Even though they are in different franchises in different islands, Codie Taylor (Crusaders - 6) has stepped up his game during the injury-enforced absence of Dane Coles, playing some superb and consistent rugby.
The improvement in Taylor's game is going to challenge Coles to get better and that is a rather exciting prospect, don't you think?
As stated numerous times through these weekly musings, Charlie Faumuina (Blues - 5) is one of the most complete rugby players on the planet, a delightful mix of strength, agility, toughness, skill, intelligence and facial hair.
Brodie Retallick (Chiefs - 7) is a 2.04m, 121kg weapon of a rugby player. Every game, without fail, he is one of, if not the best player on the park.
His thirst for work is matched by the quality of that endeavour and an unrelenting drive to get better each day.
Forward of the Season
Sam Whitelock's (Crusaders - 6) game has flourished as captain. His calm, controlled manner was a key element in the trio of early-season comeback wins for the "Cardiac Crusaders", which developed into a 14-game winning run.
And all the while, Whitelock has been playing at a level akin to that of his previously mentioned All Blacks locking partner.
Captain of the Season
Got to admit, I was a little surprised to see Liam Messam (Chiefs - 4) come out on top when the numbers were tallied at blindside, but at the same time, I wasn't.
Messam has been what he's always been in Super Rugby - tough, abrasive, athletic, skilled and ready to battle from first whistle to last.
Special Mention: Brad Shields (Hurricanes) has flittered between blindside and number eight, earning two votes in each position. While, individually, not enough to claim either spot, his performances have been top drawer throughout the season and he's a player that was always in the mix when the team of the week was selected.
Matt Todd (Crusaders - 4 SC) just keeps on keeping on. He's turns up every week, putting in tireless, accurate, robust efforts at the coal face, without fuss nor fanfare nor All Blacks selection (his omission from the initial squad in June still baffles me).
Blake Gibson (Blues) also had four selections
Just like Brad Shields, Luke Whitelock (Highlanders - 3) is always in the conversation for team of the week (yes, I converse with myself, like all good Gemini's do).
He's not spectacular by any stretch, but his accuracy, physicality and fitness means he's in the mixer for the whole 80 minutes. While the defence stands out, his effectiveness with ball in hand has been improved this year, and his captaincy, like that of his older brother at the Crusaders, is unflustered and measured.
It took a while, but eventually Aaron Smith (Highlanders - 4 SC) got back to his sweet-passing, accurate-kicking and (judiciously) sniping best. It was a tough choice between the three All Black incumbents, which served to remind me of the excellent talent available to the All Blacks selectors in this position and to the level of play TKB's replacement is going to have to rise up to in the black jersey.
TJ Perenara (Hurricanes) & Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Chiefs) also had four selections.
Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes - 5) hasn't produced as many "wow" moments as he did last year in Super Rugby, but has used the fear of those moments of brilliance as a way to manipulate opposition defences to the advantage of his team.
He has not been burdened by the title of reigning World Rugby Player of the Year, though, let's be honest, not much seems to faze the man.
James Lowe (Chiefs - 6) plays with an audaciousness that is infectious, but belies his obvious rugby "nous". Lowe puts himself in good spots around the field, kicks with distance and accuracy, and can go when he gets the green light (which is often).
Dear Leinster fans, you're going to enjoy this bloke a whole lot during his time in Dublin.
What's cool about Ngani Laumape (Hurricanes - 4) is that he is only going to improve even more under the tutelage of the All Blacks coach. He has been a "tour de force" in the Hurricanes midfield, but there are some lovely subtleties to his game that are going to serve him and the teams he plays for, very, very well in the future.
It is no wonder Jack Goodhue (Crusaders - 4) was called into the All Blacks as injury cover for the Lions series. He's got an all-round skill set that will only get better with time, but has proven to have a wonderful game awareness that sees him more often than not make the right decision at the right time ... very interested to see how he goes in extra intensity of playoff rugby.
Waisake Naholo (Highlanders - 6) missed a large chunk of the first half of the season through injury, but just dominated the right wing spot over the second half. He'll run round you, he'll run through you, he'll run over the top of you if needs be and is a menace at the breakdown in the wide channels.
Special Mention(s): Matt Duffie's high level of play for the Blues was only bettered by his consistency, while Seta Tamanivalu's move to the Crusaders and then the wing have both been fully justified.
Damian McKenzie (Chiefs - 4) is so much fun to watch when he plays rugby, it's impossible to not edge slightly forward in your seat when "Big Jim" has ball in hand.
But not only is he fun, he's effective. He led the regular season stats in carries (210), metres gained (1514 metres) and defenders beaten (72). McKenzie is third equal in line breaks (30) and fourth equal in offloads (25), making him a worthy recipient of the Russell Westbrook Stat Line of the Season award.
Selection criteria - Must play for a NZ franchise, but doesn't have to be eligible for All Blacks
