OPINION: Round 14 proved to be a weird one for the Kiwi sides in Super Rugby, with the Blues the only side to win.
On Friday night, the Hurricanes were beaten 28-20 by the Jaguares in a poor performance in Wellington.
The Blues ended a 15-game losing streak against the Chiefs to keep their season alive, beating them 23-8.
The Highlanders were beaten 38-29 by a form Lions team looking to get to their third straight final.
In the final match of the week, the Crusaders were held to a controversial 19-19 draw against the Stormers.
- Super Rugby Team of the Week, Round 13
- Super Rugby Team of the Week, Round 12
- Super Rugby Team of the Week, Round11
Best Kiwi players of the week:
1. Alex Hodgman (Blues): An outstanding 80-minute performance in a physical battle at Eden Park, went up against a strong experience Chiefs front row and came out on top.
2. Codie Taylor (Crusaders): Physical at the breakdown, was involved all game, offering lots in offence and defence.
3. Ofa Tu'ungafasi (Blues): Like Hodgman, the All Black prop played the full match, proving his worth to the national selectors.
4. Sam Whitelock (Crusaders): The Crusaders captain was physical in tackles and consistent with ball in hand, offering plenty going forward.
5. Tom Franklin (Highlanders): Continuing to play well in a stellar year, was good going forward in a tough loss - scored a try too.
6. Dalton Papalii (Blues): Man mountain on defence and didn't miss a beat, was physical with ball in hand, arguably the best Blue on display.
7. Mitch Karpik (Chiefs): Was outstanding for the visitors, he was everywhere all night - including in the corner to score a try. Great work-rate from the 23-year-old.
8. Ardie Savea (Hurricanes): Karpik was a must in the team this week, so Savea gets the nod at number eight. He was a lone wolf going forward, trying his hardest to spark an attack in a stagnant offensive display.
9. Aaron Smith (Highlanders): One of his best games in a while - he provided quick ball all night and was involved going forward. He set up Matt Faddes' try with a great break through the defence.
10. Josh Ioane (Highlanders): His kicking game was once again very good, the 23-year-old continues to flourish for the southern men.
11. Rieko Ioane (Blues): Was solid for most of the match against the Chiefs, looking very good with ball in hand and provided a try-saving chase-down tackle on defence.
12. Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs): One of the most consistent players in the country, he does nothing wrong and Saturday night was no different. He was fantastic on defence and was the centre of the Chiefs offence throughout.
13. Braydon Ennor (Crusaders): Looked likely to create something every time he touched the ball. He scored a try of his own and looked for all money like he had set up Sevu Reece, but the TMO had other ideas.
14. Sevu Reece (Crusaders): Just continues to shine in Super Rugby, he was in devastating form in Cape Town and looked to have sealed the game-winner, only to be denied.
15. David Havili (Crusaders): Was solid at the back for the 'saders, making tackles and kicking well - stamped his mark as the second-best fullback in New Zealand.
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