Highlanders player ratings vs Blues | Super Rugby Aotearoa
The Highlanders have kept their Super Rugby Aotearoa final hopes alive with a shock 35-29 win over the Blues in Dunedin on Friday.
The unfavourable hosts held and lost the lead four times throughout the first half before eventually pulling ahead in the second stanza in a victory that was only secured in the 75th minute.
Now sitting just one point astray from a grand final spot, the Highlanders need a win over the Hurricanes in a fortnight and other results to go their way to feature in the competition’s finale on May 8.
With all that in mind, here’s how they rated:
1. Ayden Johnstone – 7
Made a stupendous tackle on Caleb Clarke to stop the powerful All Blacks wing from cantering into the Highlanders’ half. Worked well with his tight five to lay a good platform at the scrum.
2. Ash Dixon – 7
Wore his hear ton his sleeve, as he always does for the Highlanders, and made himself a menace with ball in hand. Connected with each one of his lineout throws. Little to complain about his effort.
3. Siate Tokolahi – 6
Anchored the scrum well. Hard to fault in general as he got stuck into his work well, although there was nothing amazing to write home about.
4. Bryn Evans – 7.5
Dependable as per usual. Even at the age of 36, the two-test All Black is showing his worth as a valued member of the squad via his work at the lineout, scrummaging and on either side of the ball.
5. Josh Dickson – 7.5
Like his second row partner, Dickson was prominent throughout. Did well at the lineout, carried hard whenever he had the chance and defended well with 13 tackles to his name.
6. Shannon Frizell – 8.5
Got stuck in for the entirety of the match. Regardless of which side of the ball he was on, or if he was at the breakdown, Frizell was at the forefront of much of the action. Was partially responsible for stopping Akira Ioane over the tryline and then rocked Harry Plummer with a big tackle in the middle of the park to help earn a penalty. Was also a dependable option at the lineout and topped the tackle count with an eye-catching 21 tackles from 22 attempts.
7. Billy Harmon – 8
Like Frizell, was busy throughout. Was ever-present at the breakdown, snaffling a whopping four turnovers and making 13 tackles from 15 attempts. Outshone Dalton Papalii, who has come to prominence in recent weeks, which is no mean feat. Off in the 72nd minute.
8. Kazuki Himeno – 8.5
A well-taken turnover penalty inside the first three minutes, a feat he replicated further up the park on the stroke of half-time. Showed good strength to crash over from close over after 15 minutes. Off in the 50th minute for Marino Mikaele-Tu’u.
9. Aaron Smith – 9.5
Was unfortunate extreme to throw an intercepted pass right into the clutches of Jonathan Ruru from a lineout five metres from his own tryline. Was otherwise his spectacular best as he again proved himself as one of the world’s best halfbacks. Effectively set up Himeno’s try with a quick penalty tap. Actually set up Ngatungane Punvai’s try with a lovely inside ball. Showed wholehearted commitment to stop the Blues in their tracks from a Caleb Clarke linebreak in the 51st minute. Was constantly a thorn in the Blues’ backsides with his defensive efforts. Distribution, leadership and energy level were at a world-class level, as per usual. The Highlanders shouldn’t be counted out of contention of a place in the Super Rugby Aotearoa final as long as Smith is on the park. Off in the 76th minute for Kayne Hammington.
10. Mitch Hunt – 8
Good running line and quality distribution to set up Josh Ioane’s try. Those traits were further emphasised as he went on to pick up an impressive four try assists and was outstanding in his covering tackle effort to bring down a charging Caleb Clarke.
11. Jona Nareki – 7
Still yet to see him at his brilliant best as was seen against the Chiefs in Hamilton early last month, but kept the Blues on the back foot with his kicking game and was handed his try on a platter via a looping Hunt cut out ball.
12. Scott Gregory – 7.5
Hustled hard to chase down a Mitch Hunt chip kick to earn his side a penalty at the breakdown that resulted in an easy three points. Good distribution skills on show early in the match. Hobbled around the field towards the end of the match, and Tony Brown will hope he’s fit after the bye week as he looks to have found a home in the midfield.
13. Patelesio Tomkinson – 6.5
Guilty of rushing out of his defensive line too often, one time of which allowed Rieko Ioane to stroll on in for a try. Showed good variation on attack with an astute kicking game. High defensive output with 11 tackles from 13 attempts and two turnovers.
14. Ngatungane Punivai – 7.5
Probably his best performance as a Highlander. Was involved heavily on attack and finished off a clinical set piece move right on half-time in impressive fashion. Coming into form at the right end of the season. Off in the 60th minute for Michael Collins.
15. Josh Ioane – 8
Followed up his outstanding showing off the bench against the Chiefs last week by asking a multitude of questions of the visitors’ defence. Bagged a second try in as many matches off the back of a well-set scrum from close range. Brilliant try-saving tackle on Caleb Clarke early in the second half. Trusty off the tee. Only blight came in the opening stages of the game when a clearing kick was charged down near his own tryline. While he’s normally a first-five, his shift to fullback looks to be a masterstroke move by Tony Brown.
Reserves:
16. Liam Coltman – 6
On in the 57th minute. Reliable at the lineout and solid on defence.
17. Ethan de Groot – 7
On in the 53rd minute for Johnstone. Came on and instantly won scrum penalty up against All Blacks tighthead Nepo Laulala. Should really be starting for the Highlanders, such is the ability and potential of the 22-year-old Southland.
18. Josh Hohneck – 6.5
On in the 53rd minute for Tokolahi. Showed plenty of vigour on attack deep inside the Blues’ half. Bagged the match-sealing turnover in injury time.
19. Manaaki Selby-Rickit – N/A
On in the 72nd minute for Evans.
20. Marino Mikaele-Tu’u – 6.5
On in the 50th minute for Himeno. Made a good breakaway off the back of the scrum from well inside his own half and then showed some good vision to toe the ball ahead into open space.
21. Kayne Hammington – N/A
On in the 76th minute for Smith.
22. Michael Collins – 7
On in the 60th minute for Punivai. Ran a good line to score the match-sealing try late in the piece. His versatility off the bench is highly valued by the franchise.
23. James Lentjes – N/A
On in the 72nd minute for Harmon.
Comments on RugbyPass
An on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
1 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusades , you can keep going.
1 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
24 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
24 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
24 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to commentsLike tennis, who have a ranking system, and I believe rugby too, just measure over each period preceding a world cup event who was the longest number one and that would be it. In tennis the number one player frequently is not the grand slam winner. I love and adore the All Blacks since the days of Ian Kirkpatrick when I was a kid in SA. And still do because they are the masters of running rugby and are gentleman on and off the field - in general. And in my opinion they have been the majority of the time the best rugby team in the world.
24 Go to commentsHaving overseas possessions in 2024 is absurd. These Frenchies should have to give the New Caledonians their freedom.
21 Go to commentsBell injured his foot didn’t he? Bring Tupou in he’ll deliver when it counts. Agree mostly but I would switch in the Reds number 8 Harry Wilson for Swinton and move Rob Valentini to 6 instead. Wilson is a clever player who reads the play, you can’t outmuscle the AB’s and Springboks, if you have any chance it’s by playing clever. Same goes for Paisami, he’s a little guy who doesn’t really trouble the likes of De Allende and Jordie Barrett. I’d rather play Carter Gordon at 12 and put Michael Lynagh’s boy at 10. That way you get a BMT type goalkicker at 10 and a playmaker at 12. Anyways, just my two cents as a Bok supporter.
14 Go to commentsThanks Brett, love your articles which are alway pertinent. It’s a difficult topic trying to have a panel adjudicating consistently penalties for red card issues. Many of the mitigating reasons raised are judged subjectively, hence the different outcomes. How to take away subjective opinions?
11 Go to commentsYes Sir! Surprising, just like Fraser would also have escaped sanction if he was a few inches lower, even if it was by accident that he missed! Has there really been talk about those sanctions or is this just sensational journalism? I stopped reading, so might have missed any notations.
11 Go to commentsAI is only as good as the information put in, the nuances of the sport, what you see out the corner of the eye, how you sum up in a split second the situation, yes the AI is a tool but will not help win games, more likely contribute to a loss, Rugby Players are not robots, all AI can do if offer a solution not the solution. AI will effect many sports, help train better golfers etc.
45 Go to comments