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Chiefs player ratings vs Blues | Super Rugby Aotearoa
Super Rugby Aotearoa round five continued this afternoon at FMG Stadium Waikato where a resurgent Chiefs hosted the star-studded Blues in the ‘Battle of the Bombay’s’. The locals went into the match coming off a drought-breaking 35-29 victory over the Hurricanes in round 4 that no doubt provided them with some unfamiliar psychological momentum going into the match.
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The Blues on-the-other-hand, were dented by their defeat at the hands of the Crusaders last week yet by were no means damaged and went into this match keen to atone for the loss and to re-establish themselves with winnings ways.
There were some milestones achieved in this match with Chief’s winger Sean Wainui earning his 50th Super Rugby Cap after debuting against the Crusaders in 2018. And All Black enforcer Ofa Tuungafasi earning his 100th for the Blues.
The combatants went to the sheds with the Blues ahead 7-0, but this wasn’t a dour affair. The first half was a physical affair coupled with a number of attacking raids by both sides, yet neither could deliver the final blow. If anything, the Chiefs looked the better side at the break despite being behind on the scoreboard.
The second half just evolved into an epic encounter with both sides throwing the ‘kitchen sink’ at each and every other piece of cutlery they could beg, borrow or steal. Eventually it was a Damien McKenzie try in the 79th minute that sealed a remarkable 5-12 victory by a team that only two weeks were written off by some.
This is how Rugby Pass rated the Chiefs:
1. Aidan Ross – 7/10
To nullify this Blues pack the Chiefs tight 5 needed to front up with something special, and he did. Nothing pretty but just a solid platform laid for his side to work off.
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2. Samisoni Taukei’aho – 7.5
Bit of mixed bag but when he got it right, he caused the Blues any number of headaches be it in tight or on the short side. If there were any real issue it was his lineout tonight but he did enough.
3. Angus Ta’avao – 7
Akin to his partner Aiden Ross, he was instrumental in giving his side a platform to work off against a quality opponent.
4. Samipeni Finau – 7
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Worked hard in the tight and was physical against more experienced opponents. Nothing fancy but did manage a turnover.
5. Naitoa Ah Kuoi – 7.5
Was quite special tonight as he was fearless into contact and was a handful for the Blues in defence. The personification of how physicality and urgency to the next set can extinguish whatever the opposition may have planned.
6. Mitchell Brown – 7
Guilty of some ill-discipline early on but worked tirelessly throughout the game and contributed nicely on both sides of the ball to the win.
7. Sam Cane – 7
Not his greatest performance but he certainly caused the Blues issues around the breakdown nabbing two turnovers. Topping the tackle count with 15 he led his side by example, as he always does.
8. Luke Jacobson – 7.5
Special performance against a quality backrow, and like Sam Cane, he caused the Blues issues at the breakdown and was a wall in defence.
A try in the last minute to fullback Damian McKenzie saw the Chiefs win an all-time classic against the Blues, 15-12.#CHIvBLU #SuperRugbyAotearoa https://t.co/TCjIwbnGsT
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 27, 2021
9. Brad Weber – 7.5
Was dangerous at the breakdown, but heroic in defence. There service he provided both Kaleb Trask and later Damien McKenzie ensured that the Chiefs were able to win this one at the death.
10. Kaleb Trask – 7
Really enjoyed his game and he has developed nicely. Knew when to take the ball the line or when to use the options off him. He played tough and played intelligently.
11. Sean Wainui – 7
Very solid in his 50th Chiefs cap. Just worked hard off the ball, chased the kicks and made his tackles. Didn’t get as many attacking opportunities as he may have liked but he carried well when they came.
12. Quinn Tupaea – 8
He was devastating in attack tonight causing the Blues midfields headaches they’ll be feeling for a while yet. His defence was also telling as the Blues didn’t get as much punch through the midfield as they may have been hoping for because of this man. Best Chief on the park.
13. Anton Lienert-Brown – 7.5
All his experience came to the fore in every aspect of his game tonight. Be it defence, attack or positional play or doing the dirty work at the ruck.
14. Shaun Stevenson – 7
Like Wainui, he didn’t get much of a chance in attack, but his defence tonight was his biggest contribution to the win.
15. Damian McKenzie – 8
A class above the others tonight and whilst Trask played well, McKenzie really brought his side home with all of his smarts. Scoring the winning try was fitting for a player who now appears absolutely recovered from a serious knee injury sustained several seasons ago.
With the Chiefs down 7-0 at the time, fullback Damian McKenzie made an impressive try-saving tackle on Blues winger Mark Telea.#SuperRugbyAotearoa #CHIvBLU https://t.co/e82bisCEgf
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 27, 2021
Reserves:
16. Bradley Slater – 6
Did enough despite one overthrow when the Chiefs were well on attack.
17. Ollie Norris – 6
Up against a more experienced pack he did his job.
18. Reuben O’Neill – N/A
19. Simon Parker – N/A
Didn’t see enough.
20. Pita Gus Sowakula – 6.5
Came on and worked hard and brought the desired impact.
21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi – N/A
22. Alex Nankivell – N/A
Didn’t see enough.
23. Chase Tiatia – N/A
Comments on RugbyPass
Don’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
1 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
3 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
3 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
8 Go to comments