Following four rounds of electric action in the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific, Planet Rugby takes a closer look at the players who are key to the exciting rugby on show and who leads the rest in the respective individual statistics category.

Top try scorer

There is absolutely no surprise to see the prolific Shaun Stevenson remain at the top of the try scorer’s chart after a brace of tries in the Chiefs’ win over the Rebels.

The full-back’s strike rating is very, very impressive, having scored a total of seven tries in the opening four games of the Super Rugby Pacific season. With the most tries in one single season in the competition’s history being 15 by Nagni Laumape, Joe Roff and Rico Gear, the Chiefs man has a real chance to rewrite the record in his favour.

Runners up: Crusaders star Leicester Fainga’anuku shot to second spot alongside others with four tries after a sensational hat-trick against the Blues last weekend. Reds duo Jordan Petaia and Josh Flook also sit on four tries, with Waratah Max Jorgensen and Fijian Drua’s Iosefo Masi on the same number.

Top points

Waratah Tane Edmed loses his spot atop the pile as the Barrett brothers almost inevitably show their hand. Jordie leads the competition after another solid outing at inside centre for the Hurricanes in their victory over the Western Force.

The younger of the two brothers has scored 47 points and deserves the top spot after a good kicking performance in windy conditions.

Runners up: Beauden is only four points behind his brother with 43, whilst Western Force star Bryce Hegarty has scored the same number.

Top tacklers

Crusaders star Tom Christie shoots to the top of this category after a mammoth 22 tackles made against the Blues as his side edged the replay from last season’s final.

The monstrous tackle count takes the loose forward to a grand total of 67 tackles, nine clear of the next player.

Runners up: Last week’s leader Dalton Papali’i sits on 58 tackles after round four, whilst Force’s Ollie Callan is in the mix with 56 tackles.

Top carriers

There is change at the top of the carrying category with ever-impressive Blues number Hoskins Sotutu charging ahead of Harry Wilson.

Sotutu made a whopping 21 carries against the Crusaders to take his overall tally to an impressive 59 carries after four rounds of action.

Runners up: Last week’s leader Harry Wilson put in a strong shift last weekend and sits on 55 carries, whilst the third-placed Thomas Umaga-Jensen is some distance behind with 45.

Most defenders beaten

Moana Pasifika star Timoci Tavatavanawai remains the player to have beaten the most defenders this season despite only adding one more to his tally during round four.

The robust runner takes his tally to 27 players beaten in the opening four games of the season.

Runners up: Blues star Mark Telea made some good ground in round four and took his total to 23, whilst Moana’s Levi Aumua lurks close behind with 18 defenders beaten.

Running metres

Sotutu’s massive shift against the defending champions did not only influence the carrying category as his efforts with ball in hand were effective enough to take him to the top of the running metres this season.

In his 21 carries, the number eight made a ridiculous 120 metres, catapulting him to the top of the pile with a total of 517 metres gained with ball in hand.

Runners up: Stevenson drops down to second place after round four with a total of 473 metres, whilst Brumby Tom Wright is in third with 468 metres made.

Most line-outs won

Brumbies star Nick Frost takes the top spot after an impressive eight takes in his side’s clash with Moana Pasifika.

The efficient line-out from round four takes the Wallaby’s total to 22 takes so far this season, averaging over five takes a game.

Runners up: Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham will be happy to see another player of his, Cadeyrn Neville, only one take behind with 21 whilst last week’s leader Josh Canham remains on 19.

READ MORE: Super Rugby Pacific: 100 up for Chiefs star man Damian McKenzie against the Waratahs

The article Super Rugby Pacific: The seven stats leaders after round four, including several changes appeared first on Planetrugby.com.