Following 10 rounds of 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

Another week in Super Rugby Pacific and another Shaun Stevenson try, only this time, it was a dramatic winner against the Crusaders with the clock almost dead.

The outside back needs no introduction to finishing tries, as the decisive score against the defending champions was his ninth of the campaign. He now sits only six tries short of the competition record.

Runners up: Englishman and Western Force speedster Zach Kibirige, who cannot stop scoring, and his brace shot him to second on the charts with eight tries. Crusaders Leicester Fainga’anuku, Hurricane Cam Roigard and Red Jordie Petaia all have seven tries to their names.

Top points scorer

Who else would be top of the point scorers other than Damian McKenzie? The superstar affectionately known as ‘DMac’ has been simply sublime since returning to New Zealand and is a key part of the Chiefs‘ unbeaten run.

That was no more true last weekend as he produced a clutch assist for the late winner against the Crusaders. He also scored 19 points on the night to become the first player this season to surpass a century of points with a total of 105.

Runners up: Crusaders star Richie Mo’unga lurks in second on 89 points, whilst Jordie Barrett and Sam Gilbert sit not far behind the All Black.

Top tackler

Tireless Wallabies and Reds star Fraser McReight continues his stint at the top of the tackle charts for the season after another lung-busting display last weekend.

Against the Western Force, McReight made 13 tackles in a busy performance, which took his overall tally to 127 tackles this season. It is an impressive tally and one that leads the way in the competition.

Runners up: Rebels skipper Brad Wilkin is not far behind on 122 tackles, whilst Crusaders engine Tom Christie is in third with 118 tackles.

Top carrier

From one Reds man to another as it is no surprise to see Harry Wilson remain at the summit of the carrying charts this week. The number eight is constantly putting his hand up to carry the ball, and it is an aspect of his play that the Queenslanders rely on greatly.

Hard work is an understatement for the star who notched up a ridiculous 19 carries in his team’s clash with the Western Force. That is some going from the star man who does not seem to stop and one who was recently rewarded with a contract extension until 2025.

Runners up: Blues and All Black loose forward Hoskins Sotutu is a fair way behind on 103 carries but is the only other player to surpass a century, whilst Brumbies outside back Tom Wright is on 90 carries.

Most defenders beaten

Moana Pasifika battering ram Levi Aumua maintains his lead in the defenders beaten category after another solid display for his side.

The centre beat seven players in a try-scoring display for his team last weekend, kicking his grand tally to an impressive 52 defenders beaten in Super Rugby Pacific this season.

Runners up: Hot on the heels of the robust centre is the evasive Mark Telea, who continues to perform week in and week out for the Blues. He sits on 49 defenders beaten only one ahead of Aumua’s teammate Timoci Tavatavanawai.

Running metres

There is a new leader this week as Brumbies star Tom Wright surpassed Telea to lead the category with a whopping 969 metres. Bear in mind this is at an average of over 100 metres gained per game.

Wright was on song yet again last weekend as he ran 106 metres with ball in hand against the Hurricanes. The fullback’s ability to constantly gain metres with ball in hand could prove useful in Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones’ eyes with the Rugby Championship in mind.

Runners up: Telea, who was last week’s leader in this category, is still within striking distance as he is on 948 metres carried – more than 100 ahead of third-placed Wilson.

Line-outs won

For the first time in what feels like forever, the leader of this category is not a Brumbies player.

This week Waratah Jed Holloway took 14 line-outs. Yes, you read correctly. It was an outstanding showcase of his line-out prowess, and his massive haul takes him to a total of 53 line-outs won.

Runners up: Brumby Nick Frost was too busy scoring a brace to keep his lead in this category and sits 10 takes behind his Wallabies teammate.

READ MORE: Super Rugby Pacific: Highlanders turn to ‘experienced’ Freddie Burns for attacking solutions

The article Super Rugby Pacific Stats: Damian McKenzie is the points LEADER after Culture Round appeared first on Planetrugby.com.