Hookers
1. Codie Taylor
Despite struggling at the lineout early in the season, Taylor holds off a strong bid from Highlanders opposite Ash Dixon to finish the year at the top No2. Taylor brought a point of difference to the Crusaders all season with his ability to carry the ball not just for hit ups, but breaking the line and getting passes away to open up his teammates. Taylor finished the year with nine linebreaks from just seven games, while he had a good work rate on defence with an average of nine tackles per game. He also played 494 of a possible 560 minutes of the Crusaders' season, which in itself is a solid effort for a forward playing in New Zealand derbies week after week.
2. Ash Dixon
3. Kurt Eklund
Locks
1. Patrick Tuipulotu
Given he finished the year as our third-best All Black in the competition, it should come as no surprise to see Tuipulotu come out as Super Rugby Aotearoa's top lock. Making a strong bid for the All Blacks jersey vacated by Brodie Retallick, Tuipulotu stepped his game up in 2020 and found ways to impact the play in just about every aspect. His work at the lineout was strong all year as he pulled down plenty of throws, made good calls and managed to steal a few throws. He was a constant fixture at the breakdown, made some good, hard runs and did plenty of tackling. Tuipulotu has always had the potential to be a star of the game and this year he began to reach those levels.
2. Sam Whitelock
3. Pari Pari Parkinson
Honourable mentions: Mitchell Brown, Josh Dickson
Loose forwards
1. Dalton Papalii
In the most tightly contested position of the year, Papalii's work on attack set him apart from the chasing pack. Starting the season from the bench before an injury allowed him to cement his spot in the starting side, Papalii ended the year with four tries, second to only Crusaders fullback Will Jordan (6). His nose for the try line was a pleasant addition to his huge defensive work rate, as he seemingly goes looking to make as many tackles as possible in his time on the park. Papalii has shown this year he has the skills to make an impact at the next level in every area.
2. Shannon Frizell
3. Lachlan Boshier
Honourable mentions: Dillon Hunt, Hoskins Sotutu
Halfbacks
1. Aaron Smith
Adding to what has already been said, Smith was reliable with quick, clean ball from the breakdown, with speed of delivery one of the key facets of his game. His vision on attack was impressive, knowing when to pass, when to kick and when to take the line on himself. Often seen barking orders at his team, Smith's leadership was vital for a Highlanders side many wrote off at the start of the campaign.
2. TJ Perenara
3. Brad Weber
First five-eighths
1. Richie Mo'unga
It's a shame the Crusaders' final match of the year was called off, as it left Mo'unga sitting on 99 points for the season. That was still enough to be the competition's leading point-scorer, but it's just so annoyingly short of triple digits. Such is life. Throughout the 2020 campaign, Mo'unga guided the Crusaders' attack and impressed with his playmaking, ball running and kicking games. His ability to read the game and respond accordingly was emphasised by the success he had week in week out against fellow Kiwis teams, as he was still able to find the faults in defences and exploit them.
2. Beauden Barrett
3. Josh Ioane
Midfielders
1. Rieko Ioane
When you hear Rieko Ioane, you think dangerous and damaging ball running. His years on the wing saw him stand out as a weapon on attack, though in past seasons with the Blues he struggled to get as involved as he would probably have liked. Moving into the midfield has been a masterstroke for Ioane, who finds himself in the thick of the action which has given him the opportunity to show more of his game. His work defensively was particularly impressive during Super Rugby Aotearoa, as he has made 51 tackles in seven outings, tackling at an 80 per cent success rate. Whether or not he's being considered in the midfield for higher honours remains to be seen, but this campaign adds another string to his bow.
2. Ngani Laumape
3. Jack Goodhue
Wings
1. Caleb Clarke
Remember at the start of the year when Caleb Clarke couldn't play for the Blues because he was part of the All Blacks 7s system for the Olympic Games? At least something good came of Covid-19 for Blues fans. Essentially giving Clarke a bonus season, the young winger impressed the nation with his skill, size and speed out wide. Despite playing just six games in the season, Clarke finished the year among the top 10 in linebreaks (10), defenders beaten (18) and metres carried (348). He also scored three tries early in the year and went on to show he's not just a finisher, but an all-around attacking threat.
2. George Bridge
3. Mark Telea
Fullbacks
1. Will Jordan
Good luck finding a New Zealand rugby fan who hasn't been impressed by Will Jordan this year. Making the most of his opportunities, be it starting on the wing or at fullback or even on the bench, few players impacted the game like Jordan. Constantly in the action and always looking for work, Jordan emerged as the best attacking weapon in the competition early on and held on to that title throughout. Finishing the season as the leading try scorer (6), first in linebreaks (15), defenders beaten (39), metres carried (724), second in offloading (9) and fourth in carries (88), Jordan was a huge part of the Crusaders' successful campaign.
2. Jordie Barrett
3. Damian McKenzie
Hagley Oval has a new head groundsman ahead of the first test of the summer.