Team of the Week: Looking at the best Australian performers from Super Rugby Pacific Round 13

Mon, May 16, 2022, 3:25 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
The Rebels hosted to the Chiefs in the final game of the round 13.

Round 13 of Super Rugby Pacific saw a number of players set up despite a series of tough losses for the Australian sides.

The Rebels were arguably the standout team of the Australian teams, narrowly going down to the red-hot Chiefs in the 80th minute.

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Along with this, the Brumbies and Waratahs produced valiant efforts before failing to the Crusaders and Hurricanes respectively.

With this in mind, Rugby.com.au has selected the best from the Australian sides for round 13.

1.Angus Bell

Bell was dominant for the Waratahs, particularly in the first half as he produced an incredible display of scrummaging.

The loosehead earned several penalties to put the hosts on the front foot as they built a commanding lead.

Along with this, he delivered a team-high 11 carries to constantly get his side over the advantage line.

2. Dave Porecki

Another solid performance from Porecki, who continues to show his class at set-piece time.

Porecki was perfect at lineout whilst anchoring a dominant scrum alongside Bell and Archer Holz.

3. Allan Alaalatoa

Alaalatoa was at his workhouse best as he tried to will the Brumbies to victory.

With the hosts trailing, the skipper took it upon himself to spark their attack with a number of key carries whilst remaining solid in defence.

For this, he just edges out the likes of Archer Holz and Cabous Eloff, with both delivering promising performances.

4.Ryan Smith

Smith is the breakout star of the Reds' 2022 season as he delivered another consistent performance.

The lock was everywhere for the visitors, producing a game-high 14 carries, including two tackle busts and a try.

The 25-year-old looms as a major Wallaby bolter and further performances like this will give Dave Rennie plenty to think about

5. Jed Holloway

Speaking of locks producing breakout seasons, Holloway continues to deliver for the Waratahs.

He continued to break the line with some great carries, including in the 29th minute where he shrugged off a loose tackle before finding Dylan Pietsch with an incredible 20m cutout pass that hit him in stride.

As well as this, he remains the key target at lineout time, as well as the key figure in shutting down and sacking the Hurricanes' maul on their goal-line.

6. Tom Hooper

Hooper stepped up in Rob Valetini's absence and was dominant for the Brumbies.

He led the side for tackles (16) to set the tempo in defence whilst constantly putting his hand up and powering the ball over the advantage line.

For this, he just beats out returning Rebel Michael Wells, who was inspirational in their defeat.

7. Ollie Callan

Callan produced a breakout game for the Force, the shining light in their crushing defeat to the Highlanders.

The young flanker did it all, getting over the ball on countless occasions to earn turnovers whilst sparking their attack with some great hit-ups.

His offload to put Andrew Ready through a hole was elite, looming as a major piece for the future.

8. Rob Leota

With the Rebels needing to bounce back from last week's defeat. Leota took it upon himself to lead his side, almost delivering the victory.

Leota was everywhere, leading the team for both carries (11) and tackles (16) and he did more than enough to get his side over the line.

9. Nic White

White continues to step up against the Kiwi opposition, electric for the Brumbies in their defeat to the Crusaders.

He set the tempo early with a great ball to Irae Simone to set up the first try in the third minute before catching the visitors off-guard to set up the centre's second.

His speed and delivery at ruck time is a major point of difference as he just beat out Jake Gordon.

10. Carter Gordon

There's something about the Chiefs that always brings the best out of Carter Gordon.

Gordon sparked their attack at the end of the first half, showing his under-rated pace to snatch an intercept and race away to score under the posts.

His bomb was picture-perfect, reflective of his improved kicking game, setting up Reece Hodge's try to get them back into the contest.

11. Dylan Pietsch

Pietsch was unstoppable on the wing for the Waratahs, always finding a way to break the first tackler.

The former Sevens star looked like he was going to produce something special with every touch as he found a way to constantly break tackles and get the hosts into prime field position.

12. Lalakai Foketi

Foketi remains the under-rated link in the Waratahs attack as he stepped up against All Black Jordie Barrett.

The inside centre broke the Hurricanes line in the second minute to spark their attack and earn the first penalty of the night, finishing with five tackle busts off just eight carries.

As well as this, he remains a solid and reliable defender as he helped contain the visitors' attack, holding out Irae Simone who had a mixed night, scoring a double whilst producing a number of key mistakes.

13. Izaia Perese

Perese was unstoppable, producing a number of world-class plays to help the Waratahs build a first-half lead

The standout was setting up a try-of-the-year contender for Dylan Pietsch, breaking two defenders before somehow finding a way to offload to the winger as he raced away.

Their attack seemed to stifle out after his injury, with the Waratahs desperately hoping he will be back for the finals.

It took a very special performance from Perese to hold out Andrew Kellaway, who shone in his moves to the centres.

14. Suliasi Vunivalu

Vunivalu showed why he remains on the Wallabies radar even after a string of injuries.

He was instrumental in the Reds’ two first-half tries, latching onto a Tate McDermott pass and showcasing his strength to barge over the line.

The league convert turned provider as he barged All Blacks winger Caleb Clarke with an excellent run, patient enough to pop a good pass from the turf to Ryan Smith to score.

He finished the night with a try, a try assist, five tackle busts and 58 metres.

15. Reece Hodge

Hodge was instrumental to the Rebels' comeback at the back as he lead their attack.

He contributed 20 points in the 33-30 defeat, including a great chase and try to snatch onto a bomb from Gordon.

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