With the dust having settled on the Super Rugby semi-finals, we have gone through the action to pick out the best players from the past weekend.

The Jaguares lead the way following their dominant victory over the Brumbies, while the Crusaders and Hurricanes are well-represented after their stunning encounter in Christchurch.

Team of the Week: Super Rugby, semi-finals

15 Emiliano Boffelli (Jaguares): Another exemplary display at the back from the Jags’ outstanding full-back, who was solid under the high ball and a threat in attack. His booming left boot was also vital against the Brumbies as the hosts controlled territory in their comfortable semi-final victory. Elsewhere, Jordie Barrett had a good second half in Christchurch but it was not enough to displace the excellent Boffelli.

14 Sevu Reece (Crusaders): Has been the competition’s star winger in 2019 and produced two more stunning finishes to help the defending champions see off a resilient Hurricanes on Saturday. Reece was clinical in Christchurch. Firstly, he latched onto Ryan Crotty’s crossfield kick, brilliantly picking up to score, before the wing rounded Beauden Barrett and touched down in the right-hand corner.

13 Matias Orlando (Jaguares): Hasn’t perhaps got the accolades of some of the other centres in Super Rugby, but has arguably been the best 13 this year and showed his ability on Friday as the Jaguares thrashed the Brumbies. Scored twice but his all-round game was hugely impressive, with him making 10 tackles in defence without missing. However, most will remember Orlando’s second try as he weaved his way through the opposition rearguard for a wonderful individual effort.

12 Ngani Laumape (Hurricanes): Has been a human bulldozer once again this season and displayed his considerable power against the Crusaders, touching down twice in the narrow semi-final defeat. Having initially struggled in Christchurch, Laumape’s try, where he held off the attentions of several defenders, got the visitors back in the contest, before he went over for the second time in the second half. There, he showed great awareness to chest down a loose ball – almost football style – and pick up to score. As a result, the centre takes the position from the Crusaders’ Ryan Crotty, who may have been in contention had he not gone off with a hand injury early in the second period.

11 Ben Lam (Hurricanes): There were a few contenders for this position, with George Bridge and Matias Moroni performing well for the Crusaders and Jaguares respectively, but we’ve gone with Lam, who had an excellent second half for the Hurricanes. The hosts struggled to contain Lam’s power and pace as the wing constantly made it over the gain line. The 28-year-old made 76 metres in total, which included four clean breaks,

10 Joaquin Diaz Bonilla (Jaguares): With Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett both in such good form, it was an incredibly difficult selection, but we’ve gone with the Argentinian, who expertly guided the hosts to an impressive triumph. Doesn’t have the attacking game of the other two but his tactical kicking was pinpoint, while the 30-year-old was also accurate off the tee. Social media have shown how hyped up the Jags were for the contest, but Diaz Bonilla was calmness personified and was a crucial reason as to why they dominated the encounter on Friday.

9 Tomas Cubelli (Jaguares): The scrum-half worked brilliantly with Diaz Bonilla to get the Brumbies on the back foot from the start of the match. His box-kicking was outstanding in both a defensive and attacking sense, which meant the Australians had to force the play, leading to a number of errors. TJ Perenara was excellent for the Hurricanes and unfortunate to be on the losing side but Cubelli deservedly takes his place in the XV.

8 Kieran Read (Crusaders): The All Blacks captain came to the fore with a good all-round showing in his side’s victory against the Hurricanes in Christchurch. The 33-year-old was prominent on attack where he completed 15 runs and eventually gained 26 metres. Also impressed on defence with 10 hits and did well at the lineouts as well.

7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes): Another All Black who caught the eye in Christchurch and he was at the forefront of an excellent forward effort from the men from Wellington. The 25-year-old ran hard and made a nuisance of himself at the breakdowns, but made his biggest impact on defence and eventually completed a team-high 14 tackles.

6 Pablo Matera (Jaguares): Brumbies tearaway Rob Valetini impressed as Matera’s direct opponent but the Argentina international continued with his impressive form which helped the Jaguares book their place in the final. As usual, Matera was a willing ball carrier and also did well in the execution of his defensive duties with eight tackles.

5 Tomas Lavanini (Jaguares): Young Hurricanes lock Isaia Walker-Leawere‘s stocks continue to rise after another fine display in his side’s defeat to the Crusaders but we could not ignore Lavanini, who put in a busy shift for the Jaguares in Buenos Aires. The 26-year-old scored a deserved try but also did well in the lineouts and on defence where he made 11 hits.

4 Guido Petti (Jaguares): Joins his partner Lavanini in our second-row after another impressive performance in their triumph over the Brumbies. Petti was a willing ball carrier, gaining 19 metres from 10 carries, and also defended well making five tackles. Was also influential in the lineouts where he won several balls including some on the Brumbies’ throw-ins.

3 Allan Alaalatoa (Brumbies): The Brumbies battled to get going in their defeat to the Jaguares but not through a lack of trying from the Wallaby front-row, who can hold his head high after a solid performance. Alaalatoa got the better of Mayco Vivas in the scrums and also caught the eye on defence where he completed 10 tackles.

2 Codie Taylor (Crusaders): Was involved in a tight tussle with fellow All Black Dane Coles but the Crusaders man gets the nod after a solid performance for the champions. Taylor was impressive with ball in hand and eventually gained 31 metres from seven carries, which included two clean breaks and an offload. He also made a handful of tackles and impressed with accurate throw-ins at the lineouts.

1 Toby Smith (Hurricanes): It’s not often that someone gets the better of Owen Franks but that’s exactly what the former Wallabies prop did in Christchurch. Smith stood his man in the scrums and did well on attack where he gained 21 metres from five runs with one clean break and a defender beaten. The 30-year-old also put his body on the line on defence with six hits.