Chiefs player ratings vs Hurricanes | Super Rugby Pacific
Playing in torrential conditions at Hamilton’s FMG Stadium, the Chiefs have returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 23-12 victory over the high-flying Hurricanes.
Lock Tupou Vaa’i stole the show with an impressive double, and led the way for the Chiefs alongside Samisoni Taukei’aho and Brodie Retallick.
Playmaker Damian McKenzie also managed to impress considering the difficult conditions. Here’s how the Chiefs rated.
- Shaun Stevenson – 8/10
When rugby fans either turn off their TVs or travel home from FMG Stadium tonight, I’m sure they’ll be questioning whether or not they just witnessed really happened. Because, going off this season’s form at least, Shaun Stevenson did not score a try – but was still a class above in tough conditions.
The fullback ended up running for the most metres out of any Chiefs player (82) by the time he was replaced, and also kicked quite well. All jokes aside, it was a bit of a different performance from Shaun Stevenson tonight, but he continues to state his case for a potential All Blacks callup later this year.
- Emoni Narawa – 6.5
It was just one of those nights for the Chiefs’ wingers. Playing in the wet, the conditions didn’t exactly suit running rugby. While Emoni Narawa managed to run the ball an impressive 10 times, he averaged only about four metres per carry.
- Alex Nankivell – 7.5
Centre Alex Nankivell was a man on a mission on both attack and defence. Starting with his defensive effort, Nankivell completed 80 per cent of his 10 tackle attempts – a solid considering both the conditions and the threat that the Canes pose. Nankivell was also solid in attack.
- Anton Lienert-Brown – 5.5
Veteran centre Anton Lienert-Brown struggled to make an impact against the Hurricanes. With just two tackles and four runs to his name, Lienert-Brown couldn’t develop any consistency during his time out in the middle. The All Black had a moment to forget just before the break too, having kicked the ball out of play with 10 seconds to run on the clock.
- Etene Nanai-Seturo – 6.5
For any forward, playing in the wet is probably a bit of fun – but the wider you go out on a rugby field, the less than statement is shared among teammates. Playing in horrendous conditions in Hamilton, the ball just didn’t really come Etene Nanai-Seturo’s way too often. While the winger made a number of decent carries considering the conditions, Nanai-Seturo also made a few errors – but really, who can blame him? It was just one of those nights.
- Damian McKenzie – 8
Let’s start with the bad, although it’s somewhat expected considering the conditions. Off the kicking tee, it didn’t all go to plan for McKenzie, who missed a couple of conversion attempts early on. But as the match went on, McKenzie found his groove.
Especially in the final 30 minutes of the match, McKenzie set up a number of teammates for short yet effective half-breaks with clever passes. The playmaker kicked quite well too – coming incredibly close to a 50/22 late in the second half.
- Brad Weber – 7.5
With blood dripping from his nose, Chiefs co-captain Brad Weber was met with a loud cheer from the home crowd as he ran off the field at FMG Stadium. Having played almost an hour of rugby in torrential conditions in Hamilton, the star halfback had certainly earned a rest.
As a playmaker, it’s always going to be tough when the conditions are that bad – seriously, if you told me this game was played in the eye of a cyclone for about 20 minutes, I wouldn’t have questioned you. But still, Weber made it work.
The halfback looked cool, calm and collected, and help steer the Chiefs around the park with both patience and skill. Weber added 70 passes to his season tally, and also impressed in defence with 12 tackles from 13 attempts.
- Aidan Ross – 7
During his 52 minutes out in the middle, prop Aidan Ross put in a solid shift against the high-flying Hurricanes. Ross contributed to a dominant Chiefs scrum, and was also a work horse around the ground. Ross finished with the most runs out of any prop on the night with five, and also made an impressive 10 tackles on the defensive side of the ball.
- Samisoni Taukei’aho – 8.5
World-class – that’s the summary.
Back in the run-on side this week, All Blacks and Chiefs hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho didn’t skip a beat. In fact, you can’t really ask for much more in tough conditions. Taukei’aho ran the ball a game-high 16 time, beat six defenders, and stole the show in defence with an incredible 17 tackles.
Again, Samisoni Taukei’aho is world-class.
- George Dyer – 6
In tough conditions, prop George Dyer was solid against the Hurricanes – the front rower did what he needed to, although to failed to really excel. The Chiefs’ scrum was reliable, if not dominant at times, and Dyer deserves some praise for that. But around the grounds, Dyer didn’t get involved as much as his teammates or opponents.
- Brodie Retallick – 8
Right up until the final whistle, All Blacks centurion Brodie Retallick was relentless. Whether it was in attack or defence, the veteran lock was well and truly in the thick of the action – and more than held his own by doing so. In fact, Retallick was certainly one of the Chiefs’ best on Saturday.
Retallick was a menace at the set-piece, as his number was regularly called upon as the go-to man for Samisoni Taukei’aho at the lineout. The All Black also wreaked havoc on the Hurricanes’ throw too, which included a steal in the 31st minute.
- Tupou Vaa’i – 8
The future of the All Blacks’ second row is in good hands. Lock Tupou Vaa’i was sensational alongside veteran Brodie Retallick, although he wasn’t called upon a lot at the set-piece. Instead, Vaa’i made his mark in the most important area of the game – on the scoreboard. The lock scored a double, and came with a metre or two of a third late in the contest.
Tupou Vaa’i finds his way over for the @ChiefsRugby 💪#CHIvHUR #SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/CbBHRJEI02
— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) May 20, 2023
- Pita Gus Sowakula – 8
Pita Gus Sowakula, take a bow after that performance. The blindside flanker appeared to have an abundance of energy against the Canes, as he worked tirelessly to get his hands on the ball in the pursuit of victory. By the end of the contest, the loose forward had carried the ball a game-high 17 times – running for 52 metres, beating four defenders and throwing one offload.
- Sam Cane – 8
Leading by example, co-captain Sam Cane made a staggering 19 stops on the defensive side of the ball – that’s elite. For anyone doubting whether or not Cane should start for the All Blacks at this year’s World Cup, just show them the stats.
Cane was also buys around the park, having carried the ball multiple times with both purpose and intent. In tough conditions in Hamilton, Cane certainly did a job for the ladder-leaders.
- Luke Jacobson – 7
All Black Luke Jacobson never really fails to do the Chiefs jersey justice, and Saturday night’s New Zealand derby was no different. In trying conditions at FMG Stadium, the No. 8 managed to make a decent impact – although, Jacobson did go missing during periods of the match.
By the time he was replaced, Jacobson had made 10 tackles and run the ball six times. While these are more than impressive numbers on their own, the backrower has set a fairly high standard of himself during his career so far.
Replacements:
- Tyrone Thompson – 6
- Ollie Norris – 6.5
- John Ryan – 6.5
- Naitoa Ah Kuoi – 6
- Simon Parker – 5.5
- Cortez Ratima – 7.5
- Josh Ioane – N/A – Came on too late to give a fair rating.
- Rameka Poihipi – 6
Comments on RugbyPass
I think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to comments