Last week’s smokies Fred Zeilinga (39 points) and Peter Samu (49 points), as well as rising stock George Smith (40 points), who has now had 3 big weeks in a row, were on the money, while falling stock Marty Banks (59 points) got another start, took his chances and made us look like fools. If you had listened to our advice and held Melani Nanai for another week, you would be delighted he has been given the start for the Blues at home against the Cheetahs.

Last weeks Blue Chip, Lima Sopoaga was rested for an extra week and should be right to go this week against the Bulls, which should see Marty Banks’ stocks start to fall.

Round 11 saw the return of Charlie Ngatai (46 points) 12 months after the start of ongoing concussion symptoms left him off the paddock. He wasted no time and got straight back into action; 55 minutes, 1 try, 6 runs for 70 m, 6 tackle busts, 2 linebreaks and 6 tackles.

Team of the Week (TOTW):

Props:
Ox Nché (CHE) – 55 points, 80 mins, 1 try, 6 runs for 51m, 4 tackle bust, 1 offload and 9 tackles
Kane Hames (CHI) – 42 points, 65 mins, 1 try, 3 runs for 7m, 1 tackle bust. 1 linebreak, 1 tight head won and 10 tackles

Hooker:
Agustín Creevy (JAG) – 118 points, 80 mins, 2 tries, 15 runs for 109m, 5 tackle busts, 4 offloads, 2 ineffective offloads, 1 linebreak, 12 successful lineouts and 11 tackles

Locks:
Brodie Retallick (CHI) – 54 points, 80 mins, 1 try assist, 10 runs for 75m, 7 tackle busts, 1 linebreak create, 10 tackles and 2 lineout takes
Scott Scrafton (BLU) – 53 points, 80 mins, 1 try, 9 runs for 41m, 2 tackle busts, 1 linebreak, 14 tackles and 2 lineout takes
Matías Alemanno (JAG) – 53 points, 28 mins, 1 try, 5 runs for 67 metres, 9 tackle busts, 1 linebreak, 6 tackles and 1 lineout take

Backrowers:
Leonardo Senatore (JAG) – 70 points, 80 mins, 1 try, 1 try assist, 9 runs for 82m, 1 tackle bust, 2 ineffective offloads, 2 linebreaks, 1 linebreak create, 12 tackles and 4 lineout takes
Tomás Lezana (JAG) – 68 points, 80 mins, 1 try assist, 16 runs for 122m, 8 tackle busts, 1 offload, 1 linebreak, 2 linebreak creates and 7 tackles
Amanaki Mafi (RED) – 57 points, 68 mins, 11 runs for 70m, 1 tackle bust, 3 offloads, 1 ineffective offload, 1 linebreak create, 10 tackles, 2 pilfers and 1 turn over forced
Willie Britz (SUN) – 57 points, 80 minutes, 2 try assists, 1 try save, 6 runs for 43 m, 4 tackle busts, 2 offloads, 1 linebreak, 1 linebreak create, 15 tackles and 4 lineout takes

Scrumhalf:
Augustine Pulu (BLU) – 32 points, 70 minutes, 1 last touch assist, 5 runs for 22m, 2 tackle busts, 1 ineffective offload, 1 linebreak create, 9 tackles and 1 pilfer
Ross Cronjé (KIN) – 32 points, 71 minutes, 1 try, 1 last touch assist, 3 runs for 53m, 4 tackle busts, 1 linebreak and 3 tackles

Flyhalf:
Bernard Foley (WAR) – 59 points, 80 minutes, 1 try, 1 try assist, 4 conversions, 9 runs for 53m, 2 tackle busts, 3 offloads, 1 linebreak, 2 linebreak creates and 3 tackles

Centres:
Jack Goodhue (CRU) – 101 points, 80 minutes, 2 tries, 2 try assists, 13 runs for 118m, 11 tackle busts, 1 offload, 2 linebreaks, 2 linebreak creates and 6 tackles
Rieko Ioane (BLU) – 87 points, 80 minutes, 2 tries, 12 runs for 186m, 12 tackle busts, 2 linebreaks and 8 tackles
Hon. Mention – Seta Tamanivalu (CRU) – 68 points

Outside Backs:
Waisake Naholo (HIG) – 77 points, 80 minutes, 2 tries, 13 runs for 141m, 8 tackle busts, 2 offloads, 2 linebreaks and 2 tackles
Raymomd Rhule (CHE) – 71 points, 80 minutes, 1 try assist, 13 runs for 150m, 6 tackle busts, 3 offloads, 1 ineffective offload, 3 linebreaks, 1 linebreak create and 1 tackle
Courtnall Skosan (LIO) – 67 points, 80 minutes, 1 try, 11 runs for 170m, 6 tackle busts, 3 linebreaks and 3 tackles

Written by Nelson Dale