FORWARD OF THE WEEK Ethan Blackadder (Crusaders) An injury to Jordan Taufua gave Blackadder a chance to start in the loose forwards and he didn't waste it. The young blindside flanker was immense in his side's win over the Chiefs in Hamilton – attackingthe ball all over the pitch and putting his hand up for some strong carries.
BACK OF THE WEEK Israel Folau (Waratahs) The kid can play, can't he. Two tries, an assist and over 100m running the football against the Reds, the Waratahs fullback played a big part in the side's 52-41 State of Union showdown.
COACH KILLER Blues A tough year got tougher for the Aucklanders on Saturday night. Losing to the Rebels at Eden Park, they are still yet to win on their home surface in 2018. Fronting the media after a loss has become a weekly routine for Tana Umaga, and that can't be a great feeling for a coach.
UPS Highlanders The Southerners put on a solid display of rugby to dispatch the Hurricanes in Dunedin and leapfrog the Chiefs on the ladder. Heading into the international break, the Highlanders sit fifth on the table and are starting to look like a dangerous outfit.
Richie Mo'unga (Crusaders) The Crusaders No10 has outplayed All Blacks rivals Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie in two consecutive weeks. Against the Chiefs he looked dangerous with ball in hand, kicked well and ultimately made a strong claim for a spot in Steve Hansen's 23 for the opening test against France on Saturday.
DOWNS Hurricanes The side could afford to drop a match or two in the season, but losing two in a row against fellow Kiwi sides doesn't paint a good picture for their Championship hopes. The Highlanders were able to put the Hurricanes to the sword in the second half, with those you'd expect to step up going missing for the Wellingtonians.
Liam Squire There was a lot to take away from the Highlanders match against the Hurricanes, but nothing more so that Liam Squire's being cited for a dangerous clear out on TJ Perenara in the 12th minute. The offence was deemed by the citing commissioner to have met the red card threshold and while the loose forward was cleared by the review committee, he should never have put himself in that position so close to the upcoming test series.
