The Super Rugby TOTW has representatives from eight of the teams from a five-match round [after the cancellation of Highlanders versus Crusaders) that produced a draw and three home wins. 

The Reds lead the way contributing three players after a come from behind win in Tokyo against the Sunwolves. Lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto made the joint second-most carries of any player (17), beat two defenders and won a joint round-high seven lineouts. Lions hooker Malcolm Marx was at his best with 17 carries - the joint second most of any player - two clean breaks, and a round-high 16 successful throws; he also scored a try.

Rebels backrower Luke Jones made a round-high 23 tackles - five more than any other player - two clean breaks, two offloads, and one lineout steal. Hurricanes wing Wes Goosen is Player of the Week: he beat a round high 13 defenders, becoming just the second player to beat as many in a game in the last six seasons

Only one team remains unbeaten after Round #5: The Crusaders.

 

 

15

Damian McKenzie

Chiefs

Top scored for the round with a haul of 18 points thanks to a try, two conversions and a penalty goal, also gaining 84m from 13 carries.

14

Andries Coetzee

Lions

Crossed for a try, made eight carries for 98m gained, beat seven defenders, made two clean breaks and two offloads in just 30 minutes of game time.

13

Samu Kerevi

Reds

Made 14 carries, the second most of any back, beating nine defenders, also providing one try assist.

12

Bill Meakes

Rebels

Provided two try assists, more than any other player, scored a try, and made three clean breaks.

11

Wes Goosen

Hurricanes

Beat a round high 13 defenders, becoming just the second player to beat as many in a game in the last six seasons (14 - Damian McKenzie in Rd 7, 2018).

10

Beauden Barrett

Hurricanes

Made a round-high 13 kicks in general play, kicked 4/4 goal attempts and provided one try assist.

9

Jamie Booth

Sunwolves

Made 11/13 tackles, six carries for 30m gained, two clean breaks, and crossed for a try.

1

Jean-Pierre Smith

Reds

One of only two props to beat any defenders this round, Smith beat two from six carries as well as making a clean break.

2

Malcolm Marx

Lions

Made 17 carries - the joint second most of any player - two clean breaks, and a round-high 16 successful throws; also scored a try.

3

Sekope Kepu

Waratahs

Made 13/13 tackles and gained 15m from eight carries, more carries and tackles than any other prop.

4

Guido Petti Pagadizaval

Jaguares

Made three offloads - the second most of any forward - as well as 11 carries for 46m gained and six lineout wins.

5

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto

Reds

Made the joint second-most carries of any player (17), beat two defenders and won a joint round-high seven lineouts.

6

Luke Jones

Rebels

Made a round-high 23 tackles - five more than any other player - two clean breaks, two offloads, and one lineout steal.

7

Michael Hooper

Waratahs

Made 15 tackles, the most of any player not to miss an attempt, and 14 carries, as well as scoring a try.

8

Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco

Sunwolves

Made a round-high 18 carries, gaining 69m, making one clean break, and crossing for a try.

 

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.