OPINION: Another round of Super Rugby is in the books, we take a look at the standout performances of players in the New Zealand teams.
In the first game of the round, the Hurricanes came from behind to beat the Highlanders at Westpac Stadium.
The second of the NZ derbies saw the Crusaders thrash the Chiefs in Christchurch to add further misery to their season.
Finally, the Blues got the monkey off their back with their first win of the season, beating the Sunwolves at QBE Stadium.
15. Will Jordan (Crusaders) - so much pace and brilliant running lines from the next big thing in NZ rugby.
14. Sevu Reece (Crusaders) - another Fijian winger (Paula Bale, Marika Vunibaka, Nemani Nadolo, Seta Tamanivalu, Manase Matele) doing great things in a red-and-black jersey.
13. Jack Goodhue (Crusaders) - the new king of the offload and the best midfield back in the country.
12. Ngani Laumape (Hurricanes) - making a big case for World Cup inclusion, an incredible try-scoring strike-rate.
11. Rieko Ioane (Blues) - best finisher in the world makes it look so easy.
10. Richie Mo'unga (Crusaders) - the other first-fives were ordinary, so Mo'unga gets this by default.
9. TJ Perenara (Hurricanes) - deft touches and a strong kicking game behind a pack that was going backwards.
8. Ardie Savea (Hurricanes) - the only Canes forward to match it with the 'Landers. Couldn't get his running game going, but two huge turnovers at the end swung the match.
7. Billy Harmon (Crusaders) - made plenty of tackles and carted the ball up well, a typical Crusaders openside performance.
6. Jackson Hemopo (Highlanders) - the Willie Apiata of rugby got behind enemy lines and took no prisoners.
5. Josh Dickson (Highlanders) - a big part of the Highlanders' domination up front, into everything.
4. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti (Blues) - A beast of a showing by the Blues lock. A dominant force at the ruck, as they recorded their first win.
3. Sione Mafileo (Blues) - put in a massive shift around the field and part of a strong Blues scrum, no doubt he was playing for fallen brother Mikey T.
2. Codie Taylor (Crusaders) - an inspired 40 minutes in his first outing of the season.
1. Ayden Johnstone (Highlanders) - in his first season of Super Rugby and the man mountain is showing plenty of promise.
