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Frank Lochore - Utah Warriors second row
Lochore was a tackle machine last weekend, making a remarkable 29, while also taking 16 lineout takes and arriving at six rucks.
The 23-year-old Kiwi and former Hawke's Bay Magpies player made a round-high 23 tackles in week 9 but continues to beat his personal best.
They are of course freakish numbers for the lock/flanker but his defensive heroics weren't enough as his side were beaten 28-12 by Old Glory DC in an inter-conference battle.
Utah remain top of the Western Conference but only by three points with San Diego Legion hot on their heels.
Humphreys P. (8'), Naqali T. (21'), Rizzo J. (36'), Fa'anana Schultz J. (48')
Tries
Davis R. (60'), Apulu F. (66')
Emery J. (22')
Conversions
Hodgson J. (61')
Emery J. (5', 69')
Penalties
Christian Poidevin - San Diego Legion blindside flanker
Speaking of San Diego, their star No.6 was in fine form last weekend in their 45-38 triumph, which saw the Californians bounce back from their midweek loss at title rivals Utah.
Poidevin, 26, scored two tries, made 11 tackles and was a force of nature with ball in hand making 34 metres.
The Australian forward is the son of former Wallaby, Simon Poidevin, who won 59 caps for Australia between 1980-91, and joined San Diego from the now defunct La Giltinis in 2023.
In his five seasons in the MLR, the back row has scored 17 tries in 49 starts - a remarkable strike rate for a flanker, with Poidevin sitting joint third in the league's current top scorers with seven touchdowns this term.
Paula Balekana - New England Free Jacks winger
Balekana scored a hat-trick during New England's comfortable 36-17 win over the Houston SaberCats to take him up to second in the try scoring charts with eight in as many appearances.
The two-time reigning champions are top of the Eastern Conference by a point largely thanks to the freescoring form of their Fijian wing.
Balekana, 31, will hope to surpass his personal best of 15 tries which he scored in New England's title win in 2022/23.
