Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Week - Semi-Finals
The best Draft Rugby Fantasy Scorers for the Semi Finals of Super Rugby
Intro
The Semi-Finals of the 30th anniversary season of Super Rugby Pacific delivered pure, unadulterated high-scoring madness, setting up a blockbuster Grand Final between the Hurricanes and the Chiefs in Wellington. The Chiefs set the FMG Stadium Waikato cowbells alight with an emphatic first-half demolition of the defending champion Crusaders, running out 49-12 winners. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes became the first team in competition history to score 100 tries in a single season, blowing past the Blues 57-21 at Hnry Stadium.
But as the final week of the season arrives, the Casualty Ward has thrown up massive roster chaos. Hurricanes fly-half Ruben Love limped off with a calf injury, while the Chiefs’ fullback Isaac Hutchinson also succumbed to injury. With only one game left to decide league bragging rights, the Final Draft is your final opportunity to find that 1% edge over your mates. If you don’t secure the high-volume workhorses who dominated the big games this week, you can kiss that league trophy goodbye.
Team of the Week
1: Finlay Brewis – Prop, Crusaders (62 pts)
Brewis put in a massive defensive shift in a losing cause. In 69 minutes of action against a rampant Chiefs pack, he recorded 10 tackles and completed 8 carries alongside 7 scrums won. Front-row props putting in this level of effort are pure fantasy gold.
2: Asafo Aumua – Hooker, Hurricanes (83 pts)
An absolute force of nature. In 60 minutes of work, Aumua broke 6 tackles, carried for 61 metres (including a line break and a try), and completed 13 tackles. Hookers with this kind of open-field running ceiling are the ultimate fantasy cheat code.
3: Xavier Numia – Prop, Hurricanes (61 pts)
Numia proved his physical directness once again. He bagged a close-range try, completed 7 carries, and made 20 ruck arrivals. His ability to consistently find the gain line provides a massive floor.
4: Patrick Tuipulotu – Lock, Blues (56 pts)
The Blues skipper went down fighting in Wellington. Playing the full 80 minutes, Tuipulotu scored a try, made 15 tackles, and completed 10 carries. A warrior’s shift in a losing effort.
5: Tupou Vaa’i – Lock, Chiefs (56 pts)
Vaa’i continues his incredibly consistent campaign. He bagged a try, made 14 tackles, and completed 15 carries to go with 20 ruck arrivals. He is currently one of the premier high-floor locks in the game.
6: Du’Plessis Kirifi – Back Row, Hurricanes (70 pts)
Kirifi was a breakdown menace in Wellington, hitting 28 rucks and winning 2 turnovers. He complemented his high-work-rate defense (11 tackles) with a rolling-maul try and a try assist to lock down his spot.
7: Luke Jacobson – Back Row, Chiefs (49 pts)
Jacobson was a defensive titan, completing 14 tackles and hitting 26 rucks to disrupt the Crusaders’ rhythm. With 10 carries and 2 turnovers won, his relentless work rate in the tight channels provided a safe scoring floor.
8: Simon Parker – Back Row, Chiefs (42 pts)
Parker stepped up with 15 tackles and 23 ruck arrivals to go with a line break. With Wallace Sititi sidelined, his high-involvement shift kept the Chiefs’ back row physically dominant throughout.
9: Cam Roigard – Scrumhalf, Hurricanes (72 pts)
Roigard continues to show why he is the premier 9 in the draft. Along with a try and a try assist, he managed the game with 70 passes, 2 line breaks, and 204 kick metres. A high-volume playmaker with a massive ceiling.
10: Damian McKenzie – Flyhalf, Chiefs (72 pts)
DMac conducted the Hamilton carnage beautifully. He kicked for an astronomical 668 metres, registered 3 line-break assists, a try assist, and contributed 14 points (including 7 conversions). Fly-halves who command this much territory and coordinate the attack are gold dust.
11: Josh Moorby – Outside Back, Hurricanes (67 pts)
A clinical display from the Hurricanes’ edge. Moorby bagged a brace of tries and 3 line breaks, racking up 95 carry metres. He is the ultimate strike-runner on a rampant Wellington side.
12: Jordie Barrett – Centre, Hurricanes (58 pts)
The Hurricanes’ captain was a playmaking hub in Wellington. Barrett scored a try, slotted 3 conversions, completed 10 carries, and made 13 tackles. Centres who take the shots and tackle like flankers are a fantasy cheat code.
13: Lalakai Foketi – Centre, Chiefs (58 pts)
Foketi thrashed the Crusaders’ defense, recording 2 line breaks and 3 try assists. Midfielders who distribute with this level of accuracy (2 line-break assists) while carrying directly are absolute gold.
14: Leroy Carter – Outside Back, Chiefs (62 pts)
Carter returned from injury in spectacular fashion, bagging a try, 2 line breaks, and 5 tackle busts in just 44 minutes. His explosive impact out wide makes him a lethal playoff weapon.
15: Callum Harkin – Outside Back, Hurricanes (52 pts)
Harkin continues to show his immense utility. Shifting across the backline, he beat 3 defenders, made 2 line breaks, and carried for 77 metres. His high involvement rate ensures a reliable fantasy floor.
Written by Harry Dale