Not the greatest of performances from the Kiwi teams this weekend.  The Highlanders getting beaten on their return to New Zealand, the Crusaders never getting out of first gear in their win, the Hurricanes using their second ' get out of jail free' card, and the Blues, despite winning, not looking world beaters, as we now know they aren't!

15:  Leon McDonald (Crusaders).  Constantly the form fullback at the moment in New Zealand.  Must have one hand on the test jersey for this season already. 
Last week:  Leon McDonald (Crusaders). 

14:  Rico Gera (Crusaders).  He ran really fast, and no one else did sod all either, so Gear keeps his spot!
Last week:  Rico Gear (Crusaders). 

13:  Anthony Tuitavaki (Blues).  Pace, power and all in a pocket rocket package.  Staring to his his straps now after being selected for a few weeks in a row.  Only be default though, after the 'gym accident' to Ben Atiga.  but don't worry, Atiga will be fit again soon, and being an Aucklander, will be fast tracked back into the starting lineup...
Last week:  Caleb Ralph (Crusaders).  

12:  Aaron Mauger (Crusaders).  In the sort of form that saw him pulled into the All Blacks on the end of season tour in 2002.  Lightning quick acceleration and invariably takes the right option.  His pass for MacDonald's second try was a beauty, not for the looks and wow factor, just for the timing and the knowing that he had taken the gap, now set the try up.  He MAY have scored himself if he had gone alone, and a Nonu would have methinks.  Not Mauger though, just Class with a capital C.
Last week:  Sam Tuitupou (Chiefs).

11:  Hosea Gera (Hurricanes).  Scored a match winner, and brother of an All Black, so gets the nod this week to join Rico on the wings of the TSF form team.  Also shows the lack of wingers setting the world on fire this week.  Hell, I nearly gave the spot to the Highlanders Kahui!! 
Last week:  Sitivini Sivivatu (Chiefs).

10:  Dan Carter (Crusaders).  Not up to his own usual high standard I thought, but still, was pretty handy.  Better than the rest of the tens on display at any rate.
Last week:  Dan Carter (Crusaders).

9:  Piri Weepu (Hurricanes).  Will almost be allowed to put a mortgage onto the nine jersey for the coming international season, barring injury that is. 
Last week:  Piri Weepu (Hurricanes).

8:  Rodney So'oialo (Hurricanes).  Huge game from the 'Canes captain, operating behind a tight five that was getting rolled back over him time after time!  Making yards in the tight constantly, leading from the front in the Buck Shelford style - the follow me leader.  Was good to see. 
Last week:  Rodney So'oialo (Hurricanes).

7:  Tim Boys (Highlanders).  Carried his form from the NPC though to the Super 14, and looking pretty comfortable at this level too.  A few handling lapses, but in general looked very tidy, yet another classy opensider to keep the lads honest at the top of the tree.
Last week:  Richard McCaw (Crusaders).

6:  Jerry Collins (Hurricanes).  Rodney So'oialo's right hand man and effective right across he field once again.  Made light of the performance of the Hurricanes tight five, giving the pack much needed forward momentum through shear bloody mindedness and strength
Last week:  Jerry Collins (Hurricanes).

5:  Chris Jack (Crusaders).  Less than half a game, but Jack was outstanding.  Good to see him starting to hit his straps - I expect he will be peaking at the end of teh Super 12 season, along with the rest of the Crusaders - scary thought eh...
Last week:  Chris Jack (Crusaders).

4:  Greg Rawlinson (Blues).  At last the big Boer shows the sort of form that was putting him in he spotlight for the All Blacks last season.  Buried himself in the tight, ripping into rucks and mauls like a good lock should, no holds barred!
Last week:  Jono Gibbes (Chiefs).

3:  Carl Hayman (Highlanders).  Must be getting sick of the mammoth Boer props he's been having to battle over the last month, but still fighting on and performing week in and week out.  Great to see the head tape too, genuine prop stuff that!!
Last week:  Carl Hayman (Highlanders).

2:  Kevin Mealamu (Blues).  Continues to put in the big games, and this time supported by the rest of his pack too, as the Blues lost their Super 14 duck, and beat the Brumbies.
Last week:  Corey Flynn (Crusaders).

1:  Clark Dermody (Highlanders).  Is making the step up to regular starting spots with the Highlanders with ease, and looking the goods. Must be a certainty for the Junior All Blacks again this season, and if he carries this sort of form on for the remainder of the season might be pushing for full honours at the end of season tour at the very least.
Last week:  Simms Davison (Chiefs).