Now that the All Blacks coaching team has been finalised, attention turns to those players who are lining up to take advantage of coach Dave Rennie\u2019s clean slate by impressing the new selectors ahead of their first squad announcement.<\/p>\n
Easter has only two New Zealand sides in DHL Super Rugby Pacific: the Chiefs, who host the Waratahs in Hamilton on Saturday, and the Crusaders, who end their association at Apollo Projects Stadium against the Drua.<\/p>\n
Locking positions are among the most hotly contested areas for the All Blacks this year, a vast improvement on the situation three or four years ago, when stocks looked shallow.<\/p>\n
But Tupou Vaa\u2019i and Josh Lord have both been in outstanding form for the Chiefs this year and have been delivering some quality ball from lineouts \u2013 Lord has completed 27 takes, twice as many as any other player, while both have been making significant contributions with their ball running around the field.<\/p>\n
They enjoy a 4.5 percent possession advantage from lineouts over the Waratahs, while they also have high tackle counts with Lord making 57 in six appearances and Vaa\u2019i 44 in five.<\/p>\n
Midfield back Quinn Tupaea has been one of the most consistent performers in the competition this year. He\u2019s played most minutes with 451 for the Chiefs, ahead of fellow All Blacks in flanker Luke Jacobson and wing-centre Leroy Carter. Tupaea has made 75 carries and beaten 23 defenders. To top that, he is the most successful tackler with 71 tackles and has carried the ball for 598 metres, both team high statistics.<\/p>\n
Hooker Samisoni Taukei\u2019aho is keeping the race for All Blacks hooker tight. In 344 minutes of play, he has scored a team high five tries, carried for 309 metres while making 55 tackles, missing only two.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, in Christchurch, where the Crusaders are playing their final game at Apollo Projects Stadium, against the Drua, Codie Taylor will be playing his 150th Super Rugby game and mounting his bid to sit at the front of the All Blacks\u2019 hooking queue for 2026.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s had less time on the paddock this year than Taukei\u2019aho – 185 minutes – but his 22 ball carries have covered 145 metres.<\/p>\n
Centre Leicester Fainga\u2019anuku is starting with plenty to play for. He\u2019s played in each of the Crusaders\u2019 games and has carried for 447 metres. In the process, he\u2019s beaten 30 defenders while also making 26 tackles.<\/p>\n
Fullback Will Jordan will have another chance to demonstrate his leadership skills, having been given the captaincy this weekend with David Havili out with an injury. He dominates the carry metres for the side with 615 in his five games. With 12 line breaks and 25 defenders beaten, his influence is obvious. He\u2019s also gained 609 kicking metres, second only to the 1034 by halfback Noah Hotham.<\/p>\n
Tighthead prop Fletcher Newell is a cornerstone of the All Blacks\u2019 front row the Crusaders are fielding. His impressive run of form is reflected in his game statistics. He\u2019s made 147 metres when carrying, including one memorable line break, while also making 54 tackles.<\/p>\n
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