OPINION: A Crusaders win over the Highlanders has prompted an influx of red-and-black players to this week's team of the week.
Both All Blacks wingers - George Bridge and Sevu Reece - stood out, as did young flanker Cullen Grace.
These are the players who impressed in the latest Team of the Week:
1-Karl Tu'inukuafe (Blues): Scrummed well and looked good with ball in hand.
2-James Parsons (Blues): The standout hooker this week - won 12 lineouts, before he went off injured.
3-Michael Alaalatoa (Crusaders): Scrummed well in a solid 'Saders pack and made eight tackles.
4-Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues): Another solid outing from the Blues captain, tackled well and ran well too.
5-Mitch Brown (Chiefs): The Chiefs leading tackler made another 18 this week and looks the goods, as he comes in to replace Brodie Retallick.
6-Cullen Grace (Crusaders): Probably should've had him last week. Another standout performance from the young flanker - made all 15 of his tackles.
7-Tom Christie (Crusaders): A massive game from the flanker - made all 20 of his tackles and beat a couple of defenders in a remarkable performance.
8-Pita Gus Sowakula (Chiefs): Although the Chiefs lost, in a week where No.8's played well, he was the best of them. Always a danger off the scrum, made metres with ease and proved a nuisance at the breakdown.
9-Aaron Smith (Highlanders): Very vocal and lead the backline well, cut the defence open a couple of times and showed his crisp passing.
10-Aaron Cruden (Chiefs): A really nice performance this week from Cruden. Scored a great try, made some big tackles and turned back the clock with his slick running game.
11-George Bridge (Crusaders): A cracking performance from the All Blacks winger. The Crusaders put on a clinic in the backline to dispatch the Highlanders, and Bridge beat six defenders and a nice try.
12-Jack Goodhue (Crusaders): Beat four defenders and was a vital cog in the Crusaders' wheel, as they turned up the heat against the Highlanders - made nine tackles too.
13-Rob Thompson (Highlanders): A massive outing for the centre. He was the standout player for the Highlanders - running well and made a couple of good tackles.
14-Sevu Reece (Crusaders): Another outstanding performance from the winger - he was too much for the Highlanders to handle on defence, beating six defenders and gaining 64 running metres.
15-Michael Collins (Highlanders): Just pips David Havili this week. He didn't miss a tackle all night against a rampaging 'Saders side, 135 metres ran and a nice try to go with it.
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