The best and worst from Super Rugby's week four action.
FORWARD OF THE WEEK Brodie Retallick - Chiefs Retallick, back in the side after injury, played a massive part in getting his team out of a large hole against the Bulls. The All Blacks lock scored two tries and ran further withthe ball than either of the Chiefs midfielders. It was a remarkable 80-minute performance.
BACK OF THE WEEK Tevita Li - Highlanders Crusaders midfielder Jack Goodhue rarely misses tackles but he fell off, at rough count, four against Highlanders wing Li alone in Dunedin. Li, a former Blues player, following the well-trodden path of shining after moving franchises, was near unstoppable.
COACH KILLER TMO Glenn Newman When Jordan Taufua slammed the ball on the line near halftime for a try which would have put his side near level with the Highlanders, Crusaders coach Scott Robertson would have been elated. Enter Newman, who scrubbed out the try due to a highly debatable knock-on in the build-up.
UPS Stormers Few gave the men from Cape Town much of a shot against a confident Blues team but Robbie Fleck's outfit, who suffered on their trip to Australia and New Zealand, appeared to use that as motivation and blew the visitors away. Their commitment to the cause was remarkable – the Blues' not so much.
Highlanders Unbeaten after three matches, new Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger has had a dream start to the job and victory over his former franchise would have been very sweet indeed. This match was a brilliant advertisement for Super Rugby and it highlighted the Highlanders' danger in open play.
DOWNS
Blues Beaten in the contact areas, set piece and in terms of commitment. After last weekend's highs, this was a low one. The Blues' rollercoaster continues.
Crusaders SOS Kieran Read, Sam Whitelock, Joe Moody, Owen Franks, Richie Mo'unga, Ryan Crotty, Israel Dagg – the Crusaders need you back and quickly. Luckily for Scott Robertson's men, they don't play another NZ derby until mid-May.
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