Super Rugby Pacific team of the month: The Suaalii influence rubbing off on All Blacks star
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Super Rugby Pacific team of the month
Australia has continued a season of increased competitiveness with the ACT Brumbies and Queensland Reds right in the thick of the title hunt heading into the final month of the regular season.
There are four rounds remaining before the playoffs kick off and six of the 11 teams make the finals cut.
Here's our Super Rugby Pacific team of the month for April.
15: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (Waratahs)
The knockers have well and truly been silenced as Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii continues to thrive in his new code.
Despite the Waratahs struggles, Suaalii continues to dominate from fullback and prove a nightmare for defenders.
"He's just going to get better and better as time goes on. He is just such a great player and a great asset for the NSW Waratahs and Australian rugby. He's got a lot of eyeballs on this game," fellow code-hopper Mat Rogers said on Stan Sport.
14: Harry Potter (Force)
The Force have also slipped out of the top six but Harry Potter can hold his head high.
New Zealand commentators and pundits have started raving about the Wallabies winger, who continues to conjure magic out of next to nothing.
Potter's well rounded skillset and physical profile has him firmly in the mix for the British and Irish Lions.
13: Billy Proctor (Hurricanes)
The Hurricanes look a different team with Billy Proctor back in business at outside centre.
Proctor missed the first nine weeks of the competition with a concerning Achilles tendon injury.
But the All Blacks midfielder's leadership and powerful game have helped fire Clark Laidlaw's men up the ladder into fifth.
12: Timoci Tavatavanawai (Highlanders)
It has been another difficult season for the Highlanders, who sit 10th on the ladder despite the return of crack coach Jamie Joseph.
They simply don't have the same playing stocks as the other four New Zealand franchises but Timoci Tavatavanawai empties the tank every week.
His versatility to play midfield or wing will have in the mix for an All Blacks debut against France.
11: Kini Naholo (Hurricanes)
Kini Naholo, the younger brother of former All Blacks star Waisake, had a terrific April and sits equal second on the try-scoring charts with eight.
He was within reach of his first Test call-up but suffered a devastating knee injury against the Chiefs last weekend.
Super Rugby is the poorer for it.
10: Ruben Love (Hurricanes)
The Hurricanes have been purring since Ruben Love shifted from fullback to No.10.
Love, a close friend of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, has also started copying his mate's pre-match ritual of meditating and visualising while sitting on the goalposts.
"It'd be pretty cool, man, if we go against each other for the Wallabies and All Blacks, the way we did in 2019 for the juniors. We're both extremely proud of each other. Just two friends chasing their dreams, I guess," Love told Wide World of Sports in February.
9: Tate McDermott (Reds)
Queensland fans just can't understand why Tate McDermott isn't starting at halfback for the Wallabies.
Test coaches have preferred his impact from the bench but he continues to put his hand up with sharp, energetic performances.
Cam Roigard and Ryan Lonergan could have also got the nod here.
8: Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika)
Put simply, Ardie Savea's move to Moana Pasifika has been one of the most seismic in Super Rugby history.
There were serious questions over the viability over the Auckland-based club but now they are sitting above the defending champion Blues and in playoff position.
Savea has been extraordinary with both his performance and leadership and is daring to dream of a fairytale title.
7: Du'Plessis Kirifi (Hurricanes)
There will be a riot on the streets of Wellington if Du'Plessis Kirifi continues to be overlooked for an All Blacks jersey.
The Hurricanes co-captain is not the biggest going around but he continues to inspire with some relentless and street-smart breakdown displays.
Kirifi's parents named him after Morne du Plessis, who won 13 of his 15 Tests as Springboks captain and was manager of the 1995 World Cup-winning side.
