The TOTW has players from 10 different teams following another eventful round highlighting the competitive nature of this seasons competition.

The Chiefs are three from three and along with the Stormers are the only unbeaten team in the competition. They also lead the way in this week's TOTW with three players. The centre paring of Alex Nankivell  (17 carries, one try assist, beat three defenders and made 10/12 tackles) and Quinn Tupaea (round-high five clean breaks, beat eight defenders from his 11 carries, and scored a try) were instrumental in the Chiefs win over the Sunwolves. Teammate Brad Weber made 12 tackles - the most of any scrum-half - and also scored a try.

The Jaguares continue to impress and they are being driven forward by lock Guido Petti who makes the TOTW for the third week in a row. Against the Reds his high work rate continued as he made 12 tackles from as many attempts, won 11 lineouts (inc. one steal) and made one offload from his eight carries.

Two hookers scored a hat-trick of tries in round three, Folau Fainga (Brumbies) and Julian Montoya (Jaguares). Folau made TOTW due to  fact he also made 10 carries, made 7/8 tackles, won a turnover and made 16 successful throws. The Crusaders talented young flanker Cullen Grace makes his first TOTW after making his full run-on debut against the Blues.

The Hurricanes win in Wellington ended the Sharks winning start to the season and was led by the outside backs. Fullback Jordie Barrett is in fine form becoming the first player this Super Rugby season to make three try assists in a single game; he also kicked 6/7 goals. Teammate Ben Lam gained 114m, made three clean breaks and scored two tries from just six carries; he also made seven tackles without a miss and one offload. Lam is the Player of the Week.

15

Jordie Barrett

Hurricanes

Became the first player this Super Rugby season to make three try assists in a single game; Barrett also kicked 6/7 goals and made two offloads.

14

Chris Feauai-Sautia

Reds

Made three clean breaks and beat three defenders from his 10 carries, as well as crossing for a brace of tries and winning a turnover.

13

Quinn Tupaea

Chiefs

Made a round-high five clean breaks - two more than any other player - and beat eight defenders from his 11 carries, as well as scoring a try.

12

Alex Nankivell

Chiefs

Made 17 carries - the second-most of any player - as well as making one try assist, beating three defenders and making 10/12 tackles.

11

Ben Lam

Hurricanes

Gained 114m, made three clean breaks and scored two tries from just six carries; he also made seven tackles without a miss and one offload.

10

Elton Jantjies

Lions

Scored 15 points - the joint-most of any player - via a try and four goals from six attempts; Jantjies also beat seven defenders, made 13 kicks in play and provided one try assist.

9

Brad Weber

Chiefs

Made 12 tackles - the most of any scrumhalf - without missing a single attempt, as well as gaining 46m from nine carries and scoring a try.

1

Steven Kitshoff

Stormers

Won three turnovers - the joint-most of any player -gained 5m from as many carries and made 8/9 tackles.

2

Folau Fainga'a

Brumbies

Scored a hat-trick of tries for the second time in as many seasons, made 10 carries, made 7/8 tackles, won a turnover and made 16 successful throws.

3

Michael Alaalatoa

Crusaders

Made 11/13 tackles, gained 11m from five carries and was the only prop forward to provide a try assist.

4

Guido Petti

Jaguares

Made 12 tackles from as many attempts, won 11 lineouts (inc. one steal) and made one offload from his eight carries.

5

Mike Stolberg

Sunwolves

Gained 29m from his six carries, made 11/11 tackles and beat one defender.

6

Cullen Grace

Crusaders

Won a round-high 13 lineouts (inc. three steals), won two turnovers and made 19/23 tackles.

7

Pieter-Steph du Toit

Stormers

Made 20 tackles - the second-most of any player - as well as seven carries, one offload and two lineout wins.

8

Isi Naisarani

Rebels

Beat five defenders - the joint-most of any forward - as well as making one offload, one clean break and 43 metres gained from his 13 carries.

 

AND here is your NZ Conference TOTW...



Opta Index: How does it work

The Opta Index allows genuine opportunities to compare and contrast both player and team strengths and weaknesses across Super Rugby, providing real insights pre-game as follows: 
After every match Opta completes a video analysis of every touch of the ball. Each action in the match is awarded a points value depending on the relative importance of the action. So for example, a try scores more points than a tackle, but a player loses points for a missed tackle.

The points are then weighted against the score at the time when the action took place (higher points if the score is closer), the time in the match (higher points at the start of the match) and the position on the pitch where it took place (higher points for actions closer to the goal line).

The player is then given a score for the match by adding up all his actions while he was on the field. The total match score is then weighted to take account of the strength of the opposition so that performances across many matches can be judged fairly.