OPINION: Two of the leading candidates for the All Blacks fullback spot went head-to-head this weekend, and it was the man in yellow who shone through.
Here's who else performed well in round seven.
1-Aidan Ross (Chiefs): Take your pick with the props this week, but Ross has been great in his last couple of matches and is scrummaging well.
2-Samisoni Taukei'aho (Chiefs): Looking better and better at hooker. Won 11 lineouts and was effective in open play.
3-Oli Jager (Crusaders): Sound at setpiece and sturdy on defence.
4-Luke Romano (Crusaders): A tough call this week, but Romano's defence gets him in. Didn't miss a tackle.
5-Mitch Brown (Chiefs): 16 tackles from the Chiefs' leading tackler. Is shining in and around the lineout and has been a menace at the breakdown.
6-Sione Havili (Crusaders): Very nice outing from the flanker, both defensively and with ball in hand. Just edges Lachlan Boshier.
7-Sam Cane (Chiefs): Big performance from the Chiefs' captain. Gave his all on the defensive end with an impressive 20 tackles.
8-Hoskins Sotutu (Blues): Another massive outing from the No. 8. Powerful and explosive runner that is hard to stop.
9-Sam Nock (Blues): Tidy day's work from the halfback. Slick running and made all of his tackles.
10-Otere Black (Blues): Three weeks straight in Newshub's team of the week. Looks completely comfortable leading a rampant Blues backline around the park.
11-Leicester Fainga'anuku (Crusaders): The left-winger had a huge game, beating 13 defenders and running nearly 100 metres in a glittering performance.
12-TJ Faiane (Blues): A solid game from the second-five, whose combination with Rieko Ioane continues to improve.
13-Rieko Ioane (Blues): Once again showed his class in the centres. The Lions defence was hapless to contain him, as he proceeded to run riot through the midfield.
14-Sevu Reece (Crusaders): Another two tries for the All Blacks winger. Continues to turn heads.
15-Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes): Carved through the Chiefs' defence for most of the night, kicked well and showed to the Kiwi fans why he might just be the best fullback in New Zealand right now. Going to a new level in 2020.
Luke Robinson is a Newshub online sports producer.
