Josh Ioane (Highlanders)
Ioane's importance to the Highlanders has risen significantly recently after the injuries to fellow No 10s Bryn Gatland and Marty Banks, and he was excellent against the Chiefs. Ioane kicked five out of five in front of goal and scored a superb try. He has real pace and while he has a bit to do yet, he's definitely one to keep an eye on for the All Blacks.
Ups:
Folau Fainga'a (Brumbies)
Against the Blues the Brumbies hooker scored probably the easiest hat-trick of tries in the history of rugby; all three coming on the back of lineout drives with Fainga'a the grateful recipient. He has 10 in total for the season which makes him the competition's most prolific try-scorer. They all count regardless of how pretty they are.
Sharks
A bit like the Brumbies, the Sharks may not be the most exciting and carefree on attack but the South Africans know what they are good at and in Christchurch they tackled themselves silly and took virtually all of their scoring opportunities – which were penalty kicks. Crusaders and other Kiwi teams take note - three points are better than none.
Downs:
Crusaders
This was a poor performance from the Crusaders, who last looked this flat when playing the Waratahs in Sydney, still their only loss of the season. They were harshly punished by referee Brendon Pickerall at scrum time which disrupted their momentum but while a loss probably wasn't deserved, neither was a victory.
Otere Black (Blues)
The Blues first-five missed two relatively easy kicks at goal in the first half in Canberra which may have proven the difference against the Brumbies. Black will be disappointed with this performance, especially with the All Blacks selectors upping their search for New Zealand's third-best No 10. Coach Leon MacDonald replaced him with Harry Plummer five minutes after halftime.
Results
Crusaders 21
Codie Taylor, Jack Goodhue, Mitchell Hunt tries; Hunt 3 cons
Sharks 21
Curwin Bosch 7 pens
Reds 32
Bryce Hegarty, Taniela Tupou, Sefanaia Naivalu, Brandon Paenga-Amosa tries; Hegarty 3 cons, 2 pens
Sunwolves 26
Gerhard van den Heever 2 tries; Hayden Parker 2 cons, 4 pens
Hurricanes 29
Ngani Laumape, Beauden Barrett, Wes Goosen, Vaea Fifita tries; Beauden Barrett 3 cons, Jordie Barrett pen
Rebels 19
Matt Philip, Bill Meakes, Reece Hodge tries; Quade Cooper 2 cons
Highlanders 31
Josh Ioane, Ben Smith, Matt Faddes, James Lentjes tries; Ioane 4 cons, pen
Chiefs 31
Angus Ta'avao 2, Brad Weber, Luke Jacobson, Tyler Ardron tries; Marty McKenzie 3 cons
Brumbies 26
Folau Fainga'a 3, James Slipper tries; Christian Lealiifano 3 cons
Blues 21
TJ Faiane, Caleb Clarke tries; Otere Black con, pen, Harry Plummer 2 pens
Bulls 28
Warrick Gelant, Duane Vermeulen, Simphiwe Matanzima tries; Handre Pollard 2 cons, 3 pens
Waratahs 21
Nick Phipps, Kurtley Beale, Curtis Rona tries; Bernard Foley 3 cons
Jaguares 30
Pablo Matera, penalty try, Ramiro Moyano tries; Domingo Miotti 2 cons, 3 pens
Stormers 25
Seabelo Senatla try; Damian Willemse con, 2 pens, Jean-Luc du Plessis 4 pens
