Chiefs player ratings vs Rebels | Super Rugby Pacific
The Chiefs are now unbeaten through four rounds of this year’s Super Rugby Pacific campaign after putting on a show against the Melbourne Rebels in Hamilton.
Led by fullback Shaun Stevenson, who continues to dominate games seemingly at will, the Chiefs ran away with a dominant 44-25 win at FMG Stadium.
Stevenson continued his outstanding start to the season with another two tries, while wingers Emoni Narawa and Etene Nanai-Seturo also made their mark. Here’s how the Chiefs rated.
- Shaun Stevenson – 9/10
At the moment, it seems like there’re three certainties in life: death, taxes and Shaun Stevenson scoring tries for the Chiefs. The form player of Super Rugby Pacific added to his season tally, to bring his total to seven ties across four rounds.
Stevenson also had a try assist, sending winger Etene Nanai-Seturo over for a try in the second half. The fullback ran for 40 metre from nine carries, and made a noticeable impact in defence.
- Emoni Narawa – 8.5
To put it simply, winger Emoni Narawa was brilliant throughout the first half for the Chiefs. Narawa was good in the second 40 as well, but he made his mark before the break.
Narawa created something from nothing midway through the first half, before setting up midfielder Rameka Poihipi for the opening Chiefs try. The winger ran about 50 metres, beat three defenders, and got the offload off to send his teammate over for the score.
Emoni Narawa ladies and gentlemen! 🔥#CHIvREB #SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/ZU2WmYmlGJ
— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) March 18, 2023
Then, about 13 minutes later, Narawa tip-toed with the sideline en route to a try of his own. The winger could be seen pointing at Poihipi, asking him to kick the ball ahead. Poihipi did just that, and Narawa made the most of it – gathering the ball, and then dancing with the touchline before crossing in the right corner.
While his first half was especially impressive, Narawa’s stat line speaks for itself. He finished with 119 running metre from 12 carries, and beat seven defenders.
- Alex Nankivell – 8
Centre Alex Nankivell has been an unsung hero for the Chiefs so far this season, and I won’t stand for it. It’s time Nankivell gets the praise he so rightly deserves after another impressive performance at FMG Stadium.
Nankivell was in the middle of everything – in the leadup to practically every Chiefs try, the outside centre played a part. The 26-year-old also had a try assist after setting up the high-flying Shaun Stevenson for a score with a clever kick.
- Rameka Poihipi – 7.5
Rameka Poihipi has gone from strength to strength since starting for the Chiefs in Super Round. The inside centre had another strong showing in Round Four, which included a try and a try assist.
Poihipi was in the right place at the right time early in the contest, as he finished the aforementioned 50 metre run from winger Emoni Narawa. Shortly after, the midfielder repaid the favour with a try assist – sending Narawa over a for a well-earned try with a clever chip kick.
- Etene Nanai-Seturo – 8
Former All Blacks Sevens star Etene Nanai-Seturo was kept quiet during the opening 40, but came alive in the second half. More than anything else, wingers will always be scrutinised or praised depending on their ability to score tries.
Well, Nanai-Seturo did what any good winger does on Saturday, and waited for the right moment to strike against the Rebels. The Chiefs spread the ball wide and the winger ultimately reaped the rewards, as he scored in the left corner.
Nanai-Seturo also had a try assist, and ran for more than 100 metres from 12 carries.
- Bryn Gatland – 7
This might be a bit of a controversial rating – or maybe you agree with it – but Gatland was good without being great on Saturday. While the playmaker steered the team around the park with purpose and intent, the world-class players outside him contributed to tries and highlight plays a bit more.
Gatland had a moment to forget just before the 30 minute mark after the Chiefs were awarded a penalty inside their own half. Looking to kick the ball deep inside the Rebels’ 22, the flyhalf kicked the ball dead – a potentially costly mistake with the game in the balance at that stage.
- Cortez Ratima – 7.5
Halfback Cortez Ratima was quite good at the Rebels. Starting with the fundamentals for his position, Ratima was quick, accurate and smart with his passing game – and was also reliable off the boot when called upon.
But something that really stood out this week was his running game, Ratima showed that he can cause some headaches when he decides to pin the ears back, which is what ultimately laid the platform for Tyrone Thompson’s try.
- Aidan Ross – 5.5
All Black Aidan Ross was a bit quiet on Sunday afternoon. Ross failed to make a noticeable impact on the match, having run the ball twice. On the defensive side of the contest, the prop only made one tackle.
But it wasn’t all doom and gloom for Ross. The one-cap All Black certainly held his won at the set-piece, having won a penalty for his side at the scrum in the 28th minute.
- Tyrone Thompson – 6.5
Thompson had some big shoes to fill this week after being named in the starting side ahead of All Black Samisoni Taukei’aho – and he certainly did the Chiefs jersey justice. The No. 2 was practically perfect at the set-piece, having hit seven of his targets at the lineout.
The Chiefs No. 2 crossed for one of the Chiefs’ many tries on Saturday as well, having scored inside the opening two minutes of the second half. Thompson had a crack at the try-line from about a metre out, and in hindsight was never going to be stopped from there.
- John Ryan – 5
Former Ireland prop John Ryan failed to make his mark against the Rebels. Ryan was solid at the set-piece, but otherwise went missing during his time out in the middle. The 34-year-old only ran the ball twice and made three tackles.
- Naitoa Ah Kuoi – 7
Much like teammate Tyrone Thompson, lock Naitoa Ah Kuoi was following in the footsteps of a New Zealand rugby giant in Round Four. Without Brodie Retallick, the Chiefs looked to a new-look second row combination for this week’s clash.
Ah Kuoi didn’t look out of place in the starting side, having made the third-most tackles out of any Chiefs player with eight. The second-rower was also busy in attack, and at the set-piece.
Manaaki Selby-Rickit wasn’t at his best on Saturday. While the team went on to record a big win over the Rebels, the lock went missing for a lot of the contest. Selby-Rickit only ran the ball once, and had five carries to his name.
- Samipeni Finau – 6.5
23-year-old Samipeni Finau was one of the go-to players at the set-piece for the Chiefs, but was otherwise kept quiet for large periods of the match. The flanker ran the ball three times and beat one defender, and finished with an 83 per cent tackle completion rate.
- Luke Jacobson (c) – 7
Running out with the ‘C’ next to his name this week, flanker Luke Jacobson led by example on the defensive side of the game. Having shifted into openside flanker, Jacobson made the equal-most tackles out of any player.
As for his impact on attack, the All Black was also hungry to get involved. Jacobson was made to work hard for every one of his 21 running metres, across his eight carries. With no Sam Cane this week, Jacobson certainly made his mark around the breakdown as well.
- Pita Gus Sowakula – 7
All Black Pita Gus Sowakula could’ve had a 7.5 rating this week had he made a few more tackles on defence. The No. 8 worked tirelessly in attack, having an incredible 15 times for 45 metres.
But Gus Sowakula was kept quiet on the defensive side of the ball. The backrower only made four tackles, although he didn’t miss any as well. Overall, it was a promising performance from the Chiefs star.
Replacements:
- Samisoni Taukei’aho – 7
- Ollie Norris – 5
- George Dyer – 5
- Laghlan McWhannell – N/A
- Kaylum Boshier – 5.5
- Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi – 6
- Josh Ioane – N/A
- Damian McKenzie – 6 – A surprise inclusion off the bench. McKenzie came on quite late in the contest.
Comments on RugbyPass
SBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
6 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
11 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
11 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
6 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
11 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
11 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
11 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
11 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
11 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
11 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
11 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
11 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to comments